I could kick myself.
I am heading to La Crosse today for the annual Speculum Iustitiae canon law conference. I might have thought to get my act together ahead of time so that I could operate from there. I’ve gotta get out and do it.
Which gives me an idea. Perhaps a special call sign and an event could be in order. If there are a few Catholic hams in the area, we could do something and coordinate with the Shrine. Perhaps a Marian feast or one of Card. Burke’s anniversaries. I’ll talk to “the guy” there when I see him tomorrow.
Thoughts?
The Shrine is in a splendid location on a hill, though there is a higher slope behind it (to the south, I believe).
In any event, I will haul my little bag of DMR gear with me and, during a break, see if anyone is on ZedNet. Also, I’ll bring my laptop and try some remote operation if I can get wifi or I manage to tether my phone (the coverage up there is really spotty). Keep an eye on the blog.
More on ZedNet HERE. But quickly… ZedNet is Brandmeister DMR worldwide talkgroup 31429. It was developed by a highly skilled ham who is a longtime reader here, WB0YLE. It was intended to get ham-readers here talking to each other.
WB0YLE gave me a Bill of Materials (everything you need to get involved).
Of course, you also need a license and you need to obtain a number from Brandmeister, which is easy. For you who are into this digital stuff, ZedNet still exists on the Yaesu System Fusion (Wires-X) “room” 28598, which is cross-linked to Brandmeister (BM) DMR worldwide talkgroup 31429. This gives world-wide multi-mode access to a common ham radio network.
Finally, I had a note from a ham reader in Eastern Kansas who is looking for an Elmer to help him out. I don’t want to put his name and email in a post. If there is someone in Eastern Kansas who could reach out to me, I’ll try to connect you.
UPDATE:
Before I forget, the latest QST has an article on the sort of hotspot I use for Zednet. There is also a spiffy piece about ham-monks on Mount Athos! Apparently, it’s a hot call sign. Recently SV2ASP passed away but there is still a ham-monk up there trying to get a good shack going.
Speaking of going up a hill and operating at a religious site….
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Putting his rig in the car is the first thing that my late grandfather (WB0TVL, James Whittaker) used to do when we went on vacation. When he got into “the zone” of serious-faced trips back and forth to the car, you knew that it time to double-check the luggage. For a time, he was a serious county hunter but keying and Code were his first loves, as a WWII vet of the British Royal Signals.
Hmmm, those two articles are tempting me to renew my ARRL membership.
Speaking of Mount Athos, I was lucky enough – one of the few ever as special permission is needed prior to arriving – to spend a few days/nights there in the early 1980’s. It was one of the most interesting things I’ve done in my life.
Very cool! Please keep us posted on how you are setting up your special event station on short notice. I have this special event planned but can only rely on a nearly nonexistent budget.
I too, have been to Mt. Athos and enjoyed the hospitality of the monks there in the early 2000s before the fire burned Hilandar monastery in 2004. I only stayed at the lesser known monasteries though.
Bryan B wants to get me on Ham.
iPadre: It’s a good thing to do. When I decided to get into it, I determined to get my first, entry level license (Technician) and then level up each year. I use a few resources including this book,
US HERE – NB: Get the current 2018 edition which is valid till to 2022.
and this book HERE NB: Get the current 2018 edition which is valid till to 2022.
I also practiced free online practice tests, such as the one at QRZ.
Why o why am I reading this on *Tuesday*??? Good grief!
Jeff N0?MII
I read the QST article this morning. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, or I simply couldn’t find, was how much he paid for the little device.