HamSCI PSWS Meeting Reminder, 1 May 2025, 1400 UTC
Gary Mikitin, AF8A
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
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Gary Mikitin, AF8A
HamSCI PSWS Operations Meeting Zoom telecon on Thursday, 1 May, at 1400 UTC
Grape 2 Drive Swap - Out of the 32 units deployed last March, 24 hard drives have been received by AB4EJ; five more are expected soon. Two hosts have not yet replied - Gary AF8A will follow up with them after a reasonable time.
- AB4EJ installed a returned G2 unit at his QTH. Node 1033 is now operational.
Grape fldigi CSV to DRF Data Format Conversion - Process is operational; no known hangups. When and how ‘all’ existing CSV files should be converted is a point for future discussion,
Grape 1 Legacy (fldigi) Repository Move - Two units are now uploading to the PSWS Central Control System (instead of the WWVARC server). Some work is needed on user instructions to account for the ‘Download Config file’ functionality. Perhaps a 2nd round of beta testing will occur in the near future. W0DAS and W7LUX volunteered in prior telecons.
- Dave W0DAS requested a ‘rationalization’ of his instruments - Bill AB4EJ and Dave will work out the details; Bill should be able to implement them.
PSWS CCS (U of A data server) - The U of A is building a new server for the project, and wants the old one shut down by June 17th. Bill AB4EJ is working to get that date extended. At the worst, the public facing server (ie map, data downloads & visualizations) will be unavailable for a short time, but data uploads WILL continue.
The new server will require a URL change on all active systems. Users will be notified, given instructions, etc. WSPRDaemon Grapes also affected, magnetometers, too.
Gary AF8A asked about rationalizing (cleaning up) accounts not in use, perhaps never to be used. Bill AB4EJ explained that there are web accounts (user logins) - and Unix level accounts, for stations uploading data. Clean up is possible. Not a priority at this time.
W2NAF presented photos of an antenna ‘work party’ at his QTH. Thanks to all who helped. His site now has VLF, DXE RX loop, N6GN SAS, DXE active vertical receive antennas, and 3 WSPRDaemon Grape systems. Existing wire antennas to be used for Grapes.
RX888 Supply Chain Woes - Product imported from China. Need we say more? Costs & availability are very fluid. TAPR and HamSCI are pondering our own version of the RX888. More details to be had on Monday evening TAPR/HamSCI Zoom telecoms.
DASI2 Messaging at Hamvention should probably consider a delayed deployment - perhaps in 2026, not mid-2025 as first hoped.
K3LR DASI2/PSWS Installation still planned for Aug 4-7 2025. Magnetometer, VLF, WSPRDaemon Grape.
RX888 ‘Round Up’ - Nathaniel W2NAF suggested soliciting the community to see how many unused RX888s exist - and which could be allocated to the DASI2 project, either as donations or for purchased with grant dollars. Gary AF8A agree to take on the solicitation and tabulation of RX888s. (W0DAS and N8OBJ noted they each have an idle unit.)