NF9K Technical Specialist Report – September 2016

Received a website comment from a local amateur looking to use DMR to communication back to Franklin, IN, once he moves to Texas. I was able to help him by by explaining how the various DMR Network inter-connect and what TG’s he’d likely be able to find in common.

Responded to another website comment and helped a local amateur with programming his subscriber ID into his radio. He was using a template provided by someone else, but couldn’t find the ID setting.

Another website comment regarding the downloading of available code plugs. Help out by providing some instructions on how to accomplish the task.

Successfully linked my recently acquired UHF Quantar to a P25 Network in KY/TN. The connectivity is accomplished by using a wireline card with the v.24 daughter board in the repeater or a third party adapter if you do not have the v.24 card. You then interface that with a WIC-1T serial interface card on a Cisco router. The Cisco router is then configured for serial tunneling which connects in my case to an AstroTac 300 Comparator. Very cool setup, and the Cisco stuff is right up my alley. I loved it when I my work and hobby’s cross over. The repeater is still on the bench, but will begin finalizing antenna/tower this month and get it up in the air and in service.

I took the time to support the Amateur Radio Parity Act. While it no longer affects me, I did live for a number of years under a CC&R and would love for those hams still burdened by such a situation to get some relief.

Purchased and assembled a BlueDV unit. A very cool/small DMR/DSTAR interface that uses Bluetooth to an Android device or USB connectivity to its control application. More info can be found here: http://www.nf9k.net/?p=698

Received an email from a California Ham looking for assistance in interfacing an XPR8300 to an RC210 controller. We discussed the limitations of such a configuration, many of which he wasn’t aware of, but the design is what they’re going to use for now. I help him map out the various lines he’d need to get everything going.

Ordered an SharkRF OpenSpot device. Hopefully that’ll be in before next months report and I can provide some first-hand info. In the mean time, the device supports DMR (Brandmeister, DMRplus), D-Star (DCS, REF/DPlus, XRF/DExtra, XLX), System Fusion (FCS, YSFReflector) networks. And the biggest thing is it supports cross modem modes, allowing you to talk with your C4FM radio on DMR, and with your DMR radio on System Fusion networks. I’ve seen this in action and think it could really open some doors for cross-networks or allow people who have invested in one particular mode to access others without buying additional radios.

Updated the IRC website with new meeting minutes as well as new repeater directories and the various associated download files.

Began working on a NOAA weather alert interface that can be used on the Crossroads DMR network. I have the solution running on the bench, but still have some logistics to work through.

Had some connectivity issues at two of my DMR sites. Cellular internet is convenient but not nearly as reliable as wired. And the more rural you get, the less reliable things are. But I’m happy to report that impact was minimal and everything came back online after being rebooted.

Began working on an out-of-state DMR collaboration that has some promising opportunities. Hopefully things continue to develop and I’ll have more to share in the upcoming months.

I believe that’s it for September… Oh yeah, besides the fact I’m now a year older…. 73 until next month!