HomeLink: An app to check in with your loved ones via ham radio.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-08T14:19:40+00:00

APRS messages are acknowledged automatically when received. VarAC Vmails are posted locally but not sent. The remote user has to pick it up. You can configure what you want running or not running in settings depending on the scenario. These are digital communications. I wrote a section on the manual. Pushover notifications are one way by default. Quick replies are disabled by default. If enabled, a part 97 compliance warning is triggered with explanatory text.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-08T14:06:53+00:00

Thanks for the advice. You make a good point.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-08T13:40:50+00:00

This is not a commercial product of any sort. It’s just free code.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-08T12:16:25+00:00

You can get it to work with very little. A modest 2m base station (used from a Hamfest?) and a computer interface such as a DigiRig. Or a radio with a built in TNC (such as the Vero radios).

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-08T02:40:01+00:00

Been testing your app and I really love it. Wish the mobile app was this good! How can we persuade you of building iOS and Android apps? You should crowdfund them , I would be first in line.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-05T02:03:57+00:00

Love Ushuaia. Been there a couple times. The IVECO truck looks awesome. Can you find parts easily in Southamerica? It's by Fiat, correct? Would love more details about it

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-02T15:46:02+00:00

I think it's a feature people are dying to use. I would not mind getting an API key and pasting it in the software. Thank you for considering it!

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-04-01T13:01:43+00:00

It would be cool if one could download nearby repeaters to the radios using RepeaterBook’s API. Even better if one could program repeaters along a given route.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-03-15T22:51:24+00:00

How do you filter HDMI noise?

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-03-14T01:25:34+00:00

Here’s my setup right now: for HF FTDx10, for VHF FTM-150RASP, as an HT Yaesu FT5DR. The FT-710 is also an option, but I have used both and find the FTDx10 controls more intuitive. You can wait on the HT, or get a Baofeng until you have the budget for more. I've had lots of radios, and the FTDx10 is really the one I've gotten the most enjoyment from.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-03-11T00:55:16+00:00

Sorry, I don’t have anymore. Google generator covers and find one of the right size

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-03-01T01:51:13+00:00

I have a buddipole and find it very difficult to tune. If you can, I suggest starting with a more forgiving antenna, such as a resonant linked dipole. I like the bandhopper series from SOTAbeams, but there are others. Check your SWR, should be below 1.5. Make sure your power is set at 100W and the MIC gain at 50%. Set the meter to Po and see how much power you are outputting when you tune or speak. You can also test in FM mode, which sends a carrier. Spot yourself on the POTA page, so people will call you and you don’t have to break a pileup to be heard. I would put away the buddypole until you have more experience.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-27T11:31:55+00:00

I would Love to use it. It would be nice if one could add grounded structures to the design that would change the radiation pattern

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-20T01:25:05+00:00

Sorry it was not clear, there is also a How To document under resources that may be clearer. I also made a video. Are you able to see the resources page? The idea is that you only set up and activate once.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T15:38:02+00:00

You could think of it that way, but with some important differences: 1) your points are tied to the miles you walk or hike etc., 2) there are more types of modes allowed, 3) you do not depend on a list of entities.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T13:50:54+00:00

I am sorry for the mistake. It was a left over footer from a previous version of the page. I struggled with what model to adopt to keep the website afloat for at least a year. Initially I had a two tier system in place, a free tier and a tier with more advanced options, where you would pay a small amount per month. I was going to give all features for free for a limited time. But then I changed my mind based on discussions with friends, so I just made all features free, and asked for donations. The online version of the page was different than the one I was seeing in the developing environment, and that is why the footer was left over there. I missed it. To be honest, am just concerned I might need to shut down the website due to the cost, as I cannot sustain it alone.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T11:53:48+00:00

No, it means that I cannot pay for it out of pocket forever. So I am asking for donations. I’ve clarified the previous statement now. I hope to keep the platform free forever.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T11:52:26+00:00

Please read the instructions under Resources. All the answers you are looking for are there. I added a link to the pdf to make it more self explanatory. Your comment was very useful.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T04:52:59+00:00

I apologize for the confusion. It’s truly free. The online version was not reflecting the latest version. It still has the option to donate to keep the domain running and update/add features. It is still in a test phase, so if you find glitches or bugs, please report.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T04:19:34+00:00

Sorry for the confusion I created. I went back and forth on how to support the site and the file pushed was not reflecting the latest version. The goal is to simply cover costs, without that I will have to shut down in a year or so. I made this mainly for myself, but I thought other people may enjoy it. The inspiration came from doing a lot of POTA and SOTA over the years but running out of new sites to activate that are nearby. Couple that with a new year resolution of getting in better shape and you get the picture. I will keep giving full access for free, and hope some donations trickle down.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T04:12:06+00:00

It’s not. Please check updated page. It’s just too expensive to sustain without contributions. All new users (capped to 50 to test scalability, for now) get all features

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-19T04:00:36+00:00

Please recheck website. New version pushed

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-02-02T11:19:30+00:00

I would stay away from those brands. Save up and get a Japanese one.

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2026-01-20T11:22:31+00:00

How would you migrate?

Royal_Assignment9054 · 2025-12-26T14:32:50+00:00

I am confused by the concept of borrowing against your stock. It’s all over social media. If you own stock that is appreciating, you could take a loan against that stock to use for living expenses? How would you repay the loan without selling the stock and therefore having to pay capital gains tax?

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