M17 is a free and open-source digital radio protocol designed for amateur radio operators, allowing for voice and data communication without the need for complicated setups or proprietary software. It offers good voice quality and...
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Sysadmin with interests in amateur radio, electronics, and retro computing, sharing personal projects on rz01.org.
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The author shares their journey of restoring a Game Boy DMG-01, detailing the process of cleaning, replacing silicone pads, and modifying the display with a backlight kit. They emphasize the importance of replacing old electrolyti...
The author recounts an unexpected experience of making radio contact with astronaut Michael Fincke aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on October 12, 2025. Initially intending to have brief conversations with other radio ...
The blog post details the process of modifying the Baofeng DM-1701 radio to support M17 transmissions using OpenRTX firmware. It includes a step-by-step guide on disassembly, modification, reassembly, and troubleshooting, emphasiz...
The article details the author's experience building a modified Nokia 3310 using a custom PCB for M17 communication. It covers the ordering process for components, the challenges faced during soldering, and the steps taken to flas...
IRC offers a refreshing alternative to modern social media, promoting real-time communication and genuine interactions without the addictive features of follower counts and algorithms.
The author shares their experience in building a LEO satellite ground station, detailing the challenges faced with previous antennas and the decision to purchase commercial eggbeater antennas for VHF and UHF. The setup includes a ...
The post discusses how to set up a CC1200 M17 hotspot using a bash installation script on a Raspberry Pi. It outlines the necessary steps for installation, including verifying system requirements, configuring settings, installing ...
A critical incident involving a compromised server and a police investigation reshaped the author's career path from system administration to cybersecurity consulting.
The author shares their transformative career journey in IT, highlighting three key events that fostered personal growth and professional success despite a non-traditional educational background.
The blog post details the author's process of building a CC1200 Raspberry Pi hat to serve as an M17 hotspot. It covers sourcing components, soldering techniques, and setting up the Raspberry Pi with the necessary software and conf...
The author shares their experience upgrading a satellite ground station and encountering a problem known as 'desense,' where the transmitter signal overloads the preamp, leading to distortion and reduced sensitivity. After seeking...
The author describes an upgrade to their LEO ground station, transitioning from eggbeaters to a more advanced cross RHCP 2m/70cm satellite antenna setup. The new configuration includes an Icom IC-910H radio, mast-head preamps, and...
The post discusses the development of a lightweight M17 hotspot using the CC1200 and Raspberry Pi, created by Jim N1ADJ and the author. It highlights the new dashboard features that allow users to monitor calls, edit configuration...
Effective amateur radio satellite operation relies on key resources for active satellite data, pass predictions, and community engagement.
The blog post discusses the removal of M17 support from several digital voice projects, impacting many ham radio users. In response, the M17 team has created a community-maintained fork of the WPSD digital voice distribution to re...
The author discusses their experience with the CSN Technologies S.A.T., a standalone antenna rotator and radio controller, highlighting its features and limitations when used with the Icom IC-910H radio. While the device offers a ...
4.3Website Overhaul
2026-01-22 • blogging website design html dark mode hugo
The author explores the transition from Hugo to direct HTML writing for their blog, highlighting new features and a revised workflow while questioning the overall benefit of the change.
A guide on building a 3D printable Hadley telescope, highlighting parts, assembly, and initial observations for beginner astronomers.
4.11000 DXCC Band Points!
2026-02-23 • hobby projects awards xdc amateur radio
After achieving the ARRL DXCC Challenge award, the author questions the value of the plaque and contemplates pursuing the DXCC Satellite award instead.
The post provides insights on using the Dell Wyse 5070 for home lab setups, including BIOS password reset and update instructions.
The CSN Technologies S.A.T. is a versatile antenna rotator and radio controller that integrates with Icom radios and Yaesu rotators, allowing users to log contacts through its web interface. The post details a Python script develo...
The text discusses the M17-3310 project, which involves installing a circuit board in an old Nokia 3310 to enable FM/FSK/M17 communication on the 70cm band. The author details the process of sourcing components, disassembling the ...
The post explains how to automatically deploy a Hugo project hosted on Github to a web host using Github Actions and SCP. It includes creating an SSH key, setting up the Github workflow, and the process of building and deploying t...