KM6USO.net

“Where Everybody Knows Your Name“

An Experiment

“Club 38” is an informal group of friendly ham radio operators exploring AllStar and helping each other learn. I like to think of it as sort of a cul-de-sac where neighbors can hang out on their front porches (i.e. connect their AllStar nodes) and visit—or perhaps a bit like that neighborhood bar you could frequent after work to chat with friends and regulars.

It is an emergent network with an evolving etiquette which I am attempting to document here as it develops. None of this is official, but I think it will be helpful to share as we experiment and build the culture.

Etiquette

• You are welcome to connect to the hub and say hi. Please find a moment to introduce yourself after you connect. We love to meet new people and know who’s connected to the group.
• Parking your node here is fine too if you’d like to stay connected. Many of us stay connected all day.
• If you just want to listen, that’s okay too, just mention it when you introduce yourself. Think of it like a front porch, it would be impolite to just stand there. After all, if you connect and just lurk we both miss out.
• Please don’t bridge in large systems. This is of course a best practice to follow all the time when using AllStar unless you are coordinating a net or something. A simple rule of thumb to remember is always disconnect first before connecting to something else.
• If a roundtable conversation develops, the best thing to do is pass the microphone to another operator at the end of your transmission to avoid doubling. Don’t worry about getting the rotation wrong, the next person can always throw it over to someone else.
• We’re a friendly group but keep in mind we will disconnect or ban troublemakers.
• Don’t forget to ID and that all the rules of ham radio apply. Some nodes may have repeater systems connected and people unfamiliar with AllStar may be listening. Quick-keying and so forth can make it difficult for them to participate. And remember, conversations should be G rated.
• Most importantly, sit back and enjoy the company!

How to Connect

Some drop in for a while, others stay connected all the time. Everyone is welcome. Come visit us via AllStar or Echolink or DMR:

KM6USO Hub Node 52038 or Echolink Link KM6USO-L or DMR TG3114868 (Los Angeles)

KN6IUW Hub Node 534038 (Palm Springs)

If you’d like to build your own Radio-less hub to experiment with clusters like this, check out Switchboard to the World: Building a Radio-less AllStar Hub.

Nets

Lots of good long-form conversation is happening in the group most afternoons and evenings, some of a deep technical nature helping each other build devices and configure AllStar settings.

You’re encouraged to join in at any time, but we’re also experimenting with a relaxed roundtable-style weekly net so everyone will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and learn more about who’s been hanging out.

ARRL News

Weekly news from ARRL is played from connected node 536493 Ventura County Hub on Mondays at 18:00 Pacific Time.

Road Trips

One of the most exciting parts of AllStar has been exploring the various other hubs and systems out there across the country and around the world. It’s been even more rewarding when we do it together.

From Arizona to Minnesota, we’ve discovered great places to connect and made new friends, so from time to time we may take a Road Trip and connect up the hub to another system and go exploring together.

We’ll discuss when and where during the weekly net so come armed with suggestions and be sure to bring snacks to share on the bus!

Please contact me for any further information.

Last Updated 9-Feb-2022