Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - gil

#2986
Tactical Corner / Re: Ham Radio Fitness.
September 09, 2012, 01:20:46 PM
Jonas, what if you need to run after them  ;)

Gil.
#2987
Digital Modes / Are digital modes practical for prepping?
September 09, 2012, 01:19:29 PM
I used to think that CW was the only practical data mode for preppers. I still think it is the most important one. There might be a place however for data modes in emergency situations. I am thinking of news bulletins and passing messages. ConfederateColonel got me thinking about this.. Some modes like Olivia can decode a message buried deep in the noise. You can't even hear anything but static, but the data comes through. These modes are amazing in that regard. With the abundance of sub-$300 laptops and the simplicity of connecting them to your radio via the earphone/microphone jacks, why not give it a try? A news bulletin can be typed, then cut-and-pasted into a program like fldigi. Some software will allow you to set your radio as a beacon and transmit the message at regular intervals. Even at QRP power, it will eventually go through... The biggest issue with digital modes is to agree on a standard. After reading about practically all of them, my vote goes to Olivia. I have yet to experiment though, so let's discuss possible modes and setups to achieve a practical solution.

Radio Preppers I hope will eventually end-up on the air. We won't call it that of course, it will just be another friendly net.. We could then practice voice, CW, and one data mode for our purpose. The main band will probably be 40m because some of it is accessible by all license levels and propagation works even in low solar activity. NVIS is possible as well for local contacts. 40m is the most versatile band in my opinion. The General exam is fairly easy..

For prepping purposes, I don't think it is a good thing to spread out to many bands and modes (except on receive). Having just a few "watering holes" would make it easier to find "like-minded" individuals, people who read this forum. Note that the goal here is not to form some kind of militia group. It is to exchange information on developing events between somewhat trusted individuals with whom we may have had prior contact and maybe even developed a friendship with.

So, do we need digital modes?

Gil.

#2988
From Wikipedia:
QuoteAd hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task.
Exactly what this site is...

Radio Preppers will be what it's members make of it. You want it to be a reputable source of information, make it so.
I am not taking offense. I have too good an opinion of my own work for that and too much self esteem to take it personally.

Scott does participate in this site quite a bit and does start new threads on a regular basis.
I can see Scott that you have strong opinions, and that's fine as long as they are expressed politely.
So far so good. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

I do not want RP to be a highly moderated site. There has to be a place for debate and disagreements.
What I will not tolerate is ab-hominem attacks and foul language.

Make no mistake, if moderation is ever needed, I will come down like the hammer of Thor.

Gil.
#2989
General Discussion / Re: The Postman Scenario
September 09, 2012, 12:29:38 PM
Well, Colonel, I have been looking into digital modes and they have my attention now. I connected my Mac to My K2 and ran fldigi.. Heard some PSK31 signals and was amazed at how well they decoded, even though I could barely hear the signal. I read the Olivia mode is even better and can decode signals deep in the static, that you can't even hear! I can see now, thanks to your post, that a digital mode would be great to send news bulletins. Cut-and-paste your text, set your software to behave as a beacon... It's a bit more involved than CW for sure, but with the abundance of cheap sub-$300 laptops, still a viable option. I will be looking into Olivia 16/500 on the K2. The problem with digital modes is that there are so many. We need a prepping standard!

Gil.
#2990
Tactical Corner / Re: So what's your plan?
September 09, 2012, 12:20:35 PM
QuoteVHF radios with MURS motion sensors.

Hello Frosty, sounds like you are awesomely prepared.. What are those motion sensors, you have a link?

Gil.
#2991
Hum, it wouldn't hurt any...

Comments?
#2992
Tactical Corner / Re: Help from Elmers for NuBs
September 08, 2012, 04:28:28 PM
Quoteless reputable startup sites like this one.

It doesn't matter one bit which site you post it on, here or QRZ.com or Facebook, once on the web, anyone can see it. Actually, a less-known site is a lesser risk. If I want to check anyone's address, I would go to QRZ.com or Eham.net, not on Radio Preppers! I will not be posting my call sign once I get it. Once we start a net, you'll hear it on the air, but you won't see it online. Just in case someone wants to get some radio equipment for cheap...

Gil.
#2993
Morse Code / Re: Starting the Morse Code Board.
September 08, 2012, 04:22:19 PM
Using FM for CW, hum... Like making high pitched noises with your voice or verbally saying ditditdah... LOL  ;D

Gil.
#2994
Tactical Corner / Re: So what's your plan?
September 08, 2012, 04:19:46 PM
It's great to have a Bug-Out-Location, I wish I did... Not everyone owns property in the boonies. I still wonder what the hell I would do if the town went apes--t..

Gil.
#2995
Licensing / Re: Do you REALLY need that ham license?
September 08, 2012, 12:25:22 PM
I certainly agree on getting a license. It isn't difficult or costly. People often forget how much training goes into prepping. Storing a few key supplies and gear is the easy part. Knowing how to use it all efficiently is another matter. Ever built a deadfall trap for small game? I have.. And no, it didn't work the first time.. When the SHTF, it's too late to start learning. Everything should come as second nature then.

Gil.
#2996
New To Radio / Re: QSO Card - Please explain
September 08, 2012, 10:33:43 AM
Hello Sunflower.

A QSL card is like a postcard you mail to someone you had a conversation with, which included a signal report and maybe something about your station. People collect them from all around the world..

Gil.
#2997
New To Radio / Re: Those Mysterious "Q-codes"
September 08, 2012, 10:32:59 AM
Hello Sunflower.

A QSL card is like a postcard you mail to someone you had a conversation with, which included a signal report and maybe something about your station. People collect them from all around the world..

Gil.
#2998
Hello,

Aside from a few handhelds and one or two HF radios, there are other electronic items that should be protected as well. One of them, seldom thought about, is a solar powered scientific calculator. I have a feeling that they would be priceless in a reconstruction effort.. I would also include a couple small solar charge controllers. And why not, cheap Casio watches for everyone in the family, with a bunch of spare batteries. What else would be vital to have?

http://www.futurescience.com/emp/emp-protection.html

Gil.
#2999
General Discussion / Re: A question for all prepper hams
September 07, 2012, 03:31:30 PM
I think there is a lot to say about transparency.. In an real emergency situation, I don't think going all "tactical," as many might be tempted to do, is a good idea. If you're just trying to find out what's going on, who cares.. As Ray says, listen, transmit little. You want to draw little attention, take care of your family and friends and survive. Keep the camo face paint for later. There probably are satellites up there that can triangulate a signal in seconds. I would be much more worried about the gangs of thugs a few blocks from my house than anything else.
Radio might be very important to gather potentially life-saving information, but it would have another most important role: To make us feel less isolated and give us hope.

Gil.
#3000
Hi Ray, you should post pictures of your KX1 on the technical board ;)

Gil