Hi Ray,

Congratulations on completing the kit. What frequencies did you end-up getting? Mine transmits on 7028.1 and 7028.8. We should try a RM-to-RM SQL one night when the conditions are good..

Gil.

I'm calling CQ tonight with the RM40 and get picked-up by a reverse beacon 1368 miles away! All the while listening to a song by Journey.. Thanks to the Rock-Mite wide-as-a-barn-door filtering. Gotta love the Rock-Mite  ::)

Gil.

And there we go again! It's Friday night and the whole 40m band, including CW part is flooded with SSB contesters.
Contesting is killing Ham radio. Maybe not economically, contesters buy radios, but in essence it is.

Gil.

I don't believe the elections would spark any civil unrest either..

What about using the plug used to charge the battery? Get a similar plug and connect the wire to the negative pin...?

Gil.

Hello,

About Morse code, I think the methods remain the same. The Koch method seems to be the most widely used, though it is pretty difficult. I used "Ham Morse" for iPod, and it is a great program. Probably similar to G4FON. lcwo.net helped me quite a bit as well. Now, if there is one word of advise I can give anyone after my experience learning Morse is that you should not go below 15wpm. I now can copy only 7wpm, and there aren't many people answering my calls... I am starting a second round of Koch at 15wpm, but it is a pain to have to do it a second time... For me Morse though is a self imposed requirement and I want to achieve at least 20wpm head-copy. So far it has been much harder than passing all exams at once. If the code requirement had still be in place, I would not be where I am today. I think there should be at least a 5wpm requirement, mind you. Radio just isn't radio without Morse Code. The Ham motto "When all else fails" must have been thought of with CW in mind. Without it, you have only half of the medal...

Gil.

Thanks Randy, glad you found the site  :)

Gil.

One up for grabs: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181004550433

Today i assembled the qrpkits.com frequency counter. Most of the parts are surface mounted. Calling them "tiny" is an understatement. I found that the best way is to put a tiny bit of solder on one pad, place the component in place with tweezers hold it down and melt the solder. Soldering the remaining pins then is easy.





Gil.

My bag is an Elerlestock X3 LoDrag. It has two compartments, top and bottom. The lower compartment I use for items that would not necessarily be used, like a medical kit. I have Datrex emergency food rations for a couple days. The bag has two hydration pouches. I am still building the medical kit. I have a Katadyn water filter.  A solar panel will be next. Other than that:

• Small waterproof binoculars.
• Kukhuri knife.
• Cold Steel Master Tanto.
• Leatherman tollkit.
• Magnesium fire starter.
• Streamlight flashlight.
• Maglite.
• Slingshot.
• Fishing kit.
• Medical kit.
• Wire saw.
• Rock-Mite 40 & key.
• 40m end-fed dipole.
• Batteries.
• Pair of FRS radios.
• Yaesu FT-270R.
• Change of clothes.

I am probably forgetting things, but that's what I remember right now. It is not finished yet, but getting close. My Elecraft K1 has it's own go-case.
To the bug-out bag I plan on adding a bug-out chest: http://www.emscases.com/pelican-hardigg-al4024-x-large-shipping-case.aspx
This case will have the items I would want to have for an extended emergency. It will be stored in my closet...
The bug-out bag goes with me whenever I am further than walking distance from home.

I should add a small bottle of Cointreau and a handful of cigars...  ;D

Gil.

You guys should check these out:

http://www.radiofreeredoubt.com/inside-rfr-2/my-bookings/about-the-a-r-n-amrron/

http://www.taprn.com

Gil.

That sounds like my ideal vacation!
Gil.

I just found out myself. Some guys were talking about it on a local repeater: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NXDN. They are upgrading their repeaters to this new mode. Presumably, it adds ten miles of range to FM radios. It is digital voice. So, you do get some extra privacy, right now anyway, because there aren't many around yet. Icom and Kenwood make the radios...

Gil.

Congratulations Ray! Welcome to the club  8) LOL.

Gil.

Congratulation on the tickets and welcome aboard  :)
I have the Buddistick, and it works great up to 30m.
The jury is still out on 40...


gil.