I've been researching Emergency Fire Starters. The most reliable and weatherproof are the Magnesium Fire Starters. You can actually get these for just $2.99 (plus shipping) from SurplusComputers.com. The part number for the mag fire starter is PN# CES11615.
Once you have your fire starter, there is the question of good kindling. I have two. Here are the links for videos that show how to make and use them and also how to use the $2.99 Magnesium Fire Starters.
Kindling = cotton balls soaked with petroleum jelly HERE
There is another kindling made from old cotton clothing items (socks, shirts, etc) and an Altoids tin. You can see how to make it HERE.
Either of these kindlings can be easily started with a Magnesium fire starter and will get larger kindling going quickly and easily.
Enjoy!
N7OZH
O. D. Williams
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
MUST HAVES for Emergency Ham Radio
In order to be an effective and useful communicator in an emergency situation, there are a few things you need in addition to a radio.
The first thing is emergency batteries. Now, your radio (HT) may or may not have an optional battery case that allows using standard AA batteries from the grocery store. If it does, you should have one of those. However, for long term emergency communications you need something with a lot more "oomph". That something is an external Gel Cell battery.
These can be had in units as small at 12 Volts and 4 Amp Hours. The largest one you can easily carry around in an emergency is likely to be 12 volts at 7 Amp Hours. Larger units are available, but they are no fun to lug around.
You can usually toss a 12V 4AH battery in a fanny pack or specially made battery carrier.
For charging, these units are easily kept ready to go with a trickle charger like the ones sold at Harbor Freight for under $10.00.
The second thing you absolutely must have is a better antenna than the one that came with your HT. I often refer to the antenna that comes with HTs as a "rubber attentuator". It is supposed to work over a wide range of frequencies and usually on two or more bands.
The problem is, it doesn't work as well as you think it does. Better antennas come in two classes, small ones that attach to your radio in place of the one that came with the radio and external ones that hang from a tree limb or door frame or window frame.
To see antennas in the first category, go to a web site such as http://www.aesham.com and search on HT antennas. Look for ones that are LONGER than the one that came with your radio and for ones that also advertise some level of GAIN.
For the second category, MUCH longer antennas that REALLY get out and can pull in VERY weak signals, you can build those yourself. They are called Twin Lead J-Poles. Here are two links to plans for building your own.
http://www.qsl.net/wb3gck/jpole.htm
http://www.hamuniverse.com/2meter300ohmslimjim.html
You can also buy these from places like aesham.com or eBay or others. Use Google to search for Twin Lead Ham Antennas.
Once you have these two ESSENTIAL items, you are a better prepared emegency communicator than ANYONE who does not have these items.
Now you can begin to work on other items such as Grab And Go bags, portable emergency food supplies, FRS/GMRS radios for communication with others who are not hams, etc.
By the way, if you plan to get FRS/GMRS radios, look for ones with a SCAN feature. The scan feature can be a lifesaver (theirs, not yours) if you are asked to go through a neighborhood looking for survivors. I'll explain why in next month's post.
M7OZH
The first thing is emergency batteries. Now, your radio (HT) may or may not have an optional battery case that allows using standard AA batteries from the grocery store. If it does, you should have one of those. However, for long term emergency communications you need something with a lot more "oomph". That something is an external Gel Cell battery.
These can be had in units as small at 12 Volts and 4 Amp Hours. The largest one you can easily carry around in an emergency is likely to be 12 volts at 7 Amp Hours. Larger units are available, but they are no fun to lug around.
You can usually toss a 12V 4AH battery in a fanny pack or specially made battery carrier.
For charging, these units are easily kept ready to go with a trickle charger like the ones sold at Harbor Freight for under $10.00.
The second thing you absolutely must have is a better antenna than the one that came with your HT. I often refer to the antenna that comes with HTs as a "rubber attentuator". It is supposed to work over a wide range of frequencies and usually on two or more bands.
The problem is, it doesn't work as well as you think it does. Better antennas come in two classes, small ones that attach to your radio in place of the one that came with the radio and external ones that hang from a tree limb or door frame or window frame.
To see antennas in the first category, go to a web site such as http://www.aesham.com and search on HT antennas. Look for ones that are LONGER than the one that came with your radio and for ones that also advertise some level of GAIN.
For the second category, MUCH longer antennas that REALLY get out and can pull in VERY weak signals, you can build those yourself. They are called Twin Lead J-Poles. Here are two links to plans for building your own.
http://www.qsl.net/wb3gck/jpole.htm
http://www.hamuniverse.com/2meter300ohmslimjim.html
You can also buy these from places like aesham.com or eBay or others. Use Google to search for Twin Lead Ham Antennas.
Once you have these two ESSENTIAL items, you are a better prepared emegency communicator than ANYONE who does not have these items.
Now you can begin to work on other items such as Grab And Go bags, portable emergency food supplies, FRS/GMRS radios for communication with others who are not hams, etc.
By the way, if you plan to get FRS/GMRS radios, look for ones with a SCAN feature. The scan feature can be a lifesaver (theirs, not yours) if you are asked to go through a neighborhood looking for survivors. I'll explain why in next month's post.
M7OZH
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Emergency Ham Radio in Tehran, Iran
Tehran, Iran is putting together a disaster response plan for natural disasters. The web site referenced here is put up by a fellow who has discovered Ham Radio and some of its potential in disaster communications.
He is asking for more info on how others have used Ham Radio in emergencies so that he can pass that information on to the decision makers.
You can access his blog HERE and leave a comment for him. Here is a chance to "Pay The Dues" without even hitting the Push To Talk button.
You can also just click on the Title of this story and you will get to the same place. If you are using theh latest version of Internet Explorer, then if you hold down the Control key while clicking on the link, then his page will open in a new tabbed window. With older versions of explorer, the Control-Click trick will open a whole new browser window.
Either way, you will have one window with this site still active.
73s
N7OZH
He is asking for more info on how others have used Ham Radio in emergencies so that he can pass that information on to the decision makers.
You can access his blog HERE and leave a comment for him. Here is a chance to "Pay The Dues" without even hitting the Push To Talk button.
You can also just click on the Title of this story and you will get to the same place. If you are using theh latest version of Internet Explorer, then if you hold down the Control key while clicking on the link, then his page will open in a new tabbed window. With older versions of explorer, the Control-Click trick will open a whole new browser window.
Either way, you will have one window with this site still active.
73s
N7OZH
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ham Radio Hints and Tips for 08/13/2008
Radio Hints
[NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, hold the Control key down while clicking the links. This will cause the link to open in a new window and your main screen will still be in this page. If that does not work, you can cut and paste the links into a new browser window to get the same result.]
Some things that Ham Radio operators need to have or know in operating during a disaster.
You need the manual for your rig in case somebody declares the use of a mode that you do not remember how to program into your computer. Xeroxing the original manual is tedious and not very neat. Rig "Summary" cards and spiral bound summary operating manuals are available from Nifty Accessories. They also sell a really great HT stand that keeps your radio upright without you having to hold it. HTs get really, REALLY hot during prolonged operating and can cause 3rd degree burns if your hand comes into contact with the back of the HT (which is its heat sink).
Summary Manuals, HT stands, etc.
http://www.niftyaccessories.com
We are all expected to use Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) during ALL operations. First you have to know the standards. The following links will take you to some EXCELLENT SOP manuals that you can print out and put in your own three ring binder Operating Manual.
Calgary Standard Operating Procedures
http://caraham.org/ontheair/sop.php
ARES Standard Operating Procedures (Canada)
http://lloydminster.org/sarc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=62
2007 Races SOP
http://www.n2ty.org/rcraces/NYS_RACES/2007_RACES_SOP.pdf
We have all seen pictures on the news of homes after major disasters. Most had strange red markings on the front with a bit "X" in the middle. If you are assigned to walk a neighborhood and report status back to command central, knowing the meaning of those markings can save you a LOT of time and frustration. They are designed to convey a lot of important information in a very small space and they prevent you from checking out a building that has already been checked. You can see a copy of the markings with explanations at the following link. The graphic was hard to readon my screen, but was very easy to read once I printed it out. This should go into your emergency operating manual for your grab and go kit.
Red Cross Markings
http://www.ushero.org/ushero/docs/es/nfpa/1670/nfpa1670_files/image002.jpg
During and/or after some disasters (volcano eruption, earthquake, tornado, etc) the weather is going to be a major concern. If there is a NOAA weather station in your area, you should have that frequency in your radio. Scann the NOAA web site to find your local frequency. There are only 4 or 5 frequencies natiowide and your area will use one of those.
If you have a computer connected to your radio, you can get some excellent weather info, with pictures and explanations at SkyWarn. You will need SkyWarn software, but you can get that for FREE at the following lihk:
SkyWarn Software
http://www.starsradio.org/skywarn/software.php
Morse Code Practice/Training
The greatest morse code program I have ever seen. Characters are always sent at 20 WPM speed, but the overall message can be sent at any speed from 2 WPM to about 35WPM. You constantly improve your speed, but you only learn the sound of the characters ONCE. With most software you learn the characters at 7WPM with 5 WPM spacing, then characters at 12 WPM with 10 WPM spacing and finally characters and message at 20 WPM. Vastly superior to anything else out there and it is entirely FREE! The software is written by G4FON, Ray Goff. You can get it here:
G4FON Koch Trainer
http://www.g4fon.net/
[NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer, hold the Control key down while clicking the links. This will cause the link to open in a new window and your main screen will still be in this page. If that does not work, you can cut and paste the links into a new browser window to get the same result.]
Some things that Ham Radio operators need to have or know in operating during a disaster.
You need the manual for your rig in case somebody declares the use of a mode that you do not remember how to program into your computer. Xeroxing the original manual is tedious and not very neat. Rig "Summary" cards and spiral bound summary operating manuals are available from Nifty Accessories. They also sell a really great HT stand that keeps your radio upright without you having to hold it. HTs get really, REALLY hot during prolonged operating and can cause 3rd degree burns if your hand comes into contact with the back of the HT (which is its heat sink).
Summary Manuals, HT stands, etc.
http://www.niftyaccessories.com
We are all expected to use Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) during ALL operations. First you have to know the standards. The following links will take you to some EXCELLENT SOP manuals that you can print out and put in your own three ring binder Operating Manual.
Calgary Standard Operating Procedures
http://caraham.org/ontheair/sop.php
ARES Standard Operating Procedures (Canada)
http://lloydminster.org/sarc/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=62
2007 Races SOP
http://www.n2ty.org/rcraces/NYS_RACES/2007_RACES_SOP.pdf
We have all seen pictures on the news of homes after major disasters. Most had strange red markings on the front with a bit "X" in the middle. If you are assigned to walk a neighborhood and report status back to command central, knowing the meaning of those markings can save you a LOT of time and frustration. They are designed to convey a lot of important information in a very small space and they prevent you from checking out a building that has already been checked. You can see a copy of the markings with explanations at the following link. The graphic was hard to readon my screen, but was very easy to read once I printed it out. This should go into your emergency operating manual for your grab and go kit.
Red Cross Markings
http://www.ushero.org/ushero/docs/es/nfpa/1670/nfpa1670_files/image002.jpg
During and/or after some disasters (volcano eruption, earthquake, tornado, etc) the weather is going to be a major concern. If there is a NOAA weather station in your area, you should have that frequency in your radio. Scann the NOAA web site to find your local frequency. There are only 4 or 5 frequencies natiowide and your area will use one of those.
If you have a computer connected to your radio, you can get some excellent weather info, with pictures and explanations at SkyWarn. You will need SkyWarn software, but you can get that for FREE at the following lihk:
SkyWarn Software
http://www.starsradio.org/skywarn/software.php
Morse Code Practice/Training
The greatest morse code program I have ever seen. Characters are always sent at 20 WPM speed, but the overall message can be sent at any speed from 2 WPM to about 35WPM. You constantly improve your speed, but you only learn the sound of the characters ONCE. With most software you learn the characters at 7WPM with 5 WPM spacing, then characters at 12 WPM with 10 WPM spacing and finally characters and message at 20 WPM. Vastly superior to anything else out there and it is entirely FREE! The software is written by G4FON, Ray Goff. You can get it here:
G4FON Koch Trainer
http://www.g4fon.net/
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Floods and Storms in the Mid West - Hams To The Rescue
Ham radio has always been called on to help when there is a weather problem. The current situation is no exception. To read what has been going on in the affected areas and learn how ham radio helps out, check out the following link:
Hams and Mid West Flooding
For information on the ARRL's involvement with emergency services, including Homeland Security, check the following link:
ARRL Ham Radio and Emergency Services
For some great emergency radio information check this link:
SERC
When the weather threatens your radio equipment you need insurance. The ARRL has put together an insurance plan that costs less than any others. Your homeowner insurance and car insurance do NOT cover your ham radio equipment unless it is listed in a "rider" to your policy and extra fees are paid. For the best Ham Radio insurance (and the ONLY one recommended by the ARRL), check the following link:
ARRL Ham Radio Insurance
We have heard stories of folks who were in the flooding areas who could not get to their emergency generators because there was no electricity to open the garage door. Could you get to your emergency supplies if there were no AC power?
Do you have a bicycle or small motorized cycle? That may be the only reliable way to get around during a major disaster. Emergency services can block roads and prevent cars from getting into entire areas in an emergency. It has been done before right here in Utah (Bountiful).
More next week.
73 for now.
O. D. Williams
N7OZH
Hams and Mid West Flooding
For information on the ARRL's involvement with emergency services, including Homeland Security, check the following link:
ARRL Ham Radio and Emergency Services
For some great emergency radio information check this link:
SERC
When the weather threatens your radio equipment you need insurance. The ARRL has put together an insurance plan that costs less than any others. Your homeowner insurance and car insurance do NOT cover your ham radio equipment unless it is listed in a "rider" to your policy and extra fees are paid. For the best Ham Radio insurance (and the ONLY one recommended by the ARRL), check the following link:
ARRL Ham Radio Insurance
We have heard stories of folks who were in the flooding areas who could not get to their emergency generators because there was no electricity to open the garage door. Could you get to your emergency supplies if there were no AC power?
Do you have a bicycle or small motorized cycle? That may be the only reliable way to get around during a major disaster. Emergency services can block roads and prevent cars from getting into entire areas in an emergency. It has been done before right here in Utah (Bountiful).
More next week.
73 for now.
O. D. Williams
N7OZH
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