In response to madball's posts ragarding CW academy, I decided to get serious and create a thread where I could progress my learning.  Accountability is an amazing thing.  So if you don't hear from me for several days, feel free to post here and give me a kick up the backside.

I've been using lcwo.net, but haven't been back in a couple of weeks, so starting today, I'm going to do 15 min's a day, and see how I go.  Weekends may not happen (I try to stay away from the computer), but will see how I go.

I'm starting at 20WPM characters, with bigger spacing between them for an effective 10WPM.

I was camping over the weekend, and could just receive a repeater, but couldn't get in.  Certainly no simplex on vhf.  Very hilly area.  I'm confident that given an extra 50 to 100m of elevation I would have been fine.

Turning my thoughts to the cheep HTs that offer cross band repeat, was wondering what options there may be to loft one of them up in the air.

A kite or tethered balloon are immediate thoughts, one for windy conditions, the other for calm.

Can anyone suggest alternate sky hook platforms?

Hi All,

I've been lurking for several months, so thought it time to register an introduce myself.

I've been licensed for two years with the equivalent to your General license.  I live at the bottom of the world, in Hobart, Australia.

My interest in prepping is primarily related to the aftermath of natural disasters.  Fire, floods and wind cause problems here from time to time.  I live in paradise, geographically, socially and politically, so have no concerns about doom brought on by zombies, citizen uprisings or EMP's etc.  The primary attraction of this forum however is that people talk about getting out and using their gear, rather than discussion being limited to abstract or academic principles of amateur radio.

I am fairly active on 2m and 70cm, and am hoping to pick up my first HF radio in the next several months, probably an FT-857D.

Anyway, thanks for having me.