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Topics - Joe

#1
General Discussion / Happy Thanksgiving
November 27, 2014, 10:01:25 AM
Happy Thanksgiving to the Radio Prepper's family !!!

May your wine glass stay full today, and your pants still fit tomorrow. :D

73
Joe
#2
Happy Independence Day everyone!!!

Take time today and think about what you have and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to maintain what you have. Remember we have many VETS' that have returned home with PTSD and other health issues, keep this in mind during your celebration.

4th of July safety, keep a bucket of water nearby with a garden hose that is turned on if setting off fireworks, fire danger is extremely high this year in California. Our First Responders will be busy tonight taking care of all the stupid people, don't be one of them. ;)

For all of you that are dealing with Arthur on the east coast, take care and stay safe.

Hope everyone enjoys there time with family and friends Have a Happy and safe 4th. 8)

73
Joe
#3
Hello all  :)

I have been reading as much as I can on digital communications. And I think I'm ready to make the jump.
Looking for recommendations on what to get. Budget wise I would like to stay as cheap as possible, but not afraid to buy once and cry once either. Looking for VHF and HF modes. From what I have read this is the list I have come up with.

Computer: notebook/laptop
Sound card interface and cables
Radio and antenna
Program like fldigi

For the computer part I am planning on getting a used netbook, but what OS should I get Linux, Microsoft (XP,7, ect.) ?
What kind of interface, I know I will need 2 one for VHF and one for HF ?
What program is stable and secure for sending packets ?


Thank You
Joe
73
#4
Hello All,

The next couple of days could be interesting with the incoming CME.

NASA: Incoming CME Will Cause a Geomagnetic Storm

NOAA is predicting a geomagnetic storm later today as the CME from the X1 flare hits the Earths magnetosphere. The speed of the solar wind will spike at around 1.6 million miles per hour (700km/s). - See more at: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/nasa-announce-incoming-cme-will-cause-a-geomagnetic-storm_012014#sthash.L1xTDRVV.dpuf

The NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has the following information for the 9th, 10th and 11th January: - See more at: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/nasa-announce-incoming-cme-will-cause-a-geomagnetic-storm_012014#sthash.L1xTDRVV.dpuf

January 9th

50-90% chance of major-severe geomagnetic storm depending on where you live. The further north you are the higher the percentage of risk

January 10th

50-85% chance of major-severe geomagnetic storm depending on where you live. The further north you are the higher the percentage of risk.

January 11th

1-50% chance of major-severe geomagnetic storm depending on where you live. The further north you are the higher the percentage of risk.
- See more at: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/nasa-announce-incoming-cme-will-cause-a-geomagnetic-storm_012014#sthash.L1xTDRVV.dpuf

Link to article: http://www.thedailysheeple.com/nasa-announce-incoming-cme-will-cause-a-geomagnetic-storm_012014

73

Joe
#5
General Discussion / Sun will flip magnetic fields.
August 09, 2013, 12:24:13 PM
Hello all

Just reading the news and saw where the sun is in the process of flipping its magnetic fields. This is something that happens every 11 years. I vaguely remember hearing about it earlier in the year. We are now at the point where it should happen within the next 3 months. Wanted to pass it on to those who didn't know or as a reminder for those who did.

73

Joe

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/05aug_fieldflip/

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/08/07/sun-will-flip-its-magnetic-field-soon/
#6
Hello All

Looking at buying this little short wave radio to keep in the BOB and use at my location to expand information gathering during a event. But not to sure if its good or not? So I am coming to the guys that know! The radio is sold by County Comm for $44.00 plus shipping.

Specifications:

Run Time:
? Radio: 150 hrs at 40% Volume

?Light: 70 Hrs

Frequency Range:
? FM 76-109 MHz

?MW 520-1740Khz

?SW 5.20-18.30 MHz
?SW1= 49 Meter Bands 5.20 - 6.20 Mhz

?41 Meter Bands 7.10 - 7.30 Mhz

?31 Meter Bands 9.45 - 10.45 Mhz
?SW2= 25 Meter Bands 11.01 - 12.05 Mhz

?21 Meter Bands 13.60 - 13.80 Mhz

?19 Meter Bands 15.10 - 15.60 Mhz

?16 Meter Bands 17.55 - 18.30 Mhz

Sensitivity:
? FM < 10 microV

?MW-AM < 1 microV/Meter

?SW-AM < 30 micro V

Power Requirements:
? 3-4.5 Volts DC via side jack (no adapter included)

?2 each "AA" batteries
?Dimensions: 3.4" X 2.55" X .83"
?Weight: 85 Grams not including batteries
?Speaker: 40 mm in diameter, 4 Ohms, .25 watt
?Earphone Jack: 3.5 MM, Earphones Included
?(Instructions come in both French and English)
?(Blister Packed)
?Clock: 12 Hour Format with Wake Up to Radio Alarm Feature

http://countycomm.com/gp4light.html

Thank You

73

Joe
#7
Technical Corner / 7.62 Paddle
June 05, 2013, 09:44:45 PM
Another crazy idea popped into my head today about making a paddle for my Rock-Mite.  ??? So I took a break from work to see if I might have something. I grabbed two 7.62 x 51 casings from the bad brass bucket, dug threw my box and retrieved the wear plates I had from when I worked on utility trucks, and a couple of 1/4" clevis pins.

I drilled holes threw the brass to accept the pins. Then drilled holes threw the pad. And stuck it all together.

It is still in the beginning stages but the just of the build is there. Once the brass is completed I will seat a couple of bullets in them to round out the look.

73 Joe
#8
Hello All

Just got a email from High Sierra they are having a sale on a small digital multimeter. They are $7.73 each plus shipping no sale code needed. They have been running daily Dayton deals.

I don't work for them just wanted to pass on for any one looking for a meter.

http://www.hamcq.com/digital-multimeter-with-19-ranges-digitalmultimeterwith19ranges.html

73

Joe
#9
Antennas / End fed 40M half wave.
May 07, 2013, 01:18:30 AM
The home brew bug has bit me, besides it keeps me off the streets and for the most part out of trouble.  ;)  I am building a RockMite 40m. I am looking for a compact quick deploy antenna. I was leaning towards a LNR Trail-Friendly, but I came across a home brew 40m end fed http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed40.pdf. I checked and can order all the parts I don't have and will cost about $35.00, the LNR goes for $75.00.  :o

Just looking for feedback on if this would be a good build as described.

73 Joe
#10
Tactical Corner / Armor plates and plate carriers
April 22, 2013, 05:50:48 PM
This might be to the extreme of some of your preps but I wanted to share. I had the chance to take a look at these plates compared to the SAPI plates, these are lighter and about the same size. I don't have a actual weight I was holding a carrier in one hand that had SAPI plates and one with these in it and it was noticeably lighter. Ballistic wise they are the same. Know for the nice part for the raw steal ones are $134.00 with out carrier, The SAPI plates run around $400.00.

Alot of the guys I know on the Sheriffs department are switching to these instead of the SAPI because of the price and more important the weight. They have carriers for these also you mat actually spend more on the carrier than the plates. Right know there is about a 3 week lead time on orders placed. I plan on ordering a set next month when the funds are available.

http://thetargetman.com/?product=ar500-armor-1-formed-and-1-flat-10x12-plate-set

73 Joe
#11
Technical Corner / Rock-Mite 40M (7030)
April 16, 2013, 02:27:36 PM
Just placed my order for a Rock-Mite 40M (7030). I was tossed between the 20M or the 40M, I went with the 40M first and will get the 20M after I finish my builds. I also ordered the dummy load/power meter from Hendricks, It has been some time since I have soldered components so I figured I would start with this to get my truck driver hands and toe thumbs use to handling small parts again. Then move on to the Rock-Mite.

I plan on getting the EFT-10/20/40 trail friendly antenna, and a KK1 straight key kit from American Morse. I am not sure if I want/need a tuner or not. If I do get one I have it down to the EFHW tunner kit from Better QRP or the SOTA tunner from Hendricks.

I think this will make a good set up, but not sure. This is my jump into this side of radio coms. I have been practicing and re-learning code. It has been 15-20 years since I have used it.

I will post picks of the builds as I go.

Thanks
Joe
#12
Has anyone used one of these kits. The reviews I have read seem split you either like it or hate it. The prices don't seem to bad for some one on a budget. Thinking of getting one and trying.

http://www.vectronics.com/Categories.php

I am looking at getting the VES-1340K a 40M QRP transceiver for $59.95. The case kit for the transceiver is $14.95.

I am wanting to add CW to my radio preps. I have a app on my phone I am using to learn the code.

If you know of a better kit along the same price range let me know.

Thanks.
#13
General Discussion / Hello from northern California
July 09, 2012, 07:31:44 PM
Thank You for starting this forum. I just passed my Tech on saturday i have been looking for a forum that is based more for prepper comm's. I belong to other forums but none of them want to start a catagory just for comm's, or if they do its always x is better than y and if you dont have y you cant play.

I have always had some form of comes around from my fire service radio to my CB. But never stepped into HAM. After evaluating our current preps and exposing our weaknesses. I felt that we needed to expand our comm's. Currently I have a Cobra LTD 29 with a K40 antenna, 4 of the uniden GMRS/FRS radios, and my old Bendix King from my fire service days. My first prority was comm's within the family which I think I have covered. But being able to communicate and recieve info from farther out is where I was lacking. I plan to keep everything mobile based.

I look forward to reading and sharing what I can.
Thank You

Joe