HT Digital Modes

Digital Modes

My first foray into digital radio was with a purchase of an ID-51 a year or two ago.  I didn't love it.  My repeater options for D-STAR were poor and I had a hard time finding people to talk with using the mode.  I don't like the voice quality of D-STAR.  It sounds too robotic to me.  I sold my ID-51 and bought a bunch of other gear instead.

From what I can tell, DMR and Yaesu Fusion sound largely the same.  So while audio quality isn't an attraction to me, digital modes have gained a lot of popularity in Amateur radio.  DMR in particular seems all the rage.  The increase in user-base and the availability of hotspots make it super easy to use digital modes.

Digital voice has a couple of advantages: forward error correction, and advanced features.  Error correction keeps your speech intelligible right up to the ragged edge of RF coverage.  An FM signal will be filled with static and become unusable much earlier than a digital signal drops out.  Digital modes include new features, like providing GPS, call-sign and other information along with your voice.

One advantage that isn't touted is battery life.  DMR seems to be an efficient means of communicating.

I recently bought an Anytone AT-D878UV.  It's very similar to the 868, but has a different screen.  Looking forward to using it more.  I like that it's dual band and also does APRS.

Hotspot

A popular way to have use your DMR radio is with a hotspot.  This is a small device that has a radio and Internet connection.  Your station is connected to another RF station over the Internet by the hotspot.  See this video for info about hotspots.

I bought a Jumbospot.  It only works in digital modes: DMR, D-STAR, Yaesu Fusion, etc.  The Jumbospot won't work with your FM radio, but it's like having your own repeater for digital modes.  If you don't mind spending more money, the SharkRF Openspot2 looks really nice.

The Jumbospot looks like a good value and I enjoy using Raspberry Pi boards for all sorts of things.  If I tire of my Jumbospot I can cannibalize it for another project.  It uses a Raspberry Pi Zero W, so it's quite small.  I was surprised how small the total package is.  The unit I bought includes an OLED display, a small antenna, and a metal enclosure for about $100.  You can buy it as a partial or full kit for less money and assembly looks a breeze.

Get a DMR ID

You need a DMR ID before you can use DMR.  Navigate to radioid.net to get an ID.  I was able to get mine in under and hour on Christmas day, so it shouldn't take you long.  DMR-MARC no longer manages DMR IDs, so don't bother following links to them for your ID.

Register for an account on radioid.net.  When I registered, they automatically issued me an ID.  Despite what some may say, you do NOT need a repeater ID for your hotspot, and you do not need a separate ID for each radio you own.  I use my one-and-only DMR ID for my radio and hotspot.

Jumbospot Setup

Eric, has a great video on setting up the Jumbospot.  KG4VDZ also has a video that includes a few other tips that might help.  My Jumbospot came with a "quick-start guide" of sorts.  It turned out to be unhelpful.  Just associate your computer with the "pi-star setup" AP and go from there.

Brandmeister Account

You don't need a Brandmeister account to use your hotspot on their network.  However, there are some advantages to creating an account at https://brandmeister.network/.  One thing I learned from KG4DVZ is to link my hotspot with my Brandmeister dashboard.  This will give you and other users more information about your hotspot.

See the screenshot below.  My hotspot is listed at the bottom of the page.  If you click on the link you can see more info about it.

Cool pics of Morse Keys

Been chatting with Gerry on CWCOM and he pointed me to one of his blogs.  Lots of good pics of Morse Keys and some interesting stories.  Check it out at http://nemosphotography.blogspot.com/

My First Straight Key

I purchased an MFJ-550 to test the waters of Morse Code.  I didn't want to spend a lot at first.  If I grow to master and enjoy Morse Code, I plan to eventually use an Iambic paddle.  While I didn't want to spend $100+ on a key I would likely never use much, a straight key seemed like a great way to learn fundamentals.

The MFJ-550 looked decent.  Some of its components are made from metal.  It's only $15, so I wondered how good it could possibly be.  I fashioned a base from Corian using my 6040 CNC machine.  That added some much needed weight to the frame so it remains firmly in place as I clumsily hammer out what I hope will some day be Morse Code.

I noticed the plastic frame of the key is quite flexible.  I secured it tightly to its new rigid base to reduce flex.  This helped some.

I soon decided a new knob would be more comfortable and printed a few variations to try.  A much larger knob with a convex top feels much more ergonomic than the smaller, smooth, concave knob of the original equipment.  The 3D printed knob isn't as glossy, but much easier to grip and operate.  You can see it pictured immediately below - second from the left and also in the picture of the final key configuration below it.

The cable I bought from MFJ was also on the cheap side, so I made sure to secure it to the base with a 3D printed strain relief.  The wires are very thin they seemed likely to break with repeated bending or vibration.

I started using my key on CWCOM and met Gerry there.  He is the author of Morsepower Blog, and shares a lot of very helpful information there.  His help made it much easier to improve my straight key.

I found consistent, accurate keying to be a challenge.  Gerry assured me that a properly tuned key would make a big difference.  I read his page on straight key tuning and it made a lot of sense.  I inspected the MFJ-550 and noticed that the hammer and anvil (contacts) were not square with each other.  When I pressed the key down, the contacts precariously touched each other on only their corners.  I had to press the key hard to to make a solid connection, and success varied from one try to the next.

To tune my key, I put the lever in a level configuration and measured the extra gap between contacts.  I printed a shim of 0.8mm and secured it between the plastic frame and bottom of the anvil.  The screw that attaches the anvil to the frame can be removed from the bottom of the frame.  I then used sandpaper to match each contact face to its mate as Gerry outlines in his blog.  This made a big difference in how easily and consistently the contacts operated.

After tuning, I set the gap small and the spring tension light.  The result is a relatively short, smooth, light action.  A light touch works well for this key as the lever isn't rigid enough to consistently operate under a heavy fist.  Looking forward to more practice on CWCOM.

Morse Code

I've always had an interest in Morse Code.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's the minimalistic nature?  Maybe it's the challenge.  Maybe it's just a nerdy thing to do.  Whatever the reason, I decided to take the plunge a few months ago.

It has been challenging.  Memorizing the dits and dahs was easy enough, but learning them "by ear" is taking longer than I had hoped.  While there are quite a few videos online purporting to teach you morse code "quickly", none of them have delivered on their promise from my vantage.  Maybe it's a problem of semantics.  Maybe I'm just too impatient.  I'm learning it slowly, but steadily with hard work and perseverance.

Here are some things that help me:

• Listen to the code faster - not slower.  Leave the space between characters long, but turn the character speed up.  I find 30WPM easier than 20WPM most of the time.
• It takes lots of practice.  Expect months, not days to become proficient.
• Try to make it fun.
• I purchased a few apps for my phone.  Each is different and helps keep it fresh.
• Interact with people that have a passion for Morse Code and are willing to help you out.
• Practice both sending and listening.  They reinforce each other and are different skills.
• Don't be afraid to put in some time.

HF gear is expensive, and requires a commitment of time and learning.  While QRP CW is my ultimate goal, I decided to find a way to practice Morse Code with others online.  I found the Morsepower blog online and got started with CWCOM.  Gerry has written some very helpful pages and you'll likely find him online as GEMS if you setup CWCOM.  He's very patient and helpful.  Check out the Morsepower Blog!

Resources:

• Learn CW Online
• Morsepower Blog
• Morse Code Machine (Android App)
• Morse SMS Alert (Android App)
• Morse CT (Android App)
• Getting Started Learning Morse Code  - Awesome Youtube video
• Five tips for learning Morse code - Youtube video
• Learn Morse Code The Right Way. - Good Youtube video and channel

Get some apps, a morse key, and get on the air or use CWCOM and learn Morse Code.  Most of all have fun!

Mountain Rescue with HAM Radio

HAM Radio is a great way to help others.  A friend I met on the air told me a story one day and I thought it would be great for others to hear it, too.  He recorded it for me, and I transcribed it and published it here for all to hear.  It's a great example why getting your license is a good idea.

My name is Don Daniels.  In Ham radio I’m known as KG7LPZ - Kilo Golf 7 Lima Papa Zulu.  I live in Malad, Idaho.  Id’ like to tell a story where HAM radio was instrumental in getting Life Flight to an injured person on a mountain.  This incident took place on Labour Day Weekend of September, 2015.

On Labour day weekend of every year my wife’s family has a reunion.  She comes from a big family, so it’s a large group of people.  We all camp out for three or four days in what’s known as 3rd Creek.  It’s a campground in a canyon eight to ten miles east of Malad, in the mountains between Malad and Preston, Idaho.  While there, we do a lot of four wheeling.  Some of us go fishing and other things.

Sunday morning of Labor Day weekend we decided to go four wheeling.  There are a few of us that usually don’t go out on four wheelers on Sunday, but for some reason, a group of us decided to go.  There were 10 machines and 13 riders.  We took a trail that goes to Oxford Mountain, which is two hours from camp by four wheeler.  The way is only possible by four wheeler, motorcycle, as hikers or by horse.  Cars and trucks can’t access the trails past camp.

Later in the day we arrived just short of Oxford Peak.  Instead of navigating to the peak, which was rife with shale and steep terrain, we planned to take an intersecting trail that looped back to camp.  At that moment one of our riders had an accident.  The machine rolled over, end over end and we knew right away that he was injured pretty badly.  We didn’t want to risk moving or trying to take him back to camp over the bumpy, uneven trail.  We had to get help to our location.

Despite being able to see down into the valley below, nobody had cell service.  I got my HAM radio out of the back of the four wheeler and put out a call to the Intermountain Intertie, a system of linked repeaters covering parts of Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and other states.  I gave my call sign, announced I had an emergency and wanted someone to make a 911 call for me.  Within moments, a gentleman from Ennis Montana replied, probably using the Sawtell Island park repeater, and said “I’m not in a location where I can make a call right away, see if someone else can”.  Another person, "Bil" or K8MPW,  responded from Wendell, Idaho and said “I can help you”.  I gave him the phone number for the local Sherrif and asked him to relay a message to get help.  Bil got the dispatcher on the phone, who was also a HAM radio operator.

The dispatcher used telephone and his radio to communicate with us and we discussed the situation.  He called the EMTs in Malad to coordinate with Search and Rescue, who also had four wheelers, to come to us for help.  While I was communicating via the HAM radio, my son had hiked around the mountain to a location where he could use his cell phone.  He didn’t know we had been able to make contact using the HAM radio.  He called 911 and ended up calling into the same dispatcher we were talking with.

My wife was down in camp.  She had no idea anything was awry until she noticed an ambulance coming up the road towards camp.  Someone from camp talked to the rescue crew and they said “someone named Daniels called about an injured rider”.  My wife instantly went to the radio in the truck and was able to listen to my communication with the dispatcher.  She wasn’t a licensed HAM operator at the time, so she didn’t transmit, but was able to listen to what was transpiring.  At the time the dispatcher and I were discussing Life Flight because we had realized it would take rescuers too long to bring help by four wheeler.  My wife listened with baited breath to know more detail about who was hurt and to what extent.

Less than 45 minutes later a Life Flight from Burly, Idaho landed at our location on the mountain.  They were able to take our injured rider to the Pocatello Port Neuf Hospital and get him the care he needed.  He made a complete recovery with not much more than severe bruising.  We were grateful we had the option to solicit professional help instead of risk adding serious injury by hauling him back to camp in such physically demanding circumstances.

While we did eventually get cell service during the incident, HAM radio started our communication quickly when time mattered.  It linked multiple parties together in a way that telephone often can’t.  We used it from start to finish.  My wife vowed to never again be without a HAM radio license in case something like this happened again.  She got her license shortly after that.

Cranial Antenna

RF propagation is an interesting topic.  Check out this Youtube video that teaches you about RF propagation and gives you a handy tip in the process.  Skip to minute marker 9:20 if you want to only watch the RF related portion of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDQ0KkATLZs

TYT TH-7800 Review

TYT TH-7800

Why?

I bought a TYT TH-7800 in May of 2016 to use as a base unit.  It had all the features that I wanted, seemed to get good reviews, and was priced very reasonably.  Here's a list of the features that I wanted:

• Dual VFO - ability to listen to two stations at once.
• Ability to tune HAM, and GMRS frequencies.
• Good power output
• Good audio quality
• Cross-band repeater

After owning some cheap Baofeng radios and two more expensive radios, I've come to appreciate true Dual VFO capability.  The UV-5R and UV82L I own appear to support two frequencies simultaneously, but they do not.  Instead, when in dual frequency mode, they quickly toggle back and forth between the two frequencies they're set to.  The moment they detect a signal on one of the two frequencies, they lock into that signal until it stops, ignoring the other frequency completely.

Cheaper radios only have a single receiver chip inside them and it's impossible for them to actually watch two frequencies at the same time.  They often call the ability to work two frequencies Dual Watch.  This mode makes the most of a limited budget and is helpful at times, but it can be lacking in some situations.  It isn't as flexible as Dual VFO.

HAM purists will probably balk at the mention of GMRS, but it has its place.  I plan to use the TH-7800 as a family base station for communications in an area where cell phones are almost useless.  A $60 GMRS license enables grandparents, parents and children to all use the radio without any exams.  The one or two of us in the group that have our HAM license can also use the radio for 2m/70cm communication.  The TH-7800 has no problem tuning to GMRS frequencies out of the box. 

Good audio is self explanatory.  I tire of yelling into my Baofeng radios.  The TH-7800 has a sensitive mic and good speaker.  I'm not sure if I'll use the cross-band repeater functionality much, but it seems like a potentially useful feature.

There are cheaper radios, but they lack features like Dual VFO, Cross-band, and have lower power capability.  The TH-7800 seemed like a good intersection of features, quality, and price.

Pros:

• Good audio reports
• Easy to use most features
• Switching between bands super easy
• Separate volume and squelch nobs nice
• Programmable buttons on mic are great.  Wish there were more!
• Menu system similar to Baofeng.  Fairly simple.
• Programming channels is fairly easy.  Can program channel names without a computer.
• Hyper buttons are a great feature.
• Priced reasonably.

Cons:

• LCD works great for numbers, but letters are difficult to read.
• 6 letters for channel names is not enough.
• TYT software is very limited and awkward to use.
• No easy way to open squelch to check for weak signals or test volume level.

My Review

The basic operation of this radio is very intuitive and convenient.  Separate channel, volume, and squelch nobs for each VFO mean the fundamental control of this radio is very convenience.  The ergonomics and aesthetics are also pleasing.  Audio quality is rock solid when operating in Dual VFO mode.  Changing the active VFO, tuning a new frequency, and setting repeater parameters is also easy and intuitive.  Even programming a channel memory is pretty easy.  You can set an alphanumeric tag for your channel memories from the radio, too.  You won't need a computer for that.

Setting alphanumeric tags is still much easier using a computer keyboard.  The menu system requires users to turn a dial through the entire set of letters and numbers to select each and every character; a painful process to be sure.  T9 dialing on the mic keypad would be a much quicker alternative.

I did notice right off the radio beeps quite loudly.  The loudness of the beep can't be adjusted with the volume control or any other menu setting.  It was too much for me, so I turned it off.

One other slight audio glitch is that my radio sometimes produces a slight high pitch squeal when in single VFO mode.  This only happens for short periods of time if the left VFO is selected, and only while the radio is receiving a signal.  The right VFO never does this, and dual VFO mode is completely clean.  I'm curious if other TH-7800 owners experience this or not.

There are no voice prompts to speak of, so those of you with visual impairments may want to keep looking for a different radio.  The indicator beeps do change depending on the action you're performing, but not in a way that seemed overly helpful to me.  You might be able to realize where you are by sound and "feel" with a little practice.  Why haven't radio manufacturers turned to morse code for feedback of some things?

A potential bug in the radio firmware: the step setting seemed to return to 12.5KHZ no matter what I did.  I like to use 5KHZ in my area.

You'll encounter a major user-interface-misstep if you try to manually save a channel to a high memory location.  If you are trying to skip a hundred memories from your last channel, for example, you are in for a long session of turning the channel dial.  With 800 channel memories, it can really take a long time to find the slot you desire if it's not where TYT engineers envisioned for you.  Here again, using the mic keypad to enter the channel number would be a huge boon.

While on the topic of programming, the TYT software is quite poor.  It only works for Windows, is a little tricky to install, does not support cut-n-paste for any fields, and is quite clunky in a number of other ways.  I didn't notice any way to import or export settings.

I thought CHIRP would work with this radio, but there's no support for it at this time.  I was able to make some changes to the TH-9800 driver to get my radio working.  Maybe I can get my code merged into the mainline release by the time you read this and programming software will be a non-issue.

The programmable buttons on the mic keypad are very convenient.  TYT, can we have one or two more please?  I'd like to put the "Rev" key and squelch control on the mic in addition to the ones you've programmed by default.

The ARS (Automatic Repeater Shift) feature is nice and seems to work well.  This seems like a simple, yet convenient feature for a radio.  Thank you for including it TYT.

I wish there was a simple way to change channel memories from displaying "name" or "frequency".  The setting is per channel.  You can make the change from within the menu or a long press on the "lo" button on the front panel.  I really enjoy the ability to change it with a long press of a button.

I like to use a manual squelch button to check for weak signals and especially test the current volume level.  It took me a second to realize that there is a separate squelch control for each VFO next to the volume nob.  This gives quick control and is a great design decision.  You can also configure one of the programmable mic keys to open the squelch also.

The scanning features are solid on this radio.  Scanning speed seems respectable.  I found the operation quite intuitive as well.  So far I haven't run into a radio that's easier to run here, though I am a relatively green HAM.

The home channel is a cool option: simply press a button on the front panel to tune to a home channel for each band.  I definitely have a go-to frequency or two I programmed into the home channel button.

One last feature I'd like to call out is the Hyper Memory Keys on the front panel, which are labelled A-F.  This feature lets you set both sides of your radio to a channel memory, VFO, or whatever and save the complete setup.  Simply long hold one of the keys to save the current configuration into that Hyper Memory.  You can press that button again later to return your radio to the exact setting you saved.  This feature should come in handy for less technical users.  With the press of one button, users can put the radio into a mode they're familiar with.  All they need to know is which Hyper Memory to use and how the PTT button works.

Online reviews:

Here are some other reviews you may find helpful.  I tried not to replicate the info they've provided, so check them out if you want a more comprehensive look.

• Ham Radio 2.0: Episode 11 - TYT TH-7800 Debut
• eHAM.net TH-7800 Review