I've got a Collins KMW-2 that used to be my grandpa's. It was supposedly considered a mobile rig. I have an AC power supply with it but I've been looking for a DC one so I can use it after a blackout. They don't seem to be that pricy. Does anybody have any educated opinions on how these old all-tube rigs would fare in the event of an EMP assuming the rig was unplugged from antenna and power?

"We discussed it," said Dasher, "but decided that since most Techs can't even figure out how to program their HTs, requiring them to learn Morse Code seemed like cruel and unusual punishment."

That line made it essential that I send my brother this article. He just passed his tech test and bought a couple of Baofengs. He bought the programing cable so that he could assign his memory channels with names. Just yesterday he told me that if people think that programing these radios by hand is hard they should try getting the programing cable to work with a Mac computer. He eventually got it to work though. He must be made of General class stuff after all.

My brother is studying for his general now. This would be a blow to him. I feel I have to clear this up once and for all. First thing Monday morning I'm calling up Jim Shorts ;D

The skip just seemed to be unusually short last night. On 17m I could only reach out about 600 miles. East Texas came in but Georgia and Florida wouldn't. On 20m and 40m I couldn't even reach east Texas. I made some contacts with stations about 200 miles away on 40m last night but that's as far as I could get. Kind of unusual for that time of day.
It's too bad really. I was looking forward to chatting with some of you. We'll have to try it again soon.
Even though we didn't have much success I still enjoyed it and I think it was good practice for me. I don't do SSB skeds. I usually just talk to whoever is coming in clearly so I'm letting the conditions dictate who I talk with. The more I try to contact specific people at specific distances the more I'll understand the capabilities and limitations of my gear.

I can hear K4SQC  pretty well but not everyone he's talking to. I missed you gil. Not sure if it was due to the crying baby in my hamshack though.

I just talked to W1AW portable five in NM on 40m and he gave me a RST of 59 but you know how that goes.

Quote from: gil on March 22, 2014, 08:53:55 PM
Waoh, I was listening and even called you. Usually I get Texas really well..

Gil.

Well if everyone has given up we could switch to cw and see if it makes a difference but if we hear absolutely nada in SSB then CW probably wont save it.

Like I said, the stars aren't aligned tonight.

nothing on 7.240

Quote from: gil on March 22, 2014, 08:44:44 PM
I tried 7245, but there is someone on 7244. 7240 is free, I'll listen there.

Gil.

i'll go there but couldn't copy anyone on 40 earlier.

no copy on 3.880. The stars must not have been aligned today. I wonder if CW would have done better.

ok, now calling on 3.880

ok. there is someone I think outside the group calling cq 40 on 7.245 now.

the latin station keep on stepping on you and I can't make you out. Are you moving up?

looks like the band wont work for our distances. Back to 20m or 40m?