Uncategorized

When Education Fails

obviously there are some out there that deliberately break the rules, for them there is ENFORCEMENT ACTION. They have been warned.

Uncategorized

VK2ACR Another Cretin on Radio

Cappacino is sprouting SHIT again to his bum buddies on his private Facebook Group slandering me as per usual. The truth is that VK4LA and VK4SDD support and assist ILLEGAL use of Baofeng radios on UHF CB and random commercial frequencies via their Facebook group. I suggest Cuppacino pulls his

Uncategorized

Education is important

Education is so important to maintain the hobby of radio to ensure new comers to the hobby, whether it be on CB or Amateur Radio. Ensuring these new users are taught right from wrong from the beginning will hopefully keep some sort of stability and standards in the hobby. But

Uncategorized

VK3RES Back on air

The VK3RES 439.150 MHz Gateway is now back on air, with the assistance of the Doctor, Tim VK3TIM writhing a new configuration file for the node and sending it to me. He then talked me through the process of restoring the system and getting it back on air. A

Uncategorized

AX Prefix for ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is a significant day for many Australians to remember those who served their country in times of war. As such on the 25th of April each year Australian Amateurs are permitted to use the AX prefix instead of VK for the day. Listen out for AX3XEM on the

Uncategorized

VK3RES issues

Just an update that VK3RES 439.150 MHz computer is currently unstable, resulting in crashes and not recovering. It is being looked into but may result in some down time occasionally until it can be addressed.

Uncategorized

5G SIM only mobile plans in Australia

I recently updated my phone to a 5G capable phone and have always researched SIM only plans that do not lock me in to a contract, so this time I wanted to be able to make use of my 5G device. I found many companies offering trial 5G plans that

Uncategorized

VK3RES Back on air

VK3RES Gateway is back up on air, it was either cat5 issues or modem problems that I will work on in the near future to increase reliability.

Uncategorized

DAPNET Paging

Decentralised Amatuer Paginging Network is a paging network for Amateur Radio Operators around the world. The most common usage is to set up your Pi-Star MMDVM hotspot to transmit pager messages via QRP and have a pager in your shack. If you are a licensed Amateur please feel free

Uncategorized

VK3RES Hardware Failure

The 439.150 MHz VK3RES Allstar Node, which is part of the VK Repeater Linked System has suffered a malfunction and will be off air for some time. The 2M APRS iGate VK3RES-1 is still on air and working normally. There will be further updates as they come to

Uncategorized

VK3RES on the Air

VK3RES is now licensed on 439.150 MHz 88.5 Hz tone and is permanently connected to the VK Repeater Linked System, covering the Reservoir and Northern suburbs of Melbourne. VK3RES-1 is an APRS iGate operating on 145.175 MHz from the same location and antenna and is also

Uncategorized

vk3xem.net vk3xem.radio

Today I registered vk3xem.radio that points to vk3xem on the web, I have also enabled several sub domains to show what is happening with my radio station allstar.vk3xem.radio Shows the status of my primary Allstar Node aprs7.vk3xem.radio Shows the location of my portable radio when

Uncategorized

FDP DMR800

I have just received the FDP DMR800 Portable radio in the mail. This radio is DMR and FM 400 - 480 MHz and can handle up to 800 channels. It is type approved for UHF CB and LMR frequencies. I received a sample codeplug with UHF CB and 70cm channels that

Uncategorized

VK3XEM-13 APRS WX Station

The VK3XEM-13 APRS WX Station is now operational on aprs.fi and transmitting over my APRS iGate on 145.175 MHz every 15 minutes for everyone to see. The WX Station is also broadcasting to Weather Underground, Weathercloud, WOW and others.

Uncategorized

Australia Day, 26 January

Every country in the World has it's own National Day of celebration, here in Australia that day is January 26th. On this day Australian Amateurs are allowed to use the AX prefix instead of VK, so today I am AX3XEM. This year 2023 the Australian Govenment in it&

Uncategorized

VK2ACR Slander and Gossip continues

I see Robert Cappuccino VK2ACR and his bum buddies are slandering me. Nowhere did I suggest that VK3RBA should be or is a closed Repeater. The FACT is multiple times the config of the repeater was changed due to a PIRATE being handed the details by licensed hams to cause

Uncategorized

FDP Radio Enthusiasts and Fans Facebook Group

Check out the new FDP Radio Enthusiasts and Fans is now operating on Facebook.

Uncategorized

FDP Pro UHF CBRS 80CH 5W Handheld Transceiver

Are you a licensed Radio Amateur in Australia, or even New Zealand? Would you like a radio for under $200 AUD that will legally have you on 70cm and UHF CB Radio? I've owned this radio for over 12 months now and it is primarily sold as a

Uncategorized

CPAP SmartMask scam

This is more of a tech related post than ham radio, many people like myself suffer from sleep aponea and rely on technology such as a CPAP machine each night to sleep. The following video calls out a kick stater or fund raising scheme to rais money for a repeat

Uncategorized

Weekday Welfare Net on the VK Repeater Link System

The Weekday Welfare Net operates 2300 UTC or 1000 Australian Eastern Daylight Time, on the VK Repeater Linked System Monday to Friday in Australia, the Weekday Welfare Net is for Amateurs to check in and let everyone know how they and their families are going.

Uncategorized

RepeaterPhone for iPhone

Here is an app. for iPhone users to access Allstar and Echolink. I don't use iPhone so cannot vouch for it except to say I know some users that are happy with it. RepeaterPhone Has a $13 AUD price tag, but if you want an alternative way of

Uncategorized

AllScan for Allstar nodes

allscan.info is an alternative to Supermon to monitor your Allstar node. My node can be seen on vk3xem-2.net/allscan

Uncategorized

Node Remote for Allstar Nodes

Node Remote is an Android and iPhone app to control your Allstar Node, I use it on my Android phone to control my second node for personal use. There is a once off fee but it is well worth it. Android link iPhone link

Uncategorized

VK3XEM Shack

Here are some pics of my shack.

Uncategorized

VK3XEM-1 APRS iGate

The VK3XEM-1 APRS iGate can be viewed online at https://vk3xem-1.net/ and is available to all licensed Amateur Radio Operators to access on 145/175 MHz in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne.