If you’re looking for a digital-mode hot-spot (e.g., P25, DMR, Fusion, D-STAR, and NXDN), check out Robert Bretzman’s (K4WZV) TGIF Spot. What do I like about Robert Bretzman’s TGIF Spot? 3.5-inch Nextion Color Touch-screen, FPP: Front Panel Programming, Wi-Fi Scan, Adjustable BER Settings, Looks cool via the C4 Labs Clear Casing, Pre-programmed and ready to…
Alfonso Faustino: Gerry Filby (W6WNG): AllStar ClearNode
Buy it! Yup, simple as that…buy one — you won’t regret it — if you do, you can always return it within 30 days of receipt. Gerry Filby’s ClearNode is one of the best purchases I made for 2020. I needed to access the PAPA Systems’s analog repeaters to maintain my HAM contacts in the…
Alfonso Faustino: PAPA System: New P25 Network
4-October-2020, @ 0248 Hours PDT, I received information from Cecil Casillas (WD6FZA), that he and his team completed the installation and testing of the new P25 repeaters in the PAPA System network in Southern California. This is truly an amazing accomplishment by Cecil and his team. Members of the PAPA System now has access to…
Alfonso Faustino: HAM Satellite Repeaters
Before I begin, I’d like to thank Wade, W5ERX, for introducing me to HAM Satellite Repeaters (hereinafter, in this BLOG, HSR). I was on P25 North America 10200; and, I connected with W5ERX, and through our conversation, he told me about his recent adventure: HAM Satellite Repeaters. Several satellites in space have HAM analog duplex…
Alfonso Faustino: Lumen “Glowing” Modular SGT Radio Strap & Carabiner Keeper Set
When I purchased my Motorola APX 8000HXE, I had to find a way to carry it while doing my volunteer work with CARLA, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, San Francisco Fire Department, and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. My Maxpedition Falcon III Wolf Gray Back-pack is a perfect bug-out and EDC back-pack; and, I’m able to…
Alfonso Faustino: HAM P25
BLUF: The following are P25 repeaters and P25 talk-groups/reflectors. This list will keep you entertained with your P25 activities. Enjoy! P25 Talk-groups — at times, talk-groups are also called reflectors: PAPA P25 Chat: 31077 PAPA P25xDMR: 31078 (This is a P25 bridge that connects to PAPA’s DMR system; and, the DMR system is linked to…
Alfonso Faustino: Garmin inReach EXPLORER+
I do a lot of activities in areas that do not have mobile signals for my iPhone 11 Pro; hence, when I’m out in these areas, I carry and rely upon two significant tools: Motorola APX 8000HXE and Garmin inReach EXPLORER+. I’ve already written a BLOG on my Motorola APX 8000HXE; hence, this BLOG is…
Alfonso Faustino: What’s in your Portable Communications (Comms) Case (AKA: Go-box)?
I think the word, go-box, is a lousy identifier of a case that contains communications devices — it sounds stupid to me; hence, I use the term, PCC-Portable Communications Case. I also find the term Communications-case or Comms-case as acceptable identifiers. If I used a bag, then I would call it a Comms-bag, and so…
Alfonso Faustino: Volunteer Emergency Auxiliary Comms Credentials
BLUF: The purpose of this BLOG is to introduce to you my Emergency Auxiliary Comms Credential, as a resource for you, in the event you are interested in furthering your HAM skills and donating your HAM skills and time with various agencies, as an emergency auxiliary communications (comms) person. Emergency Auxiliary Comms deals with using…
Alfonso Faustino: BridgeCom’s AnyTone D868UV and D878UV Plus: Pass!
Recently, I received many emails about AnyTone transceivers — these new HAM operators and existing HAM operators are in the market for a new transceiver, asked me, “what about AnyTone [transceivers]?” Normally, I don’t talk about AnyTone transceivers; because, I have nothing good to say about AnyTone; however, since AnyTone advertises their transceivers for LEOs, fire-fighters, first-responders, and etc for…
Alfonso Faustino: Maxpedition Falcon III Wolf Gray Back-pack
I’m a bag-freak. I have many bags in my storage area; and, they are all in excellent condition, regardless of age and deployment activities. At this point in time, my most used back-pack is my Maxpedition Falcon III Wolf Gray Back-pack. Don’t get me wrong, my deployment activities ain’t like the US Navy SEALs; but,…
Alfonso Faustino: For me, it’s all about the RX and TX
HAM operators were talking about the stuff they looked for in a transceiver…many operators were talking about features like color-display, caller-ID, water-resistant, DMR, System Fusion, D-STAR, VFO, and so on. When it came to me, I mentioned only two things: RX and TX. Really, in all honesty, I couldn’t care less about caller-ID, color-display, and…
