985 Workbench: 2024-08-12

Watching APRS
- trying different radios/antennas w/ aprsdroid
- slim-jim working better with any radio
- watching logs and better-understanding the structure of the packets
N3TWT repeater (South Mountain) looks good for “off grid” communication when camping in Cumberland county
- heard lots of volunteer event activity
- also heard N3FYI & N3KZ
moving in September, so scheming new antennas
maybe noticing a bug on AUBS firmware on Quansheng. I have copy of code to read and see about a fix.
I tried another firmware, but missing the killer feature: scan on start

W3JAM, Jeff:
- using a generator, how important is ground?
  - KC3RFG, Jim:
    - already grounded if connected to home.
    - job site may require a ground rod, but doesn’t do much.
    - for field day, generator is the only “reference”, so no need for ground
    - modern generators have GFI built-in.
  - NA3CW, Chuck:
    - don’t let generator run down and stop under load, because it’ll degauss the residual magnetism
- Heathkit SB102 w/ 6146B tubes. It wouldn’t tune up. is there concern with using 6146W tubes?
  - NA3CW, Chuck: 6146W is the ruggedized version. it should work. neutralize, and you’re good to go.
  - AF3Z, Jim: be sure to check the tubes with a tube-tester
AF3Z, Jim:
- cable management while being able to access and change. beat the rats’ nest. Are there good systems for cable management?
  - WA3VEE, Ron:
    - best if you can walk behind the desk
    - everything slides on felt feet, so must have some slack loosely coiled.
  - NA3CW, Chuck:
    - desk 90 degrees to the wall for easy access to the back.
    - garden velcro: can be snipped to any length you need.
  - KC3JAM, Jeff:
    - military systems require being able to get behind things.
KC3OOK, Bill:
- Has anyone used DragonOS / Linux?
  - NA3CW, Chuck: Mint, but not Dragon OS.

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