OPC Computing and Ham Radio Remote Stations Distance DX Automatic Position Reporting Repeater Tunneling Software Defined Radios Emergency Communications

The Presenter Don Ledwith Callsign K7SDF Amateur Extra Class Member ARRL, RACES, Oakland Homeland Security ARPSC, GMARC, USECA, RACES, USCGAUX First licensed in 1962 in Jr. High School in Salt Lake City, Utah (55 years) In and out of ham radio since. Current interests repeaters, HF, remote radio, positioning, public service Email: k7sdf@arrl.net

My Objectives Today Provide an overview of the synergy and how radio has evolved. It's interesting and exciting Provide a frame of reference for would-be amateurs. Provide a 60K foot sampler, not a deep dive. But provide links for future reference.

Dispelling the Stereotypes Hams are a semi-professional group who participate a variety of sub-hobbies and who have fun The hobby is NOT from yesterday. Ranks are growing (750K US) although most hams are “older”. Equipment need not be expensive nor take up a large footprint. Morse code knowledge is NOT required We do not inhabit huge rooms of equipment We are not at all like citizen's band operators (self policing)

Specialties of Ham radio Operating local VHF/UHF repeaters is a party-line of your friends Seeking DX on HF is like fishing. Operating specialties http://www.arrl.org/operating-specialties Technical specialties http://www.arrl.org/technical-specialties

High Frequency Remote Stations Remote Ham Radio Remote Hams Available to GMARC members with proper license class from Scott W1BIC

Distance Operating (DX) How skip works and why HF sucks right now The Solar Cycle and Propoagation Band Conditions DX clusters/spotting networks https://www.dxwatch.com/ The Reverse Beacon Network Weak Signal Propagation Network

Web-Based Logging Old method of confirming contact used a Call Book and exchanged QSL cards Logbook of the World (LoTW) Interface from Ham Radio Delux Looking up callsigns QRZ app.

Multi-function Rig Control and Contact Management Ham Radio Delux Start at 6:45 minute mark

Software Defined Radio (SDR) Introduction to SDR An SDR example: RTL-SDR dongle and free software Start narration at 4:38 High-end SDR transceivers from FlexRadio

Automatic Positioning Reporting How APRS works APRS DatabaseThe Automatic Positioning Radio System Databaseabase APRSdroid

Repeaters RF Finder app for Android World's only geo-enabled repeater directory Access to the World Wide Repeater Directory is provided by any version of the RFinder smartphone apps on Android, iPhone and iPad/iPod Touch, by subscription for $9.99/year. A “scanner” app for public safety - Broadcasify Hear local repeaters, Rochester Hills Fire

Repeater Tunneling Tunneling by internet – Echolink ILRP - Internet Radio Linking Project

Emergency+Communication (EmComm) Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) DMR tutorial Amateur radio HF email - WinLink Question: Is it “Radio”? Oakland County Amateur Radio Public Service Corps ARPSC is the umbrella organization for the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) in Oakland County.

For more information Licensing New Product evaluations User evaluations Dipole antenna length calculator

73 (Best Regards) Questions?