http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar2012-02-12T09:05:03.642ZPosts of AnnouncementsGoogle Sites1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/87620834921014511152012-01-30T16:04:32.333Z2012-01-30T16:04:32.338Z2012-01-30T16:04:32.324ZWhat is R2D2?
R2-D2 (phonetically Artoo-Deetoo) is the name of one of the robot characters in Star Wars. DSTAR users sometimes use this expression to characterize the digital distortion that occurs in low signal conditions.  It is not "ardy-deety' or "toody-arty".

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comwhatisr2d21http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/19803849135999610992012-01-28T13:59:24.998Z2012-01-28T13:59:25.002Z2012-01-28T13:59:24.991ZDSTARInfo Updates
Ed, WA4YIH has posted news about updates to the Dstar Info site, including:
  • The new downloads section allows for you to download a group of memories for a country or state anywhere in the world. This is a list of repeaters in an area, each programmed with the UR of CQCQCQ.
  • You can also specify a specific location, like your home or zip code and DSTARInfo will create a download file that contains your closest repeaters, each programmed with the CQCQCQ, I, E, U, and linking commands for your 3 favorite reflectors.
  • And especially for the ID-31, you can download an updated repeater list
  • And finally, you can update an updated Call Sign list that includes all of the latest reflectors.
Read the whole post in the Yahoo Group or visit http://www.dstarinfo.com/

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comdstarinfoupdates1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/36758690160427085672012-01-24T12:28:29.659Z2012-01-24T12:31:22.975Z2012-01-24T12:31:22.974ZSolar Eruption
A huge eruption on the Sun has caused the strongest radiation storm since 2005, which is due to hit Earth on Tuesday, Jan 24, possibly causing widespread communications interference.


Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comsolareruption2http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/56497250469439424682009-12-21T15:12:31.981Z2012-01-09T14:38:06.495Z2012-01-09T14:38:06.493ZNew Translate Feature
To make it easier for people around the globe to read our site, we've installed a new translate feature.  Now, whenever someone visits our site with a computer set to a language other than English, they will be given the option to translate the content into the language of their choice.  All they have to do is click on the translate link at the bottom right-hand side of the page. When clicked, a new bar will appear at the top giving the option to translate the site into a different language.  There are presently 51 58 languages available.
Robert Wilcoxbwilcoxowosso@gmail.comnewtranslatefeature4http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/87041528171441382542012-01-07T01:21:46.778Z2012-01-07T01:23:03.960Z2012-01-07T01:23:03.958ZMobile Site
Testing a site for mobile (smartphome) use.

http://m.w8shi.net

I don't know what I will put there but maybe it will be useful. Anyone with a smartphone please give it a try.

Robert Wilcoxbwilcoxowosso@gmail.commobilesite2http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/73398780129629561882012-01-04T02:28:32.918Z2012-01-04T02:28:32.921Z2012-01-04T02:28:32.914ZMike Baxter, KA0XTT Ham Shack
Picture of fictional KA0XTT's ham shack from 3 January episode of Last Man Standing is here.
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.commikebaxterka0xtthamshack1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/6579695272851918842012-01-01T21:58:35.956Z2012-01-01T22:04:28.702Z2012-01-01T22:04:28.701ZDVTool-2.0beta5 has been released.
The new release is at http://opendstar.org/tools as:

DVToolInstaller-2.0beta5.exe (for Windows)
DVTool-2.0beta5-mac.dmg (for Mac)
DVTool-2.0beta5-linux.tgz (for Linux)

The Linux version was compiled on Ubuntu 11.10 with pulseaudio support. Let me know how that works on other platforms. Don't forget to remove the brltty package on Linux.

The 2.0beta5 release has many internal changes/fixes and adds a new status line at the bottom of the main window that shows where you are connected and who is talking (even when using other tabs). A mic level meter is also included on the status line.

The Utilities tab now includes support for the DVRec file format that is used with the DVAP and dplus releases for gateways. The DVRec file is readable ASCII text and can be an interesting read to see how dstar works (interesting for geeks anyway :) ).

The Setup/Gateways tab has a new checkbox that allows you to automatically reconnect to gateways when your internet connection is a little flaky. It will try every 10 seconds for 3 attempts before giving up.

For the adventurous, you can now include command line options for automatically opening the DV Dongle, connecting to a gateway, etc.

DVTool [ -open ] [ -device DEVICENAME ] [ -gateway GWCALL ] [ -module GWMODULE ] [ -connect ] [ -autoreconnect ]

This would allow you to create a desktop shortcut that opens the DV Dongle and connects to REF001 module C. :)

Let me know if you have any issues with the new release. This probably will not fix the MacOS/Lion issue that some are experiencing since it looks like the problem is with the FTDI USB drivers.

Happy New Year!

73,
Robin
AA4RC

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comdvtool-20beta5hasbeenreleased2http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/9415497684494017652011-12-27T18:11:30.855Z2011-12-27T18:11:30.862Z2011-12-27T18:11:30.846ZMsg From Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet Counties Public Service Communications Organization
I sent a message on the W8CCE website that I had linked their repeater to REF024C while I was in Charlevoix and received this reply:

Yes, no problem. Please feel free to link out as desired when you're here and the system is not otherwise in use.

We do have the gateway set to bring up the 024A reflector for the Monday nets automatically. I've checked in a couple times in the past and will try to do that more often and I've heard others check in on occasion.

We also hope to have the lingering problems with the Gaylord KD8QCC system fixed sometime soon. There's some sort of weird RF problem there. Could be significant interference from the wireless networking equipment on the tower. We can't get into it from more than 1/4 mile away. It tested fine in the full configuration when I had it at my house. I need to get out there with my spectrum analyzer and some other equipment to sort out the issues. Hopefully soon. When that system is fixed, I'll also set it to come up for the net.

The Gaylord system is at a temporary site, but we have a really good site picked out that we're working on getting access to for a Spring installation. If that happens, it will cover from West Branch up well past Gaylord. Hoping that site will work out.

Hope to hear you on up here.

Chuck - N8DNX

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.commsgfromcharlevoixcheboyganemmetcountiespublicservicecommunicationsorganization1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/40182226198520768672011-12-27T02:31:28.664Z2011-12-27T02:31:28.670Z2011-12-27T02:31:28.636ZJan, Feb, Mar 2012 Michigan D-Star Net Schedule

Jan. 2 No Net Happy New Year

Jan. 9 KI8AS Tom

Jan. 16 KB8AKC Karen

Jan. 23 KC8WKA Brian

Jan. 30 N8GVD Van

 

Feb. 6 W8MSP Les

Feb. 13 KI8AS Tom

Feb. 20 KB8AKC Karen

Feb. 27 KC8WKA Brian

 

March 5 N8GCD Van

March 12 W8MSP Les

March 19 KI8AS Tom

March 26 KB8AKC Karen

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comjanfebmar2012michigand-starnetschedule1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/78786061115368731362011-12-12T19:49:08.003Z2011-12-12T19:49:08.007Z2011-12-12T19:49:07.966ZComedian Tim Allen Stars as Radio Amateur on New TV Show
Tim Allen -- star of Home Improvement, Toy Story, The Santa Clause and Galaxy Quest, just to name a few -- stars in Last Man Standing, an ABC comedy airing at 8 PM (EST) on Tuesday nights. Allen plays Mike Baxter, KA0XTT, a married father of three and the director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods store in Colorado whose life is dominated by women.

Since Mike Baxter is a ham, he needed a shack. So Amodeo and the set designers installed an Amateur Radio station in the corner of Mike’s set office. Allen, as Baxter, uses an ICOM IC-9100 HF/6 meter/2 meter transceiver and an IC-92AD handheld transceiver, both provided to the show courtesy of ICOM America.

Read More
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comcomediantimallenstarsasradioamateuronnewtvshow1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/73668535364555765782011-11-23T14:40:29.749Z2011-11-23T14:40:29.770Z2011-11-23T14:40:29.722ZSign Up to Nixle to Get Alerts

Dear Resident,

We wanted to first thank you for being a valued member of the Nixle community! Together with the local agencies that serve and assist you, our mission is to create safer and more informed communities throughout the country.

With this in mind, we ask that you forward this email to your friends and family so they can also receive important alerts and community information from their local agencies!

As of today, there are over 4,600 Public Safety agencies nationwide using Nixle to send notifications such as tornado warnings, storm alerts, missing child bulletins, road closures and other local information to their communities. Through the power of text messaging, you can receive this information immediately or choose to have it sent to your inbox via email. You decide!

Registration is free, secure and can be completed by visiting nixle.com, or by sending a text message with your zip code to 888777. Not sure how to send a text message to 888777?

Lastly, if your local agencies are not yet utilizing the Nixle system, contact them today and let them know Nixle provides a FREE notification system to all public safety agencies!

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season.

Warmest Regards,

Eric Liu
CEO
Nixle, LLC

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comsignuptonixletogetalerts1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/41784240925315783712011-10-17T14:28:48.925Z2011-10-29T12:10:57.789Z2011-10-29T12:10:57.788ZNovember and December Net Schedule
Robert Wilcoxbwilcoxowosso@gmail.comnovemberanddecembernetschedule3http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/40565317885716879232011-08-16T02:58:53.635Z2011-10-29T12:10:17.888Z2011-10-29T12:10:17.865ZSeptember and October Net Schedule
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comseptemberandoctobernetschedule3http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/84041500369549357432011-10-17T00:42:04.447Z2011-10-17T00:42:04.450Z2011-10-17T00:42:04.440ZNorthern Ohio Digital Interconnect Group Launches X-Reflector 38
Lorain County Ohio, October 16 2011: The Northern Ohio Digital Interconnect Group, NODIG, has launched the first of several planned expansions of its D-STAR system to support the X-Trust Server with X-Reflector 38. This reflector allows D-STAR users in the Buckeye State to gain access and experiment with the X-Trust as well as provides yet another tool for Ecomm communities of Ohio.


The X-Trust is an open D-STAR network were experimentation and development is encouraged. X-Reflectors are virtual rooms that allow multiple individual users, repeaters, dongle, DVAPS or hotspots to connect giving the appearance and functionality of one large system.


Multiple RF sites, hotspots, reflectors, data centers and now X-Reflectors offer the D-STAR communities of Ohio and surrounding states a foot print unmatched by any other system operating in the state above 50 MHz.  It also offers the Ecomm community the ability to operate on multiple levels, be it a local power outage or state wide severe weather outbreak.


For more information on D-STAR please visit www.nodig.us or connect to Reflector 38A. 


Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comnorthernohiodigitalinterconnectgrouplaunchesx-reflector381http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/70276034168420550582011-10-13T13:24:32.413Z2011-10-13T13:32:56.306Z2011-10-13T13:32:56.305ZD-STAR QSO Party
D-STAR QSO Party



Friday, 11/11 00:00 UTC to  Sunday, 11/13 24:00 UTC
 
Contest Details & Rules at:
 
http://www.icom.co.jp/world/d-starparty2011/
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comd-starqsoparty2http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/79018734798152523962011-10-11T02:06:10.118Z2011-10-11T02:06:10.121Z2011-10-11T02:06:10.113ZEaton County VHF Back On
K8ETN VHF repeater is back on with new antenna and coax.
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comeatoncountyvhfbackon1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/27895267112288411322011-09-27T16:55:47.258Z2011-09-27T16:57:18.267Z2011-09-27T16:57:18.247ZReflector 024 Back On Line
The reflector has been restarted and is fully operational again.
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comreflector024backonline1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/79572020404306900792011-09-25T23:44:14.827Z2011-09-25T23:45:43.726Z2011-09-25T23:45:43.716ZIndiana D-Star Net
There is now enough of us D-Star users to hold an official State Net. So we have selected First and Third Thursdays at 7:30pm to Aprox 8:30pm for D-Star Statewide net.

If this is an issue with use please lets us know as the proposed start or first net will be on Oct 6, 2011

Thank you again for the use of the reflector...
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comindianad-starnet1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/68515626087286158472011-09-25T23:40:53.565Z2011-09-25T23:42:36.671Z2011-09-25T23:42:36.629ZEaton County Repeater Update
The 2meter D-Star repeater is currently down as we are working on a new antenna for it.

 We installed a new 16 Bay Folded Dipole antenna on the UHF side and would like a few signal reports

From other counties. Any help would be great. ( 443.4375 + )

Will let you know about the 2 meter side as soon as possible.

 Jeff – N8HEE

Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comeatoncountyrepeaterupdate-11http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/24956348070833070652011-09-22T21:53:42.996Z2011-09-22T21:58:10.108Z2011-09-22T21:58:10.106ZReflector Outage
Reflector 24 is presently off line because DayStarr is working on their system. It should be back tonight or tomorrow.
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comreflectoroutage3http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/35542458956698245412011-09-17T21:16:22.254Z2011-09-17T21:17:16.260Z2011-09-17T21:17:16.243ZNext SARA Meeting
The next regular SARA meeting at the Red Cross will be SATURDAY October 15, 2011 at 8:00 A.M. which is a Special Working Meeting to outfit the Emergency Communications Trailer!
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comnextsarameeting1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/16680267587844203832011-08-18T21:03:55.699Z2011-08-18T21:04:25.980Z2011-08-18T21:04:25.964ZThe Eaton County D-Star Gateway is back up and running.

Robert Wilcoxbwilcoxowosso@gmail.comtheeatoncountyd-stargatewayisbackupandrunning1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/43843476167444077422011-08-02T00:49:50.229Z2011-08-02T00:50:41.240Z2011-08-02T00:50:41.232ZNet Schedule August
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comnetscheduleaugust1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/67728757508444993922011-07-13T20:43:57.127Z2011-07-13T20:46:56.027Z2011-07-13T20:46:56.015ZSARA Swap
Shiawassee Amateur Radio Association [S.A.R.A.]
Inside and Outside Trunk Sales

Saturday, August 27, 2011

More Information
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comsaraswap-11http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/12398655244211578542011-07-04T02:42:57.114Z2011-07-04T02:47:29.752Z2011-07-04T02:47:29.698ZNet Schedule - July
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comnetschedule-july1http://sites.google.com/feeds/content/site/w8shidstar/86381730894167070782011-06-26T14:40:56.843Z2011-06-29T21:16:33.405Z2011-06-26T14:42:25.158ZSARA Field Day Photos
Bob OMSbobk8oms@gmail.comsarafielddayphotos1