Due to conflicting work schedules and etc. we had our family Christmas today.  I score BIG in at least two ways:

1.   My Wife received food prep/dehydrating items & I love to eat...

2.   My present was a CW/SSB kit for 80 meters called the The Survivor.  A very small, 10 Watt 80 meter rig with VERY low ~50 mA receiver current. Maybe I can have it ready to check-in with The American Preppers Radio Network (TAPRN) SSB net which is on-air every Sunday night at 9 pm eastern from 3818 + for QRM. Listen for 'The Lady Net Control'.     :-X

Here is a link to the kit:

http://www.qrpkits.com/survivor.html

3.   To go along with my BIG love of small radios, my Wife gave me a Morse Express Christmas Key -




So, my workbench is cleared (not necessarily 'clean') and it's time to begin building...


Merry Christmas to You All,

Ray

For those who don't know the RockMite transceiver, it's a single frequency, HF CW transmitter/receiver with built in keyer for under $30. I have made many contacts with mine on 20 meters with it's MIGHTY half Watt. Unfortunately, K1SWL who made these and many other excellent kits available down through the years, retired his business and the mighty RockMite went extinct - - - temporarily.

The good folks at qrpme.com are continuing Dav'es RockMite tradition at their website, offering their updated RockMite kits at the link below. Until the end of the year, the price is $40 with TWO sets of crystals.

http://www.qrpme.com/pages/XCVRS.php

How cool is THAT?


72 de RadioRay ..._   ._

In a world with cheap, global and easy to use communication via a smartphone in our shirt pocket, to many people, all this business of ham radio and Morse Code is just over-the-top "stupid".  I mean, why would a person want all  that hassle when cellphones are so reliable - right?

Well, the fact of the matter is that cell phones ARE amazingly reliable, versatile and handy - until one moment they stop. It's rare when it does - but I've been through it more than a few times. There is also the aspect that there ARE places in the US where the is simply no coverage - not a few low spots, but entire regions of the West have no coverage and likely never will - because the population density is too low to make a profit. Remember the silicon valley guy who died after taking a wrong turn in a winter storm in Nevada?  No cell coverage, but a sub $100 QRP rig would have been excellent.

There is also the question of what it means to 'communicate'.  Yes - there are some who just get on the radio and talk about absolutely nothing for hours - maybe all night, like a teenaged girl on the phone.  Listen to 80 meter SSB at night.  Some of it would make a maggot gag. Back to topic though; for a prepper, communication is usually more like texting, rather than the endless discussion of little or nothing.  Communication for content is like texting.  A message like :

AM AT BILLS PLACE. IS IT SAFE AT THE FARM?

Could be the most important message in your life, determining your travel/relocation plans.   or

YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY SAFE AND STAYING AT 1ST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BURGESS, VA. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

... or even just a SITREP from camp - which we've done among ourselves on more than one occasion.

Next up is the level of comms to discuss local and world events and their possible impact and even full conversations about everything from politics to - yes - radios. We DO build radios to talk about radios we would like to build. ha ha 

In short - real communication, without dependence upon commercial infrastructure can be accomplished with amazingly portable rigs, available for less than the cost of a monthly cell phone bill - per month.  It's not as easy, nor as flexible, but it's something to think about. (or to talk about on the radio...)


Your thoughts?


>RadioRay ..._ ._

I thought that I should make a video of my version of Elecraft's KX1, since I've been putting out the word that it's for sale.  Frankly, after making this video and playing around with it on the air, I am questioning whether to sell it, but I do need money for my next BIG project.  We're hams, so we all know how THAT goes!     ;)

Either way,  here is a YouTube link to a quick video I made showing my "UP-ARMORED" KX1 in action.

http://youtu.be/hmJdMqnKjzU


73 de RadioRay ..._ ._

My Uber-Trail-Friendly KX-1 is...

NOT FOR SALE! I changed my mind, but I'll leave this posting up for posterity.

I have reached the point where I am no longer 'mobile' enough to really make good use of my field survivable KX1. . .

SO WHAT?  I BUILT IT. I   L I K E   IT   AND I CANNOT EASILY REPLACE IT.
Water proof 'kayaker' box made by Otterbox, with a custom made aluminum hardware mounted inside of the case to fit the custom made front panel of this KX1 transceiver.  This is not merely a KX1 in a Pelican case. The waterproof case is an integral part of the transceiver and water tight when closed. You can literally place it on the ground, unlatch the lid, hook up your wires, power ON and start operating. (Be certain to light your pipe and pour your Cointreau first ...)



I have mounted 50 mA/Hr solar panels to the top of the case which trickle charge 9x 1500 mA/Hr NiMH cells which are hot glued inside of the case.  There is a reason for the hot glue. I had used AA battery holders in the past, but found that even the best would 'loose' the batteries if the rucksack had even a minor bump.  I had a trip with bush pilot that not only did that to a (different) rig & loose its AA cells, one of his helpers knocked the optics on one of my weapons out of zero while tossing gear into the aircraft. Not a good thing in moose and griz country.

He was a great pilot though and more than a little crazy. On our return filght out of the wilderness, he set us down right onto the numbers at the little return airport after doing a hammerhead stall above the end of the field - just to see if my buddy and I would crap our pants.  That was some great flying, we recorded it and it's in a survival video we were crew on,  so it was worth it.

Alkaline batteries drop voltage quickly with use, even when still technically 'charged'. Considering that NiMH cells should last for several YEARS of recharges. By using low current solar panels on top, I do not use a charge regulator, allowing the batteries to charge directly from the mini-solar cells at C50 maximum. (i/e the literature says that is too little current to fry the NiMH batteries) .  The KX1 has a built in voltmeter and voltage warning, so that it's VERY easy to monitor the charge state of your internal batteries from the front panel.

KX-1 Options installed:

> Elecraft KX1 80, 40, 30, 20 meters

> Elecraft internal, automatic antenna coupler

> Palm Paddles mounted & protected on the face plate.
(see pictures - better than Elecraft paddles, in my opinion.)

> External power via Anderson PowerPole connector on top panel.
(Note: KX1 comes stock with circuitry that automatically switches to whichever power source is higher voltage: internal batteries or external power. Pretty good thinking on their part!)

> Padded, well fitting, cloth case, containing slant wire antenna with weight, counterpoise wire, small emergency 12 volt Lithium battery incase you loose all other power. (It's an EMERGENCY radio - right?!?)

> The KX-1 manual is available on-line at the Elecraft site. 

>>> My ear buds have been IN my ears - You DON'T want them!  I will leave them out. ha ha


>>>  I was considering a trade or partial trade for an HF transceiver. I am thinking an FT-857 , IC-7200 or a classic 1956 Vincent Black-Shadow 1000cc motorcycle in showroom condition... :^)  might be a possibility.



I am looking for an HF mobile, preferably with a remotable control head, so let's talk. If you THINK you have an idea of a trade - please e-mail me through this forum and we'll try to strike a bargain.I will list this KX1 here for a few days, then send it onto the usual on-line auction sites, sit back and watch the carnage.  I would rather sell it here - to keep it 'in the family'. Because there is nothing like this on the market, the NEW price is  ...



...  personally delivered to your door by Scarlett Johanssen (or other representative)




73 de RadioRay ..._  ._

I saw this, and immediately thought of Gil .... and cappuccino!

http://youtu.be/96ZRY0LiTg4


I love it -


de RadioRay ..._ ._

NatGeo had this program on Sunday night.  I think that because of this program, the Preppers (TAPRN) HF voice net had three people...  instead of the dozen or more that we usually have. I have read reviews about this TV 'docudrama' that it is "GREAT!" and also that it's a "piece of %$^&!" and all kinds of opinions in between.  Having not watched it, I have no opinion, but here is a link to YouTube where someone posted the full TV program.  Who knows how long it might be available. 

http://youtu.be/PreJvrljihI

>>> Because there is a 'prepper' in this TV show.  I am expecting him to do very, very poorly, because that's what TV teaches us, but maybe this will be different...


de RadioRay ..._ ._

I had written this as part of a long winded (just my style ... ) hijacking of a thread about something else entirely.  So - what the heck - let's just plop it into the correct venue and see if a discussion develops.

--- Ray
(Able to type faster than the speed of thought!)

---- Original Post Follows ----

Form fits function.

One of the most exasperating things I see from "preppers" when they write about 'ham radio' is that they are virtually always discussing HandiTalkies.  HT's are - welllll, "handy". but frankly there is little difference between a 2 meter HT and a MURS HT (though ham HT's are usually good scanners).  Both are mid-VHF , FM HT's.  It's often missed that we hams have many different tools for different tasks. I like the layered approach.

For baseline, high reliability and low cost of entry and sustaining, there is nothing like CW QRP and etc. This works very well for both high mobility scenarios, when a person might have to be on the move (a BAD situation, BTW) or from home.  The next layer is more of a 'social layer' and is found in the various HF SSB voice nets which are on the air right now and the general conversation with hams from your area and also distant regions.  Whether for strictly listening or for interaction, I've found voice comms handy when getting local area reporting about an event, as opposed to wha tthe controlled media will tell you.  However, the information is only as good as the source - or less...

The next layer up is one I prefer to just jump directly to, and that is the HF e-mail over radio.  If you are in the situation where you can keep a laptop alive and have a rig capable of running sound card modes, you are entirely able to participate in e-mail over radio. There are tremendous advantages to this in convenience, because you may not be able to meet at the same time and same frequency every day.  Secondly, because it's true e-mail you can link with both hams and non-hams, if the internet is operating outside of your impacted area.  If the internet is down universally, then you can either send/receive your message traffic automatically through a digital 'mailbox' or directly with the station your choose to communicate with.  Naturally, because the two prime e-mail over radio modes are full error correcting modes, there are NO GARBLES, you know when a message is delivered, you can send ANY digital file which you can currently send over internet, including pictures, .doc files and etc.  That can be handy. An e-mail over radio system allows you to send/receive your radio traffic when it's convenient for YOU.  The #1 killer of skeds and nets is people not getting on the air at the right times/freqs and the propagation not being good for everyone in the net.

>>>  If you want to do more than point-to-point communication with a few people, then the e-mail over radio is a superb solution (WINMOR is FREEware) >> if << you are able to make use of both a radio transceiver capable of HF sound card modes AND keep a laptop alive. That last part can be very difficult on the run, but  not so tough from a stable location.

All this being said, you do, Do, DO want to keep your 'baseline communication' operational.  If the computer dies, if it locks-up due to stray RF from a quick-up antenna and etc. you'll want to be able to reach for the key and continue to communicate.  It's also a matter of how much message traffic you are going to be NEEDING to exchange.  If you're like Gil and I in our CW skeds, with conversation and the occasional SMS LIKE short message being passed, then CW will absolutely support that and a lot more, allowing the tiny QRP rigs to be your easily maintained baseline.  If on the other hand, the goal is to relay news and information (intelligence) verbatim, to several stations and to do it efficiently, then the e-mail over radio can send those bulletins for you auto-magically when your network stations check-in.  This works - it's been going on for decades on the HF bands.

In short - use what works but ALWAYS keep a last ditch (base line) communications method that requires very little in the way of energy budget and etc. so that you can communicate enough to keep in touch with those you must and also to have the occasional chat one the air with others as you see fit.  Radio communication is a powerful tool - the fact that we enjoy it as a 'hobby' is simple icing on the cake.


73 de RadioRay ..._ ._

This just showed-up.  Might be fun to watch,  It's CERTAINLY fun to comment on...


http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?410175-HamRadioNow-Hams-and-Preppers-%28Be-VERY-Prepared%29



de RadioRay ..._ ._

Somehow when I saw this clip on YouTube I just immediately pictured Gil.

http://youtu.be/l9Mp3MemzeU


He's already been /java   , that is, portable from his coffee shop. So why not THIS?



de RadioRay ..._ ._

... when I saw THIS: frequency hopping for Icom radios!

http://home.lizzy.com.au/syntor/Skippy.html

Then some damned lawyers got involved (read the fine print at the bottom).

>de RadioRay ..._ ._

For those who have a strong back and see filters and free tuning VFO's as being made for SISSIES, here is a radio for you!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clansman-PRC320-30-Watt-HF-Transciever-package-with-Extras-US-SELLER-100-Working-/181228130394?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3209d05a

As seen in the Falklands/Malvinas war, the Clansman manpack radio is ready for anything - except repair of the Plessy IC chips which were made ONLY for this series of radios.  The factory spares were stored in a warehouse - which burned down.  Yes - it will probably run forever. If however it does not - it is basically unrepairable - a risk that those who love 'green radios' are willing to take.



I've talked wtih Paul/W0RW in Morse from the top of Pike's Peaks in Colorado (over 14,000 peak) as he walked from wind break rock to windbreak rock using his PRC-319 Special Forces radio which looks very similar to this PRC-320 but dozen a few extra tricks. for portable field radios this is pretty low on the Watts per pound scale!  However, it suuuuuuure is cool!



de RadioRay ..._ ._

Reminder: every Sunday there is a net held in SSB (apparently voice can be sent over radio - who knew?) Right now the freq is 'around' 7242LSB, depending upon interference.  It will move UP the band to find a clear spot.  Net control is Ruth, whose voice is easy to find on a band filled with grumpy old men.   >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(  :-*  >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(


'SEE' you on the radio.  This is the one time per week I am in voice on the radio.


de RadioRay ..._ ._

I like to browse the Japanese QRP sites and this popped-up.

http://silentsystem.jp/handypsk.htm


Be sure to read their FAQ. (Link at bottom.)


5 Watt, linear amplifier kits are as inexpensive as $18 at U.S. QRP sites ...


de RadioRay ..._ ._

Well -

Back in the early 1990's, I bought a Sony LW/AM/HF/FM band receiver with discrete sideband reception and etc.  The model was the SW100.  It was the size of an audio cassette tape, popular at the time. A real marvel. I am certain that I spent over $300 for it at the Denver area HRO. 



I have drug this radio over four continents. Exposed it to sub-zero temps at high altitude in snow camps in Colorado and Idaho, roasting deserts in the USA, jungle cities on Borneo. As a back-up HF receiver for sailing weather. I've even had it in Japan and Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, The Czech Republic .... the list goes on.  It's been SO used and has so many repairs, that the outside is well worn, even the semi-sticky rubber coating is almost completely worn off.  I could probably repair it yet again, but it's SOOOOO worn out and patched battery door latch was made from a Japanese paper clip when the radio was dropped onto a hard floor and broke away the door dogs...  Well, it finally died 3 days ago, which is good, because if it had been a horse, I would probably have had to SHOOT it anyway, because it was so worn-out & tired!

So, I decided to replace it.  Not requiring the ultra-miniature radio, but still wanting something to put into my day pack; I selected the Kaito 1103 (AKA: Degen 1103) from an Amazon vendor.  The radio has always had glowing reviews of great sensitivity, better and average selectivity, DOUBLE CONVERSION which greatly reduces 'ghost' interference. Naturally, it has a BFO so that I can receive SSB and CW.  This is NOT discrete upper/lower side band as the old Sony had, but for a radio that cost me $69 plus $3 and some change for delivery to my door in less than 24 hours, no complaints. The radio comes with 4 AA NiMH batteries and the radio has a built-in charger when powered using the supplied wall wart.



Mini-Review:  Wow!  Excellent sensitivity, stable, SSB/CW is usable, though not to be mistaken for a communications grade receiver, due to the WIDE bandwidth, because the radio is optimized for shortwave listening.  As a plus, it's a HOT FM and AM receiver as well, in fact better than anything I've owned in years for listening to AM/FM which I largely avoid. This radio has an audio sample port that is separate from the headphone jack so that you can port audio to a PC or iPhone/iPod to read PSK31, or to look at weather fax from HF. 

Without a doubt, I appreciate this new radio.  No - I cannot put three of them into my shirt pocket.  Then again, it's a hotter receiver, more stable and cost me just over $72 delivered to my door in under one day, as opposed to the over $300 of my 1994 Dollars and a long drive.

>>>====>  If you want a small, good performing portable shortwave receiver with SSB/CW capability (remember this is NOT separate USB/LSB, it is BFO injection) then I can highly recommend the Kaito 1103 also sold as the Degen 1103.  Shop around for best prices, but Amazon did well for me.


>de RadioRay ..._ ._

Ps.  This and a small solar charger would keep you going for a VERY long time!

For all the bluster on many ham forums, usually by the same crowd, it's proven repeatedly that ham radio is often how information makes it out of stricken areas. Anexample is the HEAVY rainfall that fell onto the northeastern watershed of the Rocky mountains, often causing walls of water, mud and debris to roar down the narrow canyons, causing tremendous damage.  I use to live there and know the terrain well.

Here's a Tweet from the Laramer County Sheriff:

3:50 PM
TwitterLarimer Sheriff @LarimerSheriff
Estes Park Fire tells us through our ham radio friends
that students stuck at YMCA camp are being taken out
over Trail Ridge Road.

So, once again, the facts are quite different from the 'cell phones never fail , trunked systems never fail' and etc. I probably know some of the hams up the mountain handling this emergency.




>RadioRay ..._  ._

Some 'experts' tell us that 'this could never happen'.  or 'the government would never let that happen' (I would add - "to themselves...")  yet SOME people think that a general loss of electrical infrastructure, caused by any number of events and activities is entirely possible.  It's food for thought.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/us/as-worries-over-the-power-grid-rise-a-drill-will-simulate-a-knockout-blow.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&

But don't worry - when that happen we'll all just use our cell phones...  as one 'survival expert' tells his followers. 



de RadioRay ..._ ._

I run Ubuntu 12.X   and this site had a very simple set of commands to make the Bitmessage (please look it up).   Bitmessage is a distributed system like BitCoin, but used decentralized, encrypted e-mail and group mailings.

Here is the URL with directions for Linux users:

http://www.unixmen.com/send-encrypted-messages-with-bitmessage/

The only changes for me, was instead of going to root, I used 'sudo', which is you are an Ubuntu user, you know is a way to do things without leaving root open.  My Ubuntu also did not have 'git' , so I downloaded that as well.

In short - it all worked, including exchanges with a buddy using this system.


No need for Windoze!


Waa-Hoo!


de RadioRay ..._ ._

Well, I have put up a fine Carolina Windom running East/West at about 56 ft to the center, with ends higher.  So far, I got into Detroit at '30 over S-9' at 4 pm. From Virginia during daylight on 40m, that is rather amazing. Looking forward to listening for KK0G and KC9TNH tonight as well a TAPRN net, 9 pm Eastern about 7242 +- QRM. For the SSB (which I rarely use, other than for nets, most of which are in voice) I have the old , faithful Icom M700 marine SSB in the ham nook.  I am working to mod it for CW and WINMOR.


de RadioRay ..._ ._

Does anyone here have experience using the Nextel iDen / "WalkieTalkie" feature on these phones?  They are 'old' phones and so seen as door stops by most people and I have found them on E-bay used for $15-25 on E-Bay and etc.  Here is why I am considering them

1.   They are frequency hopping transceivers, greatly lowering the probability of intercept by almost anyone other than a three letter agency.

2.   They PROBABLY use the telco CODEC for audio during the hops, because analog audio cell phones are MUCH older technology than this. If they DO use the CODEC audio then this would make it 'practically' impossible for an non-governmental-entity to intercept and listen to audio. ((though there is one guy I have seen work who might be able to do it, if he leaves Germany with his European team and comes here with all their computers and cellphone hacking equipment during a societal meltdown with this specific goal in mind.)) ... Not very likely.

3.   They match my need for SWAP (Size, Weight & Power) and price!  They are inexpensive.


Without using modified antennas, the range is various listed as 1-3 miles, which for home security is fine.  If I implemented this, I would likely run an external gain antenna from the house, using a modified phone/"base station" with good, hardline to extend the range. As we all know, antennas are the FIRST go-to, not power.




>de RadioRay ..._ ._