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Messages - gil

#2851
Cool, thanks :-)
#2852
Well done Ray,

What about a link to Radio Preppers in the comments  ;)

Gil.
#2853
I think martial arts does kill tow birds with one stone.. I practice Systema, a Russian martial art. I also did P90X, which is great but very hard. I lost more than 20Lbs with it, but then didn't maintain it and lost the muscles. I am still 20+Lbs lighter though.

Gil.
#2854
Hello Luck,

No such box on the QSL. I did email the guy telling him I would send him one as soon as I got one. He is only 50 miles from me too!

Gil.
#2855
New To Radio / Re: Go Small, Go Now!
October 04, 2012, 05:40:15 PM
I think "QRP frustration" is an SSB thing... It must be because I have experienced zero frustration using only a few watts with CW. Sure, QRP is not for contesters or anyone who absolutely wants to make contact on every attempt.. That said, I get a reply most of the time. An if I don't, who cares.. Even in case of emergency, I am sure someone would hear me somewhere. SOS in Morse is unmistakable and would certainly clear a frequency real fast.

I like the FT-817ND as well, and might buy myself one some day when finances allow.. I would still pack my K1 with me though...

Gil.
#2856
New To Radio / Re: Go Small, Go Now!
October 04, 2012, 09:23:27 AM
Gambrinus, just keep at it... as some point, it will click. It has been very difficult for me. Try http://lcwo.net, "Morse Marchine" option. You only need to get to about 8wpm to try real QSOs.
I've been learning the code for months, and I'm still at 8wpm, but I'm using it on the air. You will find people willing to go slow for you. Me included  ::)
Gil.
#2857
New To Radio / Re: Go Small, Go Now!
October 04, 2012, 02:25:35 AM
Hello Ray,

That's great! I highly recommend the Mighty Box from American Morse and the connectors kit from Small Wonder Labs. Both save you a whole lot of time..
You can also buy a 2SC799 transistor on Ebay to replace Q6 (R18=2.2 ohms - use a heatsink on Q6!) and get from 1W to 2W depending on DC voltage and chosen band.. It increases your chances of success.. It sure is a fun little radio. I have the 20 and 40m models, but I'm not done yet!

Gil.
#2858
New To Radio / Re: Go Small, Go Now!
October 04, 2012, 02:19:51 AM
Hello Bob,

20m is more open during the day, though it also can be open at night. 40m is more of a night band, or local day band. Right now we are at the top of the solar cycle, so 20m might be a good bet, given antenna length requirements as you mention.. We'll be good for another three years probably. 40m always work, so it is a difficult choice. If you don't want him to be up all night on school days, 20m is the way to go ;-)

Gil.
#2859
What do you guys think about eQSL?

Gil.
#2860
New To Radio / Go Small, Go Now!
October 03, 2012, 10:13:16 PM
Hello,

I remember reading about building sailboats and came upon the saying from a famous sailor: "Go Small, Go Now!"

It can be applied to many things in life, radio being one of them. Sure, you might want to save up for a $1000 transceiver... But if you recently got or will get your license soon, you really don't need one right now. Hell, a $139 CB can get you started, without the license. What I want to draw you attention on however is QRP (low power) radios. You don't need more than a few watts to make intercontinental contacts, believe me. You just need a decent antenna, which could be a simple wire up a tree.

If you want to start really small, then there is Morse code (CW mode). CW radios are very small and very cheap. The Rock-Mite kit for example costs $29 and can be built by anyone with decent soldering skill which can be learned in an hour. See http://smallwonderlabs.com. There are more complex kits like the Elecraft K1 (http://elecraft.com). TenTec right now has two-band CW radios for sale at $188 (http://tentec.com) as well as mono-band kits. Learning Morse code can be a lengthy and frustrating process but for someone on a budget it is unbeatable. Making a first Morse QSO is something anyone can be proud of, even if it was just exchanging call signs.

For phone (voice) operations, the choice is more limited when it comes to radios under $300. MFJ has a great line of SSB radios, the MFJ-94xx series. Here is my favorite: http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-9440X. It will do CW as well with an added module. 10W is plenty of power to work the whole World. If you like building, check out http://ozqrp.com and http://qrpkits.com. I have bought kits from both and can attest of their quality.



Believe me, putting more money in complicated radios will not make your signal go further or make you hear much better. You just get a ton of extra features which, however nice, are not needed to operate successfully. Don't even get me started about amplifiers... Band conditions and antennas are the main limiting factor, power comes third. From a prepping perspective, current draw and portability are very important factors, keep that in mind.

Go Small, Go QRP, Go Now!

Gil.
#2861
Antennas / Rugged Antennas.
October 03, 2012, 09:12:50 PM
I have been working on something new... http://ruggedantennas.com

Does anyone know of a good numerically equipped machine shop?

Thanks,

Gil.
#2862
I received my first QSL card today! Didn't ask for it, but it was nice. I don't have one to send back  :-[

Gil.
#2863
Tactical Corner / Re: Amateur Radio and Firearms
October 03, 2012, 11:23:23 AM
I'm sure you could work out something with Marc the instructor here. He's not in it for the money..
I can get you started also if you have someone to practice with.. I may have others who might want to start as well...
Then, on to the regular class with confidence...

Gil.
#2864
QuoteGil, what open source/Linux type "ham" related stuff do you run (if any)?

Hi Tim, I have Fldigi on my laptop. I am sure there are more, I just haven't looked much, since I have been using my Mac mostly these last few months...

Gil.
#2865
Ham Morse on iPod, Fldigi on the Mac. Aether for logging.
See my post in "Antennas" about magnetic loops for software..
Spectrogram to align my K1, K2, and other kits.

I wouldn't touch Windows with a ten foot pole..

Gil.