[SJRA-Members] Hotspot questions

[Burton Sampley]

 As a follow up, I checked with ARCC, which coordinates repeaters in our area.  Here's their response:
"Please see the attached file. This is from the proposal ARCC published last year which amends the 70cm bandplan to add frequencies in the 438-439 MHz region for a number of activities including hotspots. This proposal will likely be ratified at the next ARCC Board meeting, so it is likely safe to go ahead and use those frequencies at this point, which would include 438.0125 through 438.2875 (channels spaced every 12.5 kHz) for indoor hotspots. Thanks for asking and 73."
They did not attach a document, but they did answer my question.  Now it's time to listen for a few hours / days to confirm a frequency in this range is truly not in use and then reset my hotspot to use that simplex frequency.
Thank you all for the discussion.  I know I'm way over thinking this.
73 de NJ2IT / Burton
    On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 3:26:27 PM EDT, Burton Sampley <bsmply at yahoo.com> wrote:  
 
 SJRA,
I have 2 questions surrounding the appropriate use of a ZumSpot running PI-Star.
1) What is an appropriate range in the 70cm band to run a simplex hotspot?  I have not yet found a suggested band plan showing any range of frequencies effectively reserved for digital use in the 70cm band.  I've looked at the ARRL band plan as a recommendation, but realize it is a suggested use and not authoritative.

    I have seen some suggestions of using the following ranges:
    a) 432.10 to 432.30 (ARRL lists this range as "mixed-mode and weak signal work")    b) 432.40 to 433.00 (ARRL lists this range as "mixed-mode and weak signal work")    c) 445.00 to 447.00 (ARRL lists this range as "Shared by auxiliary and control links, repeaters and simplex (local option)")
    Obviously, good operating practice is to listen on the frequency for use first.

2)  Requirements for ID when I am listening only and my hotspot is transmitting a QSO from the Fusion room or DSTAR or any other supported digital mode?
If I'm listening to a QSO's through the hotspot, it is still transmitting and in my opinion, should require ID'ing itself, even though the operators who are actively participating in the QSO ID themselves, similar to the requirements of a repeater.  While listening to a QSO, I have not heard my hotspot ID itself.  I am concerned that I am not properly operating the radio on the hotspot and therefore I am out of compliance for transmitting over 10 minutes without properly identifying myself.

Does anyone else operate a hotspot using PI-Star?  If so, how do you make sure you comply with station ID every 10 minutes?  Is there a configuration setting within PI-Star that I could be overlooking?
So, it looks like I found solution from the following post: https://forum.pistar.uk/viewtopic.php?t=788 this will send out a CW ID every 10 minutes.  After applying this option, my ZumSpot now does the CW ID every 10 minutes.  Now I need to listen to make sure it's sending my call sign  In my opinion, this option shouldn't be buried.  It should be easier to find, so anyone using this type of product is compliant with ID'ing.
 


73 de NJ2IT / Burton