In which Callum McCormick (DX Commander) receives his prototype RF Visualization Goggles…
Category Archives: Amateur Radio
RSGB TestReach Tutorial
You can get the feel of how the Online system works by using the links below and taking the TestReach tutorial – you can use it as many time as you like and you can pass it on to anyone who’s interested in the exams etc
Navigate to https://rsgb.testreach.com using your usual browser.
Username: testcentrecheck1@testreach.com
Password: rsgb123$TR
Click the ‘Take Tutorial’ tab
You should note that this is the standard TestReach tutorial and in it it mentions a couple of functions that we aren’t using, namely the Resource (Q6) and the Remote Invigilation (Q7) functions.
Thanks to Dave Wilson (M0OBW), for this info.
Maxon PM150
Tait 8110 Radio
First APRS reception
Despite the SDR IGate having a crap antenna mag-mounted to my server cabinet, I picked up a signal!
Wow, I need to read about thisLinux SDR APRS IGate setup
Ok… Firstly, there are many guides to doing this already on the internet, but most of the use a Raspberry Pi. I’m not using one, for reasons that will be made clear later.
Secondly, I couldn’t find any one of the guides that did exactly what we wanted.
Before you read all this rubbish, it is important that to use it you will need an Amateur Radio License and Callsign, and and APRS-IS Passcode. If you don’t have them, then go and get them before continuing.
So, with that in mind…
Cheap Realtek SDR
I’m going to be playing about with and SDR dongle a lot, so I think it only fair to describe it.
My first steps with SSTV on 2m
I was playing about making audio cables to connect my cheap Baofeng to my PC. To test the recieve cable, I took a walk with the other Baofeng, and an Android App called SSTV Encoder.
Simple PC to Baofeng Audio Cables
This post is not about the the PC/Baofeng cable that is used for programming the radio. If you want one of those, then try Amazon.
This is about connecting the audio streams twixt the radio and a PC.
The basic mission is to take the Soundcard in/out from a PC and connect it to the Kenwood K2 connector that the Baofengs uses.
These cables are simple, and they work, but they may cause damage to either your PC or radio if used incorrectly. Much like a can of Coke.
UPDATED WITH DIAGRAMS FOR THE MENTALISTS
APRSdroid without a radio
If you are getting started with APRS, then the easiest was will be to do it on your Smartphone. This post is only about using Android phones, obviously. The clue is the “droid” part of APRSdroid.
NOTE: for this you WILL require an Amateur Radio License and Callsign. If you do not have a Callsign, then I suggest you just watch what is going on on the APRS.FI website.