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Messages - NCGunDude

#76
New To Radio / Re: 10m radios
September 21, 2014, 09:06:08 AM
freax, thanks for the discussion and the input. I haven't gotten into HF, yet. So I'm taking plenty of notes. My setup for around town is an HT and a mag mount. That's the nice thing about amateur radio. There's something for everyone and almost any budget.

My BO kit includes a go box using standard rack shelves for mounting equipment. I've got a decent tripod mounted dual band antenna, and an amp for increasing the PEP of the HT's.

For HF, I think I'll stick with a field kit, portable rig and probably a wire antenna. I don't know enough about HF to even talk about, but some day...

I'm pretty sure whatever I do with HF, it will include digital modes, so a laptop running Linux and a modem will be part of the setup. One of the things I'm looking into is SD radios, since that is essentially what a KX-3 is. Another interesting device are the USB dongles. I might get one just to start playing with it. Anyway, thanks again, and I look forward to reading some more of your posts.

73's
#77
Licensing / Re: Do you REALLY need that ham license?
September 20, 2014, 07:25:07 AM
freax, welcome to the forum. You made a point in your first post, and reiterated in your second, but learning morse is no longer required on any of the licensing exams.

With regards to OPSEC and SHTF comms, it's true while you might get by without a license, your signal will give you away before anything else, such as an address in a database. If it's grid down, it won't matter much, no one's coming to your house. You can't compare WWII with anything occurring today, except for human nature.

The prevailing wisdom is it's better to get your license, get your gear, and practice, practice, practice, instead of buying gear and putting it away for SHTF. The same is true for any aspect of your preps. My family camps, for example. Being prepared is a lifestyle, not a hobby.

I highly recommend getting your license, it costs $14 to take the exam. The answers to the question pool are online, you can take the technicians, general, and extra all in one day, if you keep passing. I took separate exams for the technician and general. You'll want General to transmit on HF.

Chinese HT's can be had for $35 and a mag mount antenna will get you on most of the repeaters in your area. I've found the HAM community to be very accommodating to new operators of all backgrounds.
#78
New To Radio / Re: New Prepper Ham Here
September 15, 2014, 07:54:46 PM
Gramaton550, welcome to the forum. I have 2 baofeng UV-B5's, and I added this dual band amplifier, http://www.mirageamp.com/Product.php?productid=BD-35, you can find them sold cheaper than on the mirage site. I got mine from GigaParts, and MFJ stands behind it.

Just to consider for expanding your range. I do some HAM public service events in the area, and the extra watts help getting out.

I'm still working on a portable go kit, currently working on power distribution. This forum has a lot of practical advice. Welcome and enjoy!

BTW, I also recommend getting your General license as soon as practical. You won't regret it.
#79
New To Radio / Re: Baofeng Tone Settings
August 10, 2014, 08:54:48 AM
I have two Baofeng UV-B6 radios, which I program with CHIRP, KC3AOL is correct, you can connect to web sources and d/l the freqs and tones for a locale.

I tried the UV-82 but ended up sending it back because of front end overload. Had the same problem with the B6, until I figured out the Narrow setting prevents overload, i.e. receive audio cutting out. Now that I know, I don't know if the UV-82 has a wide/narrow setting. Upon further investigation, it does, so I don't know if I was too hasty in judgement with the UV-82.

I like the UV-B6, and you'll find http://www.miklor.com/ an excellent reference for all things Baofeng.
#80
New To Radio / Re: What do I need?
August 10, 2014, 08:44:18 AM
Ah, HF transceivers.... I looked at Yeasu, and the 897D looks interesting. Then there's the KX3 and the one highest on my wishlist, the Ten-Tec Eagle.

The other end of the spectrum are the rock mites.

The end fed wire antenna may end up being one of my field antennas for the reasons already mentioned. I'm looking at a dipole for an attic installation.

One of these days, I'll be taking the HF plunge, possibly with second hand equipment.
#81
Joe, thanks for posting this topic! I've got dual band HT's on 144 and 420 with an amplifier and a Kenwood 2m mobile.

Luigi, thanks for the tip on the tinytrak4.

The laptop I'm using and will be using for digital comms is a Google Chromebook, which can be had used on CL. I like the Samsung, but it has 2G RAM versus the newer Samsung 2 Chromebook with 4G RAM. I've installed Linux using Crouton, and have installed FLDIGI. I figured while I'm learning radio, I'll (re)learn a new OS along the way.

I plan on getting a Signalink USB and was waiting to get an HF rig, since the cable is specific to the radio, but I may need to re-think and plan on having cables for more than one radio.

I needed a push to get going with winmail, and I'll be following the progress here.
#82
Here's a link to a guy who has a lot of practical videos, including gasifiers and wood burning generators.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpDl4WPpgvvOeZFpw4ewycA

I've got a couple of propane stoves, including a camp chef, and a king cooker. I've got a bunch of 20# tanks and one 100# in storage. The tanks are good for about 20 years, and the gas never goes bad, afaik. Not a bad prepping premise. Once I get a tank I like, we'll refill them at TS or the local oil co.

We use pressure cookers for camp cooking and home canning.

Now if I can only get on winlink /grin
#83
I got involved in amateur radio as part of my preps. It was more of a bucket list, really, since getting a license requires for effort, forethought, and planning.

I've met my initial goal of getting licensed and proficient at basic communication. I've also upgraded to General and will add HF capability at some point. I'm involved locally and doing public service. My goals are adding HF and getting registered for ARES.

Personally, amateur radio has opened a new world for me, and my only regret is not having gotten involved sooner. Yeah, I was around during the CB craze, but I didn't have enough sense to appreciate what it represented.

Again, personally, the challenges which face all of us at all levels are resolved with faith and trust in the Almighty, and it is an honor and a privilege to be involved with local communities, online, and on the air.

73's
#84
New To Radio / Re: W1AW
May 13, 2014, 06:09:24 AM
Follow up question: I don't have an HF rig, yet. Do most rigs have the ability to TX and RX on different freqs. I assume yes, based on the more than lucid explanation of the meaning of "listening up 5 to 10", but I don't want to assume. TIA
#85
OK, I've removed the call sign from my forum profile. I'll have to look into a PO Box for FCC communications, but that's an additional expense I don't need, and an inconvenience. Is it possible to use a mail forwarding service with a unique physical mailing address. It seems there would be a business opportunity for someone willing to sort mail, and cheaper than having an actual mail drop.

--edit: it seems there are plenty of companies offering this type of service. Cool!  8)
#86
Tactical Corner / Re: HF/Digital Station in a Box!
April 13, 2014, 05:52:06 PM
Quote from: KF5RHI on April 13, 2014, 12:25:19 PM
Yes!!  "Wolverine" has a heartbeat!!

Very nice! I'm assuming the radios will mount over the power supply? Any idea what your total amp draw is going to be?

I wasn't sure my setup was going to run on the battery jump starter, but it was all good to go. You posted your project at the same time as I had my stuff coming in. Glad we got to compare notes. Looking forward to seeing pics of your radios.
#87
Tactical Corner / Re: HF/Digital Station in a Box!
April 13, 2014, 04:58:33 PM
I ran a test with the Clore JNC660 with a DC accessory outlet, and an Enercell 350W A/C inverter. The Clore is rated for a 400W inverter and has a 12 amp circuit breaker. After powering up with the power supply connected to the inverter running from the DC accessory outlet on the backup starter, transmitted with high power (75W) to a local repeater on the edge of my 2m transmit range. Stayed powered up for a minute or so on transmit, with no issues. Retransmitted a couple of times, and ended the test. The inverter has a power cable with clamps to connect to battery terminals, so there's a couple of options.



It would be nice to have an inline DC power meter to view Amps and Volts. I'm going to add a metal sheet to the inside of one of the removable covers to attach a 2m mag mount antenna. Also need to add some 3' adapter cable for BNC and PL-259 radio connections. Trying to connect LMR400 coax to the back a rack mounted radio requires some patience! Mission accomplished for the moment. Hope to catch up with you guys on HF. I've got plenty of rack space and the Linux box is coming along. Anyone else using Linux and FLDIGI for digital HF?

73's
#88
Tactical Corner / Re: HF/Digital Station in a Box!
April 12, 2014, 06:01:48 PM
My 8U gator case, drawer, and shelves came in, and so began assembly.



Assembly complete, and this,



became this,



A few lessons learned; this setup is quite heavy at ~ 50 lbs, more when fully outfitted. It will require a cart to carry any distance. There's plenty of room in an 8U case. The drawer is 3U, again, plenty of room, but heavy. The power supply is a RS 18A. I secured it with some velcro one wrap, and strips of adhesive backed velcro. It's plenty secure.

Next step will be to add power distribution with a rigrunner, but this is ready to go with my available gear.

I looked into the AC/DC failover swith, battery charger. Duracomm advertised a float charger in their literature, but when I inquired whether there was tempature compensation, the prompt reply was the switches I was interested in were trickle chargers, but they have higher end chargers which perform float charging with temp comp.

I have a Clore emergency 12V starter for each vehicle. They pay for themselves the first time you need it. The owners manual says an inverter up to 400 watts can be used with the DC power accesory, and has a 12 amp circuit breaker. I was considering using this to power the radios in the field. Also looking at a 1000W inverter generator.

Gil has a point about the limited portability of this kind of setup. I'm going to get something like a pelican case for the handhelds, FMRS/GRS and dual band HT's with spare batteries. Portable solar power is something I've been looking into, as well. One thing at a time, and the 2m radio in a field case is first step.
#89
Tactical Corner / Re: HF/Digital Station in a Box!
April 09, 2014, 07:03:55 PM
I haven't determined which one of these setups to go with for power supply with battery backup,

Duracomm EH-30 - AC/DC Desk Top Power Supply ($285)
or      
Powerwerx 30 Amp Desktop DC Switching Power Supply with Powerpoles ($119.99)
and
Super PWRgate PG40S ($139.95)
or
Duracomm LPBC-25 Battery Back-Up Module ($82.50)

I'm leaning toward the Duracomm EH-30 which can be had for around $240. It's environmentally hardened, hence the EH. Has a built in battery failover and float charger. Roughly the same cost for the same functions, $200 - $240, in one versus two pieces of hardware. Gil mentioned a problem with continuously recharging?

OK, I found this article on Wikipedia which explains not compensating for temperature will cause shortened battery life by undercharging or overcharging the battery, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Float_voltage.

Still going to go with a rig runner. Once it's built out, I'll need to get backup replacement hardware. But that's a ways off. Learning HF digital at the same time. My daughter cracked the screen on one of the chromebooks, so until the replacement screen arrives, I don't have exclusive use of my Linux front end.

I'll post up some pics as it comes together.
#90
Tactical Corner / Re: HF/Digital Station in a Box!
April 07, 2014, 02:56:14 PM
I'm working on one myself. The first difference I see is I don't have a backup radio. The second is I'm planning to use a Samsung 3 Series Chromebook running Ubuntu for the front end. Everything else is pretty much the way I specked it out. Signalink USB, Anderson power poles, PowerWerx switchable power supply. Batteries will be external. I'm sure I'll need an antenna tuner in there as well.

My 8U gator case is in, and as I'm new to HF digital as well, I'll be following your progress.