Author Archives: robert

Buster running on MacBook

Posted on June 9, 2020 by robert

One of the programs that can use the AMBE Server is “Buster” which is a Mac OS program.  It appears to support only DSTAR, but it is working well on my Mac.  I did have to shut the program down … Continue reading →

Posted in AMBE3000, Buster, D-Star | 2 Comments

BlueDV Running with DV 3K Dongle

Posted on May 25, 2020 by robert

Taking full advantage of a reduced workload these past few days, I found myself thinking of DMR again after stumbling across the Zumspot AMBE Server.  That seemed like an excellent non-radio means of bringing up DMR, DSTAR or Fusion on … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, Digital Mode, DMR, FUSION | Leave a comment

Success with RS-44

Posted on May 23, 2020 by robert

I had a chance to get my Satellite rig on the air and added in information for HuskySat-1 and RS-44.  Never heard HuskySat, but during a pass around 23:45Z, I worked KS1G on CW, and N3CAL, W4ZXT + W5CBF on … Continue reading →

Posted in RS-44, Satellite | Leave a comment

FLEX6600M Springs back to life

Posted on May 4, 2020 by robert

Late last year, I purchased a FlexRadio 6600M along with its companion “Maestro” remote head.  I had the radio installed in my basement shack (I call it the Wombat Room, but everyone else calls it the furnace room), and I … Continue reading →

Posted in FlexRadio, Gear | Leave a comment

Thank you VP8PJ Team!

Posted on March 7, 2020 by robert

I am always amazed when I think of the logistics and costs of putting on a major DXpedition.  When you couple that with remote and downright dangerous locations, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the teams that put … Continue reading →

Posted in DX | Leave a comment

AMSAT DMR Net (Wed 10 PM ET on TG98006)

Posted on February 18, 2020 by robert

My thanks to Walter, K5WH, who was nice enough to confirm that my DMR Radio was working on the AMSAT Talk Group 98006.  Walter also indicated that there is a 10 PM Eastern Time net that meets every Wednesday run … Continue reading →

Posted in AMSAT, DMR, FUSION | Leave a comment

Successful WFD Satellite Contact

Posted on January 26, 2020 by robert

A bit of planning goes a long way… There was a 8:30L XW-2A satellite pass this morning.  I pointed my Arrow x-beam to the NW at about 25 degrees elevation.  By 8:33, I was in contact with NK1N in SNJ … Continue reading →

Posted in Satellite, WFD, XW-2A | Leave a comment

8000 Confirmations in LotW

Posted on January 16, 2020 by robert

Last time I reported this metric, was in May of 2018, when 6,001 confirmations had been recorded in LotW. Today confirmation 8,000 was received in LotW.  What an amazing system.  Thanks ARRL!!

Posted in LotW | Leave a comment

Where we wound up: ID-5100 Programming for the Blind

Posted on January 15, 2020 by robert

Over the past few days I’ve put in about 18 hours trying various methods of programming the ID-5100 so it would be useful for a blind ham.  I’ve discussed the problems with the radio and its very limited speech synthesizer … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, From the OM, Gear, Sightless Hams | Leave a comment

A Plea to Amateur Radio Gear Designers

Posted on January 13, 2020 by robert

I’ve commented a few times about a young ham that I spent about 18 months getting ready for his Technician License.  This was a bit more difficult journey due to Ryan being blind.  After a year of being on the … Continue reading →

Posted in D-Star, From the OM, Gear, Sightless Hams | Leave a comment