Technical Nets on Tuesdays

[Terry Fox]

It's nice to see some technical info on the AMRAD repeater.  Hal brought up 
an excellent discussion topic at the end of tonight's session.  It's 
becoming more difficult to build hardware these days.  It's also becoming 
more cumbersome to write software.  I suggest that we discuss this, and 
maybe do some individual research ahead of time that we can share.  This 
club was built upon doing technical stuff related to Amateur Radio (check 
the charter), and may be we can provide some solutions to it becoming more 
difficult to do technical stuff with today's fast-paced technology.

In particular, I would like to throw out the idea of AMRAD having some 
ham-radio specific "Make" sessions.  Maybe at member's homes or at Frank's 
shop, if he is willing.  Gin up a project, and have a group of members 
attack it.  Not a generic Arduino or Teensy or other "light the LED" thing, 
but a real, ham radio project, even if it's a morse code sender or somesuch.

I would also propose that AMRAD to something similar with software.  Maybe 
take an existing ham radio project (such as for an Arduino or Pi), and have 
someone walk others through the software needed to accomplish the project. 
This could even be done on a Tuesday evening session, along with some 
previously-created documentation on the AMRAD web site.

I'm sure there are AMRAD people building stuff, and others that would be 
interested in following along.  Even (and especially) if the project is not 
completed yet.

Hal also mentioned Andre's work on a hopper, from what I understand it runs 
on an Arduino.  That would be a GREAT topic for both a Tuesday night session 
AND a Make session.  After all, you might not find certain problems with it 
until several are running at the same time!

I am also interested in any projects that AMRADers are working on.  Please 
put a short description of what you are working on here on tacos, even if 
not completed.  One of AMRAD's main goals is to further Amateur Radio 
technology, along with learning about technology.  I encourage members to 
share what they are doing.
73, Terry, WB4JFI