This is an update of some of our activities for the month of December, 2024.

Some of us have been studying for our Technician and General class licenses, and tinkering with Meshtastic solar nodes.

One of us had a couple of OLIVIA contacts on the 20 meter band. Olivia and other similar “keyboard-to-keyboard” modes are interesting because you see the other person’s message come in one letter at a time, and you can immediately start composing your reply while the message is still coming in, and even continue editing the latter part of your reply while the first part of your reply is still being transmitted. So it’s synchronous (e.g. IM or verbal conversation) in some ways, and asynchronous (e.g. sending a letter or an email) in others. It’s an unusual way to communicate, but really easy to get into a groove once you get used to it.

Verotelecom has released an updated firmware for the VR-N76 HT, which unlocks the Bluetooth KISS TNC and allows the use of applications like APRSdroid and Winlink instead of Verotelecom’s proprietary Android application. Relatedly, a clone of this handheld has been released by BTech for a few dollars cheaper, called the Btech UV-Pro. VGC’s (Verotelecom’s) firmware appear to be 100% compatible with this device.

Winter Field Day is coming up on January 25th, and the way it’s going, many of us may actually have winter conditions to practice in who usually don’t. We’ll see how that goes.

Other than that, it’s a new year. It’s also 107 days until May Day.