DMR and Satellite 🛰️ with a PI-STAR hotspot and a RETEVIS RT-3S GPS model

The past couple of months have been extremely busy but I have been really enjoying myself with our fantastic hobby Amateur Radio. I have been making awesome DX on HF using AM, FM and SSB (phone/voice). The results have been phenomenal with solar cycle 25 so far. My HF Station has been working great 👍.

I have also been really enjoying the DMR side of Ham Radio as well as the Satellite 🛰️ bands. 

Over the summer I set up a DMR hotspot at home as I had just picked up my first DMR radio which is the RT-3S from RETE✓IS. This model is the one that has GPS which is needed when you upgrade the firmware to be able to accurately track the Satellites. 

I didn't use it with its original firmware set from the factory, I did infact download the openGD77 firmware and CPS (programming software). This was straight forward enough with the YouTube videos that are found alongside the program files and instructions on the  openGD77 page .

The RT3S is a good bit of kit, well built and nice to use. Since upgrading the firmware I can easily write code plugs (memory channels set up with repeators or talk group channels) quite fast with ease. I had to buy an official RETEVIS USB programming cable as the similar BAOFENG cable looks the same but is a different chip set and would not work. 

The Sat stuff is also really good with accurate tracking and auto frequency correction, it's brilliant! To make this happen you have to plug the cable back in open the CPS and there is an option in extras which allows you to update the Keplarian elements (keps) which ensure you have the latest updated Sat/ISS positions. 

so as you can see the openGD77 firmware is really cool for Sat operating. Just a reminder that to make it work properly you need a GPS model. 

The RT3S works on both Analogue and Digital allowing me to be able to use it out and about on simplex as well as the repeators but best of all is the DMR digital mode.

I already mentioned that I set up my first PI-STAR hotspot. This took me a couple of days of reading up and watching other Ham Radio ops on YouTube but really and truly it was again straight forward enough to get sorted. I bought the hotspot preassembled but re-flashed the SD card with the latest PI-STAR operating system.

I also created a DMR I.D for myself by going to radio i.d.net as well as registering with BrandMeister which is the Talk group network I have been using with the PI-STAR hotspot.

The actual DMR experience is proving to be real good fun. I didn't expect to like it so much but I do. I like the quality of audio but most of all I really like the amount of active stations on DMR especially the World Wide channel known as TG91 (Talk Group 91). I keep making QSO with all of my friends around the world that struggle with making a QSO over HF or even Satellite into my station. On DMR using the Hotspot on 70cms FM they all sound 5/9. 

You may think so what, it's part RF and Part Internet, which is true but I can walk my dogs and hit my hotspot from up to a mile and a half away which is brilliant when I'm outside. That's 70cms FM RF. 

I will be listening  a little later and checking in on the Saturday weekly TG91 world wide check in net, which is very cool hearing everyone from literally everywhere. Yes DMR is much better than I expected and I am really glad I spent £65 on the RT3S and £35 on the PI-STAR hotspot. Both items were sourced via Ali Express, the latest addition to my radio hobby is one I am pretty sure I will continue to enjoy alongside the HF, VHF, UHF Ham Radio operating for a long time. Just thought I'd share the good findings, hope to hear you on TG91 Digital Mode Radio  73.

M0YKS Satellite

Hello Sat Chasers!

Just a quick post to direct you to my recently updated Ham Radio Satellite operations videos.

Satellite operating 📡 🛰️ Video Play List

If you are looking for videos on how to setup your station and work amateur radio satellite bands the link above should have info on what ever you need. Best 73 de Simon M0YKS 

NA1SS International Space Station - Ham Radio

Hello blog folowers and friends, just a quick check in today with a pretty cool QSO with NA1SS. It was the usual chaos and lots of hams from europe were active but I managed to punch through the ionisphere and pile up and make the two way contact with the crew. Its my third crew QSO in 20 years so it is not a regular occurance and requires a lot of luck rather than skills. 73.

Still here and Active as always.

It's been a interesting year so far With the ever changing band conditions. The solar cycle 25 continues and certainly is far from over. I would expect a couple of years at least yet before I need to get out the amplifier again. I have a bit of a fault to fix so maybe it's about time I get on with it, I might have it done for cycle 26. 😜

The last week has been quite a mixed bag on the radio as I have heard DX and into G, both short and long skip signals on quite a few of the HF bands including 10m. As for the 6 meter band the recent opening I caught on video was a one off and I have not seen any more activity around the SSB phone band since.

I have been off work on half term spending time out with the family getting out and about so not quite as active as usual but still catching some decent QSO where I can from some nice locations here in Yorkshire. 

The Satellite chasing has taken a back seat recently as my neighbors are carrying out roof work and currently have scaffolding up which is fairly close to the SAT array. I can still turn and elevate but the passes can wait for the clear unobstructed days which hopefully won't be too far away.

Me above still waiting for the neighbors to complete the work on their roof top. 

I should be back with you soon once I have revitalized and recharged the enthusiasm for plenty of QSO. I am playing on 40m again and also 80m on a evening later on once everyone is settled, so if you hear my signal with Yorkshire lingo coming in, give me a shout I would love to have a QSO. 

In the meantime enjoy your week and thanks for watching my videos, following this blog or hopefully even better making a QSO. Catch up with you soon 73 

Btw I finally got around to updating the firmware to the latest version on my FTDX101mp. I used an old scandisc 16gig phone memory card with a card adapter into my PC. The download and upgrade is simple enough to do and went as planned. I haven't noticed anything new as such but all is well with the radio which is totally up to date and still very cool indeed. I still love it!

Sporadic E's SIX Meter Band DXing With The FTDX101MP

After owning the YAESU FTDX101MP for just over18 months it was a real treat to finally get a chance to try it out on the magic band SIX Meters.

Pretty cool results to say I used my Hustler Vertical which is not ideal.   

CQ SAT - Who Is Out There?

Amateur Radio Satellite 🛰️

M0YKS Satellite Earth Station 📡

The amateur Radio hobby has so much to offer and can take you to places you cannot ever go to in person. Yes I am referring to space and in particular the International Space Station.

The past couple of weeks have provided some great late evening passes from ISS and I have been making the most of the opportunities. My log is full of ISS, Teval SATs, RS-44 SAT, JO-97 SAT and SO-50 SAT contacts. It's been good and my Earth Station is still working well for me. 

A quick run down of the equipment that I am using:

TX RX - YAESU FT-847

Rotator - YAESU G-5500

Interface - RS-232 COM-232B 

USB CAT cable x2

Antenna V: 144-146Mhz Innovantenna 5 element X LFA YAGI 

Antenna U: 435-437Mhz 

15 elememt  Oscar 437 SAT X YAGI 

Software - SATpc32

PC Windows 10

I also use Look4Sat on my Tablet 

the satellite band is great fun and the Radio amateurs that you make contact with are really nice people. You get to know a very friendly community of fellow SAT enthusiasts. I hope you can join us for some out of this world Radio. 

For more on Satellite 🛰️ and ISS, have a watch through my satellite playlist that features all my past and current base and portable satellite set ups.

Working ISS and Amateur Radio SATs

WXtoIMG NOAA 19 Weather Satellite Image Reception

Good Result On The 80m Half Wave End Fed Inverted V Antenna

 This morning before work I was listening out for DX on 3.795Mhz at around 7:30 utc and heard two nice signals from North America. I managed to work both stations - W2VP and W9LF. The signal exchange from W2VP was (My sig) 55 out and John was coming in to my station with 56 signal. 

W9LF was slightly further away and I was 5/6 at his end and Carl W9LF was 5/7. A great start to the day as headed off to work.

This evening was even better as I made more 80m DX with Russ VE9FI with a signal exchange of 5/5 both ways. After that I was on a roll and worked a Net with K2RR Rich who gave me a 5/7 report, Rich was loud and coming in very well with a 5/8 signal. Next up was VE1CHW Rob, Rob was also strong with a 5/8 signal I received a 5/7 signal report back. I also worked Vlad UG5A 5/9 both ways and finished off with W2FFE Dave, again another good copy and a 5/7 exchange both ways. 

The new EFHW Inverted V is certainly surprising me and seems better than the centre fed dipole which I did not expect. I seem to have got lucky, my QTH and surroundings seem well suited to the configuration of the EFHW Inverted V. A nice bit of DX on 80 meters and conditions are good but I have experienced better so its positive vibes this side. Good DX thanks for following.

Happy New DX 2024

I hope you're new year has begun well. I have been feeling much more like myself after being ill before and over the Christmas break. 

My FTDX101mp has been getting plenty of use and I have been enjoying operating on 29Mhz AM.

I have been doing quite well with my MA5B and 50 watts out working across the Atlantic into North America. I must say it is a very nice sounding signal on AM and it has great DX potential for an original old school mode that most have forgotten or never tried. How about giving 29.00 to 29.100 AM a listen and give it a go yourself. The best time to try is Saturday and Sunday from 13:00 - 16:00 UTC. 

Other fun stuff that has been keeping me busy is the new 1/2 wave 80m inverted V with a 49:1 Transformer. I have been enjoying exploring it's potential and I am very surprised just how good it works at my QTH. I'm working North and South America easily on 40m as well as far East so far. On 80 it's strong across Europe and I have had a couple of DX into North America and Canada, it's great into G. I still haven't used the Amplifier and 200watts from the FTDX101 is doing a fine job. 

I am still playing around with the antenna and running comparison tests alongside the Hustler 6btv with radials. It is all very interesting so far and I really enjoy this part of our fantastic hobby. 73 Have a great Year ahead!