SunflowerNet.us explained #hamradio #Skywarn

 From another list, came this item:

Sunflower requires the use of hotspots

Happily, this statement is incorrect because SunflowerNet neither requires nor prohibits hotspot or any other method of connection.

Repeaters are encouraged to connect to SunflowerNet on any of the modes available.  Those modes are Allstar 28848, Echolink KC5FM-R 906281, Hamshack Hotline 94032, DMR TGIF 31207, P25 31207, DSTAR XLXOKL C, Yaesu Fusion 31207, M17-SUN module A.

Clearly, some of those modes, ex. M17, are not available on a large number of repeaters.  Because of grant funding available and the low cost of equipment, that should quickly become a problem with a fix.

Echolink is one mode that one can use on Windows, Linux, Android, and IOS. Register your callsign and connect to the node listed above.  Both the software and your registration is free of charge.

Allstar users look for RepeaterPhone, for "When you are out of range of the repeater. While it is not free, users also get Echolink in addition to Allstar.  Registration is free.

Hamshack Hotline offers the best audio of the mix.  It's not free, however.  You will need a device.  Registration is free.  When you get the device and registered, go to this link to see who is logged onto SunflowerNet and other RF links around the world.  The Author uses Groundwire (available on Google Play for Android and IOS) using WiFi over DSL or celluar to roam the planet.

M17 offers the best audio quality on the Digital Voice side.  To use it, grab a copy of DroidStar on Android or Dudestar for your Windows or Linux devices.  For less than $50, users should be able to get an Android phone to use over wifi and a copy of Droidstar from Google Play.

The rest of the modes can be joined over wifi and a hotspot BUT:

RepeaterBook lists all the repeaters in Kansas, for example.  Search there for your local repeater listing the mode you wish to use.  Connect as you can.

Clearly, Sunflower is not the only multimode system.  Alabama, Oklahoma, Illinois, Colorado and just a few States with their own version.   

 

 

 

Just in time for #Christmas #hamradio

 Now that your Christmas tree is up and the Thanksgiving meal is a memory, it's time to tune your attention to the ham radio Santa nets.

 Leading the pack, the CQ Santa effort is on 3.916 mHz  nightly through Christmas Eve.

Friends at KC Wide will have Santa On the Air on November 29 and December 6.  See the web page to register your child's QSO.

Santa at N0P will be on the air beginning November 27.  The only thing better would have been a callsign like N0L ... get it ... No EL.

For our overseas friends who are convinced that Santa lives in Lapland, The Christmas Goat will be at OH9SCL beginning December 2.  

 Merry Christmas and 73

When is not enough too much #hamradio #ARRL

How many TV stations can you watch at one time?  How many radio stations can you comprehend at one time?  Can you stream YouTube, Google TV, and watch your favorite movie on Netflix at the same time?

How many local repeaters are there in your area?   The link lists nine, though not all are in range of the handheld.

Of the nine or those in your area, how many are monitored for emergency calls?  If you called a MayDay on your most popular local repeater at 0200, would you get an answer?  If you called on any of the simplex channels available (repeater is down), can you reasonably expect an answer?

An old dead Roman said once, "When Danger comes, it's too late to plan".  Please plan now how you will communicate during an emergency.  Write it down. Share that with local residents.  When you hear new folks, tell them "XYZ is monitored for emergencies.  ZYX is the backup."

Holiday travel is upon us.  Listen.  Help.

Preparedness Information from @Bing #NatlPrep

Hello, this is Bing. I'm glad you are interested in emergency preparedness. It is a very important topic that can help you and your family survive and cope with various types of disasters. Some essential items that you should have in case of a disaster are: - A basic emergency kit that contains water, food, flashlight, batteries, radio, first aid kit, whistle, dust mask, sanitation items, wrench or pliers, can opener, local maps, and cell phone with chargers¹ - A car emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflective triangle, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, blanket, map, cat litter or sand for traction² - Important documents such as birth certificates, insurance policies, identification cards, bank account records, etc. stored in a fire-proof safe or safety deposit box² Some essential skills that you should have in case of a disaster are: - First aid and CPR: You should know how to treat common injuries and illnesses, and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on someone who is not breathing or has no pulse² - Fire safety: You should know how to prevent and extinguish small fires, and how to escape from a burning building safely² - Communication: You should know how to contact your family members and emergency services in different ways, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, etc.² - Evacuation: You should know how to leave your home or workplace quickly and safely if you are asked to do so by authorities¹ To create an emergency plan for your family, you can follow these steps: - Identify the types of disasters that could affect your area and learn how to prepare for each one¹ - Choose a family meeting place where everyone can gather after a disaster¹ - Designate an out-of-town contact who can relay information between family members in case local communication is disrupted¹ - Make copies of your emergency contact list and keep them in your wallet, car, workplace, etc.¹ - Plan how to take care of your pets or service animals during a disaster¹ - Review and practice your plan with your family at least once a year¹ I hope this information was helpful. If you want to learn more about emergency preparedness, you can visit [Ready.gov](^1^) or [National Safety Council](^2^). Stay safe! 😊 Source: Conversation with Bing, 10/9/2023 (1) Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov. https://www.ready.gov/. (2) Emergency Preparedness Home - National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/emergency-preparedness-home. (3) Plan Ahead for Disasters | Ready.gov. https://www.ready.gov/. (4) Emergency Preparedness Home - National Safety Council. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/emergency-preparedness-home. (5) What is Emergency Preparedness? - Definition from Safeopedia. https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/194/emergency-preparedness. (6) Emergency Preparedness and Response: Getting Started. https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/getting-started. (7) Emergency preparedness checklist: Prepping for beginners. https://theprepared.com/prepping-basics/guides/emergency-preparedness-checklist-prepping-beginners/.

 

 

NTS/APRS Gateway user information #ARRL #hamradio #APRS

There's a new National Traffic System gateway for the Automatic Packet Reporting System.  Here's instructions from Michael, WZ0C.

 

 

How to use the APRS NTS Gateway

With the APRS gateway for NTS, you can send a Radiogram on to DTN by
sending it to "NTSGTE" on APRS.  Here's the process:

1. Send your listing to NTSGTE.  E.g. "QTC 1" (or whatever quantity you 
have)  Some people skip the listing and go straight into the message, which
works if you only have one message and start with the preamble.
 
2. Then send your message in this format, per the APRS specification (with 
a couple of updates):

N#\number\precedence\handling\originator\check\place\time\date
NA\address_line1\address_line2\address_line3\address_line4
NP\phone number
NE\email address
N1\line 1 of NTS message text
N2\line 2 of NTS message text
N3\line 3 of NTS message text
N4\line 4 of NTS message text
N5\line 5 of NTS message text
N6\line 6 of NTS message text
NS\Signature block\signature line 2\signature line 3

The fields above are optional where reasonable.  E.g., you don't have to
have 6 lines of text.  You don't have to have 3 lines in the signature.  
You don't have to have a phone number in the addressee field.  Etc.

You can use lower case letters if it's simpler.  They will be converted
to upper case.

An example Radiogram sent in this format looks like:

N#\380\R\\WZ0C\9\MAYNARD MA\\AUG 27
NA\MICHAEL WZ0C\MAYNARD MA 01754
NE\WZ0C ATSIGN ARRL DOT NET
N1\THIS IS A TEST MESSAGE
N2\SENT WITH APRS 73
NS\MICHAEL WZ0C

3. NTSGTE will "Roger" the message.  

The received message is then relayed to the Digital Traffic Network.

If you have more messages to send as part of your listing, go back to 
step 2 and send the next message.


Command reference

The following are the commands that the gateway understands:

INFO        # Display an example radiogram
HELP        # Same as INFO
QTC 1       # List one piece of traffic
N#\         # The message preamble
NA\         # The message addressee
NP\         # The addressee phone number
NE\         # The addressee email address
N1\         # Line one of the text
N2\         # Line two of the text, etc.
NS\         # The message signature
QSL?        # Validate the currently held message and report any issues
READBACK    # Display the currently held message
READ BACK   # Same as READBACK
CANCEL      # Cancel the current message (and subtract one from the listing)


Additional information

If you've sent the entire Radiogram and haven't received confirmation
within a reasonable time, you can send "QSL?".

If you make an error in a message and want to start over, you can 
send "CANCEL".

If there is an error in one line, you can also just resend that line 
with the error corrected.

If you're getting duplicate APRS messages back from NTSGTE, check that your APRS

client is configured to send message acknowledgements.  APRS systems will
resend messages if no acknowledgement is received.

Messages are buffered line by line by the gateway until the full message
is received and the check is correct.  Then the message is rogered, and
the buffer is reset for the next message.


For more information on how to construct a Radiogram, see:
https://www.k8amh.com/radiogram/

For more information about the NTS Gateway for APRS, send 
email to Michael WZ0C <wz0c@arrl.net>.