Posts
APRS and Messaging with LoRa
We use APRS tracking to help keep volunteers safe in major events. Members need to carry VECTOR radios to do so. What if we could give members small trackers and let you use your own radio?
A small, low-power tracker may make our civic events work easier. LoRa (Long Range) is a proprietary modulation that uses chirp spread spectrum to achieve long ranges with low power use and high immunity to interference. We intend to use the 433 MHz version to test APRS, telemetry, and short messaging.
We need two to four people to help field test mini-trackers in June and July. Anthony VE7XAK has offered to lead the project and set up all the gear.
VECTOR May 2022 News
Previous newsletters can be found in the archive.
Planning Field Day 2022
Once we rally a core set of volunteers to guide the work, we have approval to use Queen Elizabeth Park for Field Day 2022. Parks Board Events granted our conditional permit for using the usual place to set up a Field Day event. We need 5 volunteers who will guide VECTOR’s 2022 Field Day, though.
VECTOR COVID-19 Update - Week 112
We now protect our community using our personal responsibility and respect for others; we have the skills and restrictions are discretionary by property owner and host.
April - Multi-site Drill
Exercise: Set up and run a VECTOR remote site to play 20 Questions using net protocol for questions and radiograms for guesses.
Planning active drills for 2022
It’s time to check-in with our colleagues that work at our radio sites. Our first multi-site drills in 2018 helped rebuild sleeping ties. New multi-site drills can do it again!
Civic and Special Events Likely in 2022
We must prepare to volunteer. City staff are working with community groups that plan to host events this year.
VECTOR April 2022 News
Previous newsletters can be found in the archive.
VECTOR COVID-19 Update - Week 108
Public health safety restrictions changing.
Retiring Saber radios
Just before the pandemic started, VECTOR decided to de-acquire all our Motorola Saber radios. We shifted to using Baofeng radios as loaners during our practice courses.