A dedicated headphone/earphone for your radio can be very expensive and some of them are also not very reliable. Also, when they fail you will find that the repair cost is about 70 to 90 % of the cost of a brand new set. (Voice of experience here).
The solution? Build an interface that allows you to use an inexpensive computer headset. You can read about it HERE with pictures. It is an easy project. When the headset fails, spend another $10 and get a new computer headset, not another $65 to replace the dedicated Ham Radio model.
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While we are on the subject of Do-It-Yourself, here are some more Ham Radio kit sources.
http://www.foxdelta.com/
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/
http://www.ac6v.com/kits.htm
http://www.w1wc.com/kits/ <=This one is an AMAZING Resource.
http://www.hamkitt.com/
http://www.nikkemedia.fi/juma/
http://www.eio.com/p-37565-velleman-mk189-12v-car-battery-monitor.aspx
(Other kits also on this site, go to general listing).
Did you know you can work the world with a 1.5 Volt AA battery and a QRP kit that fits in the palm of your hand?
http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?ga=us73&q=qrp+ham+radio+kits
Lots of kits here, including QRP Kits.
http://fivedash.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
http://www.cqc.org/kits.htm
This last one includes keyers and beacons - LOTS of kits.
There are TONS of kits out there and they are inexpensive, educational, and USEFUL. Originally almost all ham radio was in kit form. In the sixties and early seventies, HeathKit was the king of the hill.
Try a kit - you WILL have lots of FUN!
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Additions to your Grab And Go kits.
Utah expects most of its disasters to be due to earthquakes or very strong wind events. In either case, there will be lots of strange and harmful pieces of particulate material floating around in the air. People usually get cuts during a disaster or during the recovery. Open cuts and airborne germs - a disastrous combination. Many of the pathogens in the air after a disaster are also harmful if breathed in.
Does your grab and go kit include simple over the counter disenfectants and topical antibiotics? These can be lifesavers after a disaster and we are not talking about a lot of money. You can add these items to all the grab and go kits in your entire family for a few dollars.
If you do not already have the needed supplies - there is no time like the present to get started.
N7OZH
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Foothill Area Net and RACES VHF Net Info
A correction to tonight's net. The 24 packs of Crystal Geyser water at 3 for $10 is not at Rite Aid, the deal is at Sprouts on 216 South 700 East. RiteAid has ArrowHead water at $3.88 per pack of 24.
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The VHF RACES net last Thursday was most interesting. LOTS of people did not get acknowledged which means they did not get logged.
Various repeaters were linked together and repeater trustees and repeater engineers were online to handle problems. Even with all that talent on standby, the checkin success rate was, in my opinion, not very good. Lots of people DID get checked in but lots of people were never acknowledged.
All of us heard numerous people checking in with good clear signals and no "doubles" and they still were not acknowledged which means that the Net Control Station simply did not hear them.
This leads me to question just how useful and effective the Utah VHF RACES net is going to be in an actual emergency when repeater engineers and trustees may not be available. There are still NCS stations that know the linking codes for the repeaters, but if the system is "hit or miss" with all that high powered help online, how well can it possibly work in a real disaster when not all of the high powered help will be available?
I hope they get the problems worked out and I want to be sure to note that the HF net on odd numbered months works MUCH better because there is no VHF/UHF repeater linking involved. Maybe it is time to include EchoLink in the RACES net. (Of course that assumes that the internet will be functioning during a disaster).
If you have had other (more positive) experiences with VHF/UHF RACES nets in Utah, feel free to post a comment here. Comments are moderated, but all "on topic" comments are usually approved.
-N7OZH-
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The VHF RACES net last Thursday was most interesting. LOTS of people did not get acknowledged which means they did not get logged.
Various repeaters were linked together and repeater trustees and repeater engineers were online to handle problems. Even with all that talent on standby, the checkin success rate was, in my opinion, not very good. Lots of people DID get checked in but lots of people were never acknowledged.
All of us heard numerous people checking in with good clear signals and no "doubles" and they still were not acknowledged which means that the Net Control Station simply did not hear them.
This leads me to question just how useful and effective the Utah VHF RACES net is going to be in an actual emergency when repeater engineers and trustees may not be available. There are still NCS stations that know the linking codes for the repeaters, but if the system is "hit or miss" with all that high powered help online, how well can it possibly work in a real disaster when not all of the high powered help will be available?
I hope they get the problems worked out and I want to be sure to note that the HF net on odd numbered months works MUCH better because there is no VHF/UHF repeater linking involved. Maybe it is time to include EchoLink in the RACES net. (Of course that assumes that the internet will be functioning during a disaster).
If you have had other (more positive) experiences with VHF/UHF RACES nets in Utah, feel free to post a comment here. Comments are moderated, but all "on topic" comments are usually approved.
-N7OZH-
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
MARA 08/14/2013 FIRE STARTERS & MORE
As a kid you probably started dry leaves on fire using a magnifying glass. You can now use the same principle to start a camp fire using a MUCH larger lens. Here is an eBay ad showing an example and a movie showing how quickly it works. Click HERE. (A NEW window will open.)
The RACES Net is tomorrow night, August 15th at 8 PM. For more info or to join RACES, go HERE. (This is the SL County ARES web page.)
On Saturday, August 24th, the SLCO ARES group is having a J-Pole Building Party. More info on the RACES page linked to in the previous paragraph.
There are 4 MAJOR events listed on the www.arpse.org web site that are in need of ham radio operators. Please check out the page and sign up if you can help.
If you are in need of ham radio batteries, or any type of batteries, check out the NiCad Lady HERE. They have batteries for ham radios, cell phones, electric razors, electric toothbrushes and lots more. They also rebuild battery packs for devices that are no longer in production.
N7OZH
The RACES Net is tomorrow night, August 15th at 8 PM. For more info or to join RACES, go HERE. (This is the SL County ARES web page.)
On Saturday, August 24th, the SLCO ARES group is having a J-Pole Building Party. More info on the RACES page linked to in the previous paragraph.
There are 4 MAJOR events listed on the www.arpse.org web site that are in need of ham radio operators. Please check out the page and sign up if you can help.
If you are in need of ham radio batteries, or any type of batteries, check out the NiCad Lady HERE. They have batteries for ham radios, cell phones, electric razors, electric toothbrushes and lots more. They also rebuild battery packs for devices that are no longer in production.
N7OZH
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
ERC Net 08/13/2013
Many groups have augmented their ham radio operators with FRS/GMRS radios. Here are the frequencies for the 22 channels used by FRS/GMRS. Notice that they are just above the Amateur 70cm band frequencies. This means that you can program these into your dual band HT and then be able to scan the FRS/GMRS bands to listen for folks calling for help after a disaster. You can't transmit on these frequencies, but you can listen on them. Thanks to Dave Anderson, K7ORB, for this list. Dave's blog is HERE.
FRS/GMRS Radios
M FREQUENCY M FREQUENCY .
1 462.5625 Shared 12 467.6625 FRS Only
2 462.5875 Shared 13 467.6875 FRS Only
3 462.6125 Shared 14 467.7125 FRS Only
4 462.6375 Shared 15 462.550 GMRS Only
5 462.6625 Shared 16 462.575 GMRS Only
6 462.6875 Shared 17 462.600 GMRS Only
7 462.7125 Shared 18 462.625 GMRS Only
8 467.5625 FRS Only 19 462.650 GMRS Only
9 467.5875 FRS Only 20 462.675 GMRS Only
10 467.6125 FRS Only 21 462.700 GMRS Only
11 467.6375 FRS Only 22 462.725 GMRS Only
If you have a scanner radio, it is also a good idea to program these into your scanner.
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ERC is fortunate to have among its ranks many ham radio operators who can do VHF, UHF, HF and Digital Modes. Some can do CW. All of these modes will be in use during an actual disaster and having operators who already have the equipment and know-how to work these modes is a MAJOR plus. For the rest of you, consider expanding your horizons to include modes above and beyond the ones you currently work.
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Make sure your grab-and-go kit and everything in it has your contact information with it or on it. This is especially true of your radios. In a disaster, items get loaned or operators get switched out. Having your contact info on your gear can mean the difference between getting your stuff back and never seeing it again.
=====
Along that same line, consider ham radio insurance. It is very inexpensive and will replace everything including the computers used to control your radios. There are two main companies providing this type of insurance. One is endorsed by the ARRL and one is not. The rates and coverage are different and you are encouraged to check out both companies and pick the one that is best for you. Just Google Ham Radio Insurance and you will get a great list of providers.
The VERY BEST discussion of ham radio insurance (direct or as a rider on your home/car insurance) is located HERE. Everybody should read this. You will learn something from reading this brief overview and it is very well researched and written.
The VERY BEST discussion of ham radio insurance (direct or as a rider on your home/car insurance) is located HERE. Everybody should read this. You will learn something from reading this brief overview and it is very well researched and written.
=====
Finally, it you scroll down to the ERC entry on this blog for 07/10/2013 you will find the information we discussed last month on useful ham radio scanning modes that will be VERY useful in a disaster. Nobody can remember how to get into and out of all these modes, so you need a "cheat sheet" that will summarize the information for you. You can build your own from your radio's user manual or you can obtain one of those sold on eBay and by AES and by other resellers.
Until next time - N7OZH
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Until next time - N7OZH
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Wednesday, August 07, 2013
MARA 08/07/2013
Hello,
Tonight's net and blog will be brief because I've been under the weather since Sunday and still do not have any strength or endurance.
There is a new manual out that details how to set up the SignaLink ham radio digital interface. It has LOTS of good information and is located HERE.
There is an Emergency Communications Training Manual that is now online. It is over 200 pages and contains a wealth of information. It makes a great study guide, reference manual or live course manual. You can access it HERE.
www.arpse.org has 10 new events listed that are in need of ham radio help. Probably the biggest one is the Wasatch 100 on September 6th. Ham radio operators have been life savers on this event. There is also an event I've never heard of before called the TriathaMom. You can also search events by category and location now.
In past years when our Stake taught ham radio classes for new hams, we produced a CD for the students with all sorts of reference information that was of interest to new hams. It seems like we need to produce a CD relating to Ham Radio Emergency Communications. I am open to suggestions to topics and links you would like to see included. Some items under consideration include:
ProSigns
Q-Codes
Digital Modes of Operation
Emergency Power for Ham Radio
Grab & Go Kits
Shelter In Place Kits
How to cut down on battery drain during an emergency
Fire Starters.
How to build a fire that lasts a LONG TIME.
LED Lights
Auxiliary Power Cords
Emergency First Aid
Dealing with Downed Power Lines
CPR Methods
Emergency Meds
ETC.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. There is lots of room on a CD and we don't want to leave anything off that could be of use to Ham Radio Operators. Send your suggestions to walter@cms-track.com.
YOU MUST include the term Ham Radio in the subject line or your email will be burried in the midst of thousands of pieces of spam and never seen.
That's if for tonight!
N7OZH
Tonight's net and blog will be brief because I've been under the weather since Sunday and still do not have any strength or endurance.
There is a new manual out that details how to set up the SignaLink ham radio digital interface. It has LOTS of good information and is located HERE.
There is an Emergency Communications Training Manual that is now online. It is over 200 pages and contains a wealth of information. It makes a great study guide, reference manual or live course manual. You can access it HERE.
www.arpse.org has 10 new events listed that are in need of ham radio help. Probably the biggest one is the Wasatch 100 on September 6th. Ham radio operators have been life savers on this event. There is also an event I've never heard of before called the TriathaMom. You can also search events by category and location now.
In past years when our Stake taught ham radio classes for new hams, we produced a CD for the students with all sorts of reference information that was of interest to new hams. It seems like we need to produce a CD relating to Ham Radio Emergency Communications. I am open to suggestions to topics and links you would like to see included. Some items under consideration include:
ProSigns
Q-Codes
Digital Modes of Operation
Emergency Power for Ham Radio
Grab & Go Kits
Shelter In Place Kits
How to cut down on battery drain during an emergency
Fire Starters.
How to build a fire that lasts a LONG TIME.
LED Lights
Auxiliary Power Cords
Emergency First Aid
Dealing with Downed Power Lines
CPR Methods
Emergency Meds
ETC.
Any and all suggestions are appreciated. There is lots of room on a CD and we don't want to leave anything off that could be of use to Ham Radio Operators. Send your suggestions to walter@cms-track.com.
YOU MUST include the term Ham Radio in the subject line or your email will be burried in the midst of thousands of pieces of spam and never seen.
That's if for tonight!
N7OZH
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