First M17 Based Radios Begin Shipping

Connect Systems has begun shipping the first radios that operate M17 "out of the box." The M17 project is an Open Source digital mode alternative to modes such as DSTAR and System Fusion which rely on proprietary encoding and decoding hardware and software.

The CS7000 M17 is an HT transceiver running M17 described as "4FSK modulation with an open source Protocol and Vocoder." A "PLUS" version of the HT with additional memory and processing power will also be available.

See more information about the M17 Project.

M17 Users Group - https://daily.hamweekly.com/2024/07/first-m17-radios-are-shipping/

New SDRplay reseller in Australia

SDRPlay have announced a new reseller and authorised repair centre in Australia.

SDRPlay have welcomed Guy and VKRadio to their worldwide reseller network. Guy is knowledgeable about the RSP family from his close working with Ross at Strictly Ham over the years.

VKRadio - https://www.vkradio.com.au/

Web-based Antenna Designer and Calculator

Rob (DM1CM) has created a website for all of us who find trying to understand EZNEC, 4NEC2 and similar packages too hard. Rob says that while the site is simplified and concentrates on common wire antennas, it is still fairly accurate as behind the screen he is using antenna modelling software. As the work is not done on your local PC some operations can take a little while to complete but be patient and it will get there.

As well as supplying dimensions for you to build one of the four "standard" antennas (Linked Dipole, End-Fed-half-wave, Delta Loop or Half Square (more to be added)), it also shows you the propagation pattern, VSWR charts, antenna current diagram and the smith chart for the chosen antenna.

More Information - https://sota-antennas.com/