Using RT Systems Cables with CHIRP
I discovered that RT Systems’s programming cables which use an FTDI EEPOM-capable UART chip can be reprogrammed have it work perfectly as a generic FTDI serial device with CHIRP.
Thoughts on Kenwood NXR Repeaters for Amateur Radio
Kenwood in its various incarnations has been a well-known name in the radio world since the 1960s. While Kenwood is well-known specifically in amateur radio for it’s HT, mobile, and base station radios, it is also a maker of repeater radios. Most well-known from Kenwood for amateur repeaters is likely…
XLX330 Transcoder Changes
Some changes have been made to the Megalink Reflector XLX330. With decline in local DMR traffic and increase in YSF traffic, it has been decided to terminate the cross-mode linking of DMR BM 311070 into YSF/DMR Room #83603. The default connections have changed. DCS330A/XLX330A is still the preferred D-STAR connection…
Low-Viz Rain Gutter Antenna Mount
A concept to use common, low-cost parts to mount a VHF/UHF dual-band antenna to help people who have HOA restrictions, are renters, or desire low-visibility characteristics get on the air.
Rittman Watertower Site EOL
For many years, the City of Rittman has graciously hosted an amateur radio repeater on the water tower north of town. It is an excellent location with a good elevation and HAAT. Unfortunately, with the shift to the state-wide radio network of local municipalities, the facilities used by WTF for…
Building an APRS Two-Way IGate (2023)
Recently WW8TF-15 was upgraded to Debian 12. Since WW8TF-15 runs on a Raspberry Pi, it was also a good time to replace the SD Card. Starting over from scratch gave an opportunity to review and revisit this info for 2023. Here’s how to build an easy two-way APRS IGate with existing or easily obtainable parts.
Yaesu 8900 with Standard Mic
To use a standard headset mic with the Yaesu 8900 there’s a bit of adapter creation that must be done. Surprisingly, there isn’t a lot of information out there about how to do it. Upon the need to build a new adapter for the in-shack 8900, it shall be documented here.
KE8LDH 442.5125 News
KE8LDH 442.5125+ is back on the air for real! After previously bringing the repeater back online, the system has been hit with a series of misfortunes. But it’s back now!
Injecting CTCSS with PiTone
As faithful readers of the (very occasional) posts to this site, there is a series on modifying and using the Yaesu DR-1X repeaters. One of the latest hacks that’s been done to one is the use of a D2A board and PiTone to inject the needed CTCSS tone into the…
Megalink Service Terminations
WW8TF has decided to terminate some services in 2022 as part of a general clean-up of unused, inefficient, and underutilized services.
