So, CW is kinda like Twitter?

Only your limits aren't wpm, there 120 characters, max

hmmm, on second thought, maybe Twitter is more like JT65...?

Sorry Luck - just acknowledging the help!

...and, um...looking at my dipole antenna mast...and I can't seem to find any coils to tweak?  ;)

...actually - I think I get the fact that I'm supposed to use those connector pieces to add a bit more wire onto the existing leg - and remove it to bounce between 75/80...

...which means that 80m is definitely going into an inverted V!

Congratulations Nick KD8TDU - I'm right behind you!

Quote from: RadioRay on September 09, 2012, 08:05:14 PM
WHAT !!?!?!?!   

"I highly recommend 'Lice..."

Phhhhhhew! 

I thought this was a survival food topic!   :P

-...-

Glad that you mean licensing.  Maybe having known good/useful licensing LINKS on this site as part of the 'float to the top' greeting message.  This would assure that newcomers to this site would have this useful information presented from the beginning, yet not repeatedly consuming forum time as a discussion, only to then run off the bottom as it ages (like fine wine  ;)    This would present the GOOD ham license sites we know about which are already out there.  List a few different links of differing flavor to suit the variable tastes of different people.

>>> Those of us who already have a ham license know how to do it, but when you're NEW, it's a total mystery , or at least unfamiliar enough to make it seem unobtainable.  A deffinate direction fromt hose who have done it, like :"Go to this URL, take the practice tests, using THIS as a study guide then get back to us when you're over 75%."  could really change people's world.  From there, WE who know ham and the internet can locate nearby ham tests, ham fests & etc for them. It's just a thought.


de RadioRay ..._ ._

QFT

[and that is NOT a Q-signal...]

I have learned more talking to an actual ham - than I did studying the book. It would seem to me that anyone WANTING to do something would be preferred to only those who could pass the theory portion!

...now, don't get me wrong, just like theory is important for good music, theory is important for good radio - but it just shouldn't be used to determine who gets to play the Piano, Guitar, Sax...or the radio!

At least, I don't think so.

Quote from: Frosty on September 29, 2012, 11:26:41 AM
Friends call me Ben btw.

Hah, well Ben it is, then!

I'm Tim

Quote from: WA4STO on September 29, 2012, 11:31:12 AM

Quote from: KC9TNH on September 29, 2012, 10:44:05 AM
Think of your solution that will work on a band, not a given frequency.

WT:  KC9TNH raises some very good points, which I tend to encapsulate as "band flexibility".

Don't forget that you're WAY ahead of the game by deciding on / purchasing / erecting a fan dipole that covers a number of different bands.



As I understand the one you're putting up this weekend, the "A" in the graphic above represents the 75/80 meter dipole, while the "B" shows the 40 meter one (which will also allow for 15 meter use!) as well as "C" which will be for 10 meters.

The beauty of that antenna, other than the fact that you only have to piddle with ONE feed line, is that you've got an enormous amount of flexibility.  Which is crucial to your efforts.

Yes! it is a good thing I listened to you regarding the type of antenna would be best for my needs!

I think this brings upo a great point: If you are a new ham, or concisdering becoming a ham - I think it is important to find an experienced ham that you can build some trust with -and bounce ideas off, get input from. Luck WA4STO has been that for me.

Quote from: WA4STO on September 29, 2012, 11:31:12 AM
If your group/family is X miles away, you may find that the 40 meter antenna just isn't gonna cut it at a particular time of day/night, whereas 80 or 20 might just be perfect.  TNH is correct about that as well.

But - for me - those two bands are certainly doable!

Quote from: WA4STO on September 29, 2012, 11:31:12 AM
He brings up another point that will require some thought on your part -- probably today, or at least this weekend, as you're getting things set up.  At some point, you're going to need to decide on whether that 80 meter portion is resonant higher up, in the 75 meter part of the band, (say 3.900 mHz or thereabouts) , or lower down in the digital area, around 3.6 mHz.

Now that's a great idea - and I want it up in that digital area!

Quote from: WA4STO on September 29, 2012, 11:31:12 AM
In my case, I've got it set at 3.6 as that's where the digital networks are located.  But ... see ...  ya can't easily have it both ways.  My antenna is so NOT resonant on 3.900, that I would have to adjust (compress or separate) the 80 and 40 meter coils to get a decent match.

Thanks, Luck - and to compress or separate - do you need to run it through a tuner?

Quote from: WA4STO on September 29, 2012, 11:31:12 AM
In your case (here comes the planning part), you COULD have it both ways.  My strong guess is that the folks who made your fan dipole cut the 80 meter portion up on 3.900-ish.  So, to make it (the antenna) work down in "my" portion of the band, you could add some length to each side of the dipole, and connect the two pieces on each side by way of jumpers or even Anderson power pole connectors.

Wow - great site - which one, 30 amp? ALso, would this cause the SWR t climb at all?

http://www.andersonpower.com/products/singlepole-connectors.html
I think you've decided on allowing the fan dipole to be raised/lowered via rope and pulleys at the center conductor, which would make the whole process fairly simple.

Yes, I'm kind of excited to see how that works out - im told that I need to guy the mast at 28 feet - which is about 9 poles - adding 3 to 4 more poles would probably need some additional stability anyway...yeah, I'm looking forward to that!

http://www.andersonpower.com/products/singlepole-connectors.htmlFor now, if my guess is right, you'll be golden on the voice portion of the band.  Oh!  And that's where SSTV happens as well, strangely enough...

Almost like I knew what I was doing...except, I didn't! Got me to where I was going som much faster!!

Thanks for the encouragement, but more importantly - the specific detailed options!

I JUST downloaded the USMC Antenna book to my iPhone - and even in that format it is ;aid out very well!

I was also cautioned about finding a couple of HF frequencies - one for daylight, one after sunset...and that take off angle issue will make that a bit of a challenge!

Than ks again - are there any published processes or emergency manuals written specifically for periods of civil unrest? Any recommendations as to the type of emergency teams you guys participate in, locally? If so, do they have planning/preparedness processes?

OK, assuming we get licensed - what do all of you licensed amateur radio operators plan to do if your various scenarios of SHTF, play out?

What are your plans?

Here are my plans: Locally, I am part of a group of 4/5 families (about 18-20 people) that live within about a 20 to 30 mile radius, we're prepping independently, but doing it together (planning to bug in). We don't tell each other what to do - we just made out a list of things we needed to do separately, once we accomplished those things, we agreed that communicating between the families was necessary. I agreed to be the communications link - each family said they would get their Tech license, I agreed to get what I could - hopefully at least General (be the control operator?). I have a HF radio - and plan to use a fan dipole - and am also planning to use a NVIS configuration (although I'm not quite sure which band would be best to operate it on...40 meters, 20?)...but that will take some experimenting?

In case of SHTF, my day-to-day plan would be to monitor certain frequencies and send bulletins down range...And again, although I say I would monitor certain frequencies - I don't really know which one's (nets?) would be good to pick up information? 

I also have about 3 more family members at some distance (nearly 500 miles away), and NVIS should work for them as well - just gotta figure out what frequency/band would work best.

Anyway - that's as far as I've gotten.

How about you?

I have discussed this with Gil, and he has made his sympathies on the subject known - one thing that could be done to offer a little more OPSEC, and it could be done simply (which is often the best remedy)...is to simply rent a PO box and list it as your main address in the USL database?

This is what I plan to do when I register - it is perfectly legal - and would offer some level of security from "creepers" and/or identity thieves!

...I for one have never understood why this needs to be public information? I mean, it doesn't even lend itself to modifying behavior, or even self-policing? Because - at least as far as I can tell - there isn't any countermeasure for unscrupulous persons simply "borrowing" a call sign in order to make mayhem..!? and as far as I know, criminals still don't mind doing things illegally...

...nope, just keep shaking my head over this one...

Well, at least I can make sure the unscrupulous one's...don't "borrow" the contents of my home address...

Nope, just kidding, as I said I have come to the understanding that IF (when?) things get "harry" it will likely take them some time to collate all the various databases I land on!

...and just so you know Frosty, my exam date is 10/6, so I don't really need to borrow a call sign!

Now, for those that are worried about the privacy aspect of rogue types having access to some private information made a matter of public record when you register in the ULS call sign database: I heard one suggestion is to buy a post office box and make that your licensing address. You gain SOME anonimity back!

Kinda makes it hard for rogue types to hunt you down by looking up your address from your published call sign (I've looked up several of you from my iPhone this evening), if they can only get as far as the local post office...well, that's not going to do them much good!

...of course, they could just look for the tell-tale antenna sticking 40' into the air - so I guess it gets back to OPSEC - use the PO box AND hide the antenna!!

...just make sure you check your post office box regularly - would be irritating to have your license revoked simply for failure to reply to a letter from the FCC...

Quote from: Frosty on September 28, 2012, 09:26:51 AM
If you just want to be prepped, get the knowledge, and borrow a callsign once in a while for testing purposes imo.

...btw Frosty...what'd you say your callsign was again?

[...only because you had to know it was coming... ;D]

Quote from: KC5OTL on September 08, 2012, 06:02:45 PM
As a challange...

Next Friday night, turn off your main circuit breaker, promptly at 6:00pm (1800 hours).

Don't use any tap water and see how well the toilet flushes.

And too, Power up your radio gear and make contact with other hams while you are on battery power.  Those flashlight battries aren't dead, are they?  Do you even know where there is a flashlight in your home?

Eat your meals witout the ais of your stove (electric or gas) and use some other means to heat what you eat.

Oh, and how wonderful you will feel taking that cold shower at six am in the morning!  Oh, wait a minite... you don't have any running water!!!


A tip:

It was either at Lowes or Home Depot, they had some of those solar walk-way LED lights for sale for about $1.50 each.  I bought a half dozen of them and they work wonderful as night lights.  You don't need a lot of light to get from your bedroom to your bathroom at 3:00 am in the morning.  I ended up returning and purchasing another dozento out up as a prepping item.

This is an excellent post! Any prepper will tell you that you have to practice what you prepp (for)!

We're planning our "SHTF weekend" we'll do just what you propose - shut off the breaker, prepare the foid we've stored, have little/contact contact out side our home - and generally stick to the plan we prepared...mostly we're doing this to see if the plan works, and to see if we need augment it, add supplies, etc.,

Quote from: Jonas Parker on September 03, 2012, 03:24:29 PM


    Back in the early days of amateur radio, pretty much all contacts were in Morse code (or "CW"). A set of common abbreviations, beginning with the letter "Q" developed as a type of short hand between ham operators. Today, most contacts are in "phone" (voice mode) or "data" (computer-generated transmissions like PSK31) but occasionally the old "Q-codes" pop up in a conversation. Most emergency nets strongly discourage the use of "Q-codes" both because a person calling in with an emergency may not be an amateur radio operator, and plain language will eliminate any confusion. With that caveat, there are still ham operators out there using "Q-codes", so here's the list for reference:

    The Q-codes

    QRA? What is the name (call-sign) of your station?
    QRA The name (call-sign) of my station is .........
    QRG? Will you tell me my exact frequency (or, that of ..............)?
    QRG Your exact frequency (or, that of ...........) is .........kHz (or ........MHz).
    QRH? Does my frequency vary?
    QRH Your frequency varies.
    QRI? How is the tone of my transmission?
    QRI The tone of your transmission is: (1) Good. (2) Variable. (3) Bad.
    QRK? What is the readability of my signals (or, those of..............)?
    QRK Readability is: (1) Unreadable. (2) Readable now and then. (3) Readable with difficulty. (4) Readable. (5) Perfectly readable.
    QRL? Are you busy?
    QRL I am busy (or, busy with .........). Please do not interfere.
    QRM? Are you being interfered with?
    QRM I am being interfered with.
    QRN? Are you troubled by static noise?
    QRN I am troubled by static noise.
    QRQ? Shall I send faster?
    QRQ Send faster (....... wpm)
    QRS? Shall I send more slowly?
    QRS Send more slowly.
    QRT? Shall I stop sending?
    QRT Stop sending
    QRU? Have you anything for me?
    QRU I have nothing for you.
    QRV? Are you ready?
    QRV I am ready.
    QRW? Shall I inform ....... that you are calling him on ??kHz?
    QRW Please inform .......That I am calling him on ?.. kHz.
    QRX? When will you call me again?
    QRX I will call you again at .............hours.
    QRZ? Who is calling me?
    QRZ You are being called by.
    QSA? What is the strength of my signals (or those of ...............?
    QSA Your signals are (1) Scarcely perceptible. (2) Weak. (3) Fairly good. (4) Good. (5) Very good.
    QSB? Are my signals fading?
    QSB Your signals are fading.
    QSL? Can you acknowledge receipt?
    QSL I am acknowledging receipt.
    QSO? Can you communicate with............ direct or by relay?
    QSO I can communicate with.............Direct or by relay through ??.
    QSU? Shall I send or reply on this frequency (or, on .............kHz)(with emissions of class...........)?
    QSU Send or reply on this frequency (or, on ............KHz) (with emissions of class............).
    QSV? Shall I send a series of 'V's on this frequency (or,......... KHz).
    QSV Send a series of 'V's on this frequency (or, .........kHz).
    QSW? Will you send on this frequency (or, .........kHz)(with emissions of class........)?
    QSW I am going to send on this frequency (or, ........kHz) (with emissions of class ........).
    QSX? Will you listen to .........(call-sign) on .........kHz?
    QSX I am listening to .......... (call-sign) on ..........kHz.
    QSY? Shall I change my transmission to another frequency?
    QSY Change your transmission to another frequency.
    QSZ? Shall I send each word or group more than once?
    QSZ Send each word or group twice (or, .......... times).
    QTC? How many telegrams have you to send?
    QTC I have........... telegrams for you (or, for ..............).
    QTH? What is your position in latitude and longitude (or, according to any other indication)
    QTH My position is ........latitude ...............longitude (or, according to any other indication).
    QTR? What is the correct time?
    QTR The correct time is ...............hours.
    QUM? Is the distress traffic ended?
    QUM The distress traffic is ended.

Note: There is no "QTF" code!  8)

Just posted this for Gil in another thread, but it fits and may help some of those (like me) NEW to amateur radio...

Q-codes, along with the Phoentic Alphabet, as well as a few other things you longtime hams might call necessary operating etiquette - can be downloaded in one simple iPhone app called "Ham I Am".

Also have a general purpose amateur radio program called "Ham I Am" - that new hams might find interesting. It covers: the Phoentic Alphabet (Whiskey, Alpha, 4, Siera, Tango, Oscar - or to figure out how to say any call sign on-air), Q-Signals, Ham Jargon, a Morse Code key, Radio Best Practices, ARRL "stuff", and Electricity.

ARRL also has developed apps that allow you to take actual practice exams and studt guides.

I've downloded a couple of antenna apps (one antenna calculator, and the USMC Antenna Manual)...

..and although I haven't figured it out yet - downloaded something called "PSKer" as I tought I might want to try my hand (eventually) at PSK31 (what was I thinking...)...

As a prepper who once thought about emergency radio in JUST the sort of way - under the radar and only after the SHTF. Later, as I did the mental calculations for what I thought would be needed, it became obvious that I would need a license...if for nothing else...to talk to people who had licenses!

I remember quite recently stating that I didn't want to be on any more databases - especially since I had only recently popped up on one in particular - kept by my local guns store owner...

...but gaining knowledge by having discussions with some very intelligent hams - at least one of those conversations with a long-time ham who probably views government more dubiously than even I do - and I'm probably less concerned about showing up on yet another government database.

This is a very real fear - because I don't know if many of you noticed - but the government has been overreaching a LOT lately...and the problem is...when they do stuff it has a tendency to be long-lasting (if not permanent), and the innocent folks are the one that end up having to pick up the pieces, and clear their names and spend their own fotunes doing this.

What has pushed me into this isn't that I plan on doing something out of the ordinary. It is rather that I will be targeted for doing something perfectly legal - like having a prayer meeting in my house in Arizona for friends, family and neighbors. That guy is still in jail.

...for peaceful assembly, pursuing a natural right, the legality of which is acknowledged by our own constitution.

But as Gil may (or may not) have realized he alluded to...maybe staying OFF the radar is NOT the way? Maybe the best way is to establish a show of force - by illustrating JUST how many citizens are GOING to staying in contact with one another.

...so just this one, last, database...but after this one...no more!