HamPi and Field Day 2020

I've been struggling for well over the past year to use my IC-7300 with WSTJ-X for FT-8 and FT-4 digital modes.  The radio will connect to my old 2011 Mac Mini briefly but then disconnect after only a few transmissions - if it connects to my computer at all!  I'm able to run Mac OS High Sierra on this machine; I did some research and discovered that older Macs USB capabilities tend to run into issues with new Mac OS's.  I thought about upgrading to the 2020 Mac Mini, but I honestly can't justify dropping about a grand to get a new computer that isn't even my primary computing laptop.  And then, while doing some yard work, I came across a ham radio podcast talking about HamPi.  Ham Pi is a Raspberry Pi build that was compiled by Dave Slotter, W3DJS, and includes a ton of free ham radio software already installed on the image.  After a few minutes on Amazon, I had ordered a new Raspberry Pi 4 B with 4GB of ram with a cooling fan, charger, and metal case.  My station setup has three computer displays, the left and center display go to the Mac Mini, but the right display was previously used for a Raspberry Pi 3 B.  I was trying to make my own gray line map / clock but never had much luck with the available software.  After swapping out the Pi 3 for the Pi 4 and plugging in the  IC-7300; I was up and running, just in time for Field Day 2020.  With all the rain and thunderstorms we've been getting in Florida; I figured that it would be prudent and easier to operate as a 1D Station - that is a station that is on commercial power at home.  I was able to make nearly 30 contacts during Field Day - I did run into some problems getting out since the limited bandwidth available for WSTJ-X Digital modes was blanketed with so many competing signals.  I was also happy to discover that the HamPi image is also loaded with VNC server software.  This allows me to operate my Raspberry Pi over WiFi from any computer on the same network running VNC Viewer.  Still gotta get the files uploaded to QRZ, LotW, and to the ARRL Field Day 2020; but I'm glad to know that I can finally get back out on the air with some digital modes.  I'll hopefully get my Parks on the Air station up and running at some point again here in the near future; maybe head down to the Gulf Coast National Seashore. 

Until then, 73!

-Waldo

Attic antennas and zumspot hotspot

I’ve moved back to Florida and I’ve spent the last month and a half working on getting things setup, to include the ham shack. I live in a nice neighborhood with an HOA so no outside antennas. Luckily, I’ve got a high line roof and the cooler weather the last few days has allowed me to put up an off center fed dipole antenna for 40m/20m and a few other bands.  I’m also planning on putting up my VHF/UHF ground plane antenna in the  attic here this weekend.  My zumspot (or Chinese clone) arrived today and I got it up and running, waiting on a DMR ID so I can go YSF2DMR.  It’s too bad there aren’t more YSF repeaters linked to WIRES-X.  Off course, today is Day 1 of my WIRES-X experience! More to follow.

-73

Waldo

Welcome Aboard!

Good morning and thanks for stopping by!

I’ve been a ham radio operator since 2001 and I’ve recently upgraded to extra class. I spent a fair number of years out of the hobby with many moves and schools under my belt, but I decided to create this blog to include you, the reader, into my different projects and adventures with amateur radio and electronics. I’m also an avid motorcycle rider, scuba diver, pilot, surfer, runner, and love  the outdoors in general...I plan on sharing my interests in these subjects as well and how electronics and radio can be tied in. In my next post. I’ll give you a run down on the current state of my ham shack. Thanks again!

-73
Waldo