https://cointelegraph.com/news/developer-completes-proof-of-life-off-grid-crypto-transaction-primed-for-post-apocalypse

Cryptocurrency and blockchain meet amateur radio. Not quite sure what to think of this one. I am always worried about the increasing level of complexity in disaster radio. It is nevertheless interesting to see new experiments involving radio.

Gil.

Interesting thoughts, and I agree as well. For me, military radios are more on the hobby side than for prepping, but their ruggedness makes them a great choice for those situations when transporting them alone on foot isn't required. They are fairly cheap and will survive almost anything. Now, I would rather also have three or four (I have many more) $50-$100 radios than one or two $800 radios... It is also easier to scavenge parts for through-hole radios than surface-mount circuits. If one of my military radios craps out, no big deal, I have more... Sure, I'm not going to carry them all in a bug-out scenario, but they can be very handy.

I am reading a book by F. Spencer Chapman, "The Jungle is Neutral" (highly recommended), where enormous radio sets are carried by men on their back in the Malayan jungle and powered by pedal-driven dymanos... A PRC-320 compared to that is a pocket radio! These guys had virtually no support from the outside... So, all is relative... A group of determined men can accomplish miracles. Sure, we have better options today, and that even is debatable, but my PRC-320 with a hand-crank attachment can be a lifesaver.

Best solution? Have both, use what is most convenient or possible for the given circumstances...

Gil.

Hello,

Yes, the difference is the size. The 240-43 is a bit more efficient but much bigger. I use the 140-size. No tuner needed on 40/20m, maybe on 30.

For my MTR is use this to check SWR:

https://qrpguys.com/tuning-indicator

If the LED is not full-bright, you're ok.

Gil.

Thanks Ray. If only a handful of people pick up Morse from reading it, that would be great.
Gil

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

Good one Sparks, thanks.
Gil.

Published!

https://www.eham.net/articles/41416

Gil.

Definitely a good band for local communications. Looking back at my CB days, the one thing I lacked the most back then was a good understanding of antennas. I had no idea about the different kinds of antennas I could have used to extend range, beams, Moxon, wire antennas, etc. The standard was the quarter-wave vertical with radials, or the 5/8 like the excellent Solarcon Imax 2000. Mobile antennas ranged from the very good to ridiculous.

Bottom line is, had I studied antennas, I could have gotten much more from CB. That would be my best advise to CBers, study and try many types of antennas!

Gil.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/radiopreppers/

Gil.