OVARC Christmas Party

Joined the wonderful hams of OVARC for a nice potluck-style Christmas Party this afternoon.

Go Box Latest Version

Today I set up in Oro Valley, AZ behind the local high school. It was chilly and breezy!

Two Ras[berry Pi's are connected to DV4mini to provide hotspot connections for DSTAR, DMR, and C4FM. The PowerAnalyzer on the left allows me to monitor battery status. 2 of the USB ports on the right provide 5vDC power to the RPi's and the other 2 are connections for the FT-991 and the WIRES-X link.

It all breaks down to a reasonable size for transport. My objective was not lightweight but I did want to keep it small enough to carry in a small car. Inside the long bag is a Buddipole HF antenna system, plus an Arrow handheld satellite VHF/UHF antenna, plus a few other antenna items.

Cabling is always a challenge, as it tends to get out of control. I needed to provide enough excess for connection cables to allow the inside tray to slide out. 

Bulkheads for USB connections and coaxial cables on the inside back. A single 12VDC power in cable connects to a RigRunner distribution block. All power connections use Anderson PowerPoles for easy connections. Most connectors are labeled using a handheld label maker. The holes in the back come from previous incarnations and provided cable egress, but I find they also help keep things cool inside the box when operating.

I added a 12VDC fan to circulate air and it really helps cool things down. One area I need to improve on is grounding. Only the FT-991 had a ground terminal, but other items should be grounded as well.

The AZ dirt is hard to get a ground rod into. The battery box holds an 80AH sealed battery. On top is a 600W power inverter, but I try to avoid using that at all costs; also on top is a PWRGate block which allows me to trickle charge the battery when AC power is available.

Always a scenic view here in AZ.

The DV4minis are just above the LCD displays. These little gadgets allow me to use an HT to connect directly in to various digital reflectors around the world. The station also includes a WIRES-X digital node controller, allowing the mobile rig in the middle right to connect to System Fusion servers.

My first love is always HF, especially 10 meters. The Begali Traveller paddle allows for morse code fun, and the microphone is used for voice mode. The HF rig is also controllable from my laptop computer and with Ham Radio Deluxe, I operate various digital modes such as PSK31 and RTTY.

New License Plate

I'm kinda liking my new license plate!

Digital Voice Modes

So many options for digital voice mode operations these days.  Less than 10 years ago, D-Star hit the market and I was part of the group that got Tucson set with a D-Star repeater "stack".  Now, hams are still using D-Star but we've also got C4FM/Fusion, DMR, APCO25, and more.  Unfortunately they are not compatible so while the digital modes are fun technologies to play with, they do tend to split up the ham community a bit.

I've been playing around with different options, here is a test I ran using one computer to link handheld radios into two different modes.  A DV4mini dongle is running DMR, while a DV3K dongle is running D-Star.  The DV4mini is connected to a Connect Systems radio; the radio transmits to the dongle, which pushes it through the internet to come out anywhere in the world on the DMR systems.  The DV3K is also connected to the internet, and can operate standalone to access D-Star systems around the world; an Icom radio also can connect by accessing local repeaters that are linked into D-Star.

Mobile Ops

Wanted to work a specific DXpedition today, but had to drive to Casa Grande for work.  What to do?  Stop at Picacho Peak and set up a station to make the contact!

OVARC Hamfest 2015

Attended the OVARC Hamfest in Marana this morning.  My son Ryan KR7YAN joined me for a while.  I didn't set up a booth this time, instead just wandered around and had some fun.  I attended a couple of forums on D-Star and Stealth Antennas, and cruised the swapmeet.

Patrick was there for the AMSAT Booth, and as he usually does, he demonstrated working an amateur satellite using a handheld beam:

Go Box at Silverbell Lake

Enjoyed a little radio time lakeside today.  I set up my Go Box next to Silverbell Lake, with a Buddipole dipole.  I wasn't there long, as a storm was approaching, but it was fun to get out for a bit.

QSO's included some nice 10 meter DX including contacts with Ecuador and Brazil.