PMR446 gateway failure

My PMR446 gateway has within the last month suffered a failure in either it’s hard disk controller or two seperate hard disks, this means it is currently off air and due to my fiancée visiting me this last month it has been awaiting repair as she has been priority.

I plan to install an offboard IDE controller in case the onboard one has indeed failed, should this not be the case I will be looking to source a new hard disk and possibly an SATA controller if I end up with an SATA hard disk in the machine.

My plan is to get the gateway working within the next week or two, and hopefully it will be back on air before the end of April.  I will also resume work with the CB antenna system to hopefully get the CB gateway on air properly in the not too distant future.

Hopefully all will be working again very soon

 

73 de 26CT730

ShackCam update

Taking inspiration from a none-radio related project I am working on I have modified the ShackCam page so that instead of the inelegant auto-refresh of the page, only the ShackCam image will change, this resolves one issue in that the ShackCam page would need to be manually refreshed if the connection were to drop in it’s previous setup, a blank space will appear instead while the page script tries for the image until it can find it again, so there is no need for user intervention here.

The ShackCam is online nearly every time I am in the shack, you can find a link to the right of this page.

 

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CB gateway testing update

The gateway went through it’s first proper test yesterday with the gateway computer in its new configuration.

Yesterday was the monthly DX net I take part in, as this was going to be high traffic I put the CB gateway into the DX net, and it did very well and did not bounce, this makes me pleased so I have for the moment left it switched on and put it back into the 446Muppets English net where it will spend nearly all of it’s operating hours when operational.

I am pleased with how well the CB gateway is now working and look forward to getting the antenna connected to the radio next.

As for the DX net, that was enjoyable, though I did make at least one contact that I hadn’t logged myself, I was listening for the most part to keep a close eye on the CB gateway, and got myself in the host operator’s log early on, the ShackCam was on during this event as well

I shall post an update on the CB gateway’s progress soon

 

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Another CB gateway update–positive progress

The new matched RAM for the CB gateway computer arrived this afternoon, though I was a little concerned it may not, as I have since installed it and powered up the gateway radio, the gateway appears to be working rather well, so I am impressed with this, the lockups that were happening have since been largely eliminated with the replacement of the RAM and CPU.
The gateway is now being tested for any issues on it’s dummy load in the English net of 446Muppets, so far this is proving to be positive, meaning that tomorrow I can test it out in the DX net I will be taking part in
The antenna is to go given that I now have the dipole centre and I should be able to get the gateway on the air in February as I hope to do.

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Another CB gateway update

But first a belated Happy New Year to regular readers of this blog, hope 2013 is a good one and perhaps I will hear you on air soon.

This morning the Moonraker dipole centre arrived ahead of the RAM for the gateway computer, though the RAM is on it’s way to be delivered either tomorrow or Monday, this leaves the two mobile whips to complete the antenna and then the tedious task of installing the antenna, though if I can have the gateway functional on just the dummy load currently connected to it on Sunday I can use my handheld CB to monitor it in the kitchen when I make refreshments during the day as I intend to take part in the DX net taking place that day though probably be operating in the shack as I do not fancy going out, the existing PMR446 gateway will not be used as part of this and will remain connected to it’s usual server.

I hopefully will be getting a car this year and naturally it will be fitted with a CB radio, my Midland Alan 78 Plus Multi B to be precise, if this gateway works I’ll be able to use it on the road, that would also work in favour of anyone passing through that is in range, though I don’t expect a good range to begin with due to the limited size of the antenna but we’ll see what happens when the gateway finally goes live.

I look forward to finally being able to switch on Richmond’s first and only CB gateway to the Free Radio Network.

 

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CB gateway update

The replacement CPU for the CB gateway computer has arrived today, this has since been installed and it appears to perform better and run somewhat cooler than the CPU I removed from the computer.  The next and final job is to install new RAM to that machine which should cure any remaining problems, the FRN client still briefly locks up but this is even less frequent than before.

The antenna dipole centre will not be delivered until after the New Year, also, the RAM will be sourced at this time.

Hopefully this gateway will be fully operational by February at the latest.

Hope to catch you on air soon

 

73 de 26CT730

The war against PLT - UK ISP TalkTalk “insists” that PLT adaptors are used with, not surprisingly, YouView

I have read on the Ban-PLT website that TalkTalk, one of the major Internet Service Providers in the UK who I have had a personal dislike of for many years, are insisting that customers who get the free YouView IPTV PVR from them use PLT adaptors, this is an unacceptable act.

The insistence only comes if the residential gateway is more than 3 meters away from the television set that the box will be used with a PLT device.  As ICT is one of my specialities, I can safely confirm without any backlash that Ethernet cables will work up to a maximum of 100 metres in one cable run and being twisted pairs means that no interference is generated, they are available in a variety of colours so can blend in with your skirting boards or carpet, or you can run them under the carpet.  Another legal option is to use an Ethernet to WiFi bridge, which can be picked up from Maplin Electronics or any good computer store.

A safer setup will always be the proven Ethernet and WiFi connections, YouView do not seem to have implemented WiFi into their boxes despite the fact that WiFi adaptors can in fact be used with the Linux kernel on loading of the correct drivers.

So, it seems very clear, TalkTalk are doing almost exactly what BT have already done, if you have to use TalkTalk and they offer the YouView service, you can refuse it, but there are far better ISPs out there than TalkTalk and BT.

Also remember, PLT adaptors are technically illegal and are only on sale because of manufacturers flouting the law, in particular those relating to emissions and type approval, which these devices will not, can not, and will never meet, and sadly Ofcom cannot stop them, and it gets worse if you mention it’s causing issues to CB radio because Ofcom don’t really care about CB users anymore since they deregulated CB radio.

Remember, you have a choice, if you WANT to use YouView with TalkTalk use the legal means to connect it up to the Internet, those are WiFi and Ethernet, if and when the engineer, if you opt for a visit, suggests PLT adaptors, make it clear that you do not want them and that they are illegal, the best course of action is to take your custom away from TalkTalk and YouView.  Some may say that radio is a dying hobby, but remember, it isn’t just amateurs and CB operators you are affecting, aircraft, broadcast, emergency services, businesses, remote controls for models, car central locking and alarms, and even WiFi, they ALL need it to function and PLT prevents many, if not all of these, from functioning, hence why it is illegal, and it’s only flouting the law and omitting the tests that reveal this that allows them to market.

Remember, WiFi and Ethernet are safe, legal, and interference free, PLT is none of these, I urge you again to disconnect any PLT devices you have and destroy them or, if you bought them very recently, return them to the store you bought them from for a full refund, you could use the refund to buy ethernet cabling or a WiFi bridge.  Don’t destroy something that even you need to use every day, help fight against it’s destruction.

 

73 de 26CT730