On May 3, 2021, new FCC rules went into effect that dealt with RF exposure evaluations.

Here are some links that may help you understand and comply with the new rules.

ARRL Helps Radio Amateurs Comply with New RF Exposure Evaluation Rules

May 2023 QST article by Greg Lapin, N9GL

ARRL RF Exposure landing page

RF Exposure Calculator

Ask Michael, KB9VBR: FCC now REQUIRES amateurs to perform antenna RF exposure calculations

Zettelkasten ID rfexposureevaluationrules-2023-05-07-2230

I am currently hold a General Class License and am studying for the Extra Class License exam.

When I studied for the Technician Class Exam I used Ham Study It explains the questions and allows you to take practice exams. I have taught both math and science in the past so I did not need much preparation for the exam beyond Ham Study.

The General Class Exam was a different story. I continued to use Ham Study but I also used the ARRL General License Manual and the Amateur Radio License Course General Class. The course is a series of lectures by David Casler, KE0OG and is available to ARRL members at https://learn.arrl.org.

I am currently studying for the Extra Class Exam and the material is tough. I continue to use Ham Study but I also use the ARRL Extra License Manual and the Amateur Radio License Course Extra Class. The course is a series of lectures by David Casler, KE0OG and is available to ARRL members at https://learn.arrl.org. I also am using the Extra Class License Class Syllabus by Jack Tiley, AD7FO.

Once I take the Extra Exam I will let you know how it went.

Zettelkasten ID studyingforlicenseexams-2022-12-23-1047

LinPac

LinPac is a program to connect to a packet BBS or do Keyboard to Keyboard Radio Communication.

Watch Keyboard to Keyboard Radio Coms with AX.25 and Linpac! and VA7SHG - LinPac - Packet radio on linux, beyond Winlink and APRS to get the idea.

The guides I used were Direwolf soundcard packet on Linux, with ax25 and LinPacSetting up Packet Radio on a Raspberry Pi (4 thru Zero-W) running Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye, Buster, Stretch or Jessie.

My system is a 64 bit Intel based laptop running an Ubuntu derivative connect to a G90. Installing LinPac on my laptop for use with my G90 required a few modifications from the first set of instructions. Many of the changes I used were in the second set of instructions.

My changes

1. The best way to control a G90 is to use Flrig.

2. Besides installing Flrig, hamlib needs to be installed.

3. direwolf.conf needs to be edited to be used with hamlib.

PPT 2 localhost:4532

4. Since LinPac is being used on HF the modem speed in direwolf.conf needs to be changed:

MODEM 300 1600:1800 7@30 /4

5. After installing all the packages for AX.25 the /etc/ax25axports file needs to be edited:

Replace my call sign with yours including SSID

wl2k W9RWB-3 300 255 7 HF

The first entry is just the name of the port. I used wl2k but you can name the port anything you like. The second is your call sign with SSID. The third is desired modem speed. Since I am on HF I used 300. I am not sure what the 255 is but every example had it. I am also unsure about the next number but if you are doing UHF use 2 and if you are doing HF use 7. The next is just a description of the port.

5. Making listen work properly

sudo chmod 4755 /usr/bin/listen

or

sudo chmod 4755 /usr/bin/axlisten

6. Install LinPac

How to start LinPac.

1. Start Flrig and make sure it is connected to your radio.

2. Run the following in a terminal window and let it run. This is command connects hamlib to flrig.

rigctld -m 4 -vvvv

3. Start direwolf with the following command: (Replace direwolf-ax25.conf with the name of your configuration file.)

direwolf -t 0 -p -B 300 -X 16 -d tx -c direwolf-ax25.conf

Only use the command options if you want to use FX.25 in place of AX.25

-X 16 and -d tx

4. Run the following command:

sudo kissattach /dev/ptmx wl2k

sudo kissparms -c 1 -p wl2k -t 300 -l 30 -s 20 -80 -f n

linpac

Zettelkasten ID LinPac-2022-11-14-1055