This should include anyone under either 18 or 21 and also anyone still enrolled in college. This will help younger people get into the hobby cheap and wont be as discouraging if they don’t pass the test.

$14 today doesnt seem like much, but to a 12, 15, 17 year old who isnt working, besides maybe getting allowance or mowing lawns, its a lot of money. Once someone passes a test, they usually like to get involved with a club, usually the one who they took the test though. That means that your club will probably be getting yearly dues from the person. Usually this is $10-30/year. Why not allow them to do the hard part for free, and then later see a return in dues. If they dont pass the test, get discouraged and give up, then you wont see any club dues from them anyways.

When I got my license years ago, I failed the Tech test by 2 questions. I could of taken another test the same day, but I didnt have the extra $12 (at the time) to pay for another test. I had to wait another 3 months for the next test session to come up, and for me to save another $12, to be able to take it, and I passed it.

We need younger Hams to join our hobby, as the number of young Amateur Radio Operators is greatly less than the 30+ ages.

I wrote some quick PHP code, running on a Linux/Ubuntu computer.
I use a CRON / Scheduled Task to run the script every 5 min.
The script checks the account on Twitter for the last update, and will grab the text, as long as it wasnt a @ reply. It then checks a .txt file to see if it has already been sent to the pager. UIf it has been sent, it dies. If not, it sends it to a Serial Port control script, to push the data to the POCSAG encoder /transmitter.

Files for your use: Yay Open Source!!

You will need to create your own blank LastTweet.txt file that is writable.

<?php
// GetTweet.php

// Enter Twittwer UserName Here
$UserName = "ScannerAlerts";

//Edit for your .txt file location on your computer
$txtFile = "/home/mark/Pager/LastTweet.txt";

//Get Latest Tweet
function latest_tweet($username,$tweetnumber){
$url = "http://search.twitter.com/search.atom?q=from:$username&amp;rpp=10";
$xml = simplexml_load_file($url);
$tweettitle = $xml->entry[$tweetnumber]->title;
$mytweet = $xml->entry[$tweetnumber]->content;
$firstChar = substr($tweettitle, 0, 1);
//Exclude @ replies
if($firstChar == "@"){
//If this tweet is an @ reply move on to the previous one
while ($firstChar == "@"){
$tweetnumber++;
$tweettitle = $xml->entry[$tweetnumber]->title;
$mytweet = $xml->entry[$tweetnumber]->content;
$firstChar = substr($tweettitle, 0, 1);
if($firstChar != "@"){
//If the previous tweet is not an @ reply output it
return $mytweet;
}
}
}else{
//If first tweet is not an @ reply output it
return $mytweet;
}
}
//End Get Latest Tweet

//output
// echo latest_tweet($UserName, 0);

$OriginalTweet = latest_tweet($UserName, 0);

// Edit URL Links out of message
$string = $OriginalTweet;
$patterns[0] = '/<a class(.*?)">/';
$patterns[1] = '/<\/a>/';
$patterns[2] = '/<a href(.*?)">/';
$replacements[2] = '';
$replacements[1] = '';
$replacements[0] = '';
// echo preg_replace($patterns, $replacements, $string);

$Tweet = preg_replace($patterns, $replacements, $string);
?>

<?php

$myFile = $txtFile;
$fh = fopen($myFile, 'r');
$lastpost = fread($fh, filesize($myFile));
fclose($fh);

if ($lastpost == $Tweet)
{echo "Duplicate Tweet        ";    die(); };

$myFile = $txtFile;
$fh = fopen($myFile, 'w') or die("can't open file");
$stringData = $Tweet;
fwrite($fh, $stringData);
?>

<?php
//PageTweet.php

include "php_serial.class.php";

include "GetTweet.php";

$CapCode = "0123456";  // Edit your capcode here

$Callsign = "KC8GRQ";  // Edit your callsign here

echo $Tweet;

// Let's start the class

$serial = new phpSerial;

// First we must specify the device. This works on both linux and windows (if

// your linux serial device is /dev/ttyS0 for COM1, etc)

// $serial->deviceSet("COM1");

$serial->deviceSet("/dev/ttyS0");

//$serial->deviceSet("/dev/ttyUSB0");

// We can change the baud rate

$serial->confBaudRate(9600);

// Then we need to open it

$serial->deviceOpen();

// To write to serial 

$serial->sendMessage("PA1" . $CapCode . $UserName . ": " . $Tweet . "  *" . $Callsign . "*" . chr(hexdec('0D')) . "");  

// If you want to change the configuration, the device must be closed

$serial->deviceClose();

?>

<?php
// php_serial.class.php

define ("SERIAL_DEVICE_NOTSET", 0);
define ("SERIAL_DEVICE_SET", 1);
define ("SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED", 2);

/**
 * Serial port control class
 *
 * THIS PROGRAM COMES WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARANTIES !
 * USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISKS !
 *
 * @author Rémy Sanchez <thenux@gmail.com>
 * @thanks Aurélien Derouineau for finding how to open serial ports with windows
 * @thanks Alec Avedisyan for help and testing with reading
 * @copyright under GPL 2 licence
 */
class phpSerial
{
	var $_device = null;
	var $_windevice = null;
	var $_dHandle = null;
	var $_dState = SERIAL_DEVICE_NOTSET;
	var $_buffer = "";
	var $_os = "";

	/**
	 * This var says if buffer should be flushed by sendMessage (true) or manualy (false)
	 *
	 * @var bool
	 */
	var $autoflush = true;

	/**
	 * Constructor. Perform some checks about the OS and setserial
	 *
	 * @return phpSerial
	 */
	function phpSerial ()
	{
		setlocale(LC_ALL, "en_US");

		$sysname = php_uname();

		if (substr($sysname, 0, 5) === "Linux")
		{
			$this->_os = "linux";

			if($this->_exec("stty --version") === 0)
			{
				register_shutdown_function(array($this, "deviceClose"));
			}
			else
			{
				trigger_error("No stty availible, unable to run.", E_USER_ERROR);
			}
		}
		elseif(substr($sysname, 0, 7) === "Windows")
		{
			$this->_os = "windows";
			register_shutdown_function(array($this, "deviceClose"));
		}
		else
		{
			trigger_error("Host OS is neither linux nor windows, unable tu run.", E_USER_ERROR);
			exit();
		}
	}

	//
	// OPEN/CLOSE DEVICE SECTION -- {START}
	//

	/**
	 * Device set function : used to set the device name/address.
	 * -> linux : use the device address, like /dev/ttyS0
	 * -> windows : use the COMxx device name, like COM1 (can also be used
	 *     with linux)
	 *
	 * @param string $device the name of the device to be used
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function deviceSet ($device)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED)
		{
			if ($this->_os === "linux")
			{
				if (preg_match("@^COM(\d+):?$@i", $device, $matches))
				{
					$device = "/dev/ttyS" . ($matches[1] - 1);
				}

				if ($this->_exec("stty -F " . $device) === 0)
				{
					$this->_device = $device;
					$this->_dState = SERIAL_DEVICE_SET;
					return true;
				}
			}
			elseif ($this->_os === "windows")
			{
				if (preg_match("@^COM(\d+):?$@i", $device, $matches) and $this->_exec(exec("mode " . $device)) === 0)
				{
					$this->_windevice = "COM" . $matches[1];
					$this->_device = "\\.\com" . $matches[1];
					$this->_dState = SERIAL_DEVICE_SET;
					return true;
				}
			}

			trigger_error("Specified serial port is not valid", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}
		else
		{
			trigger_error("You must close your device before to set an other one", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Opens the device for reading and/or writing.
	 *
	 * @param string $mode Opening mode : same parameter as fopen()
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function deviceOpen ($mode = "r+b")
	{
		if ($this->_dState === SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED)
		{
			trigger_error("The device is already opened", E_USER_NOTICE);
			return true;
		}

		if ($this->_dState === SERIAL_DEVICE_NOTSET)
		{
			trigger_error("The device must be set before to be open", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		if (!preg_match("@^[raw]\+?b?$@", $mode))
		{
			trigger_error("Invalid opening mode : ".$mode.". Use fopen() modes.", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		$this->_dHandle = @fopen($this->_device, $mode);

		if ($this->_dHandle !== false)
		{
			stream_set_blocking($this->_dHandle, 0);
			$this->_dState = SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED;
			return true;
		}

		$this->_dHandle = null;
		trigger_error("Unable to open the device", E_USER_WARNING);
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Closes the device
	 *
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function deviceClose ()
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED)
		{
			return true;
		}

		if (fclose($this->_dHandle))
		{
			$this->_dHandle = null;
			$this->_dState = SERIAL_DEVICE_SET;
			return true;
		}

		trigger_error("Unable to close the device", E_USER_ERROR);
		return false;
	}

	//
	// OPEN/CLOSE DEVICE SECTION -- {STOP}
	//

	//
	// CONFIGURE SECTION -- {START}
	//

	/**
	 * Configure the Baud Rate
	 * Possible rates : 110, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 38400,
	 * 57600 and 115200.
	 *
	 * @param int $rate the rate to set the port in
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function confBaudRate ($rate)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_SET)
		{
			trigger_error("Unable to set the baud rate : the device is either not set or opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		$validBauds = array (
			110    => 11,
			150    => 15,
			300    => 30,
			600    => 60,
			1200   => 12,
			2400   => 24,
			4800   => 48,
			9600   => 96,
			19200  => 19,
			38400  => 38400,
			57600  => 57600,
			115200 => 115200
		);

		if (isset($validBauds[$rate]))
		{
			if ($this->_os === "linux")
			{
				$ret = $this->_exec("stty -F " . $this->_device . " " . (int) $rate, $out);
			}
			elseif ($this->_os === "windows")
			{
				$ret = $this->_exec("mode " . $this->_windevice . " BAUD=" . $validBauds[$rate], $out);
			}
			else return false;

			if ($ret !== 0)
			{
				trigger_error ("Unable to set baud rate: " . $out[1], E_USER_WARNING);
				return false;
			}
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Configure parity.
	 * Modes : odd, even, none
	 *
	 * @param string $parity one of the modes
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function confParity ($parity)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_SET)
		{
			trigger_error("Unable to set parity : the device is either not set or opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		$args = array(
			"none" => "-parenb",
			"odd"  => "parenb parodd",
			"even" => "parenb -parodd",
		);

		if (!isset($args[$parity]))
		{
			trigger_error("Parity mode not supported", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		if ($this->_os === "linux")
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("stty -F " . $this->_device . " " . $args[$parity], $out);
		}
		else
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("mode " . $this->_windevice . " PARITY=" . $parity{0}, $out);
		}

		if ($ret === 0)
		{
			return true;
		}

		trigger_error("Unable to set parity : " . $out[1], E_USER_WARNING);
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Sets the length of a character.
	 *
	 * @param int $int length of a character (5 <= length <= 
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function confCharacterLength ($int)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_SET)
		{
			trigger_error("Unable to set length of a character : the device is either not set or opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		$int = (int) $int;
		if ($int < 5) $int = 5;
		elseif ($int >  $int = 8;

		if ($this->_os === "linux")
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("stty -F " . $this->_device . " cs" . $int, $out);
		}
		else
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("mode " . $this->_windevice . " DATA=" . $int, $out);
		}

		if ($ret === 0)
		{
			return true;
		}

		trigger_error("Unable to set character length : " .$out[1], E_USER_WARNING);
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Sets the length of stop bits.
	 *
	 * @param float $length the length of a stop bit. It must be either 1,
	 * 1.5 or 2. 1.5 is not supported under linux and on some computers.
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function confStopBits ($length)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_SET)
		{
			trigger_error("Unable to set the length of a stop bit : the device is either not set or opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		if ($length != 1 and $length != 2 and $length != 1.5 and !($length == 1.5 and $this->_os === "linux"))
		{
			trigger_error("Specified stop bit length is invalid", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		if ($this->_os === "linux")
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("stty -F " . $this->_device . " " . (($length == 1) ? "-" : "") . "cstopb", $out);
		}
		else
		{
			$ret = $this->_exec("mode " . $this->_windevice . " STOP=" . $length, $out);
		}

		if ($ret === 0)
		{
			return true;
		}

		trigger_error("Unable to set stop bit length : " . $out[1], E_USER_WARNING);
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Configures the flow control
	 *
	 * @param string $mode Set the flow control mode. Availible modes :
	 * 	-> "none" : no flow control
	 * 	-> "rts/cts" : use RTS/CTS handshaking
	 * 	-> "xon/xoff" : use XON/XOFF protocol
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function confFlowControl ($mode)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_SET)
		{
			trigger_error("Unable to set flow control mode : the device is either not set or opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		$linuxModes = array(
			"none"     => "clocal -crtscts -ixon -ixoff",
			"rts/cts"  => "-clocal crtscts -ixon -ixoff",
			"xon/xoff" => "-clocal -crtscts ixon ixoff"
		);
		$windowsModes = array(
			"none"     => "xon=off octs=off rts=on",
			"rts/cts"  => "xon=off octs=on rts=hs",
			"xon/xoff" => "xon=on octs=off rts=on",
		);

		if ($mode !== "none" and $mode !== "rts/cts" and $mode !== "xon/xoff") {
			trigger_error("Invalid flow control mode specified", E_USER_ERROR);
			return false;
		}

		if ($this->_os === "linux")
			$ret = $this->_exec("stty -F " . $this->_device . " " . $linuxModes[$mode], $out);
		else
			$ret = $this->_exec("mode " . $this->_windevice . " " . $windowsModes[$mode], $out);

		if ($ret === 0) return true;
		else {
			trigger_error("Unable to set flow control : " . $out[1], E_USER_ERROR);
			return false;
		}
	}

	/**
	 * Sets a setserial parameter (cf man setserial)
	 * NO MORE USEFUL !
	 * 	-> No longer supported
	 * 	-> Only use it if you need it
	 *
	 * @param string $param parameter name
	 * @param string $arg parameter value
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function setSetserialFlag ($param, $arg = "")
	{
		if (!$this->_ckOpened()) return false;

		$return = exec ("setserial " . $this->_device . " " . $param . " " . $arg . " 2>&1");

		if ($return{0} === "I")
		{
			trigger_error("setserial: Invalid flag", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}
		elseif ($return{0} === "/")
		{
			trigger_error("setserial: Error with device file", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}
		else
		{
			return true;
		}
	}

	//
	// CONFIGURE SECTION -- {STOP}
	//

	//
	// I/O SECTION -- {START}
	//

	/**
	 * Sends a string to the device
	 *
	 * @param string $str string to be sent to the device
	 * @param float $waitForReply time to wait for the reply (in seconds)
	 */
	function sendMessage ($str, $waitForReply = 0.1)
	{
		$this->_buffer .= $str;

		if ($this->autoflush === true) $this->flush();

		usleep((int) ($waitForReply * 1000000));
	}

	/**
	 * Reads the port until no new datas are availible, then return the content.
	 *
	 * @pararm int $count number of characters to be read (will stop before
	 * 	if less characters are in the buffer)
	 * @return string
	 */
	function readPort ($count = 0)
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED)
		{
			trigger_error("Device must be opened to read it", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		if ($this->_os === "linux")
		{
			$content = ""; $i = 0;

			if ($count !== 0)
			{
				do {
					if ($i > $count) $content .= fread($this->_dHandle, ($count - $i));
					else $content .= fread($this->_dHandle, 128);
				} while (($i += 128) === strlen($content));
			}
			else
			{
				do {
					$content .= fread($this->_dHandle, 128);
				} while (($i += 128) === strlen($content));
			}

			return $content;
		}
		elseif ($this->_os === "windows")
		{
			/* Do nohting : not implented yet */
		}

		trigger_error("Reading serial port is not implemented for Windows", E_USER_WARNING);
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Flushes the output buffer
	 *
	 * @return bool
	 */
	function flush ()
	{
		if (!$this->_ckOpened()) return false;

		if (fwrite($this->_dHandle, $this->_buffer) !== false)
		{
			$this->_buffer = "";
			return true;
		}
		else
		{
			$this->_buffer = "";
			trigger_error("Error while sending message", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}
	}

	//
	// I/O SECTION -- {STOP}
	//

	//
	// INTERNAL TOOLKIT -- {START}
	//

	function _ckOpened()
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_OPENED)
		{
			trigger_error("Device must be opened", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		return true;
	}

	function _ckClosed()
	{
		if ($this->_dState !== SERIAL_DEVICE_CLOSED)
		{
			trigger_error("Device must be closed", E_USER_WARNING);
			return false;
		}

		return true;
	}

	function _exec($cmd, &$out = null)
	{
		$desc = array(
			1 => array("pipe", "w"),
			2 => array("pipe", "w")
		);

		$proc = proc_open($cmd, $desc, $pipes);

		$ret = stream_get_contents($pipes[1]);
		$err = stream_get_contents($pipes[2]);

		fclose($pipes[1]);
		fclose($pipes[2]);

		$retVal = proc_close($proc);

		if (func_num_args() == 2) $out = array($ret, $err);
		return $retVal;
	}

	//
	// INTERNAL TOOLKIT -- {STOP}
	//
}
?>

I added up all of the wall warts (7) and their wattage rating for the input (110v AC). This came up to 222 watts total. The white unit for my 15″ LCD monitor drew the most at 165watts.

After being wired to my Ham Radio power supply, I used my Kill-A-Watt meter, and it only shows 57 watts of usage max, with everything on. Im running

• 4  Scanners
• 2 Meter radio
• 15″ LCD
• HT Battery Charger
• PC Router
• Amplified PC Speakers

Not bad for an hour of cutting and wiring. Since the wall wart plugs were plugged in 24/7 they were always drawing a little bit of power. My big power supply has a switch on i, so I can turn everything off at once now. Im saving about 165 watts now.

The next step is to run a power line from my Solar Panel system and controller in my garage into my Ham Shack, so I can get free power from the sun for my desk equipment. I think I will need another 1 or 2 sets of panels to run it enough, but that will come later.

It shouldn’t be too hard of a project to design and build. It would need at least the following items.

• Ham Radio – Must have CAT port or ability to be controlled via microphone buttons.
• Arduino
• GPS with NMEA output
• Arduino data shield
• Memory card to hold data

POI Factory is a great place to start. They have great user submitted files made for GPS units that have Ham Radio repeater locations, PL tones and offsets already setup. This can be downloaded as a .csv file and we could use the Arduino and data shield to read it. With a GPS location, the Arduino can do some math and compare the current Lon/Lat and find the closest repeater listed.

Since the list includes all or most of the info needed (freq, PL, offset) we can use this to program the radio. It just needs to be read, formatted to the CAT standard for that radio and then sent to the radio over a serial connection.

A simple LCD can also show the text on a display so you know where it is and additional info on it.
A pushbutton would also be required to make it do the “automatic” change, since you dont want to be in the middle of a QSO and have it change freqs on you, without you knowing it.

Since I love to tinker and hack in the winter, Im thinking I might start on this project soon, after a few other projects and ideas are finished. Thats the curse of being a hacker /modder, you never have time to finish all your projects, before a new one comes to mind.

I found some kids toys, made for text messaging. Most of the models use InfaRed, but one set I found at Toys R Us for $20, that uses RF on 49.860Mhz. They are made by Digital Blue and are branded as WWE. Model number is WE5500.

Each radio is factory programmed with a unique 4 digit ID code. You can view the code in the LCD. This allows direct messaging to the correct unit that you want. The keyboard is the old cellphone type using 1ABC 2DEF 3GHI etc. It has a small 1 line LCD.

After testing them and sending a few messages, I opened one up, to see how it worked.
Inside are 2 boards. The main keyboard / LCD board and the RF board.
Luckily the manufacturer was nice enough to label the pinouts on the headers that connect the 2 boards.

Jack 1
GND
GND

Jack 2
RX-Power
RX-Data (audio)
TX-Data (audio)

Jack 3
6v +
GND
TX Power (4.15v – goes to GND/Low when Transmitting)

With these simple connections, it makes hacking easy! It can easily be wired to a higher powered Ham Radio.

I talked to one generous farmer, who instantly said YES to allowing me to use his site. I didnt even need to show him the paperwork with what I wanted to do and install. He is allowing me unrestricted access to the site and the “shack” at the bottom.

It is 90′ tall, with a ground elevation of 720′. It is located on a hill of aprox 60′, so the coverage is good. The grain leg has a ladder that goes up to 3 different levels,which 2 of them are easily usable.

So far I have just installed a VHF 5/8 wave mobile antenna at the top level with 120′ of RG-8 coax. Both will be upgraded later with better equipment. For now, they will serve their purpose for scanner feeds and a APRS receiver /iGate.

WX7FGZ on 28.380 SSB
Nathan at the Flagstaff Az office

WX7GTF on 28.340 SSB
Blair at the Great Falls Mt office

10 Meter band conditions weren’t great and I am only running 25w power now.
I didnt hear anyone on the local UHF link to the NWS office in Detroit Mi

The towers are a monopole, about 80′ tall. They are tilt up bases. The sensor wires are just wrapped around the pole and tied, knotted and taped to the pole. None are properly secured. The electical box didn’t even have a lock on the latch.

This is about the worst install I have ever seen.

If you already have a 440 repeater, you can easily add a digipeater or even a simple iGate, for very little extra cost and work, and this will greatly help the APRS community.

A large portion of UHF repeaters use dual band antennas already. Why not add a simple diplexor before the duplexor and split the VHF and UHF signals. These diplexers only cost $40-60 for a decent model. This way you can share your antenna that already has a nice scenic view, with good hardline, since its probably better than what some people use for VHF only. All you need now is a old radio, a TNC setup as a digipeater or even a cheap PC running a digipeater software, like AGWdigi.

If you dont have a dual band antenna, and use something made just for UHF, like a folded dipole setup, dont worry, there is still a easy solution. Obviously you dont want to transmit a VHF signal on a UHF antenna, but the antenna will still receive a VHF signal. Now, I know a lot of people are nay-sayers and say it wont work or will roll their eyes at the idea, but it DOES work. It might not be the greatest received signal, but its still a signal. If there wasnt any coverage there before, and you get a little bit, its still better than nothing. All you need to do is iGate local packets, instead of repeating them. You still use the same cheap diplexer, radio or even a old cheap scanner, and a PC.

Any swap savvy ham can find these items at most swaps and make a setup for under $150. You already have all the expensive stuff (antenna, tower & hardline) paid for, in place and working. Why not get more bang for your buck? This is a simple way to get twice the use out of your location, with very little work.