The 80th Anniversary of W6SD
W6SD, the San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club, is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1946. Please click to read more about our history.
W6SD November 20 Meeting:
Frank Catena, KD8JKK, on ‘QSO One’
Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity after seeing an apple fall from a tree. Frank Catena, KD8JKK, was sheltering in a basement as a tornado threatened his northeast Ohio neighborhood when he got the idea for an app that could offer a broader range of communications options than his handheld Baofeng radio.
The tornado spared his home, but as Frank will explain at our November 20 meeting, he didn’t give up on the idea it inspired.
A ham since 2008 who moved in and out of the hobby as his other obligations allowed, he was aware that a number of the repeaters that had once served his area were no long active.
He looked at what EchoLink and AllStarLink offered and saw both attractive capabilities and significant shortcomings.
EchoLink simply required software on a computer and a ham radio license, meaning no antenna on the roof. AllStarLink, a newer option, involved what he saw as dated software and a burdensome setup procedure.
He decided his solution was to build an app, QSO One, which is now available to hams.
Frank describes QSO One as a modern cross-platform client for AllStarLink, EchoLink, DMR, and a number of other modes, presented in a clean, modern design.
As he will explain, the app gives users a broad range of options:
- AllStarLink Node Mode, full node capability on Wi-Fi via software alone, without the need for hardware like a Raspberry Pi or radio interface port.
- EchoLink direct and proxy connections, on both Wi-Fi and cellular.
- DMR, D-STAR, YSF, NXDN, M17 and Beacon modes are included, with more coming.
The software, which is free (with paid options for added features), is currently on Google Play and in the Microsoft Store, and iPhone and Mac versions will be available soon
Frank is also working on direct radio compatibility, for hams who want to connect a transceiver to the app and bridge it to the AllStarLink network.
His roadmap for the project includes plans to integrate Morse code (CW) and other digital modes, and integrating more modes and networks in the future.
Information about the app is available at qso1.net.
Our General Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month at 6:30 pm, in the LAPD West Valley Station Community Room, at 19020 Vanowen St, Reseda, CA 91335. (Click for a map or set your GPS to: 34°11’34.4″N 118°32’55.4″W.) Parking is behind the library. Exceptions to this schedule include our Holiday Dinner in December, and occasions when the room is required for use by police officers.
Meetings are hybrid, with attendance also available via Zoom. See our Zoom links page.
Help For Hams Affected By the Southern California Wildfires
Are you one of the Los Angeles-area hams affected by the January, 2025, wildfires, or do you know one of these hams? W6SD wants to help.
Our club has radios and other equipment we can provide to help you get back on the air. We know this won’t undo the damage and devastation that these fires caused, but hope this support can help you get back on the air and involved in our hobby. To learn more, click here.
W6SD Weekly Social Get-Togethers
W6SD holds monthly speaker meetings on the third Friday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., at the West Valley LAPD Station, 19020 Vanowen St., Reseda, and via Zoom. We also hold informal social get-togethers every Monday morning via Zoom.
Many members meet for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday mornings at the Denny’s restaurant at 16575 Sherman Way, west of the Van Nuys Airport. All are welcome.
Join Our Mailing List
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W6SD – The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
ARRL Affiliated Club #1684
Founded in 1946, The San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (SFVARC) is open to anyone interested in Amateur Radio as a hobby. The Club is affiliated with the American Radio Relay League and the Los Angeles Council of Amateur Radio Clubs, Inc.
San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club
P.O. Box 5472
West Hills, CA 91308
info@w6sd.com
Interested in joining W6SD? Whether you are brand new to the hobby of ham radio or are an Extra Class expert, you are welcome here. Click here for information.