Radio Preppers

General Category => Net Activity => Topic started by: KK0G on June 13, 2013, 07:53:38 PM

Title: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KK0G on June 13, 2013, 07:53:38 PM
Here we go again with my usual last minute weekend plans ;D
I'm leaving tomorrow morning to head for northeast Iowa to do some trout fishing/camping. Since it's my normal spur of the moment decision and we're pretty short on time to make skeds, I'll just throw out some times and frequencies and you can reply here if you want to QSO then. So........

Friday evening: 0130Z (2030 CST) 14.068 MHz CW

Saturday morning: 1300Z (0800 CST) 7.065 MHz CW

Saturday evening: 0130Z (2030 CST) 14.068 MHz CW

Sunday morning: 1300Z (0800 CST) 7.065 MHz CW

Depending on where you're located we could switch bands to get favorable propagation but I want to stay fairly close to those times.
WARNING: if the trout are biting I reserve all rights to completely forget about sked times  ;D
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: gil on June 13, 2013, 09:35:04 PM
I should be around for some of these...

Gil.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: RadioRay on June 13, 2013, 10:38:12 PM
I've rallied our team of radio intelligence experts to be on frequency for you at the times indicated. 

(http://www.catchthebeat.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/spy-market-Ska-Soul-Funk-skinhead-reggae-Catch-the-beat-radio-library-music-garage-bordeaux-france-299x300.jpg)

Naturally, you recognize Wes, RadioRay, Luck & Gil.  You are in very good hands . . .


>de RadioRay

Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KK0G on June 13, 2013, 10:53:17 PM
Looks like we got us a sked!!
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 14, 2013, 05:34:36 AM
Sat AM have to run a voice-net. The two 20m slots I'll listen but likely too close. (Then again if you have that little top of the sombrero popping out of your antenna field I just might, since I see you're gonna be in northeast Iowa.)

Sunday AM standing-by.
Have fun, catch 'em up.

Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: gil on June 14, 2013, 10:35:29 AM
I'll try the one tonight on 20m!

Gil.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: RadioRay on June 14, 2013, 02:36:52 PM
The Night shot on 20m worked! We have some higher than usual sun numbers and got KK0G from camp into my home in coastal Virginia, rather than into the mid-Atlantic. He says camp and fishing is good.

We tried a quick test on 40m but though the propagation software said it should be better than 20m I heard KK0G on forty only weakly and the T-storm noise was terrible, almost as LOUD as Wes eating soup...    :o

Also talked with Gil on 20m after sked and for fun, he dropped his power to 0.1 Watt. It was VERY rough copy , but I copied him over 800 miles away while he was using on tenth of one Watt!

Radio is 'magic'!

RadioRay ..._ ._
W7ASA


S
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 14, 2013, 03:01:33 PM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 14, 2013, 02:36:52 PM...(though 30 meters would be better .... ;^)...
RadioRay ..._ ._
W7ASA
poke, poke, jab, jab, nudge, nudge.   ;)


Quote from: RadioRay on June 14, 2013, 02:36:52 PMAs a plus, there is rarely any significant T-storm noise in the mornings, so it should be quite good.

< 5 KHz UP for QRM and call. I'll find you...

RadioRay ..._ ._
W7ASA
Filling-in regularly 2nd hour of a net on Saturday mornings I can tell you that, in the midwest, 40m has major astrophysical adherence issues in the upper midwest. (You can translate if you want.) Oh, wait... that's SSB.  Never mind.  8)
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 14, 2013, 05:13:47 PM
QuoteIAZ008>010-018-019-029-030-MNZ094-095-151200-
CHICKASAW-CLAYTON-FAYETTE-FILLMORE-FLOYD-HOWARD-MITCHELL-MOWER-
WINNESHIEK-
318 PM CDT FRI JUN 14 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PARTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND NORTHEAST IOWA.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE BY EARLY EVENING AS THEY SPREAD IN FROM
WESTERN AREAS. THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS IS ADDITIONAL HEAVY
RAIN AND LIGHTNING. BECAUSE OF THAT...A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN
EFFECT FOR TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY SINCE 1 TO 2 INCHES OF NEW RAIN
IS POSSIBLE. THIS WOULD LEAD TO MORE RUNOFF AND FLOODING ISSUES.
Keep ur powder dry!
(nasty lookin' set of cells)

Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 14, 2013, 09:54:04 PM
AAR, demonstrating for grand-daughter couple folks talking back & forth, looking for a 3rd. Never figured to copy Chris this close (and didn't), and didn't want to step on anyone if some were.
Fair copy on Gil; superb copy on Ray. To be fair, the one wire was looking for Chris & favors Ray too; the other one I flipped over for a couple of seconds yielding more Gil, but more racket too.

Looks like one big cell went south of Chris, but the night is young up this way...  ::)
Nice 20m watch men; you've done your duty.

Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: RadioRay on June 14, 2013, 11:37:29 PM
KK0G was weak readable on 20m tonight.  He reports that his camp and the fishing are both good and thanked us for checking in on him.

>>> For those who are not getting on the air, because they believe that their code ' is not fast enough to get on the air', KK0G is doing this remote QRP from camp using a tiny, 2 Watt CW transceiver that he built himself, operating at an accurate & steady 12 WPM. Remember: accuracy is more important than speed.  Faster does not travel any further - though it does occasionally travel less in tough conditions.


Wes - thanks for the AAR, especially the signal report.  That was ten Watts from the Elecraft.  Let's get this going Elecraft to Elecraft  reeeeeeeal sooooooon!



>de RadioRay ..._ ._
W7ASA
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 15, 2013, 07:11:44 AM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 14, 2013, 11:37:29 PM
KK0G was weak readable on 20m tonight.  He reports that his camp and the fishing are both good and thanked us for checking in on him.

>>> For those who are not getting on the air, because they believe that their code that ' is not fast enough to get on the air', KK0G is doing this remote QRP from camp using a tiny, 2 Watt CW transceiver that he built himself, operating at an accurate & steady 12 WPM. Remember: accuracy is more important than speed.  Faster does not travel any further - though it does occasionally travel less in tough conditions.


Wes - thanks for the AAR, especially the signal report.  That was ten Watts from the Elecraft.  Let's get this going Elecraft to Elecraft  reeeeeeeal sooooooon!



>de RadioRay ..._ ._
W7ASA
My pleasure. Chris & I are likely about 85 mi from each other right now as the RF flies; in fact, without any weather crackling like it was, a low wire on 80m could've done it.

It was lots of fun with the grand-daughter stopping by as I think she's gradually getting the bug and knowing someone was out there camping & could do that. Heard Gil clear but light early, about 1/2hr before the sked. When you came in (on the loop I imagine) she reflexively sat back from the table on the bunk, your sig was that strong. I made a point of writing on a steno pad as you went back & forth - at the aforementioned steady & accurate pace - and she had one of those "I could do that" moments.  ;D

As to the Elecraft, I have this hole on the desk that will be filled very shortly. And, as you know, the 817 is going to a good home in easy CW shouting distance to your AO. Slowly but steadily this stuff could get real interesting and just think, the rigs don't weigh 25lbs and no one's hand-cranking for power!

One other thing: For those members who may be in listening mode only during these skeds, all signal reports are appreciated because, well, there is theory behind antenna design, and then there is the reality of how things play. Knowing where one's signal can/can't go is a valuable thing and quite often worth much more than just putting watts out.

If I can, I'll see if I can get one of the others on the voice net this AM to take part of my time & listen for Chris at the 0800 CDT time 40m; no promises. Weather might give us a breather too. Tomorrow is still a go for sure and in listening watch again tonight maybe.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: cockpitbob on June 15, 2013, 09:19:29 AM
Saturday a.m., nothing heard from down in my hole in eastern Mass.  I checked 20M as well as 40M. 

Hope the fish are biting and the bugs aren't.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: RadioRay on June 15, 2013, 10:51:01 AM
I missed the 08:00C / 40m sked.   Was anyone able to listen?  Last night, KK0G was calling :

RAD PREP    RAD PREP  DE KK0G KK0G  K

Caught my ear!
-----

Wes - (short timer!) Interesting that you mention your granddaughter and the Morse code.  It seems an anachronism to most (that means a fear of spiders - right?!??! )     ::)    that 'people still DO that?!?

I was even following a discussion on one "survivalist' board were the 'expert' was declaring that Morse code is basically worthless because it's so 'old fashioned'.  Hmmm, so they're self-declared 'cyber-experts' in things like fire-by-friction, but State, continental and inter-continental communication using kit radios the size of a cigarette case, like Gil's MTR is 'too old fashioned'.  Oddly enough their alternative was a rucksack filled with heavy, fragile and expensive gear (along with all their other 'bug-out gear, making them heavy as a self-propelled, tactical Wal-Mart) so that 'survivors' could (allegedly) use voice or laptops to type their HF messages whilst running through the jungles of Chicago. . .  Even a cursory examination of their site(s) showed NO radio contacts being made at all, much less anything from group members out in the woods with radio gear as part of their basic load-out of normal camping gear in the backpack.

>>> It has occurred to me, that there is a growing portion of THIS site which is doing what the old 'Adventure Radio Society' used to do: serve as a forum for like minded outdoor/travelers who bring radio WITH them into the woods, mountains and work locations while traveling.  Alas, the old ARS has turned into a contesters points gathering club. I rarely see any more postings where their members go to the woods/park or sea shore with the radio, unless there's a contest and certificates involved.     :'(   

Perhaps this RP camping radio skeds is a trend?  I may open a new thread under 'General' (though I was a sergeant, never a general...) and start a thread about this topic, because many of us like to camp and bring radios with us.

>Ray
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 15, 2013, 11:49:37 AM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 15, 2013, 10:51:01 AM
Wes - (short timer!) Interesting that you mention your granddaughter and the Morse code.  It seems an anachronism to most (that means a fear of spiders - right?!??! )     ::)    that 'people still DO that?!?
Couple of thoughts on all that. IMO, the full toolbag is the way to go. But, there are a couple of things not sure some folks realize under the heading of "things you would've learned when studying had you been paying attention."

Because the blue marble rotates E-W stuff is different than prop in a given timezone, so bang for the buck in terms of signal is CW, it's physics. Also, in the northern hemisphere the polar aurora dipping a few degrees of latitude can have a huge effect (mostly negative).  CW works. [BT] [AR]

Quote from: RadioRay on June 15, 2013, 10:51:01 AM
>>> It has occurred to me, that there is a growing portion of THIS site which is doing what the old 'Adventure Radio Society' used to do: serve as a forum for like minded outdoor/travelers who bring radio WITH them into the woods, mountains and work locations while traveling.  Alas, the old ARS has turned into a contesters points gathering club. I rarely see any more postings where their members go to the woods/park or sea shore with the radio, unless there's a contest and certificates involved.
There are some really pretty spots (no coincidence they allow opportunities to get up & in the clear) that I plan on visiting for a day or 2 at a time, not much travel, now that they'll finally be payin' me to stay at home. I would be very much all over a specific forum area setup for that; or it can stay where it is, but it may be fun, as you say, as long as there isn't wallpaper & points involved.   

Quote from: RadioRay on June 15, 2013, 10:51:01 AMI may open a new thread under 'General' (though I was a sergeant, never a general...)
Happy belated 238th Birthday brother.

NCO's: Gettin' stuff done in spite of officers since 1775.  8)
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KK0G on June 15, 2013, 07:10:23 PM
Well I'm heading home shortly and calling this trip a resounding
success so don't look for me on this evenings sked as I'll be on
the road. NWS is calling for 90% chance of severe t-storms
with possibilities of hail so discretion being the better part of
valor, I think I'll make a good judgement call and end early.
Even though it'll be sort of like cheating I'll try the morning
sked from home.

Full AAR when I get back but I did catch 9 trout?? guess
what's for supper tomorrow 😎
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: WA4STO on June 15, 2013, 08:00:29 PM
Quote from: RadioRay on June 13, 2013, 10:38:12 PM

Naturally, you recognize Wes, RadioRay, Luck & Gil.  You are in very good hands . . .




Hey! Somebody cut off my beard!
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 15, 2013, 08:16:33 PM
Quote from: KK0G on June 15, 2013, 07:10:23 PM
Even though it'll be sort of like cheating I'll try the morning
sked from home.

Full AAR when I get back but I did catch 9 trout?? guess
what's for supper tomorrow 😎
Given the monster that passed overhead & what's gonna be firing up thru night I'd say you made a genius decision. (I don't know about you but I'd like to find Patton's Chaplain and ask him to "restrain this immoderate weather with which he have had to contend.")

I'll be hanging around for the AM 40m sked.
Trout....mmmmmmmm.  :D
Browns, brookies or 'bows?

While you were having all the fun I was preparing to fill the hole on the desk for when I get the KX3. You can see the ESD mat to make things look really important, manual being studied, and appropriate tool set.
;D
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: gil on June 15, 2013, 09:07:36 PM
QuoteNWS is calling for 90% chance of severe t-storms
with possibilities of hail so discretion being the better part of
valor, I think I'll make a good judgement call and end early.

Good call! Lightning scares me, especially when I have a 40ft. wire up a nearby tree! I ought to learn more about lightning protection while camping, especially in this State... Glad you had a good trip. I could not hear you, but we could always communicate via Ray, or when propagation is exceptionally favorable.. We should try 30m when you get that module...

Gil.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 16, 2013, 09:28:04 AM
0817 CDT: No-joy. Heard someone in there but not copyable. Listening pre-sked band was nice till about 0750; typical up here. Just fired up a waterfall & it's got those nice sharp diagonal waveforms that mean it's in the toilet for a bit, it'll come good in awhile. 30 & 80 remain in good shape, just something about 40 early in the day during summer up here.

Humbug.
>:(
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KK0G on June 16, 2013, 09:11:40 PM
I finally have a moment to sit at the computer to do an AAR, been pretty busy today, the XYL took me to lunch for fathers day then we ran a few errands, shopped etc. I did manage to pick up a few fresh lemons to squeeze onto my fresh caught trout for supper tonight which by the way was delicious!

I'll start with an apology, I was sound asleep for the sked this morning.......... sorry. Before heading home last night I stopped to see an old friend in Decorah, we had a few beers and started reminiscing, before I knew it it was 2300 and I had a 4 hour drive ahead of me. Consequently I didn't get home till three in the morning, suffice it to say I was tired this morning.

The fishing was good, I came home home with 9 trout which is one short of the possession limit, not too bad (3 rainbows and 6 browns Wes). I camped at Yellow River State Forest which is nothing short of amazingly beautiful, if I was blindfolded and dropped off there I would have sworn I was deep in the Ozark mountains, by far the best scenery I've ever seen in Iowa. The spring fed Paint Creek which is well stocked with trout flows through the center of the forest surrounded by shear vertical bluffs and steep, tall hills covered with hardwoods and cedar trees. It wasn't much of a backpacking trip, I only had about an eighth of a mile hike from the car to the campsite but then this was more of a fishing than a backpacking trip. On my last trip to Stephens State Forest, the campsites were located on top of high ridges which gave my signal a clear shot to the horizon, this time my campsite was well below the hilltops which as I said earlier were very high and steep. I believe this may have had an adverse effect on the ability of my signal to be heard. There were other primitive campsites available that according to the topo map would have been closer to the ridge tops but unfortunately they were considerably farther from the creek and its trout.

WX was great, Friday was sunny and warm with a high in the eighties, some light rain fell that night but my tent kept me bone dry. Saturday was mostly sunny and warm with a few light sprinkles in the afternoon which quickly cleared up. The severe t-storms predicted for Saturday night that drove me home early never materialized.......... such is life, better safe than sorry.

The KX1 with it's new paddles and ATU preformed great, I loved not having to pack a separate set of paddles and tuner, made set up much quicker and easier, switching bands was as simple as punching a couple of buttons. At the Friday PM 20 meter sked I heard Ray quite well at about 549, Gil was much weaker but still copyable at around 229. When we switched to 40 meters I could barely copy Ray, the static crashes made it extremely difficult. After I signed off I continued to monitor Gil and Ray's impromptu "QRPp experiment" and amazingly I was able hear them both until they signed off but admittedly at times it wasn't very copyable due to QSB. Unfortunately I didn't hear anyone on the Saturday morning 40 meter sked so not much to report there.

Thanks to everyone that tried to sked. While I wasn't exactly in a remote location being only an eighth mile from my parked car, we once again proved that if necessary we could have passed traffic over vast distances using nothing more than a chunk of wire thrown in a tree and a AA cell powered rig that I packed into camp on my back along with a full load of backpacking gear.

Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KC9TNH on June 16, 2013, 11:13:30 PM
Quote from: KK0G on June 16, 2013, 09:11:40 PMThe fishing was good, I came home home with 9 trout which is one short of the possession limit, not too bad (3 rainbows and 6 browns Wes). I camped at Yellow River State Forest which is nothing short of amazingly beautiful, if I was blindfolded and dropped off there I would have sworn I was deep in the Ozark mountains, by far the best scenery I've ever seen in Iowa.
Holy Smokes, Bullwinkle! You were closer than I thought. If we'd had some noise-free times you really could've strung a bunch of wire close to the ground & we could've worked. Every couple of years our bass club heads down to Prairie du Chien & have often wondered after looking at some maps of the IA side what might lie that way in terms of fish on points of some of the feeder waters. Gorgeous up in there. (Got me download the YRSF lit & maps.) With retirement coming I'll have to check that out, seriously. And 6 browns - niiiiice.   ;D

Believe me, band-wise this AM, you got a better deal with our eyes shut.

Thanks for the great AAR.  I'm gonna do a recon in a week or so when the kids go down to checkout Wildcat Mountain and see what it might have in the way of high-points hikable from their 'primitive' camping area.
Title: Re: Skeds for camping trip this weekend
Post by: KK0G on June 16, 2013, 11:45:37 PM
Quote from: KC9TNH on June 16, 2013, 11:13:30 PM
Quote from: KK0G on June 16, 2013, 09:11:40 PMThe fishing was good, I came home home with 9 trout which is one short of the possession limit, not too bad (3 rainbows and 6 browns Wes). I camped at Yellow River State Forest which is nothing short of amazingly beautiful, if I was blindfolded and dropped off there I would have sworn I was deep in the Ozark mountains, by far the best scenery I've ever seen in Iowa.
Holy Smokes, Bullwinkle! You were closer than I thought. If we'd had some noise-free times you really could've strung a bunch of wire close to the ground & we could've worked. Every couple of years our bass club heads down to Prairie du Chien & have often wondered after looking at some maps of the IA side what might lie that way in terms of fish on points of some of the feeder waters. Gorgeous up in there. (Got me download the YRSF lit & maps.) With retirement coming I'll have to check that out, seriously. And 6 browns - niiiiice.   ;D

Believe me, band-wise this AM, you got a better deal with our eyes shut.

Thanks for the great AAR.  I'm gonna do a recon in a week or so when the kids go down to checkout Wildcat Mountain and see what it might have in the way of high-points hikable from their 'primitive' camping area.

I'd highly recommend you check it out sometime soon Wes. I'd love to head back there when I can spend at least 3-4 days doing some serious backpacking -there are 25 miles of trails!- hopefully yet this summer or fall.