Talkback - how can we improve it?

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G4NZV
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2021 8:35 pm

Re: Talkback - how can we improve it?

Post by G4NZV » Mon May 17, 2021 9:54 am

The value of using https://dxspot.batc.org.uk/ should not be underestimated, look back over 6 months, it is extensively used by stations located in Netherlands and Belgium but not by stations in the UK except for a pocket in the North East.

The advantage of DXSpot is active stations can be seen on a map and details of the equipment in use can be instantly known from the description. A sked can be arranged by using the built-in chat. Also, the beam heading, distance and path profile are shown.

I know this may not be suitable when portable. However if populated before going portable it would give a heads-up when there are active stations to contact along with their capabilities and their QTH.

Steve G4NZV

radiogareth
Posts: 1215
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:46 am

Re: Talkback - how can we improve it?

Post by radiogareth » Mon May 17, 2021 8:02 pm

I have to say having been reminded of this faculty it really is excellent - especially the path profile which is almost instant. Very revealing and very flexible. It could perhaps be expanded or modified to include all the 'microwave sites' on a similar basis and functionality. As a beginner to microwave TV/operating I have found it very ponderous to explore suitable /P sites and work out if they are worth driving to or not. With mobile data now largely available and often bundled, all you hope is that there is a mobile signal at the site. Perhaps another creterea/tab for the map data, based on peoples experiences at the various sites.
Having put up my 70cm beam a bit higher today, I can get into GB3HV with relative ease, despite the path profile yet direct contact with Martin G4FKK over a lesser path has proved no-go.
Very interesting 70cms....
Gareth

G7JTT
Posts: 338
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2016 5:05 pm

Re: Talkback - how can we improve it?

Post by G7JTT » Tue May 18, 2021 12:41 am

Hi Gareth,
Have you checked out the wiki at

https://wiki.batc.org.uk/Directory_of_portable_sites

If you look at the top of the page there is also a link to Google maps.

Another great link that I use whilst portable is

http://gb3gf.co.uk/locate/

Once the locators are entered go to map, then at the bottom of the page is profile. Of course all this relies on good portable internet.

73 John G7JTT

g4eml
Posts: 673
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 9:36 am

Re: Talkback - how can we improve it?

Post by g4eml » Tue May 18, 2021 9:41 am

John, thanks for the plug for my Locate program. Nice to know it is useful. I still use it myself when out portable.

It was designed as a simple bearing and distance calculator for phones but will work on any modern browser. It is written as a web app which can be installed on an iPhone by selecting the ‘save to home screen’ option. Android phones can also do something similar. Once that has been done the program and database will continue to work just like a built in app, even without an internet connection. The maps and profiles do however need an internet connection because they use google maps to get the data.
The included sites database is the same one that has been around since the 80s and has been included in many other similar programs.

One thing to note, if you are using IOS13 on your iPhone you may need to enable web SQL as detailed on this page to get the database working.
https://blog.appstudio.dev/2019/09/the- ... of-sqlite/
Apple decided to turn it off by default.

Colin G4EML.

User avatar
G0NMY
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:10 pm

Re: Talkback - how can we improve it?

Post by G0NMY » Wed Jun 02, 2021 8:41 pm

There is a DMR talkgroup for ATV TG9410
I hear a few US and lots of French stations on there.
with a DMR handy MD380 and a few repeaters programmed in you could use that for some talkback and ofcourse once contact is established.
Also SMS messages can be sent via DMR providing the repeater you access supports it I guess. So you could go to TG9410 and send an SMS to another ham providing you know or have his DMR ID programmed in your contacts list and he is listening on TG9410
DMR simplex also does great as well but weak FM carriers are easier to peak up on than digital signals.
Just an idea, but as already stated more gear to carry.
   

   

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