APRS Position Reports via a Python Script

Apart from defining the variables for the password and the contents that make up the packet itself, the code snippet above is all that is required to put data onto APRS network via a Python Script - the results can be viewed at http://aprs.fi/?call=G0VRM-10

The code comes from a posting by Pete Loveall AE5PL

Over the air

Over the weekend of September 27^th - 28^th an event will be taking place which could influence the future of radio communications in the UK.  Whilst everyone is away enjoying the sights and sounds of the National Hamfest in Newark, this event is aimed at the people who will be developing the next mobile phone platforms, software and web services – it ironically takes place less than a stone’s throw away from the RSGB’s National Radio Centre at Bletchley Park.

One wonders if the RSGB, who in their own words are “Working for the future of Amateur Radio”, have completely missed a golden opportunity to promote our hobby to the next generation of technical elite, and instead are concentrating on targeting their efforts towards those who have the “time and resources to enjoy the hobby” – in other words retirees.

Unfortunately by its very nature, this market sector is not a growth area, and instead of concentrating their efforts towards the next generation of innovators, it is pandering to the whims of the major dealers and the advertising revenue they generate?

Another success for Dove House...

Positive feedback received from the Dove House Walk!

Just a quick email to say thank you very much to you all for helping making the Sponsored Walk on Sunday a success. From everyone at Raynet, Jean on registration to Pete and his quick thinking ‘cow manoeuvering‘ procedure and all the volunteers that manned each checkpoint, crossing point and each walk’s sweepers you all did an amazing job to make the walk a very enjoyable day!

The feedback from walkers was very positive and I am sure the sun shining helped this too! Walker number were unfortunately down this year, however the family walk attracted a fair bit of interest and we will have to review the date, location etc for next to year to make sure we improve year upon year! All said, there were around 120 walkers and 20 families that participated and we are set to raise £10,000. Fortunately we are very kindly supported by Sargent Electricals who cover the costs incurred to stage this event therefore the profits raised are contributed direct to the hospice!

I will keep you all informed of the final figure from this event and thank you again for all your hard work I couldn’t do any of it without you! Please can you pass my thanks on to all volunteers who helped as I don’t have contacts for all.

Thank you again and hopefully we will see some of you at the midnight walk in August!

https://www.dovehouse.org.uk/walkityourway

D-Star Digital Radio – A Success for the Jane Tomlinson Hull 10k

On Sunday morning, approximately 3,500 runners took to the streets of Hull's historic city centre for the Jane Tomlinson Hull 10k. Logistical support to the event was provided by Yorkshire 4x4 Response, using D-Star communications provided by the East Yorkshire Emergency Communications Group.

The combination of the Icom IC-E92D and HM-175 GPS microphones allowed vehicles to be tracked during the several handovers which occurred as the runners crossed major roads and took to the pedestrian-only areas of the city.  From a communications viewpoint, the exercise proved the value of using UHF frequencies in an urban area; with the D-Star GMSK signal surviving the multiple reflections from the tall buildings which obscured the line-of-sight path, with trouble-free communications throughout the course.

Despite many runners being disappointed by the last minute changes which diverted the route, due to a hydraulic failure of one of bridges over the Marina, the back markers managed an unimpressive time of 1:33:12 whilst enjoying the view and soaking in the atmosphere from the spartan comfort of an ex-army Land Rover!

NVIS Experiments on 5MHz from Barmby Tidal Barrier

A communications test on the 5 MHz band was carried out this evening by members of the East Yorkshire Emergency Communications Group from the Barmby Tidal Barrier (NGR SE 681286), using a wire dipole antenna setup for Near Vertical Incidence Skywave.  A propagation mode where the radiated energy is directed vertically upwards by installing the antenna low to the ground, and relying upon the ionosphere to reflect the signal back down to earth - giving a range of approximately 200 miles.

Strong CW signals were heard on 5258.5 kHz, the propagation beacons GB3RAL, GB3WES and GB3ORK were easily audible on 5288.5 kHz above the QRM, and several stations were active higher up the band at approximately 19:30z as the sun was starting to set.

New D-Star Callsign Routing System

The D-Star CCS (Call Connection Service) is a newly added feature of the G4KLX ircDDB Gateway Software that allows you to call any station, anywhere in the world, by transmitting a four digit code using your D-Star radio’s DTMF keypad...

This new method of callsign routing uses the ircDDB database to locate the last repeater or gateway that the station last transmitted on.  It then connects all parties together, so that everyone can hear both sides of the conversation and without interrupting any QSOs that are already in progress - furthermore, it even works if the repeater is already connected to a reflector.  The system allows the station receiving the call to just reply, without having to use the Icom R > CS key to program the return path.

The CCS system was developed by DG1HT, the developer of the DCS reflector system and a member of the DV-RPTR team.  For more information and registration, see http://xreflector.net. This will be added to GB7HU when we are able to visit the site update the ircDDB Gateway software.

73 de Andy

D-Star Presentation and Blog

When I first created this blog several years ago, I planned to use it as an online logbook of the social aspects of my amateur radio activities: Mainly times spent outside "The Shack" with friends enjoying the hobby, some of the training activities I have been involved with, and a place where people can download the various presentations that I have given - in an attempt to share my own learning with others and to try to demystify some of the more technical aspects of the hobby.

As an attempt to rekindle this blog, here is a link to my presentation on D-Star given to the Hornsea Amateur Radio Club on 30th January 2013 in PDF format - http://bit.ly/12XTNbi

73 de Andy