Paul VK2APA

DMR and a HotSpot I bit the bullet and joined the world of DMR.  The build of the Radio Shack and Office is almost over which will mean setting up antennas and  equipment. In the meantime I have joined the world of DMR. The nearest DMR repeater from here is VK2ROJ, however I'm unable to access it directly. To get up and running quickly and not enter the "Is it the Hardware, or is it the Software?" conundrum when setting up a home built Hotspot, I bought one already built and almost ready to go. I bought a "ShackSpot" from Glenn VK4NGA and was very happy with the build, service and support.   https://www.facebook.com/vk4nga/ QSL Communications had a group buy on Retevis RT3S DMR Hand Helds.   https://qslcomms.com.au/  I took up the offer and am happy with the radio. There is a bit of a learning curve with DMR but it is well worth the effort. More posts to come.....

Completed Go Box / Battery Power Source

See our general Blog https://anslow.blogspot.com/2018/08/new-home.html

It is a QYT KT8900D, a UHF & VHF Chinese transceiver. Works well for the money and is very good value compared to the big Japanese brands. The minor issues are;  1/ The knobs are rubber and sometimes fall off.fixed using a very small amount of Quick Grip.  2/ I have yet to prove this, the switching from Tx to Rx is a bit too slow for data, e.g. APRS.  3/ The rotary encoder sometimes forgets which direction it is going if you turn too quickly.  The good news is; 1/ The price can be as cheap as $109 to $130 AUD Including a real programming lead.  2/ It is very small and would fit in most vehicles and go kits.  3/ Works well  and  4/ Is so easy to program using Freeware Chirp Software.

Progress has slowed a bit, now have the hardware, now short on time... Still undecided on the Radio.. ❏ Fit Decals ❏ Trial Go Box ❏ Fit Antenna bracket  ❏ Fit radio ❏ Fit Rubber Feet  ✭ ❏ Fit Panel  ✭ ❏ Fit Battery  ✭ ❏ Pre Paint Screws with Touch Up Paint Paint not a good match :-( ❏ Match Ammo Can Colour for Touch Up Paint.  ✭ ❏ Buy radio ❏ Decide on Radio ❏ Wire Panel  ✭ ❏ Buy Antenna Connector & Cable  ✭ ❏ Buy Antenna Bracket  ✭ ❏ Buy Low Profile Head Screws, Nylock Nuts  ✭ ❏ Buy Touch Up Paint for Screw Heads  ✭ ❏ Buy Battery Charger  ✭ ❏ Buy 35Ah Battery  ✭ ❏ Buy Low Profile Screws  ✭ ❏ Buy Panel and Electrical Hardware  ✭ ❏ Buy and Fit Lock Hardware  ✭ ❏ Buy Decals  ✭ ❏ Buy Ammo Can  ✭ ✭  = Done

Progress has slowed a bit waiting on delivery of hardware Go Box Build Checklist ❏ Fit Decals ❏ Trial Go Box ❏ Fit Antenna bracket  ❏ Fit radio ❏ Fit Panel ❏ Fit Battery ❏ Pre Paint Screws with Touch Up Paint ❏ Match Ammo Can Colour for Touch Up Paint. ❏ Buy radio ❏ Decide on Radio ❏ Wire Panel  ✭ ❏ Buy Antenna Connector & Cable  ✭ ❏ Buy Antenna Bracket  ✭ ❏ Buy Low Profile Head Screws, Nylock Nuts  ✭ ❏ Buy Touch Up Paint for Screw Heads ❏ Buy Battery Charger  ✭ ❏ Buy 35Ah Battery  ✭ ❏ Buy Low Profile Screws  ✭ ❏ Buy Panel and Electrical Hardware  ✭ ❏ Buy and Fit Lock Hardware  ✭ ❏ Buy Decals  ✭ ❏ Buy Ammo Can  ✭ ✭  = Done The good news is that some of the wiring has been completed. 😊