QuoteMaybe come January I can pay you for it.

You already have.

The paddles are not those. They are MFJ paddles, which unfortunately are not good, but they will show you how paddles work. The code oscillator though is great.
You can download the manual here under "Documents." http://k1el.tripod.com/K12.html
It can be used with other paddles of course.

Gil.

Thanks Tim, yes, I think I would make it there ;) I don't think I would be a good Morse teacher though :-\ Hand-to-hand combat, certainly, but I know near to nothing about tactics other than what I've learned from books and a few tips from my ex-Spetsnaz instructor.. I wish I had military experience, always can come handy.. Too old for that now. I have a month worth of food, not the appetizing type, and will add more to that very soon. I need a new tent, otherwise I'm set with camping gear. My bug-out bag is 75% done.

I would want to move to the West before any triggering event. After would probably be too late. I think there are many "like-minded" individuals there. I bought a topographic map of Idaho last summer, when the idea germinated in my head. It was August, so of course that helped. Luckily for me (or because I made the right career choice), I can work from anywhere as long as I have Internet. Tough I am getting tired of computers. I like building stuff, designing actually.. Idaho is only an idea so far, but who knows...

I want to learn more about country living. I wished I had hovered around my Grandmother when I was a kid, I would have learned a lot, instead of just eating the stuff! I also want to learn more about Horses... I know just enough about hunting.

Hopefully the National deficit will just evaporate, right?  ::)

Gil.

I don't have a plan...

I wish I owned land somewhere isolated, but no... I have no family within reach. So, basically, it's me and that's it.
Everything I read about prepping emphasizes group strength. Something I definitely need to work on.
I have friends, but most of them are certain everything will always be just fine. I am not so sure.
As far as being prepared, I'd say I am half-way there. Emphasis for me, given my predicament, is mobility.
Finding prep per-friends is not easy, because I don't want to draw attention to myself. My few friends who would be good candidates for a prepping group don't have the means to buy any supplies. The wealthy ones don't care, they have their heads in the sand. Isn't that peculiar?

My only possible plan is to move to the American West or somewhere in Asia or South America.. In any case, not inside any large or medium city.
The older I get though, the more important the proximity of a good hospital becomes, just in case...

Ya'll have a great week-end,

Gil.

Tess, PM me your address, I will send you one I have here which I no longer use..

Gil.

Hello Pete,

QuoteBecoming an Extra meant a relatively clean 25Khz at the bottom of the bands for CW. Nowadays, most of the CW ops in the Extra portion are a bit more considerate.

Hum, that has not been my experience so far...

Gil.

Hello Dean,

Look at these then (your license allows you 10m voice ops from 28.3 to 28.5):

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-9410X
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=HTX-10+transceiver&_sacat=0&_from=R40

You can also operate CW on many HF bands with a Tech. license.

Gil.

Quotethose of us who can't afford an HF rig

It is common belief that HF radios are more expensive than VHF. Many are, because of the features they offer, different modes and more power. It is however not always true. There are HF radios available from $30 in kit form to $300, SSB factory-built single-banders. Ebay is also full of HF radios for around $300 that still work perfectly fine.

I could set-up a digital mode station for $670, including Radio, interface and computer, all brand spanking new... (MFJ-94xx, Signalink USB & cheap laptop). You don't even need the Signalink box. The Fldigi manual has a schematic for a TX interface that costs only a few bucks.

HF on a budget is possible, you won't have as much choice, but it will work as well.

Gil.

Thanks Bob, I'm going to print that out and keep it handy!

Contesters are like these people who, when behind a wheel, become monsters. They'll trample everyone on the air and after the contest, they retreat back into their little self. For me, they fall into a double category, weird/rude. Some day they'll be on their deathbed, and I wish I'd be there to hand them their latest contest certificate and ask "was it worth 2/7th of your life?" I just hate rude behavior of any kind. It often stems out of deeply rooted self-esteem problems.

They also run a lot of RF power. My puny little 15W can't compete.

Every time I hear a contester monopolizing a QRP calling frequency, I think I am going to email him "The Considerate Operator's Frequency Guide." I suggest everyone do the same. Maybe if these guys get enough emails they'll move to their own calling frequency, wherever that may be.

Gil.

I'm on 7030, and some ass**le is calling non-stop without pausing for more than 1 second. Just sent him an email too. I don't understand how someone can be so rude. 7030 is a QRP calling frequency, not a contest one. It's the same story almost every week-end and now Wednesday!? Geez!

Gil.

By the way... If you are a contester who likes to call non-stop on QRP frequencies, you're not welcome here. Don't sign-up, and don't come back.

Damn it i'm pissed off!

Gil.

Everything you wanted to know about propagation:

http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/article-radio-propagation-N4UFP.pdf

Gil.

Those radios are no longer manufactured. You can find them used on Ebay. Ten Tec has a good reputation, and I second Tim on this. To get your feet wet, you can get a good used HF radio for $300-$400... Just make sure the seller has a good rating.

Gil.

QuoteIt looks like the MFJ only recieves on 40 meters

Well, yes, but it transmits too, and it's only $270  :)

Gil.

QuoteGil,  so are you recommending the Icom7200 for transmitting and buying a separate radio as an emergency backup for listening in a grid down environment?

Well, if you can afford it! I have heard good things about the 7200. Being rugged and having good filters already included...

I would definitely suggest something with less current draw, that you would keep in an EMP protected case. For that, the MFJ-9440X is ideal, at the price is right at $270.

Gil.

Hello,

From what I have learned recently on this forum and subsequently researched, the 7200 has everything you will ever need, including very good (and expensive) filters included...

Keep in mind that all these radios have a high current draw (1.5 to 2A on receive for the IC-7200)... For grid-down communications, that is a major concern.

I would personally suggest an MFJ-9440, or even a used Elecraft K2 (220mA on receive).
A used SGC-2020 or Index Labs QRP+ would be ideal.There is always the FT-817ND. (All about 450mA).
If you see one of those two on Ebay (2020 & QRP+), jump on it! They go very fast.
Always check the receive current draw. As far as output power, you don't need 100W. 10 or 20 is plenty.
I routinely have 5000+ miles QSOs on 12-14W...

Gil.