On Saturday 30.4.2022 the OM0ODK converter at Kojšovská hola was replaced. The new OM0ODK converter allows operation in modes DMR, C4FM, DSTAR a FM. TSQL is required to operate in FM 88,5. In each mode, the transmitter is either permanently connected or connectable via a radio station.
DMR mode is of course connected to Brandmeister. Which TGs are fixed by the administrator or temporarily linked to the converter by the user, it is possible to see HERE.
C4FM
C4FM mode can be routed by the administrator to the FCS spotlights or by the user from the radio station in the Wires-X room. After operating the OM0ODM converter in Košice, both converters in C4FM will be permanently linked through the FCS reflector. In addition, Wires-X will remain usable by users. In C4FM, the converter is sensitive to modulation. Do not speak loudly into the microphone and / or keep the microphone of the radio close to your mouth, otherwise your output modulation will be distorted and hard to listen to. When testing from the Yaesu FT70, the modulation was OK when setting MIC GAIN 9 (max), distance rdst from mouth 15-20 cm, spoken in a quieter voice. In louder speech, keep an even greater distance from the MIC or reduce the MIC GAIN. It's best to try it, if you have two C4FM radios.
DSTAR
DSTAR mode can be linked to the spotlights by the user. By default, the converter is not linked anywhere. The default default reflector is XLX019S Slovakia
FM mode can also be linked via Echolink using DTMF commands. By default, the converter is not linked anywhere. The connection to the opposite station will take place after entering its echoline number a #. Disconnect using #. Disconnect all stations (if more than one is connected) using ##. After the end of the signal at the input of the converter, it turns off CTCSS at its output and continues the carrier range without CTCSS. Use width 25 kHz, Nope 12,5.
DMR => APRS
In DMR mode, the transmitter is allowed to transmit GPS information from the radio station to the network APRS. Do not use the converter as an APRS receiver at short intervals! To use DMR location sending to APRS, set the sending of the position together with the voice, ie when you press PTT, if the radio station allows it. If you want to send the location to APRS via the converter automatically, ie also outside your voice broadcast, set the sending interval to at least 10 minutes or more.
Do not use automatic GPS position transmission at intervals shorter than 10 minutes!
Linking
Do not connect the converter “in to the world” just because, to play something from the radio station :-). For this purpose, please use a hotspot or the ability to listen to DMR over the web. On the one hand, this unnecessarily increases electricity consumption, which we don't have for free and we have to fit into a certain consumption and in addition you block the converter from others. This converter may be the only option for someone, how to call for help. Especially in Volovské vrchy there are areas without a mobile signal, from which only this converter can be called. I also wear a DMR handle in the woods due to the possibility of a backup connection. In DMR mode, the user-connected TG is disconnected only after 10 minutes of inactivity. If you connect the converter to the TG, where the operation is, for example, an hour, albeit with short breaks, so the converter will be unavailable or difficult to use at all times (between sessions) under another TG on this slot for example 231 or 2311. No one can disconnect a TG-connected user via a radio station. The system disconnects it after 10 minutes of inactivity or the administrator of the converter can do it over the Internet.
In the extreme case, in the event of an emergency and the need to call for assistance, for example through the TG 230, 231, 2311, where there is a high probability, that someone will answer you, can be used 2. slot, if it was also not occupied by a pointlessly connected foreign operation. Keep this in mind, that TG (e.g.. 230, 231, 2311) activated by you at 2. slot will behave as temporary and after 10 minutes without operation. Under normal circumstances, these TG on 2. do not use slots!
The primary mode of the converter is DMR. Disconnect the converter linking in DSTAR, C4FM Wires-X or FM Echolinka after your communication and do not block the converter by unnecessary linking just for listening. Na to si, Please, get a hotspot.
Transitions between modes
FM => digi. If FM operation is in progress on the converter, possible digital traffic that would come from the network at that time, is not broadcast. Only when FM operation ends and the converter decrypts, digital operation can start immediately. Therefore, there is no need to hesitate in analog mode with the answer to the opposite station, because when the travel time has elapsed, i. the time from the decryption of the user at the input to the decryption of the output of the converter, the converter can immediately switch to digital operation.
Digi => FM. It is similar with digital traffic. Analogue traffic coming from Echolinko cannot interrupt ongoing digital traffic until then, until digital operation ends. Of course, Echolink does not register and does not transmit digital traffic, because it is for FM only. After digital operation, the converter 20 it waits for seconds and then frees up space for analog operation as well.
Digi -> digi. It is similar with the transition between digital modes. If you are broadcasting in digital mode, after decryption, you can broadcast in another digital mode up to 20 seconds. The converter will not respond to another digital mode sooner.
Expenses
The gross cost of launching the new converter was 450 €. Therefore, I ask you for any contributions to the transparent account of the converter. Whether one or more times does not matter. Enter your word in the payment note: upgrade
Plan
In the future (it can be this year as well) is a consideration to connect a second phased offset 4-dipole antenna to the converter to increase the overall gain and improve the coverage. Estimated amount needed 130 €. It does not only depend on sufficient funds but also on the decisions of other people.
What about the old OM0ODK?
The original converter from Kojšovka (DR1+MMDVM) I would like to operate in Košice in DMR, C4FM, DSTAR as OM0ODM. Starting the converter requires a resource, antenna, a few meters of coax, narrow 19″ rack, console and setting up an internet line. Internet feeding is under my control. I will carry out the installation, if money is raised for it.
You can find current information and settings of the converter on QRZ.com
