[SJRA-Members] Hotspot questions

[RICK CONNOR]

Please keep it out of the 432.100 - 432.300.  This segment is used by weak signal ops all across the USA and especially here in the Northeast.

WC2K
> On March 31, 2020 at 3:26 PM Burton Sampley via SJRA-Members <sjra-members at mailman.qth.net> 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
> 
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