Maybe we should have an annual radiopreppers Ham camping trip! LOL..

Gil.

Ah, darn, I missed the time window... Sorry.

Gil.

QuoteGil joined in, but unfortunately he ws not able to copy Chris.

The band sounded pretty dead this morning... I couldn't hear anything anywhere on 20m...

Gil.

Ray, I heard you calling him, barely..
It's a bit early for 40m.

20:13: Sounds like you got him! Too weak for me here..

Gil.

Nothing from here either... I'm still listening on 7035...

Gil.

Ok, we have our sked at 11:30, so maybe noon? Ok on 40m.. 10 min window on calling..

Gil.

Hello chris,

Set times and frequencies, I'll call you!
We might have better luck this time, at least on one of those bands.

Gil.

QuoteMaybe in your part of the country Gil but here in the midwest camo stuff is seemingly everywhere.

Right... Indeed, not so much here, though in some parts of the state is is more common.

Gil.

Usually, I don't do "camo." Because it singles you out.. I prefer olive green. Camo does attract attention in other ways... That said, it does work really well.. I almost bought a Snug-Pack Bunker, which is green, but bigger and heavier than my ICS.

Gil.

Looks good... I'll never understand why tent manufacturers don't offer more tents in green or even camo. They would sell like hot cakes. Makes you wonder... I had to look around quite a bit to find one.

Gil.

QuoteHonestly, I just lay the board down on the bench and go at it, sometimes I'll prop it up on whatever's handy at the moment if need be.

I use a piece of foam for through-hole components, pressing the board onto the form while soldering. It holds the components on the board...
For surface-mount kits, I tin one pad, solder the component on, solder the other side, then touch-up the first one..

Gil.

Hello All,

I am glad there is interest in Morse code. A year ago I didn't even know I was going to learn it, or what could be done with small radios. Today I am absolutely amazed at what I have been able to do, and the fact that although it took time, it wasn't rocket science.. Indeed it is science fiction! I remember as a kid playing with walkie talkies which were powered by a 9V battery and operated on 11m using a short telescopic antenna. Half a mile was the maximum range, which of course for a 12-year-old is pure magic. Now I can contact someone more than 5000 miles away using the same 9V battery, with a rig smaller than those toys.. No voice mode can do that, period.

During my first radio camping trip one thing became painfully apparent: Weight is the enemy. I knew it, but I thought I was tough enough. Well, I got there, but it wasn't pleasant. I can't imagine carrying more than a few AA cells to power anything. Seems excessive? I read once about a guy who met hikers on the Continental divide. He offered them two cans of coke but they refused because carrying the empty cans would be too much! Some hikers cut their toothbrush handles in half to save weight. Even Steve Weber, the designer of my MTR, who right now is on the A.T. is not packing a radio because he says he'd rather pack more candy bars.. I can't imagine anyone carrying a heavy battery for anymore than a few miles before ditching it on the side of the trail. Sure you might say "I have a truck, I don't plan on walking," or "I'll bug-in." How do you know you won't have to walk? Even if you have some form of transportation, saving weight is important. I have more important things to pack than radio gear, so it has to be light.

Morse code also gives you a little privacy. Not many people can copy it. It could even be used with local comms to reduce risks of eavesdropping. You can even use flashlights! Or wire a key on a laser pointer.. Aim at a pre-defined spot between the two stations, and you can cover miles that way.

Most importantly, you can tell real Morse from fake code in movies and know what they say! How cool is that!?  ::)

Gil.

My Hakko is not digital, but it works great. The soldering iron base looks like plastic on photos but is all metal. It comes up to temperature very fast. The tips seem to last forever.. The wires are long, which is great when you're not working near an outlet.

Gil.

I am very happy with the Hakko...

Gil.

Quotetargeted facebook fans

Lleytzbassett, please DO NOT post links to commercial sites unrelated to radio. I also saw another post from you asking a very broad question... Alarm bells are ringing around my head already... If you are legitimately interested in radio, then welcome :) If you are not, then know that you will not be able to sell or promote anything here nor swindle anyone...

Have a great day,

Gil.