September’s meeting saw the return of Mike Mennor KF∅UTU, with part 2 of his presentation, “Building Hot Spots.” Mike showed how to get the hotspots “on the air” by downloading software images to a Raspberry Pi, and connecting with WiFi access.

Mike demonstrated that you can effectively set up a low power DMR hot spot in your home, connect to it using your UHF handheld, and through the Internet communicate with other DMR radios anywhere–either in on-line DMR chat rooms or through a system of worldwide DMR-capable repeaters. Amazing stuff!

Download his briefing here:

Thank you Mike!

August’s meeting featured Dr Paul Wilkinson, K6IG again, back by popular demand. This time Paul’s topic was Knife Edge Defraction.

Paul demonstrated how you can use geographical terrain to extend radio communication beyond line-of-site at VHF and UHF frequencies. His presentation included an introduction to software tools useful in planning your directional antenna bearings.

Great presentation for us in Colorado Springs, who often have ravines, ridge lines, and mountains between our homes and our club’s ham radio repeaters. Equally valuable in pointing our TV antennas toward Cheyenne Mountain (where all local broadcast television originates here).

Download Paul’s briefing here.

Thank you Paul!

July’s meeting featured our very own Mike Mennor KF∅UTU, as briefer. Mike’s topic was “Building Hot Spots.”

Mike demonstrated how you can use any Internet connection to connect to hams around the world. He had many home-brew devices and discussed in detail how they are made including the various components he selected and why. He even explained the chip sets options and their pros and cons.

Mike made it all look very doable and understandable, opening up another aspect of the hobby for many of us. Download his briefing here. Thank you Mike!

June’s meeting was a continuation of May’s, with guest speaker Dr Paul Wilkinson, K6IG, briefing APRS. Paul gave a comprehensive history of the mode, and all its features and usefulness. He inspired a couple members to use his code to set up APRS on a PC and start participating. Paul is a former college professor, and his interactive style elicited much participation. Thank you Paul!

We also welcomed new member Anne Haney, W0ZDW. Anne is a recent technician licensee. And as you can see, we even got a smile out of Ray Uberecken, AA0L.

Paul’s presentation can be found here: From Sputnik to APRS