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Linux: The Other Operating System...
By Neal Sacon, N7RX (Neal’s full discussion of the Linux system will be available at the March General Meeting. -Editor)The March and April meetings will focus on the use of the Linux operating system by radio amateurs. The March meeting will provide a workshop & seminar on the installation of the Linux OS on a desktop computer which is currently using an MS-DOS based OS, such as Windows 98, and the April meeting will provide a similar workshop & seminar on Linux applications useful in amateur radio. This article introduces Linux by discussing its history and purpose, and commenting from an entry-level user's perspective about how this open-source community project stacks-up against Windows. If you're expecting a how-to-do-it installation guide, you won't find it here, but you will find a raft of resource pointers elsewhere in this issue. This article is intended to provide you with deep background information about Linux and either confirm or dispel rumors or suppositions you might have heard about this interesting project. LINUX is the name of an Operating System (OS) developed by Linus Torvalds and distributed by Linus' gang subject to a licensing agreement, which commits users and developers to an open source approach to software development. An open-source OS is the anti-thesis of a proprietary OS, e.g., the source code of the OS is made available to the software development community. Microsoft's Windows, for example, is proprietary - Microsoft carefully controls who has access to the OS source code. The practical effect of this is that the Linux kernal, which can generally be regarded as an integrated whole apart from the applications which rely on the OS to interact with the user and the computer, is re-packaged and distributed to the general public by numerous re-sellers, including Red Hat, SuSE, & Debian just to name a few. Linus' licensing agreement allows a distribution, or distro to be sold by the re-seller, but it also requires that the re-seller make the same distro available for free, e.g., nothing, nada, goose-eggs.
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Larch Mountain Visit and Repeater Repair...
As mentioned at the last meeting, and to those who were listening at the time, the 146.840 PARC repeater had a visit, and temporary replacement of the power amplifier section of the repeater. Using snowmobiles, 3 members of the club, Pete (W7PR), George (KD7INU) and Ed (KC7GFX) accompanied by about a dozen members of the Mount Hood Snowmobile club made the trip to the top of Larch Mountain to get the power level of the output back up to something above the QRP level it has been operating on for the last few months. Using a power amplifier loaned by John (K7RUN), and modified for use in the repeater, the three took the PA, tools, keys, and repair equipment to the site on Sunday, Feb 9th. Located 20 miles of Camas, Washington, with an elevation of 3850 feet, Larch Mountain has been a long time home of the 146.840 PARC main repeater. For the last 5 years, a modified Micor 100 Watt PA has been the “lungs” behind the repeater, but after a failure in the fall, the repeater had been essentially running on the output level of the exciter, around 2 ½ Watts.
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All hams are invited to attend!
(ARES is the Amateur Radio Emergency Service which provides vital communications during natural and man-made disasters.)
In This Issue:
March Meeting (see President’s message)
PARC Meeting: Friday March 15th at 7PM
650 NE Holladay Street, Portland (A few blocks SE of the Lloyd Center, enter on South side of building.)Thus, the Red Hat 7.2 distro that I'm using to write this article and which you can buy in Best Buy for $59.95 came to me for free via a download from the Red Hat website. If it’s free, why buy it? Why would I buy the stuff? For the same reasons that its worthwhile for Red Hat to be in this business at all, they add value to the package by selling me documentation, making installation convenient, and providing me with professional a technical help desk. Essentially, the distribution companies give you the kernal, but sell you support. Is there an analog to this anywhere else in the OS world? I don't think so. Microsoft does not make Windows XP available for free via download.
Linus, on the other hand, is attempting to re-commodify the OS kernal, make it a fungible OS in which one re-seller's kernal is just about as good as anybody else's. Why? The theory is that by making the kernal a commodity which is freely available, the development of the applications that actually bring the kernal to life can proceed unfettered. Some theorize that this comparatively disorganized business model will result in the quicker ascent of man and machine than in a proprietary economic environment sponsored by a single corporate monolith. Do I agree?
Yep.
Bottom line. Linux appears to be exactly as advertised, stable, scalable, portable, well documented and free. Its learning curve is no different that Windows and in some respects, its even easier to use since the software is very well documented. -73, Neal, N7RX
PARC Board Meeting:
Saturday, March 16th at Noon.
Ed Burress’s QTH,
7592 SW Vlahos, Wilsonville, OR 97070(See President’s message for details)
PARC Frequencies
Some of our much-appreciated advertisers:
The regular entrance is guarded by a set of steel bars resembling a jail cell. During times of heavy snow, this entrance is not accessible without shovels and great deal of determination. Fortunately, the site designers anticipated this and provided a “snow door” entrance located on top of the roof.
A picture is worth a thousand words... In any language
After entry into the site, Pete, Ed, and George effected repair of the repeater, with John, K7RUN being on the other end of the radio to answer questions, listen and evaluate the increased power output and audio quality. All went as planned, and the repeater is now operating at an output level of over 20 Watts.
(Editors Note:) I was snowmobiling the following weekend, and made it to the top of Paulina Peak, 20 miles SouthEast of Bend, Oregon. I took along a 2 meter handheld, and once at the top, could hear people talking about the Rickreall swap meet on the 146.840 repeater. Although I couldn’t be heard using only 5 watts into a rubber duck antenna, I think this helps to illustrate the value of increased power to the repeater.
As mentioned in last month’s issue of the sPARC gap, the acquisition of a 55-foot Rohn 25 tower was made. Pete (W7PR) did all the climbing, and Ed (KC7GFX) did most of the groundwork. The two were able to remove the tower without incident. The tower may be sold at a future date with proceeds going toward other club projects.
Motorola MSR-2000 Being Evaluated...
The technical committee is now evaluating a Motorola MSR-2000 VHF repeater for use in replacement in the main repeater site at Larch Mountain. Funding for the project was approved at the general meeting in October with such support that nearly $750 in cash donations was given or pledged at an impromptu “passing of the hat” during the meeting. Along with several hundred dollars already allocated to the technical committee for repair, acquisition, and support of our club equipment, the funding necessary to purchase and maintain the replacement project is now possible. Final approval of the funding will be the topic of an upcoming PARC business meeting following a review of the technical approach to the solution. One of the criteria for the replacement was long-term support of the components and subassemblies. Toward that goal, and along with the repeater, a set of spare modules was also brought in for evaluation. For those who might remember, an earlier issue of the sPARC gap mentioned that the club had also acquired a pile of 100-Watt mobile radios to be used as the PA section of the project. The scope of the project requires a maintenance plan and sustainable repeater base for the next 20 years. With the current set of spares, that plan is now achievable.
A desire of the project is also to settle on a basic set of common components, with an eye toward possibly equipping the 146.940 repeater with a similar configuration.
This project clearly is a team effort, and is being treated like an actual production project. Initial design concepts were discussed with alternatives, a few models built to discuss the construction techniques, the electrical specifications, heat dissipation, mechanical mounting, routing of control, power and RF cabling, and adaptability of the design toward other projects. This work is being carried out by a good group of folks who have taken on a major design and implementation roll along with their regular jobs.
The initial concept for the MSR-2000 with an alternate PA was from John (K7RUN). Acquisition of the raw materials necessary for the PA’s was made through a word-of-mouth deal that was made possible through Bob Lee at R5D3. 20 surplus radios were purchased by Ed and John from a scrap dealer in Salem. Pete (W7PR) doing a lot of searching of the internet was able to come up with a lead on an MSR-2000 from a dealer in Arizona. After multiple phone calls to the dealer, and checking on the modules, Pete acquired the radio at his own expense with the understanding that if approved for purchase by the club, he would be reimbursed. Similarly, he was able to acquire a set of spare modules necessary to service the repeater long-term. Meanwhile, Patrick (KD7HDP), and Ed (KC7GFX) have taken on the thermal analysis, and mechanical mounting task. Our desire for this project is to mate the MSR-2000 system to a modified mobile PA that can be found on the surplus market relatively cheaply. When we are done with the design, an evaluation of a prototype unit will be made, basically running it “through the wringer”. The final design will look like something that Motorola should have done in their family of products. A design review of the project will be the topic of an upcoming presentation by the technical committee.
None of this would be possible without the kind and thoughtful donations of dedicated members, concerned citizens, and core sponsors.
One of the concept models of the replacement PA project.
You can always reach the Editor of the sPARC gap at:
kc7gfx@arrl.net
I’d like to thank all the people who continue to make this such a great club to be a part of. Through the kind donations of several members, it’s beginning to look like our new repeater may become a reality by this spring. In corresponding with a few other club presidents across the country, I’ve come to learn something very important. Other clubs choose to work with repeaters rather than on them. This is a commendable approach if you can afford it. But something seems to be missing from that thought, the knowledge that goes into what you’re operating, and how to repair it when it breaks.
The people who put so much dedication and long term thought into the projects constantly impress me. It’s a fun and learning experience, but I think all of us will be glad when we can finally cut the ribbon on this one, and move on to other challenges. There are some details of the repeater from a business and expenditure aspect that we need to look at. The purchase and long term support plan for a replacement is an interesting project. Trying to anticipate what will be the trends in radio operation, what components will and won’t be available, and who will be around to repair the stuff are all considerations that can’t be taken lightly. We have a good mix of people working on the project, and are doing our best to keep ourselves and each other on track. Although a lot of time is taken up by the repeater, we have to make sure that we are still looking at other projects and activities on the horizon. Toward that end, I’m announcing a business meeting. Topics of discussion will include a review of the evaluation and progress toward a permanent solution for our repeater replacement. Also for discussion will be filling vacancies in club officer and committee positions, addressing our membership roster, sales of unused club assets and our goals for the upcoming year. All members are invited to attend. The meeting will be held my home in Wilsonville on Saturday, March 16th at Noon. Depending on how long we talk, I may be ordering out for pizzas or if the weather’s nice, we might even burn something on the backyard grill. Again, all are welcome to come.
My address is 7592 SW Vlahos, Wilsonville, OR. Most folks are familiar with Fry’s Electronics, and I live just a stone’s throw away. From Fry’s, go North on Town Center loop. Town Center loop curves to the East, and Crosses Parkway at a 4 way intersection. Continue east on Town Center until you see the Wilsonville Lanes bowling alley on the left. Turn North on the Street just behind the bowling alley. Follow Vlahos until you see the first cul-de-sac. My home is the gray house straight ahead. If you get lost, I’ll be listening to the 146.940 repeater. Or, if you like, my home phone number is
This month’s general meeting will be a presentation and installation of the Linux operating system. There will also be a short presentation on the MSR-2000 evaluation.
I would also like to publicly thank Rachel Jacky from the Portland Fire Bureau for giving a presentation on the NET Teams at our last meeting. Rachel’s continued dedication to the NET program and her understanding and support of the Ham Radio community stands as a stellar example of how volunteer groups ought to work. My thanks, and best wishes for continued success in the future.
73, Ed KC7GFX