If all goes well, I should be putting my radio preps to the test this coming week. I say ?if all goes well? because of some current health concerns, and a myriad of other variables that could prevent me from going on a one week camping trip at a semi-remote location. That said, I am getting ready and will be sharing the ?adventure.? I can hardly call it such, but it will be a good test to figure out what works and what doesn't. I will be available for skeds from ?the boonies? on 20 and 40m CW. Ray will be my liaison to the outside world. I am not sure if there is cell phone reception there or not, but even if there is, my battery won't last a week anyway. If I get cell reception I will keep it charged for emergencies and probably check messages once a day.
This trip won't really simulate a bug-out, but might point out some deficiencies in my thinking...
I am sure you guys would be interested in what I am taking with me, so there it is:
RADIO:
I just received the LNR Precision trail-friendly end-fed wire and choke (see attached photo), it is very small and weighs just about nothing. I decided to use it without the LNR matchbox because I needed an SWR indicator to use with the MTR. For tuning, I will use a 9V battery for reduced power. Besides, I already have their 40/20/10 regular end-fed, so I can use that match box as well. The good thing about the BetterQRP end-fed tuner is that it can be used with any half-wave wire from 15 to 40m. I am very grateful to Larry at LNR Precision for selling me the wire & choke assembly separately. I just tested the combination and could get a 1:1 SWR on both 20 and 40m without having to trim the wire. I expect excellent results with this combo.
I might take my KX3 with me if my pack doesn't end-up being too heavy, but I have the sinking feeling that it probably will. It would be fine without food and water, but both are pretty heavy. What the KX3 would give me is short-wave reception, as well as 15, 17 and 30m on top of 20 and 40. No big deal, but SWL would be nice. If the zombies attack I am sure Ray would let me know via CW before they get to him. ::) An excellent alternate option that does provide SWL would have been a KX1...
Here is a list of some camping gear I got for the trip (subject to change):
This is just the main stuff of course, I am also packing a number of other items not worth mentioning. I was not going to use my Eberlestock backpack but could simply not afford a bigger pack. I'll just have to strap a bunch of gear on the outside. If you think I am forgetting anything, please let me know.
For food, I got help from a hippie friend who is used to Rainbow Gatherings and camping.. Without her, I would not have included fresh vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes), chia seeds, mixed nuts and dried fruits.. I got tea, protein bars and will get eggs and canned meat on Monday. Oh, and of course some port and liquor :) I leave on Tuesday afternoon. Again, any suggestion would be welcome.
This will also be an excellent opportunity for me to practice Morse code without the help of a computer as a backup. I am starting to head-copy, but I still miss many words. At about 12 to 15wpm (on a good day), I can copy without much trouble. Faster than that and my brain refuses to cooperate, yet... I think the small CW rig and end-fed will prove to be the ultimate in camping / SHTF applications. It has taken me a while to slim down my portable station and try different options, but with the MTR and the KX3, I think I am now all set.
Stay tuned for more...
Gil.
This trip won't really simulate a bug-out, but might point out some deficiencies in my thinking...
I am sure you guys would be interested in what I am taking with me, so there it is:
RADIO:
- Weber MTR radio, 40 & 20m CW: http://radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,391.0.html
- American Morse DCP paddle: http://www.americanmorse.com/dcp.htm
- BetterQRP EFHW Tuner: http://betterqrp.com
- LNR Precision Trail End-Fed wire & choke: http://www.lnrprecision.com/endfedz/
- Goal Zero Nomad 7 & Guide 10 solar kit: http://www.goalzero.com/guide10.html
- AA rechargeable NiMH cells.
- Slingshot, fishing weight and line.
- 25' of RG-174 coax.
- Veho360 mini speaker.
- Earphones.
- Rock-Mite 20 for backup.
I just received the LNR Precision trail-friendly end-fed wire and choke (see attached photo), it is very small and weighs just about nothing. I decided to use it without the LNR matchbox because I needed an SWR indicator to use with the MTR. For tuning, I will use a 9V battery for reduced power. Besides, I already have their 40/20/10 regular end-fed, so I can use that match box as well. The good thing about the BetterQRP end-fed tuner is that it can be used with any half-wave wire from 15 to 40m. I am very grateful to Larry at LNR Precision for selling me the wire & choke assembly separately. I just tested the combination and could get a 1:1 SWR on both 20 and 40m without having to trim the wire. I expect excellent results with this combo.
I might take my KX3 with me if my pack doesn't end-up being too heavy, but I have the sinking feeling that it probably will. It would be fine without food and water, but both are pretty heavy. What the KX3 would give me is short-wave reception, as well as 15, 17 and 30m on top of 20 and 40. No big deal, but SWL would be nice. If the zombies attack I am sure Ray would let me know via CW before they get to him. ::) An excellent alternate option that does provide SWL would have been a KX1...
Here is a list of some camping gear I got for the trip (subject to change):
- Bag: Eberlestock X3 LoDrag: http://www.eberlestock.com/X3%20Lodrag%20Pack.htm
- Tent: ICS from ORC (found on Ebay): http://orcind.com/webstore/proddetail.asp?prod=16932
- Sleeping bag from Walmart, surprisingly good...
- Stove: Trangia 28-T: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LN7HUC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Pad: Therm-A-Rest Trail Lite: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00452YYEW/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Camp pillow with compression sack (Walmart).
- Opinel knife for eating: http://www.opinel-usa.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Opinel-knives-No-10-carbon-steel-folding-knife
- Cold Steel Master Tanto: http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/TANTO.20_SERIES/TANTO_SERIES.aspx
- Insect repellent!
- First-aid kit.
This is just the main stuff of course, I am also packing a number of other items not worth mentioning. I was not going to use my Eberlestock backpack but could simply not afford a bigger pack. I'll just have to strap a bunch of gear on the outside. If you think I am forgetting anything, please let me know.
For food, I got help from a hippie friend who is used to Rainbow Gatherings and camping.. Without her, I would not have included fresh vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes), chia seeds, mixed nuts and dried fruits.. I got tea, protein bars and will get eggs and canned meat on Monday. Oh, and of course some port and liquor :) I leave on Tuesday afternoon. Again, any suggestion would be welcome.
This will also be an excellent opportunity for me to practice Morse code without the help of a computer as a backup. I am starting to head-copy, but I still miss many words. At about 12 to 15wpm (on a good day), I can copy without much trouble. Faster than that and my brain refuses to cooperate, yet... I think the small CW rig and end-fed will prove to be the ultimate in camping / SHTF applications. It has taken me a while to slim down my portable station and try different options, but with the MTR and the KX3, I think I am now all set.
Stay tuned for more...
Gil.
