Wes, great write-up.  Digital and HF-email are on my winter-spring list of things to add to my operating repertoire. 

It seems like the software uses the web for a few things.  How does it all work with no internet connection?  My main interest in HF email is for a reigonal SHTF situation where the area I'm in has no phone & web, but much of the rest of the country does.

Gil,
Can't wait to hear your operating report.  That looks like a nice kit.  I wonder why it was discontinued.  Not being stuck on one frequency like the Rockmite has got to be a big advantage.

Yup.  Good advice.  The good news is, modern radios are both so good and so complicated that most people don't have a reason (or the skills) to open the box and tinker inside. 

Still, anything can happen.  I had a 2M mobile plugged into the car's cigarette lighter.  The plug came out while I was transmitting and it wiped out all the repeater info I had stored.  It operated OK, but I had to reprogram all the repeaters.  It's an old radio so maybe alignment stuff isn't stored in software.

I heard some of that.  I couldn't figure out the exchanges.  They seemed to contain a long serial number or something.  Fun trying to figure it out though.  Good practice.

Ah, I found it.  They were exchanging their Amateur Ration Club International member numbers.

Some day I expect that listening to 20wpm code will be like listening to someone talk, but for now it's hard work. A 30min QSO leaves me tired.  I can't imaging working a contest all day and night the way some people do.

I have a feeling that some of it is just plain ignorance.  If you look at the ARRL's Band Plan none of the calling frequencies are mentioned.  Same with their 1 page color bar chart band plan.  You have to tunnel in to find the ARRL's Considerate Operators Frequency Guide before you find the recommended calling frequencies.

OK, I'll bite.  What set you off on this?
BTW, I agree with you.

For getting your fee wet, I also like used equipment.  It's electronics.  In general it either works or it doesn't.

KC9THN, thanks for the great reply.  Right now I'm adding CW and QRP to my ham repertoire, but I think digital modes will be right after that.  Perhaps if it's a long nasty winter.  I'm really intreigued by the idea of email over HF for moderate SHTF where only my reigon's systems are down.  Even if it is only one-way, outbound from me.  At least I would be able to tell my family that we are doing OK, the food, water and booze are holding out but the hookers are getting tired. ;D   

I have an FT-857D.  It is essentially the same as the FT-897D, but the 897 has a power supply built in and you can buy an automatic tuner to attach to one side.  The 857 gives a little more flexability in that you have the option of mounting it in your car.  The faceplate detaches so you can mount the big part in the trunk and just have the little face plate up front.  They even make face plate holders that go in the car's cup holder.

The Icom mobile rigs have big beautifyl displays, but eat 3x more power than the FT857 while receiving.  (FT857 is about 0.65A).  Not the best for SHTF battery opps.  Otherwise they have a very strong following.

The bottom line is that almost any of the 100W HF+6M+2M radios will be a great start and keep you happy for a few years until you know enough go have preferences.

Email with digital modes?

What's available?  Is there one very commonly used mode and software, or is there so little standardization that it isn't very useful?  In a moderate SHTF situation that only covers a reigon, like the North East USA, being able to send messages "directly" to people outside the affected area with emails would be a great way to communicate.

Don't the MARS people use something like email?

I've used that oscillator and it's fine.  Great for getting started.  And, you can easily wire a plug to it and use it as a straight key with your radio.

Good point.  To defend you'll have to live on it.  And since fuel will be scarse in a SHTF world you'll need sails as well as a turret mounted gun.
(Waterworld)

Quote from: gil on October 08, 2012, 07:46:47 PM
You should have one position of the switch short the input... This way you protect the radio against static spikes..

Gil.

I have an old Heathkit antenna switch.  This is essentially how it is made.  A simple rotary switch in a box.  I wouldn't put 1.5KW through it, but any rotary switch will probably take 100W and will take QRP power all year long.

Ray,
Outstanding post.  This is the kind of contribution that really makes a forum.
Keep up the great work.

It never occured to me before, but the ocean is the ultimate prepper's food source.  It is there summer and winter.  It won't suffer from a drought.  It can't be raided by your hungry neighbors.  Too bad I like the mountains and never liked the beach or ocean.