I gave a presentation at this year’s Utah Digital Communications Conference:

The presentation content, which can be found in this repository, centered on using the M17 SX1255 HAT, sx1255-utils, and GNURadio to explore the features of the Semtech SX1255 and give students a low-cost platform to begin experimenting in digital signal processing.

This year’s Utah DCC had over 250 attendees a covered a range of topics:

Keynotes:

• The Truth Behind EMPs and CMEs - Dan Lundwall (N7XDL)
• All Star Link: Modern VOIP Analog Voice Linking for the Digital and Analog Ham - Spencer Ammermon (NG6K)
• Mesh Networking: Building an Ad-Hoc Infrastructure for Crisis Response - John Jacobs (W7DBO)

Breakout Rooms:

• Introduction to AREDN Mesh Networking - Jan Peterson (KD7ZWV)
• The SX1255: A low-cost UHF SDR for Digital Communications - Ryan Tolboom (N2BP)
• Recent Developments in LDS Emergency Response Communications - Don Summit (NS7A)
• Using AI to Design EmComm Training and Drills - Pat Malan (N7PAT)
• Getting Started with POTA - Stuart Thorpe (K7PWS)
• The Original Digital Mode - Duane McGuire (WA7PGE)
• Getting Started with Meshtastic -Joe Levi (KF7NWA)
• The Evolution of AREDN Mesh Routing: Understanding Babel and Why It Matters - Brett Pruitt (K7BDP)
• Beyond the Grid: Designing a Multi-Layered Mesh Communication Strategy - John Jacobs (W7DBO)
• How to Receive Telemetry from Ham Sats - Randolph Kohlwey (WI7P)
• Getting started with the nanoVNA - Kelby Davis (AD7VO)
• Providing EmComm Support to Hospitals (ARES) Paul Plack (AE4KR)

Mesh networking was well and truly represented with demo tables and speakers discussing Meshtastic and Meshcore. The Freq51 group was very popular with a demo table showing a more intentional and structured network than you usually see with Meshtastic deployments.

Amateur radio operators seemed particularly eager to learn about Meshtastic and discuss it’s merits.

Inspired by an awesome video that KD2VLQ sent me showing off a satellite tracker that KD2TMJ had built, I attended WI7P’s presentation on receiving satellite telemetry. I learned that many satellites are using LoRa (which certainly seemed to fit the theme of this conference). WI7P also detailed a few different crowdsourced satellite receiver databases, and showed off cubesat models the he had built. I think K2MFF students would really enjoy working in this space (pun intended)!

Finally, since it seems to overlap with some of K2MFF’s educational and recreational activities, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there was a FoxHunt at the conference as well.

The Utah DCC folks have really built something special. They’re hosting the largest digital-oriented event for amateur radio operators in the US, they’re attracting both old and young hams, and their getting them everyone talking (and texting).