HSMM-Mesh Internet Tunnel Software Beta Testing Now

The HSMM-Mesh developers are beta testing internet tunneling software. This software will allow remote Mesh networks to link together through the internet. This will be a great leap in capabilities for the software. It will be possible to increase the Mesh network foot print till we can get the gaps filled in. This will be the start of the nationwide mesh network. Here in Henderson Kentucky I have 3 nodes up and running, and we have several hams locally that are building nodes. I would like to link Henderson to the nationwide network. Just think of the possibilities! 


http://hsmm-mesh.org/
http://hsmm-mesh.org/under-development/108-virtual-tunnels.html

HF propagation for Firefox Web Browser

Here is a fun add on for the Firefox web browser. It is called Propfire and works with Firefox and will not work with any IE versions. This will keep you informed about the status of the HF bands. Check it out!



http://www.n0hr.com/Propfire.htm

SCS: New Pactor 4 Modem

SCS has posted a new modem for Pactor 4.  The P4dragon DR-7800 is the latest and in the line of pactor modems. This one the say has been redesigned with a fast quad-core DSP allowing high data rates. I am still a fan of software based digital modes like Winmore. It is nice to see advances in communications. Check it out and let me know what you think.

English translation:

http://tinyurl.com/Pactor4SCS

For those that speak German:

http://www.pactor4.com/SCS_DRAGON_DE/Home.html


 

"DIY Community" asked for Input by Radio Shack

The "DIY Community" asked for Input  by Radio Shack. This is very interesting but is not unexpected. Maybe they will move back to their roots and have more parts, and other items they had back in the day. It would be nice to have "Radio Shack" brand equipment and maybe even some Ham radio equipment. Be nice but let your voices be heard!

Click here to be heard!

FEMA Thanks The Amatuer Radio Community

Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator, at the Earthquake Communications Preparedness Forum, held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 in Washington, DC, thanked the Amateur radio community. He said that ham radio really is valuable "when all else fails".  His part of the forum begins at about 18:30. The whole video was interesting if you have the time to watch, at least watch the part about ham radio. I think this gives some insight about Amateur radio and public service.

http://beta.fcc.gov/event/earthquake-communications-preparedness-forum

DDP an Alternative Protocol for Packet Radio

Danny Knaggs, 2E0DPK is developing a new free Ham protocol. DDP, Danny's Digital Packet, is a new Alternative Protocol for Packet Radio. It works with FLDigi or D-STAR DV. What is different is that the packets are sent and recieved in plain text on the waterfall. This is a very interesting development that will work with several operating systems. This is still Beta, so may the testing begin.



http://code.google.com/p/ddp/

PMRC's "Every Single Minute"

Here is a nice old video about Ham Radio. Some of the equipment used brings back a lot of memories of my early ham exposure and experience. I have operated a lot of the boat anchors shown in the video. Please enjoy

Keep your Computer Clock Accurate for the Digital Modes

There is a need to keep your computer clock accurate for some of the digital modes. There are several ways hams have been trying do do this ands some have become outmoded with the newer Windows operating systems.  Meinberg NTP for Windows is the way to go. It is free and it is also the "official"  Network Time Protocol client software. The only downside to ham software needing this level of accurace is that it probably would not be a good mode in an emergency. There would be no to keep the clocks that accurate without using a GPS signal or something else. How many Hams would be prepared for that?  Julian, G4ILO has a good write up about this on his Blog. Check it out and see if you can keep up with time.



http://www.meinberg.de/english/sw/ntp.htm#ntp_nt_stable

http://blog.g4ilo.com/2011/04/time-to-ditch-dimension-4.html

NBEMS using FLMSG auto open feature

Here is a nice video that Dave, KB3FXI made of a digital net using the NBEMS, Narrow Band Emergency Messaging Software. The Net Control Station was Ronald, K3MIY. They used MT63 1k long and the FLMSG auto open feature using the NTS/Radiogram form. This is a great way to send Bulletins and NTS traffic via any HF/VHF/UHF digital Net. Check out the video.




Download NBEMS from:
http://www.w1hkj.com/

NBEMS article:
http://wedothatradio.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/nbems/

More Information on Gemlink

I sent one of the Gemlink units to Steve, KB9MWR to look at. Steve has done an excellent job of documenting this unit. I must also include Joe, N9ZIA, who is responsible for this great write up. Sorry I missed giving credit to him originally. The Gemlink uses the K Band, the Ham part of this band is 24Ghz. I am not sure if the Gemlink equipment can be tuned and used on the Ham bands.  I do not have the equipment that will work at this frequency. I am looking for some equipment, so that I can experiment with this system. Check out the write up about it.

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/gemlink/index.html