AmateurRadio.com

I was talking to Rob, G4XUT yesterday about getting the case of an Ascom SE-550 open – in order to make some adjustments to the internal squelch pot.Rob very kindly put together a list of instructions on how to get the rig apart which I thought someone else might find of use. Thanks Rob!To get into the Ascom:-Assuming that the mobile bracket has already been removed.Disconnect the rear connector by loosening the retaining screw.Remove the Mic plug connector.Unplug the code plug which is above the mic connector.Remove the screw behind code plug.Detach the front panel with is hinged on the L/H side.Remove the 4 screws at the front and 4 screws at the rear.Carefully pull apart the two main boards from the main housing.Carefully re-assemble the two boards.Replace the front panel, code plug and the mic plug.Power up and adjust sq or whatever as required. Simples!!

I was talking to Rob, G4XUT yesterday about getting the case of an Ascom SE-550 open – in order to make some adjustments to the internal squelch pot.Rob very kindly put together a list of instructions on how to get the rig apart which I thought someone else might find of use. Thanks Rob!To get into the Ascom:-Assuming that the mobile bracket has already been removed.Disconnect the rear connector by loosening the retaining screw.Remove the Mic plug connector.Unplug the code plug which is above the mic connector.Remove the screw behind code plug.Detach the front panel with is hinged on the L/H side.Remove the 4 screws at the front and 4 screws at the rear.Carefully pull apart the two main boards from the main housing.Carefully re-assemble the two boards.Replace the front panel, code plug and the mic plug.Power up and adjust sq or whatever as required. Simples!!

Marco, IS0BSR/IS0, who I heard in March sent me his latest video – some images, audio and log details from the May 144MHz contest.Hope you enjoy it.This is a nice way of representing a contest.

Marco, IS0BSR/IS0, who I heard in March sent me his latest video – some images, audio and log details from the May 144MHz contest.Hope you enjoy it.This is a nice way of representing a contest.

I was looking around for some information on DSTAR repeaters and the alternatives to commercial equipment when I happened across the Dutch*Star site.The site is entitled ‘D-STAR for the rest of us’ and in the words from the introduction to the site is about ‘about making your own equipment for the D-STAR communications system for Amateur Radio operators, ranging from simple GMSK node adapters (“modems”) to complete transceivers, repeaters and so on’What particularly interested me was the WinDV software. It’s an alternative to the well tried and tested ‘DVAP Tool’ by Robin AA4RC. I have to add that DVAP Tool has always worked well for me but it’s always interesting and fun to try out new software.WinDV can be downloaded here Installation is very straightforward and really consists of unzipping the file.Configuration too was straightforward. The only ‘challenge’ was to find out what COM port the DVAP was resident on. My DVAP Tool configuration told me that. I plugged my callsign and the COM port (COM10, in my case) into the settings and the program came up.One thing that I liked about WinDV compared to DVAP Tool was the ability to connect to a reflector or repeater from the software – which is perhaps quicker than fiddling around in the menus on the E92 (in my case!). You can also configure WinDV to automatically connect to a particular reflector or repeater when it starts up which is a nice touch.The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so I connected the software to REF001C and switched my E92 on. Reflector traffic was audible as expected and I found that I was able to transmit as expected – I had a nice QSO with KJ6MOH in Austin, Texas.The software is described as beta, but on the basis of a few minutes ‘testing’ seems to work well, so if you have a DVAP, you may well be interested to try this software and see how you get on.

I was looking around for some information on DSTAR repeaters and the alternatives to commercial equipment when I happened across the Dutch*Star site.The site is entitled ‘D-STAR for the rest of us’ and in the words from the introduction to the site is about ‘about making your own equipment for the D-STAR communications system for Amateur Radio operators, ranging from simple GMSK node adapters (“modems”) to complete transceivers, repeaters and so on’What particularly interested me was the WinDV software. It’s an alternative to the well tried and tested ‘DVAP Tool’ by Robin AA4RC. I have to add that DVAP Tool has always worked well for me but it’s always interesting and fun to try out new software.WinDV can be downloaded here Installation is very straightforward and really consists of unzipping the file.Configuration too was straightforward. The only ‘challenge’ was to find out what COM port the DVAP was resident on. My DVAP Tool configuration told me that. I plugged my callsign and the COM port (COM10, in my case) into the settings and the program came up.One thing that I liked about WinDV compared to DVAP Tool was the ability to connect to a reflector or repeater from the software – which is perhaps quicker than fiddling around in the menus on the E92 (in my case!). You can also configure WinDV to automatically connect to a particular reflector or repeater when it starts up which is a nice touch.The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so I connected the software to REF001C and switched my E92 on. Reflector traffic was audible as expected and I found that I was able to transmit as expected – I had a nice QSO with KJ6MOH in Austin, Texas.The software is described as beta, but on the basis of a few minutes ‘testing’ seems to work well, so if you have a DVAP, you may well be interested to try this software and see how you get on.

It’s annual general meeting time again for the Ridgeway Repeater Group (http://www.rrg.org.uk). The group looks after the GB3WH and GB3TD as well MB7UR and GB3NW in the Swindon area.If you are close by, do come along – it would be great to see you there.The meeting will be held at 19:30 at Thring Townsend, 6 Drakes Meadow, Penny Lane, Swindon. SN3 3LL
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