Power conditioner for Lifepo4 type battery?
Recommendations for a power backup and conditioner for a Lifepo4 type battery. I currently use a PwrGate type backup with an SLA backup battery, Power Supply, and Rig plugged in. Is there a recommended similar unit to keep a Lifepo4 charged that will automatically switch to battery when power is out while keeping it charged when power is on?
TIA! -- ************************* Howard E. Mahran WA1HEM (425) 864 - 5104 *************************
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Re: Winlink VARA FM and Winlink packet FM
Thanks Paul,
One thing I don't see anyone talk about, and because no one talks about it I find it causes confusion, is the difference between Modulation/Demodulation (MoDem) and the application which is riding over the modem. Here is a very quick summary which, if useful to expand on, I'm happy to talk more about it. Bits - the 1s and 0s that make-up data communications Serial communications - Most people are familiar with "RS-232" but often identify this as a 9 or 25 pin connector. Actually, RS-232 is a specification for how to represent bits using voltage changes referenced to ground. For this reason the two sides must share a stable ground in order to detect a voltage change referenced to whatever ground is. Now, ground voltage doesn't matter as long as its stable (although the spec only requires devices to handle +/- 25 volts it seems). There are various control pins for RS-232. Other serial standards exist with some supporting a single pin. Some used a lot more pins like my favorite v.35 which is a big clunky 34 pin plug but runs at significantly higher speed than RS-232. Serial can be, and often is, emulated over USB. Modem - A modem (and give me tremendous leeway here in my description) on the TX side modulates the voltage changes on a serial interface into the audio spectrum and on the RX side demodulates that audio into actual voltage changes for the rx equipment. Any technology you can hold a voice conversation over you can attach a modem and "extend" a serial cable. This includes your home phone, your radio, sat-phone, your cell phone, tin cans and a string, etc. Now, the part that I think gets confusing is that there are hundreds of ways to modulate voltage changes. And, as you can imagine, each one of them is designed to take advantage, and suppress disadvantages, of whatever "voice channel" is being used. Speed vs. reliability is the game. Vara vs. "Packet Winlink". Vara uses orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to do the modulation / demodulation. You can look-up the specifics of that if you like. It also uses Forward Error Correction (FEC) which I'll touch on later. "Packet Winlink" + Soundmodem, as described in Paul's link, is using a protocol derived from X.25. Now, I have a funny history with X.25 because it was a competing standard to Internet Protocol (IP) back in the ancient times. X.25 is ancient and I'm sorry to anyone who actually built these networks but it is. But, X.25 has 1 tremendous advantage going for it: it's silly reliable. And, that silly reliability is probably why it was chosen to develop AX.25 which became somewhat of a standard within the amateur radio community. That silly reliability comes with the tremendous cost of slow speed. Ultimately, that speed disadvantage is why it was scrapped as a viable commercial application and IP won. But, I digress. The other advantage, because its ancient, is that A/X.25 has tons of reference implementations and so is, somewhat, universally available on all platforms. Winlink - Then, there is the winlink, or the application protocol, itself. I believe the current version of this is Open B2F. It specifies _which_ bits need to be exchanged and in what order to deliver and forward a message using Winlink. This "application protocol" does not change no matter which method you decide to initiate your winlink exchange (telnet, vera, winlink packet). The actual "bits" transmitted using winlink don't change based on which modulation method you use. But, the way those bits get "modulated" do. No question Vara is faster than AX.25. But is it reliable? That's an exercise I've not done or looked into. Again, reliability vs. speed is always the battle. It's the same as a voice conversation. If I talk very slowly, repeat each word 5 times, you repeat back to me 3 times what you heard, I acknowledge you got it right, and you acknowledge that you received my acknowledgement before I speak the next word then we're going to have a _very_ reliable conversation that takes days to complete. As our radios get better, the expectation is that hearing becomes more reliable. Additionally, we're now using very sophisticated modulation methods that selectively use the limited audio spectrum to provide error correction _without_ having to retransmit bits (FEC). Vara using a mathod of FEC called Turbo Code. Using FEC becomes a huge speed advantage as it means you don't need to retransmit bits as the tx side already provided enough data for the rx end to reliably reconstruct any bits they may may have lost. You're transmitting just bit more data than the raw message but overall you're transmitting significantly less than repeating yourself. Software - Winlink provides the application. You run it on your computer. Modem? This gets tricky. We need _something_ to convert bits to audio tones. In the case of Vara this is also software. Vara, running on your computer, is a software modem. It's converting bits to audio tones and "playing" those audio tones out to a sound card. Soundmodem provides the same function. What's a TNC? A TNC is a modem+packet assembler/disassembler. Now, I didn't explain that part assembler part. You see, X.25 has very specific data its going to wrap around bits that make-up your winlink message. In it's most bare form Winlink will communicate the message bits, over serial, to the TNC. The TNC will "wrap" (or really assemble) this in an AX.25 packet, modulate it, key the radio, and play the modulated audio. The TNC will also "listen" for X.25, demodulate it, disassemble it, and flip the voltages on the serial to the PC where the software will display the message. So a TNC is lot more than a modem and may implement one or more of the network layers like AX.25, PACTOR, Winmor, APRS, etc. This lets the software on the computer feed the TNC raw bits without knowing what happens next. TNCs like this have fallen out of favor simply because our PCs are powerful enough to emulate everything a TNC does in software (except the sound card part, see below) cheaper and we can change from AX.25 to Vara in real time without swapping boxes (like Paul is). Sound Card? - All right, so we've got a winlink set of bits, we've got the network formatted bits (Vara or AX.25) wrapped around it, and we've modulated those bits into the audio spectrum. How do we get that on the air? We use a sound card. Sound cards are responsible for converting digital audio into analog audio via use of a Digital Audio Convertor (DAC). This _cannot_ be emulated. The analog bit means we really need an analog signal just like you produce when talking into your microphone. If your radio does not have a built-in sound card then you need one between the radio and and the computer. The interface to the computer is digital (commonly USB) and the interface to the radio is analog (usually a phono plug or DB-9 connector). Now, the additional bit we need for the radio is the serial pin that keys the radio so that the radio knows to switch to TX mode when the sound card wants to tx sounds. That's why the DRA series and other "radio sound cards" are needed. All bits deconstructed: Software - Network - Modem - Sound Card - Key the Radio - On the Air In my Vara set-up it looks like this: Winlink(software) -> Vara(network, modem, key the radio), IC-7100(sound card, emulated PTT pin over USB, On the Air). Anyway, this got a bit long. But I hope it helps. Some radios make this very easy (like the IC-7100). Others just need a sound card with the ability to key the radio (and a horribly cheap way to do this is with VoX. Don't use VoX). As time marches on I assume we'll see more packet implementations that emulate everything right up to the sound card. And, I suspect, it's not too long before more radios will embed sound cards to do packet; even HTs. This is all a side-effect of PCs getting really fast which allows for very sophisticated ways of hearing tones in the noise.
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Winlink VARA FM and Winlink packet FM
Paul Butzi (W7PFB)
Since a number of us have gotten VARA FM working for local winlink on our stations, I thought I’d describe how I have my radios configured to do both VARA FM and packet FM (which is what all of you were using before VARA FM came along).
There are several software TNC programs that will do packet stuff through soundcards. I spent some time evaluating options before settling on UZ5HO Soundmodem. And I spent some time struggling through the various setup issues, and in the end I had a computer, DRA-36 or DRA-50 sound card, and a radio where if I started a packet session in Winlink Express, it would all work and connect using FM packet radio, and if I started a VARA FM packet session in Winlink Express, it would instead make the connection using VARA FM, and everything was just fine. Naturally immediately AFTER I did all that work I found an excellent article that describes exactly how to do the setup. It is at Note especially that one of the authors, Scott Currie, NS7C, is a very FB guy, and has been very helpful to me with Winlink and packet radio questions in the past. I suspect anything you find online that has his name associated with it is trustworthy and worth reading.
-p W7PFB
73, Don’t forget to smile and have fun!
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Re: Recording: TOWER FALL SAFETY - Presented by Jim Idelson K1IR of Zero Falls Alliance October 1, 2020
Yes. Jim gave us permission to share
*********************************** Howard Mahran (425) 864-5104 *********************************** -- ************************* Howard E. Mahran WA1HEM (425) 864 - 5104 *************************
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Re: Recording: TOWER FALL SAFETY - Presented by Jim Idelson K1IR of Zero Falls Alliance October 1, 2020
Do we have the permission to share this presentation with others?
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Oct 2, 2020, at 8:55 AM, Howard E. Mahran / WA1HEM <snovarc+owner@snovarc.groups.io> wrote:
TOWER FALL SAFETY - There have been too many avoidable amateur radio tower climbing accidents and deaths. Passcode: tV+sWYm1 --
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Recording: TOWER FALL SAFETY - Presented by Jim Idelson K1IR of Zero Falls Alliance October 1, 2020
TOWER FALL SAFETY - There have been too many avoidable amateur radio tower climbing accidents and deaths. Passcode: tV+sWYm1 --
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Re: Next club meeting is October 1. Business 6:15. Elmer 7 p.m.
Robin Amundson
From our presenter last night:
"What a great group. Enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks for the invitation. 73 Jim K1IR" https://zerofalls.org/our-inspiration/ Watch his tower safety interview on Hamnation: https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation/episodes/432 Scroll to 40':30" Also search YouTube for many K1IR video presentations
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Snovarc Business Meeting and Elmer Session - Thu, 10/01/2020
#cal-notice
snovarc@snovarc.groups.io Calendar <noreply@...>
Snovarc Business Meeting and Elmer Session When: Where: Description: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 931 964 1698
Passcode: 3UJNed
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,9319641698#,,,,,,0#,,070760# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,9319641698#,,,,,,0#,,070760# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 931 964 1698
Passcode: 070760
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Snovarc Business Meeting and Elmer Session - Thu, 10/01/2020 6:15pm-8:00pm
#cal-reminder
snovarc@snovarc.groups.io Calendar <snovarc@...>
Reminder: Snovarc Business Meeting and Elmer Session When: Thursday, 1 October 2020, 6:15pm to 8:00pm, (GMT-07:00) America/Los Angeles Where:Zoom Meeting Description: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 931 964 1698
Passcode: 3UJNed
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,9319641698#,,,,,,0#,,070760# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,9319641698#,,,,,,0#,,070760# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
Meeting ID: 931 964 1698
Passcode: 070760
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Do you have VARA FM?
#poll-notice
Looking at a potential exercise that would include point-to-point messaging. Please indicate whether you have tried or have installed any of the following. Answer all that apply to you
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More Information On Saturday CDCCC Drill
Please read the following information for more details on this Saturday's Carnation Duvall Citizen Corps Drill on 9/26. It is an online drill using a program called Zoom. If you are not familiar with Zoom there is information in the attachment that may help you.
This is the last call to register for participating in the 2020
Carnation-Duvall Citizen Corps Annual Exercise. Please reply to info@... today to reserve your spot. Attached is some additional information about how this virtual drill will work. This year we are focusing on a failure of the Tolt Dam and the surrounding responses, which as you all know is very timely! The Exercise will run from 10AM - Noon on Saturday, September 26th. Being that this is a virtual exercise we are limiting the number of CDCCC Volunteers that can participate to 50. The exercise is open to our CERTs, MRC and SnoVARC volunteers. Thanks, Rowland
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Re: Next club meeting is October 1. Business 6:15. Elmer 7 p.m.
https://zoom.us/j/9319641698?pwd=czVPNHdjenY1MXRTVGtXaVp2VHcwQT09 Meeting ID: 931 964 1698 Password: 3UJNed One tap mobile +12532158782,,95119740887#,,,,0#,,546508# US (Tacoma) Thanks, Rowland
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020 at 7:49 AM Ken Kosters <kenkosters@...> wrote:
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Time to Get On Board
Hi SnoVARC Members, This coming Saturday (September 26th) is the Annual Carnation Duvall Citizen Corps Council Volunteers Drill. We need participation from SnoVARC members. Always remember we are part of the CDCCC and it is one of our served agencies. It is very important for us to work with the other groups within CDCCC so we are familiar with how the organization operates as a whole so when something does arise and they need our help we have a better understanding of what might be required of us. The exercise will run from 10AM-Noon and is open to our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs),
Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Sno Valley Amateur Radio Club members (SnoVARC).
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Annual CERT, SNOVARC, Medical reserve Corp Exercise
Tom WA7TBP
Hello all,
Just wanted to remind you the annual September exercise for the groups shown in the subject line is this Saturday. Please join us for this 2 hour on-line experience. Please sign up per the instructions shown below. Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.
73,
Tom, WA7TBP
Saturday, September 26, from 10 AM – 12 PM. On-line event.
Public · Hosted by Kathy Johnson Brasch and Carnation-Duvall Disaster Preparedness
It's time for our Annual CDCCC Training Exercise!! This year we are focusing on a failure of the Tolt Dam and the surrounding responses, which as you all know is very timely! The Exercise will run from 10 AM - Noon on Saturday, September 26th. Being that this is a virtual exercise we are limiting the number of volunteers that can participate to 50, so SIGN UP EARLY!
The exercise is open to our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Sno Valley Amateur Radio Club Ham operator (SnoVARC) volunteers.
To sign up send an email to info@.... For questions call Kathy Brasch @425-941-9295 or email info@....
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Re: Next club meeting is October 1. Business 6:15. Elmer 7 p.m.
Robin Amundson
Link is on SnoVarc website. Howard usually does reminder post here.
On Tue, Sep 22, 2020, 7:49 AM Ken Kosters <kenkosters@...> wrote:
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Re: Next club meeting is October 1. Business 6:15. Elmer 7 p.m.
Ken Kosters
Link to zoom meeting please.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Thanks Ken
On Sep 21, 2020, at 5:51 PM, Robin Amundson <wa7cpa@...> wrote:
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Next club meeting is October 1. Business 6:15. Elmer 7 p.m.
Robin Amundson
Hi All,
As our club is oriented toward disaster preparedness, our October 1 Elmer session will be how to prevent ham radio tower climbing disasters, of which there are too many, mostly preventable. Our presenter K1IR will be presenting from the East Coast, so it will be 10 p.m. for him. It would be awesome if we could get 20+ in our Zoom audience to make this worthwhile for Jim's time. I recently saw his presentation on another Zoom meeting and it was jaw-dropping for everyone. It stoked an additional hour of conversation after Jim left the meeting. That good. PLEASE reserve this time on your calendar. Invite anyone you know outside the club who might be taking down a tower or putting up a tower or who is an observer on the ground. Jim is on a mission for no more amateur radio tower climbing fatalities. ELMER SESSION for October 1st Meeting: Even if you never climb a tower, some time a ham friend may. Jim Idelson, K1IR, will empower you with the information you need as an on-the-ground observer/helper to say STOP when something does not look right. There have been too many avoidable amateur radio tower climbing accidents and deaths. Jim did extensive research on the matter, subsequently founding Zero Falls Alliance, https://zerofalls.org/. He discovered underlying causes and actionable preventive measures to amateur radio tower climbing accidents and fatalities. His deftly delivered presentations are shocking, riveting, and potentially life-saving. That is the point.. Thank you and 73, Robin Amundson, WA7CPA
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Re: Jim, W7ABD
Thanks Ralph and Tom.
--
Thanks, Rowland
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Hot Spot options: Zoom meeting invitation 1800 today
Robin Amundson
I wanted to invite everyone to join an educational series provided by Puget Sound DMR Coalition surrounding hot spots. Tonight, September 19th at 18:00 PST is the second session of four with a topic of: “What are my options for a hot spot.” Presented by Rob (N7QT) of the Western Washington DX Club and DXexpeditioner.
This session is being held on Zoom. The presentation will last about an hour and we will leave the session up with plenty of time to ask questions.
The series schedule will be as follows: September 12th, 18:00 PST (1 Hour)– What is a Hot Spot, and why do I want or need one? Presenter: Michael Ricky AF6FB September 19th, 18:00 PST (1-2 Hours) – What are my options for a Hot Spot(s)? Presenter: Rob Fanfant N7QT
To be announced: The following are tentative. September 26th, 18:00 PST (1-3 Hours) – Now that I own one, how do I build and configure it? Presenter: Jamie Hughes WA7JH and Team October 3rd, 18:00 (1-2 Hours) – What are some of the advanced features and how do I configure those? Presenter: Michael Ricky AF6FB and Team
We even have a prize from C4Labs of Tacoma Washington as a giveaway.
73,
Jamie Hughes WA7JH Founder Email: wa7jh@... Phone: (360) 362-4575 Puget Sound Digital Mobile Radio Coalition
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Jim, W7ABD
Tom WA7TBP
Hello everyone:
It was good to hear all the positive remembrances about Jim last night at net. Ralph, thank you for doing the last call for him. It was very moving.
This afternoon, Jim's wife, Jo-Anne, called me. She appreciated the flowers sent to her from SNOVARC. (Lindy prepared and coordinated the order and delivery of the flowers.) Jo-Anne has family with her now, and they are helping her through this difficult time. Jim will be cremated and there will be a private family gathering after the cremation. At this point, the funeral home doing the cremation and service can only hold 15 people. Jo-Anne is originally from the Philippines. They have a tradition to honor a person 1 year after their passing. She hopes to have a larger memorial one year from now.
I described the Thursday night net and the remembrances expressed by those participating in the net. She was very moved by the final call. She went on to describe how important SNOVARC was to Jim, and how he loved the interactions with all the members of the club. She described how much he enjoyed doing projects for the club. She thanked everyone for the friendship shared with Jim.
If any other information comes along, I will be sure to pas it on.
73,
Tom
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