While trying to clean up my radio desk and get rid of unnecessary wiring, I decided to get rid of a lot of the wall wart (transformer) plugs under my desk. Since most of the electronics I have at the desk run off 12volts, I can use my Ham Radio power supply for them. My power supply is really just a modified PC power supply, but it is a more efficient supply than transformers.
I have been wondering why Ham Radio doesnt have text messaging yet. We kind of do, but its still pretty limited to Packet / APRS / DSTAR / PC and not a common mode of data. Even what we do currently have, most require a computer to send / receive messages. Most HTs dont have a way to easily send messages. Only a few special radios do, but its mostly just for APRS or DSTAR.There curently isnt a simple way to Text Message another Ham operator.
This will help you wire the WaveWare PGE-112 Paging Encoder up to your own radio, to use for POCSAG paging.
If you plan to use your own unit on our Ham Paging network, then you will need to modify it with the following instructions, to be able to interface it to your own VHF radio.
Wiring guide for the WaveWare PGE-112 POCSAG Paging Encoder / Transmitter.
It is supposed to come with a “Y” harness that goes to the encoder/transmitter, computer and power adapter. The power adapter is a 10volt, 1.5amp. It looks like a laptop power supply. If you are removing the transmitter, you could probably power the encoder part with a 9volt wall wart at 300-500ma. I would add a diode and 220uf capacitor to filter their nasty voltage ripple. I am going to be trying mine with a 7808 8volt regulator transistor
I moved my solar panels up to the roof and re-wired them and routed them to the garage for my communications rack.
The panels now power my APRS Digipeater and 3 scanners for live feeds.
It is running on a small, 12volt 26AH gel cell battery. The battery seems to run everything fine all day, despite that the battery is weak and doesnt even hold a full charge.
Im looking to build the ultimate Satellite Tracking antenna rotor setup.
This would be based off a dual Arduino Amtel 328 microprocessors. One for inside, one for outside controllers.
I got my new Arduino it in the mail today and started playing with it.
My 1st project making a encoder that could send the 2-Tone audio to alert Fire Dept voice pagers, if there ever was an emergency and the fire dispatch tower went down. An ARES or RACES group working with the EOC or 911 dispatch center could easily implement this backup type paging encoder.
I borrowed a 15db gain, parabolic dish WIFI antenna from John W8QN to see if I can steal get WIFI signal from the bar that provides free WIFI, about a 1/4 mile from my home. Im in dead spot and cant get DSL service.
Today I went to meet up with some local Ham Radio operators to test the HSMM (High Speed MultiMedia) setup and test functionality of phone use. We gathered at the Homer Twp park near Midland, across from the Fire Dept.
Keith, KB8SOE setup a laptop running a PBX server into the a HSMM router to handle and direct all of the calls. He was able to simply add new phones and users in under a minute and have them in the system and ready.
I ordered a POCSAG Paging transmitter and receiver system Ebay from a seller back a few months ago and have been playing with it on/off for a while. My idea is to setup a Ham Radio Paging system. The idea isnt new at all. Lots of ham operators have been wanting to do it for a while and I keep hearing about small projects and tests popping up here and there,m but never anything fully running and operational. I would love to see more Hams get involved in it. Its a really neat mode of operation and has tons of possibilities.
The unit I got was a commercial band UHF Transmitter. Ive been testing it with a UHF stubby dummy-load type antenna.
The unit was made by WaveWare and I dont think its made or sold anymore. Its sad, since the POCSAG encoder board inside is really useful for my needs.
My idea is to pull the transmitter from the unit and use my own VHF transmitter. This will allow me to use the freq that I want and use higher power. I have an older Alinco VHF mobile radio and also use an external high power amp. I will post updates once its setup and working on the new radio.
