Year: 2017

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Do you have antenna restrictions?

So, you are an amateur radio enthusiast. You just moved in into a new apartment and came to the conclusion that your neighbours won’t let you install an antenna on the roof.

Well, that’s ok. You are still excited with the new home, so you decide to just stick to your old FM handheld. You go close to the window and start trying to hit all the repeaters in the area. You don’t hit a single one. Already desperate, you stick your arm outside the window, set the HT to full power, and still, nothing. You can hardly hear a transmission.

Don’t dispare. You are not alone. This has happened to many other hams across the world. If you really like hamradio for the essence of having QSO’s with other hams and discuss about technology, you can still use the IRN – The International Radio Network.

This system is connected to several hamradio RF channels across the world and you can stay in touch with the community. All you need is WiFi connection, or a 3G/4G data plan and you are connected. Note that you need a valid hamradio license if you want to transmit on IRN.
It’s fun. It’s still hamradio! (unless you think that hamradio is only CW – Don’t let others tell you what is and what is not hamradio. Think for your self. Enjoy the hobby! We are not in the 60’s anymore)

Hamradio is what you want it to be!

by CT1EIZ

 

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Win a free Inrico T298s 3G/Wifi + UHF Radio (400-470 MHz)

This is your great chance to win a free UHF network transceiver – the best seller Inrico T298s 3G/Wifi + UHF Radio (400-470 MHz)

You don’t have to buy anything. All you have to do is to register in our newsletter with your callsign and you get a free entry to the sweepstake that will occur on the 31/12/2017.

We will contact the winner by e-mail so make sure you add our e-mail address to your contacts so it will not end up in the spam folder. Our e-mail address is hamradio@megahertz.shop

But you can increase your chances to win, by earning additional free entries to the sweepstake! See how you can get extra entries:

Once you register you get your unique code and you just need to share with your friends. Look how you can increase your chances:

Each referred signup +100 entries
Share on Facebook +10 entries
Share on Twitter +10 entries
Share on Google+ +10 entries
Share on WhatsApp +10 entries
Each referred visitor +1 entry
Share on LinkedIn +1 entry
Share on Pinterest +1 entry

Just register below. Once you do it, you can check how many entries you have accumulated! Good luck!



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Add GPS tracking to your Network Radio using a RadioTone RT4

The Radio-Tone RT4 comes with an embedded software solution that allows to check the whereabouts of your co-workers, friends or other Hams.

Either you use it for work with apps like Zello, or for the hamradio hobby with IRN, the RadioTone is the most advanced network handheld radio. It features a robust case with the looks of a modern Motorola. Its battery lasts forever and the speaker delivers an amazing loud and crystal clear sound.

 

The RT4 PTT Smartphone is a license-free product and it has no distance limitations unlike traditional radios. It is suitable for 3G, 4G and Wifi Network, with High-accuracy GPS Antenna with Online Positioning Software Included. Instant location can be tracked by different platforms (PC and smartphones). Owners can track Location History and Speed of any phones; there will be an alarm and notifications for any phone if out of geofence, set by the network owner.

Purchasing information can be found here

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Hamradio on a train

We all love talking to the hamradio comunity, right? What if you could keep in touch with other hams, when travelling with your handheld and without access to a local repeater?
Imagine a cross country, long train ride full of nice and relaxing QSO’s.
The other day, RedBull Air Race came to Oporto, Portugal. As I live in Lisbon, I decided to take the 300 kms ride by train to watch the race. I took my handheld network radio with me. It looks just like a conventional handheld transceiver. But it’s not. It is a cellphone with a PTT button. With TeamSpeak 3 installed and tuned into the IRN – International Radio Network, I was connected to my favourite hamradio Talk Group: The Guild QSO channel. I tell you… What a fantastic ride. Well, I must admit, I love a nice cross-country train ride. I just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the views through my window, while talking to my ham friends. Luckly, this train offered free Wi-Fi connection, but I could also have used my 3G dataplan.
I know this is far from conventionl hamradio, but things are evolving. If for you this is not hamradio, because you are using a commercial network for voice transport, I respect you, but… The way I see it? A hamradio OM, on a relaxing train ride, with a cute radio-like handheld, talking to other hams, on the other side of the ocean. For me, this is nothing but “hamradioing“.
Enjoy your ride!

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How to activate AT&T 4G/LTE on Rfinder radios

There is a special procedure to activate the 4G LTE service on your RFinder with AT&T Wireless:

Send an e-mail to jr5788@att.com with W2CYK@rfinder.net in CC.
SUBJECT: M1 CONVERT TO LTE
BODY:
«JOSH, PLEASE CONVERT MY M1 TO LTE.
MY IMEI IS: <PUT YOUR IMEI HERE>
MY PHONE NUMBER IS: <PUT THE PHONE NUMBER OF OF YOUR M1 HERE>
MY AT&T PIN IS: <YOUR AT&T 4 DIGIT PIN>

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
YOUR NAME AND YOUR CONTACT NUMBER»

 

Then, you just need to wait up to few days until the activation is in place. Enjoy your RFinder LTE capabilities.

Such procedure is not necessary in other countries.

 

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IRN – International Radio Network

What is the IRN?

The IRN (International Radio Network) is a VoIP/RoIP system using Teamspeak 3 (TS3) that allows radio users to TX/RX using RF around the World using  different devices (Mobile Phones, Tablets, Computers etc) for free.

The system also allows users to create private talkgroups for point to point or private group QSO’s.
If you would like to add your link, repeater or hub to the IRN system, please use the contact us section to drop us a line.
TS3 is available on Apple, Android, PC, Mac and Linux. The IRN has it’s own private server allowing hundreds of connections at once. There are different talkgroups (channels) within that allow users full RX/TX capabilities across different radio networks and systems from across the globe.
To make it more interesting, you can use PTT-enabled smartphones like the ones listed below. Most of the hams use PTT-enabled phones, so they can use the IRN with the same style as they use a handheld radio. The IRN talk groups can be accessed via GPRS / 3G / 4G / Wifi or RF (depending on the repeaters).

Is this still hamradio? Read this article.

Please note: This system is free to use for both non-licensed* & licensed hams. Live ham-radio repeaters can only be accessed by licensed hams.

*Non-licensed users must apply for membership of IRN in order to have a callsign generated for them (Don’t worry, it’s also free).

The following devices have a dedicated PTT button that will make your experience even better when using the IRN.
 

Watch a demo video

IRN FAQ

Live QSO using IRN with a Mobile Radio – Inrico TM-7

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Zello in Germany – a great community

On the Kanal Zello Funk we are a great radio community.

Here, hobby radio operators, former and active radio amateurs, managers, housewives, taxi drivers and truck drivers, security and students meet. Everyone can join and be welcome on the canal.

The free app zello works on any PC, Android, BlackBerry or IOS.

Zello converts the mobile phone into a walkie-talkie. That is, the voice messages are reproduced directly in real-time at the call partners. All you have to do is press the push-to-talk button and you will be heard by the friends.

At Zellofunk, we talk about everyday things and have fun with each other. We are joking, laughing and enjoying the opportunity to reach zello radio friends all over the world. We also talk about serious issues and above all we help each other when necessary.

by Nicu from zello.info

Radio Tone RT4 – 4G WiFi Zello Transceiver

Sure F25 – 4G Wifi Zello Transceiver

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Zello while driving

Zello radio in the car

In order to facilitate cell use during driving and to make it safer, a Bluetooth PTT button can be used when using a mobile phone.

In the illustrated example, a Samsung Galaxy S7 was used with a “Auto Bluetooth Media Button” from XCSource.
Both devices can be easily coupled and work flawlessly.
The play / pause key has been defined as a send key and operates (depending on the setting) in PTT as well as in toggle mode.
Also, the volume buttons are in function and allow the adjustment of the mobile volume.

The included accessories allow direct attachment (by clip) to the steering wheel. The hand does not have to leave the steering wheel while pressing the PTT button.

Alternatively, the Mediabutton can also be glued at a suitable location (using adhesive tape supplied).

After the first tests, the combination of mobile phone with Mediabutton and integration into the vehicle media center (to increase the receiver volume) is a useful solution for mobile cell operation!

Author: Nicu from http://zello.info

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Hamradio during holiday

I just got married and we were about to head to a distant island in the Maldives. I still looked at my Yaesu FT-857D and the ATAS-120 but I din’t think the wife would aprove them on the luggage. No problem, I took my Sure F22 that would do the trick.
Hanimaadhoo is a small island, in the north of Maldives, with two 4G/LTE cell antennas, each one belonging to the two available carriers. The hotel has wifi, so I would be good with this radio.
At this time of the year, the wet monsoon takes place so the weather is very unstable. You can have a wonderful morning doing some snorkeling and constant sunshine and one hour after you will face a heavy, but warm tropical shower.
During the rainy part of the day, I could play with my Sure F22. I was concerned at first that I could have had trouble with customs. It’s a mobile phone anyways, but with its typical shape of a handheld radio there could have been trouble. No questions were asked, so you are ok to bring such radio to Maldives.
I know that some “old” Hams claim that using network radios is not hamradio. I have a very different opinion. I can only guess that during the CW era, many Hams back then would consider voice communications as non-hamradio when they first started. Voice is no fun, nothing “amateur” would they think.
For me, amateur radio is what you want it to be. Amateur radio is something in your soul. You just like to speak with other Hams, mostly about ham topics. Going to a ham radio club and meet fellow hams, for me, is doing hamradio. You share knowledge, you share experiences and you learn.
I was never the type of guy who loves ham contests. Some Hams consider contests as the “only” hamradio thing. Honestly, what I do like, besides all the rig experimental part, is the real QSO with other Hams, with different cultures. I like to know their name, what they do for a living, what type of station they are using. Very far from the “You are 5 and 9, good bye”. I am glad the hamradio world is so vast that there are flavors for all tastes.
Coming back to the subject, is network radio a form of hamradio?
Talking to my common hamradio community over a network radio like the Sure F22 (over 3G) or a Sure F25 (over 4G/LTE) is hamradio. Just use the IRN and they are all there! No matter where I am in the globe, I am in touch with them. It’s not CW, it’s not a communication full of static noise, fading like in HF, but it’s still a round of tens of Hams talking and discussing about hamradio. Isn’t that hamradio for you? At the end, it’s all about the joy! And that, I can assure you I get from this little new net transceiver.
73