Well I have been asking this question to myself several times since this project was launched. The project has not been shelved although due to other "gremlins" in the shack the priority and importance was down-scaled a few times until other breakages were fixed. I am sure that you will agree with me that the 6m Band in the middle of Winter is fairly dead and the priority is on the low side. Just to re-cap here is the links to the project for those that might have missed it.
Now when I found the time I worked on the 6 Meter CW Beacon. I also ordered a few parts that I am waiting for to continue the project. The image below depict the work done so far on the beacon. There is not many things left to do, that's if the "gremlins" stay away from the work-bench.
I will keep those interested updated about the project and when the beacon is switched on and on the air. Updates to follow!
Image: ET phones home correctly by using good operating procedures (Click on image for larger view.)
The title question can be interpreted in two ways. No need for me to explain. I am sure that there are many South African Radio Amateurs that love the hobby and some started in the hobby while they were still kids. On occasion I called the hobby an obsession which is a bit over the top. But that is how I feel about the best and most versatile hobby in the World.
However ...... there are a few things that needs to be rectified or looked at, that is not in line with the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct or that transgress the Radio Act and or Radio Regulations. I on many occasions have said that I am not a "policeman" and has no authority to take any action to rectify any transgressions. I can however voice my dissatisfaction about a few transgressions as the amateur radio hobby is / should be a self regulating hobby without the need for the authorities to intervene.
The incidents / transgressions that I am going to mention here is really damaging the image of the hobby and I am sure that this is not what we want to observe and hear about amateur radio. Be as it may I need to get the following off my chest:
Blatant transgression of call signs on the air - Have you heard the following: "1I good afternoon." 1I is not a call sign. The correct use of the call sign must be "ZS1I good afternoon". The abbreviation of a call sign is a transgression of the radio regulations.
Another transgression is when an operator calls in as "Tobie from Put-Sonder-Water, good afternoon". Where is the call sign and who is Tobie ..... a pirate? Even if you know the voice and the person why does he not provide his call sign when he break into / join a conversation. At least everybody on the air will from the on-set know who Tobie is!
The following example in my opinion is rude and I will not even try to join the conversation. The following happens on many bands. Right off the bat is HF. Two friends are chatting and a third and fourth wants to join but the two operators leave no gap for anybody to join. They just carry on talking. Yes I know about conditions etc. but this also happens on the VHF / UHF bands and repeaters. This is not in line with the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct.
Since when is a cellphone call more important than an amateur radio conversation. Have your heard the following: "Just stand by I have a phone call." Half an hour later the receiver of the phone call returns and expect to chat further. This happens many times. Switch you phone off or do not join a conversation if you expect a call on the cellphone. Why can you not later return the cellphone call after you ended the QSO? I have been left in the cold on many occasions and do not "come back" when the "offender" returns. In my opinion this is out-rite rude conduct.
"Kerchunking ..... Kerchunking!! Need I say anything more about kerchunking a repeater? What is so difficult to say "ZS1I testing / monitoring the 145.775 Mhz repeater"? On several occasions I have heard somebody responding to a Kerchunker, friendly reminding him to provide a call sign but not providing his own call sign on the air.
Amateur Radio has a few musicians on the air as well. They love to play courtesy, sirens and other tones on the air. Sir / Madam your tones are a nuisance and serve no purpose at all. You can still use your DTMF tones by setting it up not to be heard on-air via a node etc. Nowadays there is no need to hear any tones on the air. There are other ways to do it correctly.
CB slang and jargon!! I also started off in CB many years ago when CB radio just started to become popular. Please refrain from using CB slang or jargon in Amateur Radio. I hear many operators in amateur radio talking the talk of CB. If you want to use slang or jargon use your CB radio for that purpose.
Another irritating practice is when a station is talking or busy to hand over to another station and someone makes a comment over a person or in between rounds without providing his call-sign. Why can this person not wait until it is his / her time (over) to speak. This practice in my eyes is causing deliberate interference on the air. Is this a practice that was used by rogue CB operators?
I have only mentioned a few irritating transgressions which also contravene the Amateur Radio Code of Conduct. I am sure that you can think and add more ugly "habits" that is not mentioned in this article.
Ask any older radio amateur that has been a radio amateur for many years and he or she will be able to confirm that this is not the way to operate an amateur radio station. Yes, some of the older operators are also at fault and I do not point finger to any generation in this regard.
If the above transgressions / ugly trends continues it will damage the image of amateur radio and also chase many away from this wonderful hobby which we cannot afford under any circumstances.
The South African Radio League Web Site provides value information on Ethics and Operating Procedure for the Radio-Amateur made available by the IARU, Click HERE to view.
Good operating procedures should and must always be our first priority in amateur radio otherwise ET will not be able to phone home! 👌😢
Reminder: Do tune into the DMR-ZA Net this evening at 19h30 SAST
Herewith a list of different equipment / apps and images that cross transmit / receive the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening. (Click on images for larger view.)
1. ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R)
2. DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)
3. ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater (TG 65522)
4. 145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link Mossel Bay area.
5. DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR TG655
6. ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client)
7. BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone - Receive only.)
8. DVSwitch Mobile Application (PC or Mobile Phone)
9. Many Analog-Repeaters and Links are connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a daily basis. Some of these analogue repeaters will be connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a Tuesday evening and they might also be linked to other repeaters country- and world wide. So why not link up with your local analogue repeater. You might just be able to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.
Finally: There are an abundance of means illustrated above to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST. The DMR-ZA Net is an open net and all radio amateurs are welcome to join / connect to the net. Brian ZS5BR is the net controller and I would like to thank him for professionally conducting the net each Tuesday evening. Highly appreciated!!
1. First ever Moon-Bounce QSO between Netherlands and South Africa on the 24 Ghz Band
"On Sunday 14-06-2026 the first ever 24 GHz EME contact was made with the African continent. John ZS6JON and Hans PE1CKK made a two way contact via the moon. This QSO had a long preparation, John contacted Hans a year ago to find out if Hans had some parts to build a 24GHz setup. Parts are very hard to find in South Africa. Hans had a better solution and shipped his second station to SA together with a small beacon to check the installed setup. After a lot of mail and chatting between the two radio amateurs, John had the system up and running last Sunday. Right at the first TX cycle he had a decode and they achieved the contact (QSO). The setup will stay for some time in SA to allow John to make more contacts via skeds. Working equipment: 1.8m offset dish, wavelab transverter, RW1127 twt 25W and DU3T lna. "
Congratulations to John and Hans on the first ever QSO between South Africa and the Netherlands on 24 Ghz band.
2. Earthquakes in Venezuela prompt request for clear emergency frequency
All radio amateurs are being asked to keep 7.135 MHz in the 40-metre band clear for emergency communications in the wake of back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday 24 June. The two quakes, measured by the US Geological Survey at magnitude 7,2 and 7,5 respectively, occurred just one minute apart and caused extensive damage across the South American country, including the capital city of Caracas. As of Thursday morning, government officials were reporting at least 164 deaths, nearly 1 000 injuries and hundreds of people missing. These tolls are expected to rise as rescue/recovery operations continue. More information in the SARL Hamnet report during Amateur Radio Today at 10:00 CAT.
3. SARL Newbie QSO Party Saturday, July 4⋅11:00am – 4:00pm
All the new radio amateurs from the May RAE are invited to participate in the first leg of the SARL Newbie QSO Party from 11:00 to 16:00 UTC on Saturday 4 July. It is a phone only contest on 40 and 20 metres. The exchange is a RS report, your four-character grid square e.g. JF95 and a phonetic letter indicating how long you have been licenced. The QSO scoring also depends on how long you have been licenced. Submit your log sheet by 21:59 UTC on Saturday 18 July to zr3vdk@outlook.com and zr3pa@outlook.com.
4. 40m ZS1I WSPR Beacon show an increase in activity in and around South Africa
Great to see so much activity on the 40m WSPR Beacon section of the band. Quite a few new stations were observed this past week.
5. Solar Cycle 25 Expectations in 2026 and beyond - by Carl K9LA
Carl K9LA recently gave a presentation to the Madison DX club about what propagation conditions would be like in 2026. We are on the way down the peak of the sunspot cycle but there will still be plenty of openings for a while yet. See video for more information.
Video: Dr. Paris Buttfield-Addison (VK7SYN) discusses "Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning in Amateur Radio," what AI actually is & demonstrates the potential for AI to enhance amateur radio. - Ham Radio DX
Amateur Radio in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing amateur radio by automating routine tasks, enhancing signal processing, and optimizing contest strategies. Far from rendering the hobby obsolete, AI acts as a powerful operating assistant—improving noise filtering, expanding accessibility for operators with disabilities, and advancing global spectrum experimentation.
Key Applications of AI in Ham Radio
Signal Processing & Noise Reduction: AI algorithms are increasingly integrated into software-defined radios (SDRs) and digital signal processors (DSP). They can intelligently filter out background noise, isolate weak signals in harsh atmospheric conditions, and enhance audio clarity.
Contest Strategy & Logging: AI analyzes massive datasets from the DX Cluster to provide real-time recommendations on rare stations, predict optimal band frequencies, and optimize your overall score during major contesting events.
Accessibility & Voice Control: Machine learning models assist operators with speech impairments or visual limitations to participate in digital modes (like FT8) through automated text-to-speech, voice control, and digitized voice generation.
Propagation Forecasting: AI systems process historical and real-time space weather, solar flux index (SFI), and geomagnetic data to generate highly accurate HF (High Frequency) propagation predictions.
What AI Cannot Replace
While AI can help you hunt down contacts or log QSOs, the core of amateur radio remains human. The technology cannot replicate the thrill of building physical antennas, improvising off-grid communications during emergencies, or the tactile feel of tuning a radio. The regulatory framework for amateur licensing and transmitting—managed globally by bodies like the ITU—still requires a licensed human operator at the helm.
Now lets look a little deeper into this sometimes controversial topic.
The application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in amateur radio has transitioned from conceptual experimentation into real-world software tool-chains and radio hardware. AI operates as a powerful algorithmic layer that interfaces with the physical environment, processing massive amounts of telemetry data and raw RF (Radio Frequency) audio streams.
The primary technical areas where AI is creating the most significant impact include advanced digital signal processing, dynamic ionospheric modeling, and cognitive station automation.
1. Neural Networks & Advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Traditional DSP relies on hard-coded mathematical rules (like fixed Bandpass or Notch filters) to clean up signals. AI replaces or augments this with recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and adaptive filters that train on millions of noisy audio samples.
Intelligent Noise Isolation: AI filters can dynamically distinguish between human voice, Morse code (CW), and ambient localized interference—such as EMI from solar panel inverters, power grids, or switching power supplies. It subtracts the noise in real time, making borderline unreadable signals intelligible.
Automatic Signal Classification: Using low-power hardware (such as a Raspberry Pi paired with an RTL-SDR dongle), AI algorithms use open-source pipelines to instantly identify, classify, and isolate specific modulation types (e.g., APRS, FT8, FM, or satellite beacons) across wide swaths of the radio spectrum.
2. Predictive Propagation and "Big Data" Ionospheric Modeling
Predicting whether an HF (High Frequency) signal will bounce off the ionosphere to reach a specific continent has historically relied on static monthly median models like VOACAP. AI shifts this to real-time, fluid forecasting:
Telemetry Integration: Machine learning algorithms continuously ingest live data streams, including Solar Flux Index (SFI), geomagnetic activity (K-index, A-index), coronal mass ejection alerts, and planetary ionosonde readouts.
Crowdsourced Spot Mapping: Modern AI architectures collect hundreds of thousands of daily data points from networks like the Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) and DX clusters. By analyzing the paths where signals are actually getting through right now, the AI builds deep-learning models to map out precise, real-time RF "micro-openings" on the bands.
3. Smart Contesting, Automated Logging, and Strategy
During radio contesting—where the goal is to make as many rapid-fire contacts as possible—AI functions as a digital co-pilot.
Predictive Spotting & Hunting: AI systems analyze cluster feeds to prioritize rare DX stations based on your station's historical capabilities, antenna trajectory, and local terrain limitations. It advises when to switch bands or call a specific frequency before the band opening disappears.
Automated Call Translation: In weak-signal scenarios or heavy pileups, AI assists in audio decoding. Generative audio tools can infill missing packets of voice transmissions, predicting a call sign's broken suffix or prefix based on global license databases and phonetic speech patterns.
4. Accessibility and Cognitive Radio Control
AI lowers the physical barriers to entry for disabled, aging, or speech-impaired operators, ensuring inclusivity in the amateur community.
Speech and Language Translation: Real-time translation models allow operators of different nationalities to converse smoothly via voice. For operators with localized speech impairments, AI can map inconsistent vocal inputs into synthesized, digitized voices that cleanly trigger SSB (Single Side-band) transmitters.
No-Code CW Assistants: Machine learning toolsets are being developed to interpret high-speed, poorly spaced, or drifting manual Morse code ("fists"). This translates raw audio into readable text on a screen without requiring the operator to master the code by ear.
Comparison: Traditional vs. AI-Enhanced Radio Operation
Feature
Traditional Amateur Radio
AI-Enhanced Amateur Radio
Noise Filtering
Manual adjustments of RF gain, notch filters, and fixed audio DSP width.
Dynamic neural networks that isolate human voice or code from background electrical hums.
Band Hunting
Manual tuning across a VFO dial or tracking simple text-based DX cluster alerts.
Predictive spectrum scanning prioritizing frequencies based on real-time solar telemetry.
Digital Decoding
Exact mathematical pattern-matching; fails if signal drops below the hard theoretical noise floor.
Generative packet-filling and probabilistic decoding of compromised data streams.
Shack Maintenance
Manual reading of complex paper schematics to build antennas or debug circuitry.
Computer vision and LLMs that troubleshoot physical circuit designs or guide antenna cuts via photo inputs.
From the beginning, amateur radio has connected people with reliable information and companionship, including in the most difficult moments during emergencies or disasters.
In this new era, AI must remain a tool to serve that mission: helping radio amateurs to assist more people, in more languages; never replacing the editorial responsibility for which communities rely on amateur radio stations during disasters.
World Radio Day, celebrated yearly on 13 February, honours the medium’s unique power to inform, connect and accompany people everywhere.
The latest annual theme reminds us:
“AI is a tool, not a voice.”
We need to continue to preserve the Amateur Radio bands / airwaves as a valuable resource that enables this unique medium to thrive.
Ultimately, radio’s future depends on using AI to reaffirm and strengthen the human values that define the medium.
ED. There is quite a few authors that contributed to this topic:
1. Dr. Paris Buttfield-Addison VK7SYN
2. Hayden P Honeywood VK7HH
3. Mario Maniewicz, Director, ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
4. Johan ZS1I
5. AI
I would like to thank them for their input and outlook on AI. AI was used as a tool, not a voice in this topic! - ZS1I
I have decided to add an amateur radio news and announcements side bar gadget to the ZS1I Amateur Radio Projects/Activities-Mossel Bay Blog.
Adding this gadget to the Blogger sidebar transforms it from a static reading space into an active hub. It instantly highlights important news, guides visitors to key pages, and encourages users to spend more time exploring the ZS1I Blogspot website.
Where do I find this gadget or column on this Blog?
Just click on either Amateur Radio News or Announcements and you will be able to access Amateur Radio News and Announcements.
Key Reasons to Add the Gadget
Real-time News: Keeps your readers informed about upcoming events, new product launches, or blog updates without them having to dig through older posts.
Increased Engagement: Directs traffic toward your most important content or landing pages, which lowers bounce rates.
Community Building: Fosters a stronger connection with your audience by sharing interactive elements or promotional offers.
Seamless Navigation: Provides direct paths to your active social media accounts or community groups
I created the gadget but refinements are still in progress. Please be patient as this might take some time.
This article is currently a test announcement posted on the Blog.
I have been asked on several occasions whether I ever use a radio on DMR as it would appear that all the articles I post has to do with DMR applications that runs on a cellphone or PC. In a past article I explained that with all do respect amateur radio is not only about real radios. I use what I have available and that will serve the purpose that I have intended for it. In other words I use the communications medium for a specific reason and purpose. It is definitely not a hard and fast rule. I use old valve tech to the newest surface technology, VoIP, Digital Voice modes etc. whenever I feel like using at the time.
I do have several radios and use them as and when the need arise. In this article I am going to look at the TYT MD380 DMR Handheld radio which I acquired several years ago when DMR was still in its infancy in South Africa. Now why would I write and article about this specific radio. It is really quite simple. The TYT MD-380 is a popular, budget-friendly DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) handheld transceiver widely used by amateur radio operators and professionals. It offers a great entry point into digital communications, providing both analog FM and digital DMR Tier II capabilities.
Key Specifications & Features
Frequencies: Available in distinct single-band models: TYT MD-390 VHF (136 - 174 MHz) or TYT MD-380 UHF (400 - 480 MHz). (Dual-band models like the MD-UV380 are also available).
Power Output: Selectable high (5 W) and low (1 W) power settings.
Channels & Zones: 1,000 channels, organized into user-defined zones (16 channels per zone accessible via the rotary knob).
Display: Full-color LCD display showing channel, zone, battery life, and signal strength.
Battery: Typically comes with a 2000 mAh Li-ion battery, providing roughly 9 to 12 hours of active use.
Audio: Equipped with an AMBE+2 digital vocoder for clear digital audio.
Programming
While the MD-380 allows basic front-panel configuration for frequencies and tones, advanced digital features (like assigning DMR talkgroups and contact lists) require PC programming.
Software: Requires the free TYT CPS (Customer Programming Software) for Windows.
Cable: Requires a specific TYT USB programming cable (often uses a standard Kenwood 2-pin connector on the radio end). Note that this software is not natively supported on Mac computers.
For a complete breakdown of the radio's features, menu options, and everyday functionality:
So far you wrote nothing about the out of ordinary about this radio! That how it is. I have never seen the need to purchase a radio with all the bells and whistles that never gets used and I do not buy a radio with the intend that I might use the bells and whistles some day. O! and I do not have anything against bells and whistles. My motto is to purchase a practical KISS radio that is upgrade-able if it ever becomes necessary. Enough of this. Let's get to the upgrading of the TYT MD-380 radio.
Thanks to the ingenuity of a few fellow radio amateurs for coming up with firmware that will "revolutionize" the MD-380. There are several different firmware upgrades available.
WARNING: Please use the correct firmware for your specific radio. I used the following tutorial to upgrade my MD-380, available HERE.I would suggest further reading for complete documentation with graphics of the added features available HERE.[PDF]
I installed the following firmware for my TYT MD-380: MD-380Toolz Ver 1 April 2018 CP Ver - V 01.37.
The software builds upon the original custom open-source firmware project for the Tytera MD-380, which was reverse-engineered and developed by Travis Goodspeed (KK4VCZ) and his counterparts in the amateur radio community.
MD380Tools is custom, open-source firmware and a software toolkit designed for the TYT MD-380 (and similar DMR radios). It bypasses the limitations of the factory firmware, providing you with highly requested features like Promiscuous Mode (listening to all talk groups on a timeslot), full digital contact list storage, a microphone volume meter, and customized background images.
Key Features
Full Database Support: Allows you to load the complete global DMR user database so the radio displays the caller's name, callsign, and location.
Promiscuous Mode: Bypasses Talk Group restrictions so you can monitor all traffic on your current frequency, color code, and timeslot without needing to program specific groups.
Custom Tweaks: Adds features like a visual microphone volume meter, screen customization, custom boot screens, and backlight timeouts.
Requirements & Preparation
Before flashing your radio, you will need:
Programming Cable: The standard USB programming cable that comes with the MD-380.
Backup: Use your standard MD-380 CPS (Customer Programming Software) to read your radio and save your current codeplug (radio settings and channels) to your computer before attempting any updates.
Installation & Flashing
Note: Installing custom firmware carries a small risk. Always ensure your radio is fully charged and the USB cable is not disturbed during the flash.
Further information on upgrading the TYT MD-380 is available HERE and HERE.
Having paid less that 1K for this radio and upgrading it with the firmware MD-380Tools resulted in a very useful DMR Radio that I use daily to excess / monitor the ZS1I DMR Repeater in Mossel Bay. I love this radio and I am sure that many others feel the same.
There you have it changing a budget and fairly aged DMR into a very useful DMR Radio. Finally I do have amateur radio radios and I use them more frequent than some might think. No pun intended! As said before I like to use what I have available at the time for a specific purpose.
