Found this announcement on qrz.com.  Builders may be interested in checking in to the ABSOLUTE TECH NET:

Absolute Tech is a technology net for ham radio operators and others that covers a broad spectrum of technology but not limited to ham radio devices or applications.   The Absolute Tech Net will be hosted every Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm Eastern via:

• Echolink: On the *DODROPIN* conference server: 355800,
  
• AllStar: Nodes 52879 and 50980,
  
• DMR: TG 3162356,
  
• IRLP: 9616
  

We keep hearing that the sunspot cycle 25 train has left the station.  I attached a short (7 pgs) tutorial to help you understand what all those propagation numbers mean.  The author, Karl Luetzelschwab K9LA, is very knowledgeable & a prolific publisher of propagation info.  His website https://k9la.us/ is worth a visit.

Enjoy.

Dave, VE3WI

Attached Files

  Jun21_Space_Weather_Parameters_and_Propagation_-_revised_1Jun2021.pdf (Size: 508.87 KB / Downloads: 1)

here's a article on mesh networks used in the military.http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=1351002156

Ham Radio Friends—


Here is a gentle reminder of the Zoom presentation we have scheduled for tonight (Thursday) at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time.   That is actually 0000z Friday, so let’s just think of it as 2359z Thursday in order to avoid confusion.

The Zoom invitation is shown below, along with presentation details.

Part 1, presented last week by Kevan N4XL, was a huge success and attended by 100 (maximum allowed under our current Zoom license) people.  So, prep yourself for an enlightening Part 2 tonight.

Please pass this along to all your friends--either experienced, novice, or wannabe contesters.

—Larry   NN5O (ex-WB5EIN)
President, Deep Dixie Contest Club
visit our Deep Dixie Contest Club web site 
   http://deepdixiecc.org

Quote: Zoom Announcement

TO:  Deep Dixie Contest Club (DDCC) members and special guests—

IMPORTANT DATE/TIME!!   
Part 2 — Thursday, June 3, 2021 @ 7:00 PM Central Daylight Time —>  [b]2359z[/b]
(note:  I am using 2359z to avoid confusion on which day this actually occurs.  Start time will be at the top of the hour on Thursdays)

Our topic will be:  N1MM+:  Setup Choices & Configuration Lessons Learned (Part 2)

PLEASE invite all radio enthusiasts (especially beginning contesters) to join us for these presentations!  Pass the word around.  Post it to all your club members!
~~~~~~~~~~~
DETAILS:

Dates:  Thursday, June 3, 2021 (Part 2)
Time:  6:59 PM Central DAYLIGHT Time.   That will be 2359z. (actual start time is top of the hour on Thursday)
Speaker:  Kevan Nason, N4XL
Topic:  N1MM+:  Setup Choices & Configuration Lessons Learned (Part 2)

Quote:Description:  
N1MM+ is overwhelmingly the contest logger of choice by contesters around the world. But with over 900 pages in its user manual, it can be intimidating to set up and use. Creating “How To” instructions for adding N1MM+ to your shack is challenging due to the individuality of each station, varying levels of operator technical knowledge, and widely differing thoughts on what contesting aids to incorporate into a person’s operating style. In a two part series, N4XL has collected a few lessons learned about configuring and using N1MM+ that have helped him, and others, get this great program up and running. It is geared primarily towards CW and SSB operators, but many areas overlap into Digi and RTTY operations.

Part 1 examined some of the bewildering amount of configuration choices offered by the program.  It will identify several N1MM+ and Windows settings that commonly cause frustration and provide online resources to aid in configuration. It also describes how Audacity can be used to enhance voice keyer operations.

Part 2 describes Enter Sends Message operating, macros, information available in the Entry Window, and useful keyboard shortcut keys. N1MM will be used for live demonstrations of Super Check Partial assistance in identifying call signs, and show how self-generated or cluster spots can be effectively used with keyboard shortcut keys to enhance S&P operation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the official invitation that you may use to connect to our Zoom™ meeting room:

Larry Anderson NN5O is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Deep Dixie CC:  Zoom Learning Series
Time: June 3, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)  — or 0000z Friday, June 4

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9087926776?pwd=bCtQZjNMamxpSmtMNzJpanlqcDJGQT09

Meeting ID: 908 792 6776
Passcode: ddcc2021
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,9087926776#,,,,*16066072# US (New York)
+13017158592,,9087926776#,,,,*16066072# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 908 792 6776
Passcode: 16066072
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbUcVK5353

~~~~~~~~~~~~
As you await this presentation, feel free to send any questions, comments, suggestions related to this topic.

PLEASE pass this information along to your friends in other radio clubs around the world.  Deep Dixie CC extends an hospitable welcome to amateurs living anywhere on the globe—or beyond!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
[To view past Deep Dixie CC presentations on YouTube, go to http://tinyurl.com/DDCCYouTube

Georgian Bay Amateur Radio Net Report
June 2, 2021

Marvin VE3VCG was net control in the absence of Berni VE3BQM. Marvin opened the net with the posted preamble and posed the following general knowledge question.

“What was the name of the first organized radio club, as well as the location and date, where and when it was formed”?

After posing the question for the evening Marvin invited mobile or battery powered station check in’s. Then Echo link stations were invited to check in, After which general check in's were invited.

2 meter participants
VA3EAC Janet
KO4DXQ Bob
VE3GIO Larry
VE3EZN Jim
VE3DGY Doug
VA3KOT John
VA3RQY Greg
VA3TS Tom
VE3OZW Richard

No one successfully answered the skill testing question. The answer is: in 1908 the "Wireless Telegraph Club was formed by a group of students at Columbia University". This according to Wikipedia was the first organized radio club.

On completion of the 2 meter portion of the net participating stations were invited to join the 73 round on 80 meters at 3.783 MHz.

80 meter participants
VA3TS Tom
VE3VCG Marvin
VE3OZW Richard
VA3KOT John
VE3FJN Colin
VE3GIO Larry
VE3DGY Doug
VA3MFO Jim.

After completion of the 80 meter 73 round Tom declared the net closed.

Footnote: Marvin: VE3VCG experienced a 30 over noise floor and significant band fluctuations during the 80 meter portion of the net. After a brief struggle with those conditions Marvin asked Tom to take over as net control for this portion of the net and, Tom did so with many thanks from Marvin. Marvin will be working to resolve the noise issues at his QTH over coming months and hopefully with will make being net control easier on future nets.

Same as last FD & WFD, ARRL will sum individual member scores and publish an aggregate club score for this year's FD.  For this to work, everyone must state the exact same club name in the log they submit.  I believe we have been using GEORGIAN BAY ARC in the previous contests.  If wrong please let me know.

Gave my little Honda generator a test run yesterday.  I'll be a 1E station again, and trying to work a little harder at it this year :-)

73
Dave, VE3WI

Since John started the Technical Presentation series, the silence when volunteer presenters are requested HAS BEEN DEAFENING!!!

Every member has some topic (ham radio or otherwise) that we're especially interested in.  I know it's called "Technical", but I bet any topic would be well received (e.g. John's travelogue this month).

Most of us are retired, or otherwise have time on our hands due to COVID.

If you folks don't step up a little, this initiative will wither and die, and a bit of club spirit will die with it.

If you're nervous about making presentation slides, using Zoom, or whatever, just ask for help.  Any of us who have done this already will be glad to lend a hand.  I prepared & delivered training with Powerpoint for 15 years at Bruce Power & I'll be glad to help.

Hopefully we can soon present in person, but let's keep the momentum going for now.

73
Dave, VE3WI

This is an excellent video demonstrating how to use Winlink peer to peer with a VARA connection. It covers some of the fine points of peer to peer connections. Winlink is notorious for the challenges one faces using it to connect to Winlink nodes via RF.  Peer to Peer connections may offer a better option when possible.

Get up early on Thursday 10 June.  Weather permitting, we can see a partial solar eclipse.  Viewing from a spot with no obstructions to the northeast & east will be best.

Sunrise: 0540 EDT, Maximum: 0547, End: 0640

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/@...o=20210610

73
Dave, VE3WI

This should be a great 2 part presentation for anyone wishing to learn how to use the best contesting software. Field Day is just around the corner and GBARC had been using N1MM in years past. 
Save the Date Zoom Announcement

TO:  Deep Dixie Contest Club (DDCC) members and special guests—

SAVE THE DATES!!   
Part 1 — Thursday, May 27, 2021 @ 7:00 PM Central Daylight Time —>  2359z
Part 2 — Thursday, June 3, 2021 @ 7:00 PM Central Daylight Time —>  [b]2359z[/b]
(note:  I am using 2359z to avoid confusion on which day this actually occurs.  Start time will be at the top of the hour on Thursdays)

Our topics will be:  N1MM+ Steps to Ensure Successful Contesting Operation

PLEASE invite all radio enthusiasts (especially beginning contesters) to join us for these presentations!  Pass the word around.  Post it to all your club members!
~~~~~~~~~~~
DETAILS:

Dates:  Thursday, May 27, 2021 (Part 1), followed by Thursday, June 3, 2021 (Part 2)
Time:  6:59 PM Central DAYLIGHT Time.   That will be 0000z. (actual start time is top of the hour on Thursday)
Speaker:  Kevan Nason, N4XL
Topic:  N1MM+ Steps to Ensure Successful Contesting Operation (Parts 1 & 2)
Description:  
N1MM+ is overwhelmingly the contest logger of choice by contesters around the world. But with over 900 pages in its user manual, it can be intimidating to set up and use. Creating “How To” instructions for adding N1MM+ to your shack is challenging due to the individuality of each station, varying levels of operator technical knowledge, and widely differing thoughts on what contesting aids to incorporate into a person’s operating style. In a two part series, N4XL has collected a few lessons learned about configuring and using N1MM+ that have helped him, and others, get this great program up and running. It is geared primarily towards CW and SSB operators, but many areas overlap into Digi and RTTY operations.

Part 1 examines some of the bewildering amount of configuration choices offered by the program.  It will identify several N1MM+ and Windows settings that commonly cause frustration and provide online resources to aid in configuration. It also describes how Audacity can be used to enhance voice keyer operations.

Part 2 describes Enter Sends Message operating, macros, information available in the Entry Window, and useful keyboard shortcut keys. N1MM will be used for live demonstrations of Super Check Partial assistance in identifying call signs, and show how self-generated or cluster spots can be effectively used with keyboard shortcut keys to enhance S&P operation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the official invitation that you may use to connect to our Zoom™ meeting room:

Larry Anderson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Deep Dixie CC:  Zoom Learning Series
Time: May 27, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9087926776?pwd=bCtQZjNMamxpSmtMNzJpanlqcDJGQT09

Meeting ID: 908 792 6776
Passcode: ddcc2021
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,9087926776#,,,,*16066072# US (New York)
+13017158592,,9087926776#,,,,*16066072# US (Washington DC)

Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 908 792 6776
Passcode: 16066072
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbUcVK5353

~~~~~~~~~~~~
As you await this presentation, feel free to send any questions, comments, suggestions related to this topic.

PLEASE pass this information along to your friends in other radio clubs around the world.  Deep Dixie CC extends an hospitable welcome to amateurs living anywhere on the globe—or beyond!