K1BJ-10 RMS QRV
Brian, K1BJ (with the assistance of W7RE) has just installed an RMS gateway at his QTH and is looking for testers. I changed my packet gear around and my Winlink client is down but I can connect and get a full scale signal here.
K1BJ-10 144.420 Mhz 1200 baud
D-RATS RF Link Test
I am testing the Internet/RF link built in to D-RATS. basically this is a software repeater that will connect a D-RATS user on the internet with other users on the WC7SO repeater. Because this is an RF transmission, you must be licensed (Technician or higher) to participate. You do NOT have to own a radio, however. All you need is a Linux/Apple/Windows PC with D-RATS software. Because this is a live RF link I am requiring you to use a password to access. Send me an email with your callsign and I will return a password for you to use, and the server address/port. Access is subject to change as I use this computer for other tasks as well.
The D-RATS software link (scroll down and get the latest BETA)
The “How to access a RATflector” link
Be sure and read all of the FAQ and manual info on the root page if you are new to D-RATS.
FCC Slaps Down Amateur Emcomm
I gave this one the once over and filed it when it came through my email last week, but the recent storm of postings and comments elsewhere got me to look it over again. On October 20th the FCC issued Public Notice DA 09-2259 warning that no one in a paid emergency services position may operate on the ham bands during drills or other non-emergency operations. While the lawyers will have to argue over the definition of “pecuniary interests”, the FCC is sending a clear message that they see Amateur Radio as a hobby, not an emergency communications service. We talked about this issue in past classes where dispatchers and other government employees received their ham licenses. We assumed that it was ok for these folks to use amateur radio on shift, as long as it was not their primary job responsibility. DA 09-2259 says we were wrong. If you are an emergency services employee you can not use the ham bands for drills or other related activities while you are on the clock unless there is a bona-fide emergency, OR you have received a dispensation from the FCC. Keep an eye on this one.
DG 10/20/09
Show and tell night at the Digital Group. I plan on showing two toys I recently acquired:
The Ruckus Metroflex AP/Gateway
The Ubiquiti Airview 2 Ghz Spectrum Analyzer
I bought them both from Pasadena Networks for about $70 ea. My Airview has the external antenna- the self-contained model is only $39.
EDIT – Meeting notes are posted here – go take a look! <ac7ky>
D-STAR Radio Sans iCOM
This looks like an interesting development. I expect someone will loan me a Dongle so I can try this out or maybe they will take the plunge themselves. Here is a snippet from the readme file from the FILES section of the Open Source D STAR Software group on Yahoo. In short: If you have a computer / soundcard interface on a VHF/UHF radio all you add is a dongle (for the CODEC) and this software to create a D-STAR radio. Not only that, but your station can act as a gateway node to the D-STAR world. No iCOM gear in sight. Neat stuff in-deed.
DESCRIPTION
===========
dstar HOT POINT software converts your radio station to a dstar RF gateway.
It uses your d-star dongle, an analog base radio and a radio interface like a rigblaster,
VA3TO, or ULI, signalLink or WB2REM or any USB interface board or RASCAL,...
The software will use RTS or DTR to key up the BASE radio.
For COS, the software will try to detect CTS or DSR or CD.
(Instead of COS, you can use VOX with the VOX threshold).
The basic setup is, you will have a analog base radio at your QTH
attached to your computer(Linux or Windows) thru the
radio interface(rigblaster,ULI board, signalLink,WB2REM,VA3TO,USB-based adapter).
Any local RF user tuned to your base radio's frequency will access
the dstar network, because the dstar_hot_point software will
open a connection to a remote dstar node.
You will be able to control the dstar_hot_point software
and command it to disconnect or connect to any remote
dstar node you want, by using DTMF tones on your HT.
Also, the dstar_hot_point software allows you to use
the computer MIC and speakers if you do not want to use a radio.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
==================
--- a dongle.
We use the dongle, because other devices, adapters are not ready for prime time
and suffer from a lot of problems.
--- An analog radio as your base radio attached to the computer
thru a radio interface(VA3TO, or ULI, signalLink or WB2REM or rigblaster or
any USB radio interface or RASCAL, or...) using the Mic input and speaker output of the radio.
--- This software(dstar_hot_point)
--- A Linux or Windows machine.
Ham Spots
“Ham Spots” is a web page for digital mode enthusiasts to set up skeds and report current on air activities and “spots”. Internet sites such as this one, and Andy (K3UK)’s site are very nice way to sort out all the modes and QSO searching.
Safety – Safety – Safety
Maybe it is the efficiency of the ARRL and other Amateur Radio news aggregate-rs to get these stories out, but I feel there have been an awful lot of deadly accidents recently involving the pursuit of our favorite hobby. PLEASE be careful. Be aware of your surroundings.
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2009/10/13/11135/
73/Brian
Whatcom County H1N1 Info
Whatcom County has established a local H1N1 informational web page for the public at http://www.em.whatcomcounty.org/go/site/2040/ The root address is a link farm- I hope they can clean that up soon 
Events- Technician Classes 900-1600When: Sat Nov 14, 2009 9am to Sat Nov 14, 2009 4pm PST Where: Bellingham Museum of Radio Event Status: confirmed
- Digital Group Meeting 7pm-8:45pmWhen: Tue Nov 17, 2009 Event Status: confirmed
- Blaine ACS 7pm-8pmWhen: Wed Nov 18, 2009 Event Status: confirmed
- Sudden Valley ARC at SV FirehallWhen: Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:30pm to 8pm PST Where: SV Firehall Event Status: confirmed
- Technician Classes 900-1600
