MARCO Digital Voice – Tutorial by KD4IZ

In a recent zoom meeting, Jack Spitznagel, KD4IZ presented a brilliant tutorial on the subject of Digital Voice.  While the technology itself has been around for many years, DV is still in its infancy as it emerges in the circles of ham radio.  At present, the landscape is filled with many alternatives and few standards.  Jack does a wonderful job of providing context for DV in ham radio and hints on how to get started. Jay Garlitz, AA4FL, follows up the tutorial with a discussion of how he plans to access digital mode.  This information was sent to the membership via the google groups reflector and is reproduced below for convenience. Video Recording of Zoom Session with KD4IZ Your browser does not support the video tag.   Supplemental Resources N.W. Digital Radio “Thumb DV” http://nwdigitalradio.com/shop/ The KE0FHS Blog website called https://amateurradionotes.com/index.htm  for a great tutorial on DV The K3NXU Miklor Website: https://miklor.com/ for great amounts of information on Chinese Radio and a good section on DMR. Post by AA4FL on December 11, 2020 The following link will bring up a pdf of graphics to assist you in the following explanation:    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mixQrhyuyLKZ6VkG16qFvZKO4T4JjHxW/view?usp=sharing I do own a DMR radio but for the digital modes I am using a USB DVstick that allows me to use the computer to operate DMR, D-Star and other modes.   Christmas did not come early but my birthday was late October and my wife supplied the new toy! This USB-stick facilitates the use of a PC to communicate on Dstar and DMR. The DVstick 30 is a AMBE-3000 vocoder and USB interface. Using BlueDV software and the DVstick 30 you can make a QSO without a radio. All you need is a Windows PC with a sound card, microphone, speaker, and a DVMEGA DVstick 30. Hardware–DVMEGA DVstick30:  https://www.gigaparts.com/dvmega-dvstick-30.html#  (Other brand sticks are available) Software–BlueDV-Windows (also available for other OS) https://www.pa7lim.nl/bluedv-windows/ My set-up.  Some...

MARCO Digital Voice Net – Saturdays 1500 UTC

The purpose of MARCO Digital Voice nets are to provide a world-wide discussion forum for current challenges in the medical/health related professions (not a CME topic based net), the communities that they serve, events, and to provide support for technical issues related to communication that affect MARCO members.  The DV net(s) exist to augment our current HF nets in a manner free of the concerns of propagation, offering a solution for those who are antenna challenged or have HOA restrictions, and at times convenient for members from all countries to participate.  Our net is hosted on the Quadnet Array (https://www.openquad.net/), that allows various DV methods for access.  These include the use of hotspots so members can use their own DV mode radios, and DV sticks to allow members access through a computer and headset. Currently a weekly DV net is held at 1500 UTC on Saturdays, in the English language, at a time that favors most of the globe but lacks convenience for members in Asia.  More time slots and nets in other languages may be added as requested by members (request to Jay AA4FL at his QRZ email address). A MARCO member will act as net control and members as topic presenters. Our members include professionals in the medical and allied health fields, however all stations national and international are welcome to join the net and participate in the discussion. Tutorials for access will follow in the near future.  Use the MARCO Google Group with the subject line DV net to ask questions regarding access. Once you are able to check-in to the DV net the moderator/net control will request assistance from participants in answering questions and suggestions that you may have regarding...

MARCO Live Streaming Audio Update

There is now simpler access to MARCO streaming audio and archived nets.  The new url is:  www.marcoaudio.net   This address will be used for all nets:  CW,  Sunday SSB, and the Wednesday night COVID net. This link will take you to a page with a built-in audio player, links for a variety of popular players, and a list of our archived nets going back several years. The old links still work, and can still program   http://marcoaudio.ddns.net:8011/stream   into a standard music player on computer, phone, or portable device for a direct link to the live nets only. Feel free to share these links with anyone, MARCO member or not.  No login or password is required.  There is no cost.  There is room for 100 listeners at a time.  Again, no limit to downloads.  Comments are appreciated. N5RTF...

EMERGENCY MEDICAL NET on COVID-19

Reprinted courtesy of QRZ.COM and...

COVID-19 Discussion on MARCO Net

A link to a video recording of a recent MARCO net discussing COVID-19 follows, with Harry at the mic.  The recording was made by shortwave listener Rich Nowak and shared on the Shortwave Listener Facebook group site. Recording: ...

Live Streaming Audio

Live Streaming Audio of The MARCO Grand Rounds Online During MARCO Grand Rounds, you can listen to streaming audio of the net, as heard at the station of N5RTF in New Orleans, LA. This link is only active during the times the Grand Round Net is being held.  With HF conditions being what they are at this time of the sunspot cycle using the streaming audio while participating on the net can really improve your net...