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!