KN4GDX

This is a new net managed and hosted by Katie, K4TER. The net is on Saturday at 0900 ET on Reflector 63B. Ladies are encouraged to join in; and guys are invited in for comments at the end of the net. Katie Gilliam and David Gilliam, N7RCE are responsible for running multiple VE sessions in VA; AND helping license and/or upgrade many dozens, maybe hundreds of new radio amateurs. Check in on the net if you get a chance. 73 Bruce, KN4GDX

Not sure if this is covered elsewhere in the forums; but everyone should know about this link which provides both visual and audio examples of common digital mode signals. https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Category:Amateur_Radio The site also provides links to key information on most of the modes.

https://hamprojects.wordpress.com/2020/09/06/raspberry-pi-for-ham-radio/ I'm not sure if this topic has been covered elsewhere. The above link provides a set of tutorials on virtually every aspect of RPi use by hams today with emphasis on setup and use of a variety of common apps such as WSJT-X, FLDigi, etc. Including discussion of SSH, Putty, etc. It is truly an A to Z tutorial. I highly recommend downloading all the sections, seven in all; ~15MB. If you have never powered a RPi, or plugged in a mouse, this will get you going. If you are a power user (not me, I'm just learning!), you will find some new and challenging applications. Bruce, KN4GDX

Jim and Mitch. Good thoughts all around. I was an early adopter of FT8, etc. and along the way have taken advantage of the many other WSJT-x modes available. It's a constant learning opportunity. It's very true that every new mode you try has some 'strings' that one must be aware of; typically usage norms and especially the frequency norms on constraints. Another new ham adventure is JS8Call. Some love it; some hate it. But there's no question it has a growing popularity among hams. An important consideration, for digital voice modes such as DMR, DSTAR, Fusion in particular, is talk group etiquette. One should always spend some time listening on a TG or other type of 'channel' before using it. (Just like FM repeaters!) Not only to keep from interrupting an ongoing QSO, given there are some gaps between transmissions; but also to be aware of how the channel is normally used. For example, DSTAR's 30C or 001C are primarily intended for short contacts. They have GLOBAL listeners; which is part of the charm! If hams 'tie up' that channel for more than a few minutes for a 'rag chew' they are probably going to become very unpopular. Know how to move to another channel that's more friendly to rag chews. Similarly on DMR, statewide TGs are popular meeting places; but be aware if you are using one, you are tying up that channel on repeaters all over your state. Learn to move to a TAC channel for your longer QSO. Enjoy all the digital modes and keep learning! Bruce/KN4GDX

Hey Ham Community, this is an automated post on behalf of our new member: BruceCrandall, On behalf of Ham Community, let's give BruceCrandall a warm welcome. BruceCrandall, we encourage you to browse around and get to know the Community's many sections. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, as with all things HAM, we all love to give advice 😎 For everyone's information, BruceCrandall joined on the 09/01/20; this is their profile: View Member.