Update:

He is now using Faraday cloth with it sewn into seatbelt fabric. So the antenna is fully collapsible and rolls up into a small area for backpacking.

When he has enough he will sell them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU3ixrvBlzo

This video shows how to make a antenna for VHF with duct tape. A very good idea for a backpack.


Enjoy.

Quote from: JoseyEire on August 30, 2023, 07:37:58 PMBonsoir à tous,
I just got my irish Ham license and am travelling to France next week, Ile de Re to be exact. I was wondering are there any repeaters on the Island or should I just connect to the one in La Rochelle?

Merci,

Paul

Check with your license to see if you are able to transmit with a reciprocal license in France. Some countries want you to register with them in case of "problems" with having a non licenced amateur (in theory) operating in their country.

Here is a image of a double bazooka antenna calculation.

With it being 3 feet in length it is a decent antenna for using on SSB on VHF 2M. Along with the 50 Ohm cable it is light enough to roll up into a backpack and carry.

Here is the link for the antenna calculation from  West Mountain Radio.

Could be a fun project as a suspended vertical from a tree or between 2 trees for SSB use. 100 watts and a wire did a build on making this with tips on how to make one for HF use.

Youtube link to 100 watts and a wire.

If you get to build one for VHF or HF let me know compared to a normal dipole from tests. Could be some fun for H/T in a pinch.

Anyone got any idea for a BMS?

Just purchased some 18650's and wondering what type of BMS I would need to use for this project. Hopefully one that can charge from a small solar cell or two that I have laying around so it can be left out to charge or from mains.

Anyone got any links to Aliexpress, UK Ebay or Amazon to get me started prior to soldering.

With the UK getting  serious on the idea there may be blackouts over winter here are some recommendations to get through the time the power may be off.


Also the attachment from the UK Government on blackouts and which areas may experience it and what times.

The solar is a 13W briefcase type of panel. Might get something more better as 13W is not enough really for fast charge. It was one of them you got in the cheap stores or those that sell anything electrical. Looking on EBay they have flexible panels for under £30 with charge controller. Might get one and connect that if we get a power outage.

What is the best power setup for a cheap budget?

I have a fold up solar panel, a MPT charge controller and a 12V 44aH battery. Also a Pi4, mini laptop, 2 base radios and other H/T that I can use.

So on a basis of being cheap, cost cutting and essentially not having much money as I have basically gotten most of this over years, what is the best way of making sure I can run my station in a effeciant way without resorting to going into credit card debt.

Thanks.

Quick vox pop thing...

What is your favourite radio that you have used in the past or still have. What make you buy it and what does it mean to you when operating your own radio that you like?

I have seen the other video of this where with a amplifier it can do 25 watts. I hope they make more of this and have it become a build and add on so each radio is unique as it were.

What are your thoughts on the radioberry for the RPi4?

It is enough output power to run a pre-amp so up to 5W TX.


So thoughts on this minimal piece of radio? Is it worth the money or just as a QRP/p type of fun radio.

There is a way of using encryption over radio. As long as you are open about what you are using to encrypt and how it is done, then others can use it.

For instance, in the file below you have the Enigma file to be used on a Pringles can. It is available on the internet and as long as you have the start, what reflectors you are using and in which order you are using them in, there is no problem. It may take time for them to decode but you are not hiding the way it is done nor are you making any other and hiding the key.

For instance:

Rotors 1,2,4,5 are used and reflector 1/B. You can put 1245:1/B as your set. Placing the input and output would be a slight problem but you can use the alphabetical ring set so A can be N at the set and keep it there. So you are saying at the beginning 1245:1/B [A.N] So moving all to N the letter A starts at N but finishes up at another letter once the line is followed.

It is a good encryption method but you do have the main body there so you are stating that your rotors, reflectors and settings are known. Yes it will take people time to decode it but you are complying in a way with what you are needing to do with your licence.