A ham in California launched a balloon with APRS station K6RPT on board. It was tracked all across the USA, departed the East Coast and went over the ocean where it was tracked by various ships, islands and other stations. Last traced just north of Algeria (in Africa). Altitude had dropped from 100K feet to 14K feet - the balloon has probably popped and is very likey in the drink by now.
When you go to the web page, go to the right side of the page and click to view 3 days of data. Then you can see the entire track. Pretty impressive.
(Click the title to view the APRS page at aprs.fi)
Read about it on QRZ.com here.
===================================
Reverse-911 system fails to notify all residents - system being replaced.
This little county in Oregon has only 26,000 residents in the entire county and the Reverse-911 system was not up to calling all of them. Salt Lake County is a LOT bigger than that and we have a Reverse-911 system. Please share this with every emergency planner you know.
http://www.thenewsguard.com/news/article_d579f4ce-0fe1-11e1-8313-001cc4c03286.html
For a definition and explanation of a Reverse-911 system, you can visit this WikiPedia page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_911
===================================
Cheapest fire starter -
metal scrubbing pads - like Brillo. Touch the pad to the + and - terminals
of a D size battery or a 9 Volt battery and prepare for FLAMES. You should
be holding/positioning the scrubbing pad over the intended target BEFORE
applying the battery.
==================================
Preparedness Expo and Ham Radio
Info KE7ORB - slcfoothillnet.blogspot.com Take a look at Dave's blog. Lots
and Lots of useful information on there!
==================================
RESCUE TAPE - Great stuff for sealing outdoor antenna/cable connections. Can be used to repair leaks in car radiator hoses. Withstands temps to 1500 degrees and
pressures up to 750 PSI. Where to get it - RV SHOW - SPORTSMANS SHOW -
STATE TRAILER SUPPLY - TRUCK STOPS, etc.
==================================
Radio Features for disaster Prep. These are a MUST in a disaster.
1. Ability to punch in a VFO simplex frequency
2. Ability to punch in a VFO repeater frequency with offset and tone.
3. Ability to enable/disable Squelch Codes.
(CTCSS & DCS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System & Digital Coded Squelch)
CTCSS is a sub-audible tone of a particular frequency. 42 freqs from 67.0 to 254.1. numbered 1 to 42.
DCS is a sub-audible tone that represents a 3 digit octal number (0 thru 7). There are 104 predefined sets from 023 to 754
ODD OFFSET RPTR - HOW TO DO IT
NUM OF FREQ - CHEAT CARD FOR FREQS
DOWNLOAD RADIO MANUAL
===================================
Some Emergency Prep Info:
http://www.equipped.com/earthqk.htm
http://www.ARPSE.ORG
For earthquake preparedness, this equipment and these supplies should be stored in waterproof, or at the least, water resistant containers in a SECURE location on the property AWAY FROM THE HOUSE or any likely damage or loss from falling structures, if possible. Use combination locks (all with the same combination) to secure supplies, keys can be lost. Make sure all household members have the combination memorized.
Keep the existence of these supplies a secret from all others. Loose lips can result in stolen or pilfered supplies. When you need them, they may not be there.
If you have a scanner and a CD burner, another strategy is to scan all critical papers and records and place them on a CD. This CD can also be sent to another responsible party for safekeeping.
===================================
Great Handouts and Ideas at these two locations.
http://www.ke7hlr.com/emcomm/ecw08/personal_go-kit_handout.pdf
http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/WA4DQS_Go_Kit_Ideas.htm
===================================
Excellent way to store water at home.
www.waterbob.com - Food Grade Plastic - Funnel On Top - Ciphon On Bottom -
Holds 100 Gal Buy 4 - Get One Free. Search On Google - Some Sites
Resell These For 1/2 The Listed Price.
======================================
N7OZH
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
John Dinkelman + various Ham Radio Topics
John Dinkelman, KC7AW passed away on October 9th. His obit in the Deseret News can be viewed here.
John, or "Dink" as we knew him, was one of the first MARA members and was very active on MARA and other nets. He built many of his own Ham Radio accessories and was unbeatable at tying knots.
He will be missed. You can leave a comment on the obit page in the legacy section. I have placed a comment there in behalf of MARA, but you are welcome to leave your own best wishes and fond memories.
----
There was much discussion on tonight's net about headsets. On eBay, search for the seller named "kawamall". He sells more than anyone else and has throat mikes and other accessories.
---
You can get some other great deals from the eBay seller "W2ENY". I have purchased several items from him and have always been impressed with the quality. One of his cables (with the right software) will allow you to place the audio from your radio on the internet and monitor it at the office or the beach. More details here.
Scroll to the end of the listing to see the info about listening to your rig at home from your office at work.
---
Halloween Info for the Adventuresome.
Those little plastic pumpkin carving tools you see at the grocery store are for little kids. Adults (aka "Real Manly Men")use POWER TOOLS!
A sawzall will take the top (or bottom) off a pumpkin in under 15 seconds. A scroll saw will make short work of cutting out the design. Need to just cut part way through? Grab the Router!
Last year I only did one pumpkin, but it was done in less than 2 minutes. I used a cordless drill fitted with hole saw attachments. Two quick plunges for the eyes, change blades, one quick plunge for the nose, change blades, three overlapping plunges for the mouth. Finished! It took me longer to clean the power tools than it did to "carve" the pumpkin.
You can see some amazing samples and pick up tool tips by Googling "Extreme Pumpkin Carving". There are LOTS of people who do this stuff. It's been shown on television many times and books have been written about it.
One of the best sites for Extreme Pumpkin info is here. There is an entire section on Pumpkin PyroTechnics. Imagine a gruesome pumpkin with 3 foot flames shooting upward from his head. Easy to do and it burns for up to 45 minutes.
After you have been doing this for a few years and get really good at it, you might want to graduate into Psycho Pumpkin Carving. At the Psycho level you are only allowed to use ONE tool to carve the entire pumpkin. The tool? A 22 caliber rifle! Look on the bright side, you will be carving two sides at once! Rifle "carved" pumpkins have the added benefit of being bidirectional which means that when lit they show a face in front and project one in back on the wall of your house!
So, if you have lots of spare time, use the rinky dinky little plastic tools. If you are pressed for time, GRAB THE POWER TOOLS!
---
Happy Halloween from N7OZH.
John, or "Dink" as we knew him, was one of the first MARA members and was very active on MARA and other nets. He built many of his own Ham Radio accessories and was unbeatable at tying knots.
He will be missed. You can leave a comment on the obit page in the legacy section. I have placed a comment there in behalf of MARA, but you are welcome to leave your own best wishes and fond memories.
----
There was much discussion on tonight's net about headsets. On eBay, search for the seller named "kawamall". He sells more than anyone else and has throat mikes and other accessories.
---
You can get some other great deals from the eBay seller "W2ENY". I have purchased several items from him and have always been impressed with the quality. One of his cables (with the right software) will allow you to place the audio from your radio on the internet and monitor it at the office or the beach. More details here.
Scroll to the end of the listing to see the info about listening to your rig at home from your office at work.
---
Halloween Info for the Adventuresome.
Those little plastic pumpkin carving tools you see at the grocery store are for little kids. Adults (aka "Real Manly Men")use POWER TOOLS!
A sawzall will take the top (or bottom) off a pumpkin in under 15 seconds. A scroll saw will make short work of cutting out the design. Need to just cut part way through? Grab the Router!
Last year I only did one pumpkin, but it was done in less than 2 minutes. I used a cordless drill fitted with hole saw attachments. Two quick plunges for the eyes, change blades, one quick plunge for the nose, change blades, three overlapping plunges for the mouth. Finished! It took me longer to clean the power tools than it did to "carve" the pumpkin.
You can see some amazing samples and pick up tool tips by Googling "Extreme Pumpkin Carving". There are LOTS of people who do this stuff. It's been shown on television many times and books have been written about it.
One of the best sites for Extreme Pumpkin info is here. There is an entire section on Pumpkin PyroTechnics. Imagine a gruesome pumpkin with 3 foot flames shooting upward from his head. Easy to do and it burns for up to 45 minutes.
After you have been doing this for a few years and get really good at it, you might want to graduate into Psycho Pumpkin Carving. At the Psycho level you are only allowed to use ONE tool to carve the entire pumpkin. The tool? A 22 caliber rifle! Look on the bright side, you will be carving two sides at once! Rifle "carved" pumpkins have the added benefit of being bidirectional which means that when lit they show a face in front and project one in back on the wall of your house!
So, if you have lots of spare time, use the rinky dinky little plastic tools. If you are pressed for time, GRAB THE POWER TOOLS!
---
Happy Halloween from N7OZH.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Preparedness Expo and Ham Radio Info
KE7ORB - slcfoothillnet.blogspot.com
Take a look at Dave's blog. Lots and Lots of useful information on there!
=====
There is a Preparedness Expo coming to the Salt Lake Expo Center October 7 and 8. The following link gives info and gets a $2.00 discount on all tickets. Adults $9, Seniors $7, 12 & under FREE. With the discount, Adults are $7 and Seniors are $5. http://www.selfrelianceexpo.com/
=====
Fantastic ham radio and emergency prep pages. These are FASCINATING!
http://www.ke7hlr.com/emcomm/ecw08/personal_go-kit_handout.pdf
http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/WA4DQS_Go_Kit_Ideas.htm
=====
RESCUE TAPE - Can be used to repair leaks in car radiator hoses. Withstands temps to 1500 degrees and pressures up to 750 PSI. Where to get it - RV SHOW - SPORTSMANS
SHOW - STATE TRAILER SUPPLY - TRUCK STOPS, etc.
=====
KJ7ABC - 9PM Thursdays - SE Div Comm Net - 147.50 Simplex
OCT 15 SLC Emerg Exercise - Sgrhse Park
NOV 12 Incident Command Seminar KM7TMS
For more info, contact KJ7ABC - ssmithrph@aol.com
=====
N7OVT - Ham Radio Tech Class October 21,22,28,29 - 4 DAYS $45 which covers manual+registration+door prizes.
contact N70VT@ARRL.NET
=====
The following abilities will be VERY handy during an actual wide spread emergency. On the Wednesday night MARA net (9PM on 146.74 and 448.10 each with a tone of 114.8) we will be practicing these sometime during October. The date of the test will not be given in advance - it's like a pop quiz. These three actions need to be on a "cheat sheet" that you have in your grab and go kit AND at your home operating position so that you can do them instantly.
Radio Features for disaster Prep.
1. Ability to punch in a VFO simplex frequency
2. Ability to punch in a VFO repeater frequency with offset and tone.
3.Ability to enable/disable Squelch Codes.
(CTCSS & DCS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System & Digital Coded Squelch) CTCSS is a sub-audible tone of a particular frequency. 42 freqs from 67.0 to 254.1. numbered 1 to 42.
DCS is a sub-audible tone that represents a 3 digit octal number (0 thru 7). There are 104 predefined sets from 023 to 754
The three features listed above and MANY more are on cheat sheets that various places have for sale. There are pocket sized cheat sheets for all radios made in the last 10 years. Search eBay or aesham.com for Mini Manuals.
=====
Small & Medium Sized Businesses often do not recover from a major disaster. Families can also lose valuable information or items that cannot be replaced. Most college campuses now have cell phone emergency notification procedures in place. REVERSE-911 CALLS ALL CELL & LAND LINE PHONE
To get on a Reverse 911 system for Salt Lake City, contact Beth Todd fire mgr btodd@vecc9-1-1.com
KJ7ABC says that if you want to be registered for alert systems - u of u & u hosp - visit www.slcgov.com/em There you can sign up for SLC alerts.
=====
The following info can be VERY handy after an emergency when some cell towers may be damaged or destroyed. There will also be portable emergency cell towers placed in service after a disaster.
How to Update Cell Tower Codes.
Verizon and Sprint use what is called a CDMA network. While using a CDMA network, there are times when a user has to manually update their PRL, or preferred Roaming List. This is usually when your cell phone provider is building new towers or you find yourself getting poor service in places you use to get good service.
Dial *228 and then press option 2 on your Verizon cell phone. You will hear music to confirm that the new PRL is downloading.
Call customer service and get approved for a PRL update if you are using Sprint. After being approved, dial *2 and follow the prompts. Once complete, your PRL will be up-to-date.
Use the "Update PRL" option in your settings if you are using an Android device. This can be found by going to your home screen, pressing the "Menu"
button then "Settings," "System Updates" and "Update PRL." Your device will automatically download the new PRL.
The PRL Update info needs to be in your Grab and Go kit and also in your travel luggage.
=====
More info from KJ7ABC - WATER BOB - WWW.WATERBOB.COM - Emergency water storage device made from food grade plastic - funnel on top - siphon on bottom - holds 100 gal buy 4 - get one free. search on google - some sites resell these for 1/2 the listed price.
Water Bob is not for storing water long term. Normally, the Water Bob is just stored deflated in a closet. Once disaster hits, place Water Bob in the tub and fill it from the tub spigot. Now you have 100 gallons of water to use during the emergency. Discard after the emergency is over.
=====
The MOST incredible antenna I have ever used. Covers 2 Meters and 70 CentiMeters with a single feed line. Just $39.00.
Arrow Antenna - http://www.arrowantennas.com/osj/j-pole.html
=====
Harbor Freight
Trickle Battery Chargers - $4.99, regularly $12.99 Magnesium Fire
Starters - $ 1.99 in flyer or $2.99 off the shelf - $8.00 and up elsewhere. I saw them in Ace Hardware today for $8.99. The exact same ones that are at Harbor Freight for $1.99 to $2.99.
=====
The ham radio term for this post is SWAMPING. Swamping is a more powerful signal that is close by and overloads your receiver front end so that you cannot receive weaker signals on the frequency that you are tuned to. For example, if a 100 Watt police car radio is transmitting within about 50 feet of your handy talky, it will "swamp" your radio and you will not hear the frequency you are tuned to.
=====
I have received several excellent Ham Radio links and info from AD7LO and W7OXZ which I will be adding soon.
That is it for today, more soon. Hope to see you at the Emergency Preparedness Expo.
N7OZH
Take a look at Dave's blog. Lots and Lots of useful information on there!
=====
There is a Preparedness Expo coming to the Salt Lake Expo Center October 7 and 8. The following link gives info and gets a $2.00 discount on all tickets. Adults $9, Seniors $7, 12 & under FREE. With the discount, Adults are $7 and Seniors are $5. http://www.selfrelianceexpo.com/
=====
Fantastic ham radio and emergency prep pages. These are FASCINATING!
http://www.ke7hlr.com/emcomm/ecw08/personal_go-kit_handout.pdf
http://www.fabulousrocketeers.com/WA4DQS_Go_Kit_Ideas.htm
=====
RESCUE TAPE - Can be used to repair leaks in car radiator hoses. Withstands temps to 1500 degrees and pressures up to 750 PSI. Where to get it - RV SHOW - SPORTSMANS
SHOW - STATE TRAILER SUPPLY - TRUCK STOPS, etc.
=====
KJ7ABC - 9PM Thursdays - SE Div Comm Net - 147.50 Simplex
OCT 15 SLC Emerg Exercise - Sgrhse Park
NOV 12 Incident Command Seminar KM7TMS
For more info, contact KJ7ABC - ssmithrph@aol.com
=====
N7OVT - Ham Radio Tech Class October 21,22,28,29 - 4 DAYS $45 which covers manual+registration+door prizes.
contact N70VT@ARRL.NET
=====
The following abilities will be VERY handy during an actual wide spread emergency. On the Wednesday night MARA net (9PM on 146.74 and 448.10 each with a tone of 114.8) we will be practicing these sometime during October. The date of the test will not be given in advance - it's like a pop quiz. These three actions need to be on a "cheat sheet" that you have in your grab and go kit AND at your home operating position so that you can do them instantly.
Radio Features for disaster Prep.
1. Ability to punch in a VFO simplex frequency
2. Ability to punch in a VFO repeater frequency with offset and tone.
3.Ability to enable/disable Squelch Codes.
(CTCSS & DCS = Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System & Digital Coded Squelch) CTCSS is a sub-audible tone of a particular frequency. 42 freqs from 67.0 to 254.1. numbered 1 to 42.
DCS is a sub-audible tone that represents a 3 digit octal number (0 thru 7). There are 104 predefined sets from 023 to 754
The three features listed above and MANY more are on cheat sheets that various places have for sale. There are pocket sized cheat sheets for all radios made in the last 10 years. Search eBay or aesham.com for Mini Manuals.
=====
Small & Medium Sized Businesses often do not recover from a major disaster. Families can also lose valuable information or items that cannot be replaced. Most college campuses now have cell phone emergency notification procedures in place. REVERSE-911 CALLS ALL CELL & LAND LINE PHONE
To get on a Reverse 911 system for Salt Lake City, contact Beth Todd fire mgr btodd@vecc9-1-1.com
KJ7ABC says that if you want to be registered for alert systems - u of u & u hosp - visit www.slcgov.com/em There you can sign up for SLC alerts.
=====
The following info can be VERY handy after an emergency when some cell towers may be damaged or destroyed. There will also be portable emergency cell towers placed in service after a disaster.
How to Update Cell Tower Codes.
Verizon and Sprint use what is called a CDMA network. While using a CDMA network, there are times when a user has to manually update their PRL, or preferred Roaming List. This is usually when your cell phone provider is building new towers or you find yourself getting poor service in places you use to get good service.
Dial *228 and then press option 2 on your Verizon cell phone. You will hear music to confirm that the new PRL is downloading.
Call customer service and get approved for a PRL update if you are using Sprint. After being approved, dial *2 and follow the prompts. Once complete, your PRL will be up-to-date.
Use the "Update PRL" option in your settings if you are using an Android device. This can be found by going to your home screen, pressing the "Menu"
button then "Settings," "System Updates" and "Update PRL." Your device will automatically download the new PRL.
The PRL Update info needs to be in your Grab and Go kit and also in your travel luggage.
=====
More info from KJ7ABC - WATER BOB - WWW.WATERBOB.COM - Emergency water storage device made from food grade plastic - funnel on top - siphon on bottom - holds 100 gal buy 4 - get one free. search on google - some sites resell these for 1/2 the listed price.
Water Bob is not for storing water long term. Normally, the Water Bob is just stored deflated in a closet. Once disaster hits, place Water Bob in the tub and fill it from the tub spigot. Now you have 100 gallons of water to use during the emergency. Discard after the emergency is over.
=====
The MOST incredible antenna I have ever used. Covers 2 Meters and 70 CentiMeters with a single feed line. Just $39.00.
Arrow Antenna - http://www.arrowantennas.com/osj/j-pole.html
=====
Harbor Freight
Trickle Battery Chargers - $4.99, regularly $12.99 Magnesium Fire
Starters - $ 1.99 in flyer or $2.99 off the shelf - $8.00 and up elsewhere. I saw them in Ace Hardware today for $8.99. The exact same ones that are at Harbor Freight for $1.99 to $2.99.
=====
The ham radio term for this post is SWAMPING. Swamping is a more powerful signal that is close by and overloads your receiver front end so that you cannot receive weaker signals on the frequency that you are tuned to. For example, if a 100 Watt police car radio is transmitting within about 50 feet of your handy talky, it will "swamp" your radio and you will not hear the frequency you are tuned to.
=====
I have received several excellent Ham Radio links and info from AD7LO and W7OXZ which I will be adding soon.
That is it for today, more soon. Hope to see you at the Emergency Preparedness Expo.
N7OZH
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Simplex Frequencies
There are a number of simplex frequencies that we should have programmed into our VHF and UHF radios in the event of an emergency. More on those in a minute, here are some misc. items first.
There is a new Ham Radio Blog on the scene. You can check it out here.
There is a SE Division CERT net net at 9PM on Thursday's on 147.50 Simplex. I recommend listning in and this frequency should be in your radio in the event of an emergency because this is where Salt Lake County will be.
GOAL ZERO SOLAR PANELS & LED FLASHLIGHTS
You can find them using Google. They have a flashlight that can be used as a lantern or flashlight. It has a very long cord with a cigarette lighter plug on it so that it can be run from a car or an emergency gel cell. Goal Zero gets about $50 for it, but KE7ORB reports that they are at Emergency Essentials for about $35.
Speaking of flashlights, at Fresh Market Stores they have a red plastic flashlight that (at first glance) seems to be one of those big heavy flashlights that uses so called "lantern batteries" that are large and bulky and heavy and expensive. Not this one. It uses 4 AA cells and is the brightest flashlight I have EVER seen. The multi-function switch turns on the bright white light. Click it again and a RED light in the base turns on (white light goes off). Click again and the red light starts flashing as a warning beacon or emergency locator. Click again and all lights go off. There are two small metal contacts on the outside of the case. If the light is dropped in water, those two metal contacts sense the water and start the red emergency locator red light blinking automatically. About $15 and worth a lot more.
The above banner is for a phone service reseller called Kitty Wireless. They resell Verizon access. You can buy any amount of access that you want or need. Do you have an emergency phone that you never use but keep around for emergencies? How much per year does it cost you? How does $30/Year sound? With this service you have to put money in every 4 months (120 days) to keep your account active. Minimum amount you can put in is $10. That's just $30 a year for Verizon service. You can also put in $25 or $50 every 4 months. Or you can buy Talk-And-Text 1200 for just $29.95 per month. Now you get talk, text and data for a fraction of the Verizon cost. There is also an unlimited plan.
Here is the best part. You can bring your own phone. Any phone that works on Verizon you can activate through Kitty Wireless. Don't have an old Verizon Phone? go to eBay - you can pick them up for cheap. Want a brand new phone? Kitty sells new and refurbished phones. Go to Amazon and you can buy a brand new Palm Pixi Plus Smartphone for $39 and it is Verizon branded.
Sue and I dropped Verizon, went with Kitty Wireless and cut our cell phone bill to ONE FOURTH of what we were paying Verizon and we are STILL with Verizon (through Kitty Wireless)! Oh, you can port your existing cell phone number from Verizon or you can request a new cell phone number. And, best of all, for a limited time new cell phone activations are FREE and Kitty puts $2 on your phone to get you started.
We have been with Kitty Wireless for over 8 months and we love it. I'm big on saving money and this deal was a no brainer. Now I tell everyone I know about it and now I am telling you.
Here is a listing of simplex frequencies that will be crucial to have in your radio in the event of an emergency.
Lets start with SL/Tooele County MARA. Our simplex frequencies are 145.69, 145.31, 145.67 and 145.61. (NOTE: 145.31 is a repeater frequency in Cache and Carbon Counties and its simplex use is on a non-intererence basis only.
ERC simplex frequencies in our area are 145.49, 147.48, 147.44 and 146.60.
Salt Lake County ARES uses 147.54, 145.53, 146.42, 146.50 and 147.46.
The National Simplex Frequency is 146.52.
Code practice can be done on 146.58.
Council of Utah Amateur Radio Clubs uses 146.44 and 147.58.
I'll have more later, that's enough for now.
73 from N7OZH
There is a new Ham Radio Blog on the scene. You can check it out here.
There is a SE Division CERT net net at 9PM on Thursday's on 147.50 Simplex. I recommend listning in and this frequency should be in your radio in the event of an emergency because this is where Salt Lake County will be.
GOAL ZERO SOLAR PANELS & LED FLASHLIGHTS
You can find them using Google. They have a flashlight that can be used as a lantern or flashlight. It has a very long cord with a cigarette lighter plug on it so that it can be run from a car or an emergency gel cell. Goal Zero gets about $50 for it, but KE7ORB reports that they are at Emergency Essentials for about $35.
Speaking of flashlights, at Fresh Market Stores they have a red plastic flashlight that (at first glance) seems to be one of those big heavy flashlights that uses so called "lantern batteries" that are large and bulky and heavy and expensive. Not this one. It uses 4 AA cells and is the brightest flashlight I have EVER seen. The multi-function switch turns on the bright white light. Click it again and a RED light in the base turns on (white light goes off). Click again and the red light starts flashing as a warning beacon or emergency locator. Click again and all lights go off. There are two small metal contacts on the outside of the case. If the light is dropped in water, those two metal contacts sense the water and start the red emergency locator red light blinking automatically. About $15 and worth a lot more.
The above banner is for a phone service reseller called Kitty Wireless. They resell Verizon access. You can buy any amount of access that you want or need. Do you have an emergency phone that you never use but keep around for emergencies? How much per year does it cost you? How does $30/Year sound? With this service you have to put money in every 4 months (120 days) to keep your account active. Minimum amount you can put in is $10. That's just $30 a year for Verizon service. You can also put in $25 or $50 every 4 months. Or you can buy Talk-And-Text 1200 for just $29.95 per month. Now you get talk, text and data for a fraction of the Verizon cost. There is also an unlimited plan.
Here is the best part. You can bring your own phone. Any phone that works on Verizon you can activate through Kitty Wireless. Don't have an old Verizon Phone? go to eBay - you can pick them up for cheap. Want a brand new phone? Kitty sells new and refurbished phones. Go to Amazon and you can buy a brand new Palm Pixi Plus Smartphone for $39 and it is Verizon branded.
Sue and I dropped Verizon, went with Kitty Wireless and cut our cell phone bill to ONE FOURTH of what we were paying Verizon and we are STILL with Verizon (through Kitty Wireless)! Oh, you can port your existing cell phone number from Verizon or you can request a new cell phone number. And, best of all, for a limited time new cell phone activations are FREE and Kitty puts $2 on your phone to get you started.
We have been with Kitty Wireless for over 8 months and we love it. I'm big on saving money and this deal was a no brainer. Now I tell everyone I know about it and now I am telling you.
Here is a listing of simplex frequencies that will be crucial to have in your radio in the event of an emergency.
Lets start with SL/Tooele County MARA. Our simplex frequencies are 145.69, 145.31, 145.67 and 145.61. (NOTE: 145.31 is a repeater frequency in Cache and Carbon Counties and its simplex use is on a non-intererence basis only.
ERC simplex frequencies in our area are 145.49, 147.48, 147.44 and 146.60.
Salt Lake County ARES uses 147.54, 145.53, 146.42, 146.50 and 147.46.
The National Simplex Frequency is 146.52.
Code practice can be done on 146.58.
Council of Utah Amateur Radio Clubs uses 146.44 and 147.58.
I'll have more later, that's enough for now.
73 from N7OZH
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
AGM versus Gel Cell Batteries
If you have a Harbor Freight store in your area, there are presently some good deals on items for ham radio.
Trickle Battery Chargers - $4.99, regularly $12.99
Magnesium Fire Starters - $2.99 (They are $8.00 and up elsewhere)
There are many types of batteries on the market and three of them find heavy usage in ham radio EmComm applications.
Battery types
Car Battery
Gel Cells
NiCad (Nickel Cadmium)
Lithium Ion
NiMh (Nickle Metal Hydride)
AGM
Main difference is the charging rate. Lithium Ion batteries originally could not be recharged. Actually they could be, there just were not any commercially available chargers. Once those showed up, LiOn could be charged.
MAHA smart charger has a switch for Nicad, LiOn, NiMh. Only difference is charging rate.
For the longest time, AGMs could only be charged with special chargers.
All newer battery chargers CAN do Car Batteries, Gel Cells, and AGM. Newer UPS units for computers can also use AGM.
Batteries Plus is phasing out Gel Cells in favor of AGM batteries. Gel Cells have many advantage over "flooded cell" type car batteries. For one thing, they operate in any position. (Upside down they are a little less efficient). If the case is damaged, they will not leak and can be used (and sometimes even charged) with a broken case.
AGM has advantages over Gel Cells. Higher power ratings in smaller cases. For example, the 9 Amp Hour AGM battery is the same size as the 7 Amp Hour Gel Cell. The newer 4 Ah to 15 Ah AGM batteries use a smaller connector than the Gel Cells. If you are replacing the batteries, check the connectors carefully so you do not wind up with the small connectors on your cable (inside the UPS) and large connectors on the battery. You can plug the small battery connectors into the larger cable connectors, but not vice versa.
Soon Batteries Plus will also carry lightbulbs for anything that runs on batteries and possibly other types of lights.
Batteries Plus and Standard Supply can build battery packs for older radios, computers and devices for which batteries are no longer manufatured. For ham radios there is also the "battery lady" on the web located at http://www.nicdladyonline.com/
For some very interesting info on all types of Lead-Acid batteries including AGM, check the following web sites.
Battery Types: Flooded versus AGM and Gel
www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/01.Type/index.html
Battery Tutorial GEL vs. AGM
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery_gel_agm.html
Deep Cycle Battery FAQ
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
VRLA battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery
What is an AGM Battery and how do I charge it?
http://www.associatedequip.com/pdf/rightbattery.pdf
Some excellent Emergency Prep info regarding grab and go kits at the following two locations.
http://www.freewebs.com/wh7lh/emergencypreparedness.htm
http://www.chelseagreen.com - Grab and Run Survival Kits (72 Hours) By Matthew Stei
Trickle Battery Chargers - $4.99, regularly $12.99
Magnesium Fire Starters - $2.99 (They are $8.00 and up elsewhere)
There are many types of batteries on the market and three of them find heavy usage in ham radio EmComm applications.
Battery types
Car Battery
Gel Cells
NiCad (Nickel Cadmium)
Lithium Ion
NiMh (Nickle Metal Hydride)
AGM
Main difference is the charging rate. Lithium Ion batteries originally could not be recharged. Actually they could be, there just were not any commercially available chargers. Once those showed up, LiOn could be charged.
MAHA smart charger has a switch for Nicad, LiOn, NiMh. Only difference is charging rate.
For the longest time, AGMs could only be charged with special chargers.
All newer battery chargers CAN do Car Batteries, Gel Cells, and AGM. Newer UPS units for computers can also use AGM.
Batteries Plus is phasing out Gel Cells in favor of AGM batteries. Gel Cells have many advantage over "flooded cell" type car batteries. For one thing, they operate in any position. (Upside down they are a little less efficient). If the case is damaged, they will not leak and can be used (and sometimes even charged) with a broken case.
AGM has advantages over Gel Cells. Higher power ratings in smaller cases. For example, the 9 Amp Hour AGM battery is the same size as the 7 Amp Hour Gel Cell. The newer 4 Ah to 15 Ah AGM batteries use a smaller connector than the Gel Cells. If you are replacing the batteries, check the connectors carefully so you do not wind up with the small connectors on your cable (inside the UPS) and large connectors on the battery. You can plug the small battery connectors into the larger cable connectors, but not vice versa.
Soon Batteries Plus will also carry lightbulbs for anything that runs on batteries and possibly other types of lights.
Batteries Plus and Standard Supply can build battery packs for older radios, computers and devices for which batteries are no longer manufatured. For ham radios there is also the "battery lady" on the web located at http://www.nicdladyonline.com/
For some very interesting info on all types of Lead-Acid batteries including AGM, check the following web sites.
Battery Types: Flooded versus AGM and Gel
www.vonwentzel.net/Battery/01.Type/index.html
Battery Tutorial GEL vs. AGM
http://www.batterystuff.com/tutorial_battery_gel_agm.html
Deep Cycle Battery FAQ
http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm
VRLA battery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VRLA_battery
What is an AGM Battery and how do I charge it?
http://www.associatedequip.com/pdf/rightbattery.pdf
Some excellent Emergency Prep info regarding grab and go kits at the following two locations.
http://www.freewebs.com/wh7lh/emergencypreparedness.htm
http://www.chelseagreen.com - Grab and Run Survival Kits (72 Hours) By Matthew Stei
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Ham Radio and Joplin Storms + DStar
Thanks to Scott, W7OXZ, for the following info:
Some thoughts on the outcome of the Joplin Tornado and Amateur Radio, having read reports form local newspapers, ham radio blogs and the ARRL newsletter
1) Amateur Radio played a useful role in helping with communications in coordination the evacuation of hospital patients from Joplin to hospitals in Springfield and Arkansas. Amateur Radio also was used by the Red Cross in shelter communications. These efforts are winding down and maybe terminated by now as more normal communications have been reestablished which has happened very quickly.
2) More importantly and I had never contemplated this, Many Amateurs were ready and able to help but did not self deploy into the area. If in our zeal to help we rush into a disaster but are not needed we only make matters worse for the incident command.
3) It is ironic that Congressman Billy Long, who is an out spoken opponent of attempts to develop tornado worming systems and a cosponsor for HR07 ,is from Joplin. The blogs have been having fun with him!!!
Aside from that there is an ARRL sponsored Webinar on DStar this evening.
______________
05/23/2011
Periodically, the ARRL’s Atlantic Division hosts a “webinar” -- an interactive Web-based seminar, designed to facilitate communication between a small number of presenters and a large remote audience using the Internet. Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, and the National Capital Region D-STAR Association will present a two-part webinar discussion on D-STAR technology and its application to emergency communications. Anyone can register for these informative, interactive Internet meetings; you do not need to reside in the Atlantic Division to join in.
Part 1 will be presented on Wednesday, May 25 at 9 PM (EDT). This 90 minute webinar -- entitled D-STAR Basics -- will provide a general introduction to the topic of D-STAR and compares the technology to existing Amateur Radio systems. Examples of D-STAR innovation will also be presented. Click here to sign up for Part 1.
On Wednesday, June 8 at 9 PM (EDT), join in for Part 2 -- D-STAR and EmComm. This 90 minute webinar will provide a discussion on how D-STAR technology can benefit Amateur Radio EmComm scenarios. Examples of D-STAR applications to EMCOMM will also be presented, as well as future growth ideas. Click here to sign up for Part 2.
Scott
=======================
There is also some interesting info about hams and the storms on the QRZ website located here.
That's it for now.
73 de N7OZH
Some thoughts on the outcome of the Joplin Tornado and Amateur Radio, having read reports form local newspapers, ham radio blogs and the ARRL newsletter
1) Amateur Radio played a useful role in helping with communications in coordination the evacuation of hospital patients from Joplin to hospitals in Springfield and Arkansas. Amateur Radio also was used by the Red Cross in shelter communications. These efforts are winding down and maybe terminated by now as more normal communications have been reestablished which has happened very quickly.
2) More importantly and I had never contemplated this, Many Amateurs were ready and able to help but did not self deploy into the area. If in our zeal to help we rush into a disaster but are not needed we only make matters worse for the incident command.
3) It is ironic that Congressman Billy Long, who is an out spoken opponent of attempts to develop tornado worming systems and a cosponsor for HR07 ,is from Joplin. The blogs have been having fun with him!!!
Aside from that there is an ARRL sponsored Webinar on DStar this evening.
______________
05/23/2011
Periodically, the ARRL’s Atlantic Division hosts a “webinar” -- an interactive Web-based seminar, designed to facilitate communication between a small number of presenters and a large remote audience using the Internet. Atlantic Division Director Bill Edgar, N3LLR, and the National Capital Region D-STAR Association will present a two-part webinar discussion on D-STAR technology and its application to emergency communications. Anyone can register for these informative, interactive Internet meetings; you do not need to reside in the Atlantic Division to join in.
Part 1 will be presented on Wednesday, May 25 at 9 PM (EDT). This 90 minute webinar -- entitled D-STAR Basics -- will provide a general introduction to the topic of D-STAR and compares the technology to existing Amateur Radio systems. Examples of D-STAR innovation will also be presented. Click here to sign up for Part 1.
On Wednesday, June 8 at 9 PM (EDT), join in for Part 2 -- D-STAR and EmComm. This 90 minute webinar will provide a discussion on how D-STAR technology can benefit Amateur Radio EmComm scenarios. Examples of D-STAR applications to EMCOMM will also be presented, as well as future growth ideas. Click here to sign up for Part 2.
Scott
=======================
There is also some interesting info about hams and the storms on the QRZ website located here.
That's it for now.
73 de N7OZH
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
2012 Great Utah ShakeOut & Pre- ShakeOut Exercises
The 2nd Quarter 2011 Community Emergency Response Coordination Workshop has been scheduled. Please join us at the workshop on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Continental breakfast will be offered at 8:00 am. Welcome and opening address will begin at 8:30. The workshop is aimed at continued discussion on topics surrounding the coordination of Salt Lake City communities, neighborhoods, and businesses in emergency response, especially through CERT, and establishing communications networks.
This workshop is for anyone interested in community emergency response and post-disaster communications capabilities in Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Office of Emergency Management is pleased to report that CERT, Mobile Watch, and other religious and non-governmental organizations throughout the City are continuing to be established, while coordination of communications continues to be a high priority. We ask the community councils for assistance in finding representatives in every neighborhood to participate in these efforts. We also encourage everyone involved with other community groups interested in emergency preparedness (such as churches) to attend as it is vital that we coordinate with existing plans and efforts.
Below is the agenda. Didn’t attend the previous workshops? No problem. Please join us at this one! Pass this on to anyone you feel would have an interest in emergency response.
Please RSVP as soon as possible. Please send an email to SSmithRPh@aol.com and type “will attend breakfast” or “meeting only” in the subject line.
Community Emergency Response
Coordination Workshop
Agenda
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 8:00 am – 11:30 am
Pioneer Police Precinct
1040 West 700 South
8:00 Sign-in & Light continental breakfast
8:30 Welcome & Open Meeting – John Flynt/Michael Stott
2012 Great Utah ShakeOut & Pre- ShakeOut Exercises
9:00 Ben Sharer – Unified Fire Authority (UFA), Community Services Bureau
Response to Cottonwood Heights Flooding 2010: Communications, Volunteers, and CERT Leadership.
9:45 Q & A
10:00 Break
10:15 CERT Division Breakout Session – CERT Division Supervisors
Organization of CERT, Communications, and Exercises in preparation for the 2012 Great Utah ShakeOut (http://www.shakeout.org/utah/overview/).
Pre-credentialing volunteers for possible Salt Lake County flood response.
11:30 Adjourn
=================
In any disaster there are often downed power lines. It is a fatal mistake to assume that downed power lines are only carrying the same 110Volts that exists inside your house. Downed power lines ALWAYS have higher voltages than 110 Volts. Here is a summary:
Overhead power transmission lines are classified in the electrical power industry by the range of voltages:
* Low voltage – less than 1000 volts, used for connection between a residential or small commercial customer and the utility.
* Medium Voltage (Distribution) – between 1000 volts (1 kV) and to about 33 kV, used for distribution in urban and rural areas.
* High Voltage (subtransmission less than 200 kV; subtransmission or transmission at voltage such as 115 kV and 138 kV), used for sub-transmission and transmission of bulk quantities of electric power and connection to very large consumers.
* Extra High Voltage (transmission) – over 230 kV, up to about 800 kV, used for long distance, very high power transmission.
* Ultra High Voltage – higher than 800 kV.
If your body is dry and you are not grounded, you can usually let go if you accitentally grab 110 Volts. Howewver 110 Volts can be and often is lethal. The line coming to your house from the transformer on the pole is 220 Volts. If you tough 220 Volts, you cannot let go. You loose ALL muscle control.
I call voltages above 1000 Volts "Friendly Voltages" because you do not have to come into contact with their power lines. Just get close enough and they will reach out and touch YOU! They make the first move. 100 KV lines can "jump" 5 to 6 feet through dry air and fry you. Above 200 Kv they can "jump" more than 8 feet! I have pictures of 800 KV arcs that exceed 30 feet. If you are "touched" by 100 KV or better, you will never be the same, if you live to tell about it. Your central nervous system and/or your physical body WILL be altered by voltages over 100 KV.
Don't go near downed power lines. Ambulance crews have been trained not to do so. Firefighters have been trained not to. Law enforcement has been trained not to do so. Don't take the chance. Some have been killed trying to move a downed line off the sidewalk using a stick. The electricity walked along the stick into their hand and out through their feet and shoes. Death was neither quick nor pleasant.
=======
Do you have 12 volt gel cell batteries for emergency communications? Do all your power cords have anderson power pole connectors on them? A gel cell battery, even a small one, can run your HT for a VERY long time. It will even run your mobile radio for a while. You also need ways to recharge emergency batteries. Harbor Freight sells many sizes of solar cells. Emergency Essentials in Salt Lake has small personal solar charges that can charge AAA, AA, C and D batteries.
=========
73's until next time. O. D. Williams
This workshop is for anyone interested in community emergency response and post-disaster communications capabilities in Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Office of Emergency Management is pleased to report that CERT, Mobile Watch, and other religious and non-governmental organizations throughout the City are continuing to be established, while coordination of communications continues to be a high priority. We ask the community councils for assistance in finding representatives in every neighborhood to participate in these efforts. We also encourage everyone involved with other community groups interested in emergency preparedness (such as churches) to attend as it is vital that we coordinate with existing plans and efforts.
Below is the agenda. Didn’t attend the previous workshops? No problem. Please join us at this one! Pass this on to anyone you feel would have an interest in emergency response.
Please RSVP as soon as possible. Please send an email to SSmithRPh@aol.com and type “will attend breakfast” or “meeting only” in the subject line.
Community Emergency Response
Coordination Workshop
Agenda
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 8:00 am – 11:30 am
Pioneer Police Precinct
1040 West 700 South
8:00 Sign-in & Light continental breakfast
8:30 Welcome & Open Meeting – John Flynt/Michael Stott
2012 Great Utah ShakeOut & Pre- ShakeOut Exercises
9:00 Ben Sharer – Unified Fire Authority (UFA), Community Services Bureau
Response to Cottonwood Heights Flooding 2010: Communications, Volunteers, and CERT Leadership.
9:45 Q & A
10:00 Break
10:15 CERT Division Breakout Session – CERT Division Supervisors
Organization of CERT, Communications, and Exercises in preparation for the 2012 Great Utah ShakeOut (http://www.shakeout.org/utah/overview/).
Pre-credentialing volunteers for possible Salt Lake County flood response.
11:30 Adjourn
=================
In any disaster there are often downed power lines. It is a fatal mistake to assume that downed power lines are only carrying the same 110Volts that exists inside your house. Downed power lines ALWAYS have higher voltages than 110 Volts. Here is a summary:
Overhead power transmission lines are classified in the electrical power industry by the range of voltages:
* Low voltage – less than 1000 volts, used for connection between a residential or small commercial customer and the utility.
* Medium Voltage (Distribution) – between 1000 volts (1 kV) and to about 33 kV, used for distribution in urban and rural areas.
* High Voltage (subtransmission less than 200 kV; subtransmission or transmission at voltage such as 115 kV and 138 kV), used for sub-transmission and transmission of bulk quantities of electric power and connection to very large consumers.
* Extra High Voltage (transmission) – over 230 kV, up to about 800 kV, used for long distance, very high power transmission.
* Ultra High Voltage – higher than 800 kV.
If your body is dry and you are not grounded, you can usually let go if you accitentally grab 110 Volts. Howewver 110 Volts can be and often is lethal. The line coming to your house from the transformer on the pole is 220 Volts. If you tough 220 Volts, you cannot let go. You loose ALL muscle control.
I call voltages above 1000 Volts "Friendly Voltages" because you do not have to come into contact with their power lines. Just get close enough and they will reach out and touch YOU! They make the first move. 100 KV lines can "jump" 5 to 6 feet through dry air and fry you. Above 200 Kv they can "jump" more than 8 feet! I have pictures of 800 KV arcs that exceed 30 feet. If you are "touched" by 100 KV or better, you will never be the same, if you live to tell about it. Your central nervous system and/or your physical body WILL be altered by voltages over 100 KV.
Don't go near downed power lines. Ambulance crews have been trained not to do so. Firefighters have been trained not to. Law enforcement has been trained not to do so. Don't take the chance. Some have been killed trying to move a downed line off the sidewalk using a stick. The electricity walked along the stick into their hand and out through their feet and shoes. Death was neither quick nor pleasant.
=======
Do you have 12 volt gel cell batteries for emergency communications? Do all your power cords have anderson power pole connectors on them? A gel cell battery, even a small one, can run your HT for a VERY long time. It will even run your mobile radio for a while. You also need ways to recharge emergency batteries. Harbor Freight sells many sizes of solar cells. Emergency Essentials in Salt Lake has small personal solar charges that can charge AAA, AA, C and D batteries.
=========
73's until next time. O. D. Williams
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
MARA Net 05/04/2011
The Salt Lake City MARA net meets on Wednesday night at 9PM on the 146.74 and 448.10 repeaters. A tone of 114.8 is required to open the squelch. Please join us for discussions of Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communications.
Harriman Utah has just formed a new club and has a net on Sunday nights on the Herriman 449.250 repeater (Tone is 118.8) Their blog is located at http://herrimanarc.blogspot.com/. They have an in person meeting on the second Saturday of each month. Details are on their blog. Thanks to KE7WYS for this information.
Section 8 of The ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook recommends the following:
Alternate NCS for emergency nets.
1. Same location - can take over for the regular NCS if needed.
2. Alternate location - not subject to equipment failures at primary NCS site.
Good operating procedure.
Be Accurate
Be Concise
Be Polite
I consider #2 the most important. If you are one of those people who gets nervous under pressure or who takes an hour to tell a five minute story, you probably are not cut out to be a Net Control Station.
Get experience being NCS
During a disaster is not the ideal time to learn how to function effectively as an NCS. For some people it just comes naturally, but for most, it is an acquired and learned ability. Best to get some experience during normal nets BEFORE an actual disaster.
See Chapter 8 of the ARRL Emergency Communications manual for more info.
A note about toilets. Picking a shelter location with adequate facilities is always a problem and often the one picked is the only one standing or the best one still standing. Toilet facilities are a major concern. In many disasters electricity fails. When it does, water will not be delivered to most buildings and homes. How will you handle sanitation at your home in a disaster? Check the Emergency Essentials web site or get one of their monthly fliers. They have inexpensive toilets that will serve well in a disaster. Everybody should have one.
Emergency Essentials places different items on sale each month. You can build up a great home disaster kit and supply kit by buying items on sale each month. Here is the contact info.
Emergency Essentials
Get on their mailing list - diff items on sale each month
BePrepared.com/Utah
110 West 3300 South
801-994-1055
Here are some interesting web sites that I discovered on just the first two pages of a Google search on Emergency Shelter Communications.
Community Planning Toolkit for State Emergency Preparedness Managers
http://www.hhs.gov/od/disabilitytoolkit/index.html
Shelter-in-Place - Communication
http://www.hhs.gov/od/disabilitytoolkit/shelter/communication.html
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PROCESS OF POST-DISASTER
HOUSING RECONSTRUCTION (PDF)
http://www.irbdirekt.de/daten/iconda/06059007139.pdf
How to Deliver Your Message from/to a Disaster Area (Click on the PDF logo in upper right corner)
http://dl.comsoc.org/livepubs/ci1/public/2011/jan/mase.html
Story: Amateur Radio Operators Provide Vital Communications Links Between Red Cross Shelters During Hurricane Earl
http://newsroom.redcross.org/2010/09/07/story-amateur-radio-operators-provide-vital-communications-links-between-red-cross-shelters-during-hurricane-earl/
OR
http://tinyurl.com/3o7at6b
Development of an Emergency Communication System for Evacuees of Shelters
[Abstract]
We propose a novel communication system for evacuees of shelters, termed "Shelter Communication System (SCS)". SCS is composed of a computer (termed Shelter Server) connected to the Internet and a set of personal computers (termed shelter PCs), one in each shelter, connected to Shelter Server through a temporal link and the Internet. SCS provides a message communication service between shelters as well as between shelters and outside the disaster area. Neither computer terminals nor cellular phones are required for those in the shelters. They write messages on specially-designed message sheets by hand. They receive messages on the sheets of paper printed by Shelter PCs. A prototype of SCS has been developed. A simple evaluation shows that SCS could provides service for 15,000 shelters and 750,000 people there, using 10 earth stations and wireless mesh networks.
This last one makes me think that we need to get some web developers to volunteer to build a shelter/disaster communications package for the web that can be used to log shelter patient names at the time of intake and make that available to other shelters in the area.
73s until next time.
O. D. Williams N7OZH
Harriman Utah has just formed a new club and has a net on Sunday nights on the Herriman 449.250 repeater (Tone is 118.8) Their blog is located at http://herrimanarc.blogspot.com/. They have an in person meeting on the second Saturday of each month. Details are on their blog. Thanks to KE7WYS for this information.
Section 8 of The ARRL Emergency Communication Handbook recommends the following:
Alternate NCS for emergency nets.
1. Same location - can take over for the regular NCS if needed.
2. Alternate location - not subject to equipment failures at primary NCS site.
Good operating procedure.
Be Accurate
Be Concise
Be Polite
I consider #2 the most important. If you are one of those people who gets nervous under pressure or who takes an hour to tell a five minute story, you probably are not cut out to be a Net Control Station.
Get experience being NCS
During a disaster is not the ideal time to learn how to function effectively as an NCS. For some people it just comes naturally, but for most, it is an acquired and learned ability. Best to get some experience during normal nets BEFORE an actual disaster.
See Chapter 8 of the ARRL Emergency Communications manual for more info.
A note about toilets. Picking a shelter location with adequate facilities is always a problem and often the one picked is the only one standing or the best one still standing. Toilet facilities are a major concern. In many disasters electricity fails. When it does, water will not be delivered to most buildings and homes. How will you handle sanitation at your home in a disaster? Check the Emergency Essentials web site or get one of their monthly fliers. They have inexpensive toilets that will serve well in a disaster. Everybody should have one.
Emergency Essentials places different items on sale each month. You can build up a great home disaster kit and supply kit by buying items on sale each month. Here is the contact info.
Emergency Essentials
Get on their mailing list - diff items on sale each month
BePrepared.com/Utah
110 West 3300 South
801-994-1055
Here are some interesting web sites that I discovered on just the first two pages of a Google search on Emergency Shelter Communications.
Community Planning Toolkit for State Emergency Preparedness Managers
http://www.hhs.gov/od/disabilitytoolkit/index.html
Shelter-in-Place - Communication
http://www.hhs.gov/od/disabilitytoolkit/shelter/communication.html
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PROCESS OF POST-DISASTER
HOUSING RECONSTRUCTION (PDF)
http://www.irbdirekt.de/daten/iconda/06059007139.pdf
How to Deliver Your Message from/to a Disaster Area (Click on the PDF logo in upper right corner)
http://dl.comsoc.org/livepubs/ci1/public/2011/jan/mase.html
Story: Amateur Radio Operators Provide Vital Communications Links Between Red Cross Shelters During Hurricane Earl
http://newsroom.redcross.org/2010/09/07/story-amateur-radio-operators-provide-vital-communications-links-between-red-cross-shelters-during-hurricane-earl/
OR
http://tinyurl.com/3o7at6b
Development of an Emergency Communication System for Evacuees of Shelters
[Abstract]
We propose a novel communication system for evacuees of shelters, termed "Shelter Communication System (SCS)". SCS is composed of a computer (termed Shelter Server) connected to the Internet and a set of personal computers (termed shelter PCs), one in each shelter, connected to Shelter Server through a temporal link and the Internet. SCS provides a message communication service between shelters as well as between shelters and outside the disaster area. Neither computer terminals nor cellular phones are required for those in the shelters. They write messages on specially-designed message sheets by hand. They receive messages on the sheets of paper printed by Shelter PCs. A prototype of SCS has been developed. A simple evaluation shows that SCS could provides service for 15,000 shelters and 750,000 people there, using 10 earth stations and wireless mesh networks.
This last one makes me think that we need to get some web developers to volunteer to build a shelter/disaster communications package for the web that can be used to log shelter patient names at the time of intake and make that available to other shelters in the area.
73s until next time.
O. D. Williams N7OZH
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
How to stop a terrorist on a plane, etc.
The link to all these articles is at the very end of the post.
"How to Recognize and Fight a Terrorist on a Plane"
by Randy Plante
Simple and concrete advice from a former Air Force and commercial jet pilot on how to proactively defend yourself and your fellow air travel passengers against a terrorist threat.
"Gals and Gun Shops: First Gun Buy"
by Jennifer Kendall
Jennifer Kendall had a mission -- buy a handgun for home defense with a budget of $500. She shares her experiences with gun dealers, their advice, and her final decision.
"Military Lab Rats"
by Oliver North
Lt. Col. North's impassioned argument against subjecting the US military to the "radical social experiment" of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
http://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=GNP832
"How to Recognize and Fight a Terrorist on a Plane"
by Randy Plante
Simple and concrete advice from a former Air Force and commercial jet pilot on how to proactively defend yourself and your fellow air travel passengers against a terrorist threat.
"Gals and Gun Shops: First Gun Buy"
by Jennifer Kendall
Jennifer Kendall had a mission -- buy a handgun for home defense with a budget of $500. She shares her experiences with gun dealers, their advice, and her final decision.
"Military Lab Rats"
by Oliver North
Lt. Col. North's impassioned argument against subjecting the US military to the "radical social experiment" of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
http://www.humanevents.com/offers/offer.php?id=GNP832
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Herriman and FEMA Emergency Information
The Herriman radio club has published a great manual for those who plan to participate in emergency preparedness. Here is the link:
http://herrimanarc.blogspot.com/p/documents.html
FEMA publishes several FREE online courses. Here are four that will make you a MUCH better emergency communicator, especially if you have to interfaced with the State, County or City governments. Also pertinent for dealing with Federal Agencies.
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100b.asp
IS-100.b - Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS200b.asp
IS-200.b - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS700a.asp
IS-700.a NIMS An Introduction (National Incident Management System)
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800b.asp
IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction
There is about 3 hours of course work in each. You can proceed at your own pace.
There is a web site that lists all the community events that need hams to handle communication. Here is the link:
Amateur Radio Public Service Events
http://arpse.org/
http://herrimanarc.blogspot.com/p/documents.html
FEMA publishes several FREE online courses. Here are four that will make you a MUCH better emergency communicator, especially if you have to interfaced with the State, County or City governments. Also pertinent for dealing with Federal Agencies.
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100b.asp
IS-100.b - Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS200b.asp
IS-200.b - ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS700a.asp
IS-700.a NIMS An Introduction (National Incident Management System)
http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS800b.asp
IS-800.B National Response Framework, An Introduction
There is about 3 hours of course work in each. You can proceed at your own pace.
There is a web site that lists all the community events that need hams to handle communication. Here is the link:
Amateur Radio Public Service Events
http://arpse.org/
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
MARA Net 03/02/2011
In this issue:
70 cm band up for sale?
EMP protection for Ham Radio Equipment
Scouting For Food needs Ham Operators on March 26th
Sending brief text messages with your cell phone.
QRZ - USING TWITTER WITH HAM RADIO (www.qrz.com)
Two excelling HF nets in Salt Lake City.
Home Land Security and Utah CERT compiling a list of ALL local nets.
A few years ago we lost half the 220 Mhz band to UPS. Now Congress wants to auction off most of the 70 cm (440 Mhz) band along with other non-ham frequencies. Here is some information.
ARRL has recently learned of newly introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives that poses a direct threat to our popular 70-centimeter band. H.R. 607, the "Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011" introduced by Rep. Peter King from New York's third district proposes to place 420-440 MHz, among other RF spectrum, up for auction. The proposed section of frequencies goes above the top of our 70cm band and also takes out the FRS and GMRS frequencies. All of these frequencies are crucial to ham radio and neighborhood emergency communications.
420-440 MHz represents over 65% of the present 70-centimeter ham band. This portion of the band is home to the following ham operations:
Amateur television (ATV) simplex and repeater communications,
moon bounce (EME), weak signal operations (SSB/CW), propagation beacons, amateur satellite communications, auxiliary operations, FM repeater
linking, and more.
For full disclosure there is other similar legislation that exists in
the House and in the Senate, however none of these versions include
references to 420-440 MHz. Regardless, H.R. 607 does and it's real.
So what is the path forward? Please read more about this bill at
http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies
Again, the sky is not falling but we shouldn't sit on the sidelines
either. Stay tuned for more information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Rocky Mountain Division
Director: Brian P Mileshosky, N5ZGT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
EMP can destroy some electronic and some electrical equipment. More information can be found by searching Google for the phrase Protecting Ham Radio Gear From EMP. NOTE: Even solar panels and generators are not immune. Here are some of the more informative links I found with this search.
Ham Radio Protection from EMP.
Solar Panel EMP Protection
http://www.survivalblog.com/2009/06/two_letters_re_protection_from.html
Self Defence, Shooting supplies, survival Info
http://www.keepshooting.com/
EMP Protection
http://set2survive.com/EMP_survivors_notebook_1.html
Microwaves and EMP cages
http://www.utahpreppers.com/2009/02/microwaves-faraday-cages-and-emp-protection/
------------
MARCH 26TH SCOUTING FOR FOOD
Contact Gene N7OVT at N7OVT@ARRL.NET OR 801-541-1781 or listen on 146.88 the day of the event.
----------
Sending brief text messages with your cell phone.
1. Phone to email account
Just enter the email address as the TO: entry instead of a mobile phone number.
http://lifehacker.com/5506326/how-can-i-send-an-email-via-text-message
2. Email account (from computer) to cell phone. (Have to know recipient's carrier)
example 801-111-2222@vtext.com
http://20somethingfinance.com/how-to-send-text-messages-sms-via-email-for-free/
---------------------
See QRZ.COM for an article on sending short emails with cell phones or sending emails to cell phones using your computer.
------------
Two excellent HF nets in Salt Lake City.
COWBOY NET 3923.50 5:30 PM
BEEHIVE 3920 12 NOON
-----------
Home Land Security and Utah CERT compiling a list of ALL local nets.
If you participate in a local community net, church net, emergency preparedness net or other local net, please send info on the day of the week, time of day, frequency, and whether the net is on Simplex or a Repeater. This info will be forwarded to Home Land Security and Utah CERT so that your net can be called on to officially help out in an emergency.
Send the info in an email to odwill@cms-track.com
------------
That's it for this week. 73's until next week.
N7OZH
70 cm band up for sale?
EMP protection for Ham Radio Equipment
Scouting For Food needs Ham Operators on March 26th
Sending brief text messages with your cell phone.
QRZ - USING TWITTER WITH HAM RADIO (www.qrz.com)
Two excelling HF nets in Salt Lake City.
Home Land Security and Utah CERT compiling a list of ALL local nets.
A few years ago we lost half the 220 Mhz band to UPS. Now Congress wants to auction off most of the 70 cm (440 Mhz) band along with other non-ham frequencies. Here is some information.
ARRL has recently learned of newly introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives that poses a direct threat to our popular 70-centimeter band. H.R. 607, the "Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011" introduced by Rep. Peter King from New York's third district proposes to place 420-440 MHz, among other RF spectrum, up for auction. The proposed section of frequencies goes above the top of our 70cm band and also takes out the FRS and GMRS frequencies. All of these frequencies are crucial to ham radio and neighborhood emergency communications.
420-440 MHz represents over 65% of the present 70-centimeter ham band. This portion of the band is home to the following ham operations:
Amateur television (ATV) simplex and repeater communications,
moon bounce (EME), weak signal operations (SSB/CW), propagation beacons, amateur satellite communications, auxiliary operations, FM repeater
linking, and more.
For full disclosure there is other similar legislation that exists in
the House and in the Senate, however none of these versions include
references to 420-440 MHz. Regardless, H.R. 607 does and it's real.
So what is the path forward? Please read more about this bill at
http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies
Again, the sky is not falling but we shouldn't sit on the sidelines
either. Stay tuned for more information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ARRL Rocky Mountain Division
Director: Brian P Mileshosky, N5ZGT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
EMP can destroy some electronic and some electrical equipment. More information can be found by searching Google for the phrase Protecting Ham Radio Gear From EMP. NOTE: Even solar panels and generators are not immune. Here are some of the more informative links I found with this search.
Ham Radio Protection from EMP.
Solar Panel EMP Protection
http://www.survivalblog.com/2009/06/two_letters_re_protection_from.html
Self Defence, Shooting supplies, survival Info
http://www.keepshooting.com/
EMP Protection
http://set2survive.com/EMP_survivors_notebook_1.html
Microwaves and EMP cages
http://www.utahpreppers.com/2009/02/microwaves-faraday-cages-and-emp-protection/
------------
MARCH 26TH SCOUTING FOR FOOD
Contact Gene N7OVT at N7OVT@ARRL.NET OR 801-541-1781 or listen on 146.88 the day of the event.
----------
Sending brief text messages with your cell phone.
1. Phone to email account
Just enter the email address as the TO: entry instead of a mobile phone number.
http://lifehacker.com/5506326/how-can-i-send-an-email-via-text-message
2. Email account (from computer) to cell phone. (Have to know recipient's carrier)
example 801-111-2222@vtext.com
http://20somethingfinance.com/how-to-send-text-messages-sms-via-email-for-free/
---------------------
See QRZ.COM for an article on sending short emails with cell phones or sending emails to cell phones using your computer.
------------
Two excellent HF nets in Salt Lake City.
COWBOY NET 3923.50 5:30 PM
BEEHIVE 3920 12 NOON
-----------
Home Land Security and Utah CERT compiling a list of ALL local nets.
If you participate in a local community net, church net, emergency preparedness net or other local net, please send info on the day of the week, time of day, frequency, and whether the net is on Simplex or a Repeater. This info will be forwarded to Home Land Security and Utah CERT so that your net can be called on to officially help out in an emergency.
Send the info in an email to odwill@cms-track.com
------------
That's it for this week. 73's until next week.
N7OZH
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Winter Survival and Blizzard Survival
Utah is getting a major storm right now. Here are some links to good advice on what to do when the snow becomes a problem.
Blizzard Survival
http://www.fcgov.com/oem/blizzard-survival.php
How to Make a Blizzard Survival Kit
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068127_make-blizzard-survival-kit.html
How to Survive a Blizzard
http://weather.about.com/od/winterweather/a/winter_survival.htm
How to Build a Snow Cave
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Snow-Cave
Why are snow caves dangerous?
http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/FAQ_Snowcaves.htm
It is recommended to have hand warmers and space blankets in the car even for short trips. Never leave home without a cell phone or ham radio or both.
To help others, monitor FRS/GMRS traffic for people calling for help.
There are some excellent tips in the web pages given above on what to do when the power goes out and/or the phones are down.
Above all else, keep warm and be sure to get food and water.
===Notes from the 12/15 and 12/22 nets===
KD7UM - BOX BUILT FROM 1/2 INCH PLYWOOD. 30 AMP PS - 2 TNC'S - MOBILES - HANDLES - FRONT & BACK OPEN FOR VENTILATION. REMOVABLE SHELVES (COTTER PINS) - 15X18X16 - BOX & SHELVES FROM ONE PIECE OF PLYWOOD.
ALL GENERATORS produce PURE sine waves from the coils. Most generators send the pure sine wave to a DC converter and then to an inverter to produce a sine wave which ranges from pure sine waves to badly modified sine/square waves.
The Honda 2000i models make very beautiful sine waves. Some generators including Honda put up to 24 volts on the 12 volt line!
Worst sine wave has flattened tops & bottoms, BUT the WORST part is the 0 volt gap between cycles. True sine waves got from cycle to cycle in one
continuous move with an almost instant crossing of the 0 line (x axis). Bad ones run along the 0 line for a ways before producing the other side of the wave. BAD, BAD NEWS, ESPECIALLY ON MOTORS. The only way to know for sure what you are getting out of your generator is to get together
with someone who has an oscilloscope.
When charging batteries with the 12 volt output of a generator, you MUST monitor the charging and disconnect the generator when the battery is charged or the battery will be destroyed.
If your generator has a 12 volt output, best bet is to get a solar regulator (that can handle 24 volts or more) and let it regulate the 12 volts and also monitor the battery charging and auto disconnect when the battery is charged.
KD7UM - 12 VOLT DC - SOME GENERATORS ARE FOR BATTERY CHARGING ONLY.
73s until next time. Havae fun shoveling snow.
N7OZH
Blizzard Survival
http://www.fcgov.com/oem/blizzard-survival.php
How to Make a Blizzard Survival Kit
http://www.ehow.com/how_2068127_make-blizzard-survival-kit.html
How to Survive a Blizzard
http://weather.about.com/od/winterweather/a/winter_survival.htm
How to Build a Snow Cave
http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Snow-Cave
Why are snow caves dangerous?
http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/FAQ_Snowcaves.htm
It is recommended to have hand warmers and space blankets in the car even for short trips. Never leave home without a cell phone or ham radio or both.
To help others, monitor FRS/GMRS traffic for people calling for help.
There are some excellent tips in the web pages given above on what to do when the power goes out and/or the phones are down.
Above all else, keep warm and be sure to get food and water.
===Notes from the 12/15 and 12/22 nets===
KD7UM - BOX BUILT FROM 1/2 INCH PLYWOOD. 30 AMP PS - 2 TNC'S - MOBILES - HANDLES - FRONT & BACK OPEN FOR VENTILATION. REMOVABLE SHELVES (COTTER PINS) - 15X18X16 - BOX & SHELVES FROM ONE PIECE OF PLYWOOD.
ALL GENERATORS produce PURE sine waves from the coils. Most generators send the pure sine wave to a DC converter and then to an inverter to produce a sine wave which ranges from pure sine waves to badly modified sine/square waves.
The Honda 2000i models make very beautiful sine waves. Some generators including Honda put up to 24 volts on the 12 volt line!
Worst sine wave has flattened tops & bottoms, BUT the WORST part is the 0 volt gap between cycles. True sine waves got from cycle to cycle in one
continuous move with an almost instant crossing of the 0 line (x axis). Bad ones run along the 0 line for a ways before producing the other side of the wave. BAD, BAD NEWS, ESPECIALLY ON MOTORS. The only way to know for sure what you are getting out of your generator is to get together
with someone who has an oscilloscope.
When charging batteries with the 12 volt output of a generator, you MUST monitor the charging and disconnect the generator when the battery is charged or the battery will be destroyed.
If your generator has a 12 volt output, best bet is to get a solar regulator (that can handle 24 volts or more) and let it regulate the 12 volts and also monitor the battery charging and auto disconnect when the battery is charged.
KD7UM - 12 VOLT DC - SOME GENERATORS ARE FOR BATTERY CHARGING ONLY.
73s until next time. Havae fun shoveling snow.
N7OZH
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
MARA 10/08/2010 - APRS, Packet, W2ENY, CAT mode cables.
In SLC, the following frequencies are used for APRS (144.39) and Packet (145.05). Both modes should see high usage during any actual emergency and during most SET drills.
W2ENY has some interesting ham radio items on eBay. Just search on his call sign.
Another ham makes some amazing digital mode cables and they are less expensive than most other methods of getting into digital radio. You can find his stuff on eBay HERE. If that is not "clickable" in your browser, here is the actual address:
http://shop.ebay.com/sjgwilliam/m.html
He is in England, so there is a $9.99 shipping charge, but his stuff is well worth it. I have ordered one of his cables and will be reporting on it here by the end of the year.
-N7OZH-
W2ENY has some interesting ham radio items on eBay. Just search on his call sign.
Another ham makes some amazing digital mode cables and they are less expensive than most other methods of getting into digital radio. You can find his stuff on eBay HERE. If that is not "clickable" in your browser, here is the actual address:
http://shop.ebay.com/sjgwilliam/m.html
He is in England, so there is a $9.99 shipping charge, but his stuff is well worth it. I have ordered one of his cables and will be reporting on it here by the end of the year.
-N7OZH-
Thursday, December 02, 2010
MARA 12/01/2010 and APRS Info
Scroll down for some AMAZING info on APRS.
N7OVT Reports - FRIDAY December 3rd, 2010 - 5PM TO SAT 5PM Skywarn Recognition Day - PSK HF ECHOLINK PACKET - The NOAA weather station in Salt Lake City is located at 2200 West North Temple. VHF-449.425 (IRLP) and HF PSK on 14700
Rascal-II does do packet. The BuxCom sale is over. N7OVT bought the Rascall-II and reports that the construction is horrible and shoddy. He says it is worth the extra 20 or 30 bucks to get the Signalink unit.
The 6 PIN DIN Data connector on Icom, Kenwood, Yeasu radios is wired the same - one data cable for three brands of radios on packet/APRS/digital modes!
If you have an older radio, you may find that it looses its memory settings when powered off. There is a keep-alive battery inside and it has finally gone dead. These are usually button batteries about the size of a quarter with solder leads. Replacements are available on eBay and from other sources. You may be able to use Google to find out which keep alive battery your radio needs before you take it apart.
NOTE: Newer radios (last 5 years or so) do NOT have keep-alive batteries, they use NVRAM which does not require a keep-alive battery. [Thanks to Dave, KD7UM for this info]
There are battery eliminator devices for most handy talkies. They snap on in place of your regular battery and have a cord that plugs into your car cigarette lighter socket or other similar 12 volt source. In most cases they boost the power rating of your radio and are very handy in an emergency. These are available in many cases for radios that are 30+ years old right up through the most modern models. Check Ebay and Google for your radio model number and the word "eliminator" or "battery eliminator".
Be careful when buying after market chargers for your handy talkies. They are VERY handy and will NEVER overcharge your battery. Many HT batteries only have contacts where they connect to the radio. However, many of the after market chargers have contacts meant to mate with contact on the back, side, or bottom of the battery so that it can be charged while attached to the radio. Be sure you specify which one you need when ordering units like the Universal chargers with drop in replaceable charging cups.
NOTE: It is nice to have aftermarket chargers that can charge your HT battery OFF the radio, then you can have one battery on the radio and be using the radio while the other battery is charging.
APRS - APRS - APRS - http://www.aprs.org/ - APRS - APRS - APRS
The above web site has TONS of info on APRS. If you think APRS is only for tracking mobile radios as they drive around, you are in for a surprise. APRS is being used to announce ham radio events, weather warnings, hazardous info on roads with date, time and GPS coordinates, and lots, lots more. Check the APRS web site for even more info.
Dave, KD7UM has done lots with APRS and reports the following. You can get a used Garmin GPS5 for around $40.00 and it will connect to your APRS capable radios for APRS. Some good APRS programs are UView32 and APRS Point. If using a USB to Serial cable with a GPS, be careful, Dave only gets cables based on the FTDI chipset to work with GPS units.
Lots of USB things on USBGear.com.
Here is an interesting and very useful set up for APRS. If set up properly, your radio can "page" you when you are within simplex range of another APRS radio and you can then communicate (voice) with that station while continuing to monitor APRS data. This info (and TONS more) is from the APRS.ORG web page listed above.
The national simplex frequency for APRS is 144.39 and HF APRS is on 10.151 MHz LSB.
Anyone who has a mobile radio that can do APRS who is not using APRS is really missing out big time on some fascinating and VERY useful ham radio experiences. Of course, Packet, APRS and EchoLink will be very prominent in any actual emergency. If you plan to operate from home in an emergency you NEED to have one or more of those modes available.
That's all for now. -N7OZH-
N7OVT Reports - FRIDAY December 3rd, 2010 - 5PM TO SAT 5PM Skywarn Recognition Day - PSK HF ECHOLINK PACKET - The NOAA weather station in Salt Lake City is located at 2200 West North Temple. VHF-449.425 (IRLP) and HF PSK on 14700
Rascal-II does do packet. The BuxCom sale is over. N7OVT bought the Rascall-II and reports that the construction is horrible and shoddy. He says it is worth the extra 20 or 30 bucks to get the Signalink unit.
The 6 PIN DIN Data connector on Icom, Kenwood, Yeasu radios is wired the same - one data cable for three brands of radios on packet/APRS/digital modes!
If you have an older radio, you may find that it looses its memory settings when powered off. There is a keep-alive battery inside and it has finally gone dead. These are usually button batteries about the size of a quarter with solder leads. Replacements are available on eBay and from other sources. You may be able to use Google to find out which keep alive battery your radio needs before you take it apart.
NOTE: Newer radios (last 5 years or so) do NOT have keep-alive batteries, they use NVRAM which does not require a keep-alive battery. [Thanks to Dave, KD7UM for this info]
There are battery eliminator devices for most handy talkies. They snap on in place of your regular battery and have a cord that plugs into your car cigarette lighter socket or other similar 12 volt source. In most cases they boost the power rating of your radio and are very handy in an emergency. These are available in many cases for radios that are 30+ years old right up through the most modern models. Check Ebay and Google for your radio model number and the word "eliminator" or "battery eliminator".
Be careful when buying after market chargers for your handy talkies. They are VERY handy and will NEVER overcharge your battery. Many HT batteries only have contacts where they connect to the radio. However, many of the after market chargers have contacts meant to mate with contact on the back, side, or bottom of the battery so that it can be charged while attached to the radio. Be sure you specify which one you need when ordering units like the Universal chargers with drop in replaceable charging cups.
NOTE: It is nice to have aftermarket chargers that can charge your HT battery OFF the radio, then you can have one battery on the radio and be using the radio while the other battery is charging.
APRS - APRS - APRS - http://www.aprs.org/ - APRS - APRS - APRS
The above web site has TONS of info on APRS. If you think APRS is only for tracking mobile radios as they drive around, you are in for a surprise. APRS is being used to announce ham radio events, weather warnings, hazardous info on roads with date, time and GPS coordinates, and lots, lots more. Check the APRS web site for even more info.
Dave, KD7UM has done lots with APRS and reports the following. You can get a used Garmin GPS5 for around $40.00 and it will connect to your APRS capable radios for APRS. Some good APRS programs are UView32 and APRS Point. If using a USB to Serial cable with a GPS, be careful, Dave only gets cables based on the FTDI chipset to work with GPS units.
Lots of USB things on USBGear.com.
Here is an interesting and very useful set up for APRS. If set up properly, your radio can "page" you when you are within simplex range of another APRS radio and you can then communicate (voice) with that station while continuing to monitor APRS data. This info (and TONS more) is from the APRS.ORG web page listed above.
The national simplex frequency for APRS is 144.39 and HF APRS is on 10.151 MHz LSB.
Anyone who has a mobile radio that can do APRS who is not using APRS is really missing out big time on some fascinating and VERY useful ham radio experiences. Of course, Packet, APRS and EchoLink will be very prominent in any actual emergency. If you plan to operate from home in an emergency you NEED to have one or more of those modes available.
That's all for now. -N7OZH-
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Packet Radio
The need to get back into Packet radio has been made obvious by SET drills held in the past year. Here are some useful links.
By the way, most 2 Meter packet in Utah is on 145.05 simplex.
Complete Guide to Using and Building Packet Radio Networks
http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/packet.htm
Talking to lots of hams, I can say that hands down the NUMBER ONE TNC on the market is the SIGNALINK USB TNC. It is on sale through the end of 2010 and it just works. There are units that cost more and units that cost less, but there are NONE better! The link is here.
The most amazing device I have seen for this is from BuxComm and the link is here.
UPDATE 12/01/2010 - N7OVT bought one of these units and says the construction is shoddy and the unit is not worth the asking price.
For a huge software list, visit this page and click on the PACKET link
http://www.ac6v.com/software.htm
Here's another huge listing of Packet programs"
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Packet/
Packet software by SV2AGW
http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm
Want to do everything with your existing sound card? Sound Card Packet
http://www.kc2rlm.info/soundcardpacket/
Everything about Digital Radio Modes
http://www.g3vfp.org/download.html
Finally, Email over Ham Radio - WINMOR
http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware
Of course there is also Ham Radio Deluxe and DM780. Both are shareware and are top of the line programs.
There will also be lots of digital HF traffic in an actual emergency so you should also look into downloading some PSK31 software and becoming familiar with its operation. The digital modes are fun and get through when nothing else will. try it, you will like it!
-N7OZH-
By the way, most 2 Meter packet in Utah is on 145.05 simplex.
Complete Guide to Using and Building Packet Radio Networks
http://members.fortunecity.com/xe1bef/packet.htm
Talking to lots of hams, I can say that hands down the NUMBER ONE TNC on the market is the SIGNALINK USB TNC. It is on sale through the end of 2010 and it just works. There are units that cost more and units that cost less, but there are NONE better! The link is here.
The most amazing device I have seen for this is from BuxComm and the link is here.
UPDATE 12/01/2010 - N7OVT bought one of these units and says the construction is shoddy and the unit is not worth the asking price.
For a huge software list, visit this page and click on the PACKET link
http://www.ac6v.com/software.htm
Here's another huge listing of Packet programs"
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Software/Packet/
Packet software by SV2AGW
http://www.sv2agw.com/downloads/default.htm
Want to do everything with your existing sound card? Sound Card Packet
http://www.kc2rlm.info/soundcardpacket/
Everything about Digital Radio Modes
http://www.g3vfp.org/download.html
Finally, Email over Ham Radio - WINMOR
http://www.winlink.org/ClientSoftware
Of course there is also Ham Radio Deluxe and DM780. Both are shareware and are top of the line programs.
There will also be lots of digital HF traffic in an actual emergency so you should also look into downloading some PSK31 software and becoming familiar with its operation. The digital modes are fun and get through when nothing else will. try it, you will like it!
-N7OZH-
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
MARA Net 10/13/2010 More info on FRS/GMRS FCC changes.
The following links will give a good overview of the situation with the FCC and FRS/GMRS radios.
Side Note: Midland G-11 and Cobra PR2000WX GMRS radios have removable antennas ;-). They are very hard to find, though.
FCC Proposes major changes in GMRS and other Part95 rules/services
http://www.twowayradioforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1106
Availability of FCC Rules and Interpretative Information
http://home.provide.net/~prsg/rules.htm
FCC Proposes Radical Changes to GMRS!
http://home.provide.net/~prsg/
Scott said that he could not get the link to work that shows hams in your zip code. It seems to be temporarily down. It worked fine yesterday evening and I hope it will soon be back online. Here is the link again:
To see the distribution of hams in any ZIP code, use the URL http://www.arrl.org/fcc/hamszip.html?zip=XXXXX, where XXXXX is the ZIP code for which you want to see a map of licensed Amateurs. NOTE: put the zip code in BEFORE you click the link.
Here is another one that IS online. There is a site -- N4MC’s Vanity HQ -- that has been available for several years that allows you to plot hams in a specific ZIP Code. Just click on the “N4MC's Ham Locator” link in the left sidebar of the home page to get to it.
There are other FCC links that also may be of interest: for example, the “FCC Registered Antenna Towers” link.
Question - which HT's have built-in TNC's???
There is a new VX-8GR, it's a 2M/440 handheld with built-in GPS/TNC.
The Kenwood D7 is discontinued and will be replaced by the D72 with built in GPS and TNC. It uses a standard mini USB cable to connect to your computer. Available sometime in 2010 once FCC approval is complete.
The 448.10 MHZ repeater power supply has been repaired. We are now just wating on the two repeater trustees to get to the site at the same time to finish the job.
CHALLENGE: Do you know hams personally who do not participate in the nets? They are going to be of very limited use in an actual emergency. Try to get them to participate in one or more nets so that they can get trained.
-N7OZH-
Side Note: Midland G-11 and Cobra PR2000WX GMRS radios have removable antennas ;-). They are very hard to find, though.
FCC Proposes major changes in GMRS and other Part95 rules/services
http://www.twowayradioforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1106
Availability of FCC Rules and Interpretative Information
http://home.provide.net/~prsg/rules.htm
FCC Proposes Radical Changes to GMRS!
http://home.provide.net/~prsg/
Scott said that he could not get the link to work that shows hams in your zip code. It seems to be temporarily down. It worked fine yesterday evening and I hope it will soon be back online. Here is the link again:
To see the distribution of hams in any ZIP code, use the URL http://www.arrl.org/fcc/hamszip.html?zip=XXXXX, where XXXXX is the ZIP code for which you want to see a map of licensed Amateurs. NOTE: put the zip code in BEFORE you click the link.
Here is another one that IS online. There is a site -- N4MC’s Vanity HQ -- that has been available for several years that allows you to plot hams in a specific ZIP Code. Just click on the “N4MC's Ham Locator” link in the left sidebar of the home page to get to it.
There are other FCC links that also may be of interest: for example, the “FCC Registered Antenna Towers” link.
Question - which HT's have built-in TNC's???
There is a new VX-8GR, it's a 2M/440 handheld with built-in GPS/TNC.
The Kenwood D7 is discontinued and will be replaced by the D72 with built in GPS and TNC. It uses a standard mini USB cable to connect to your computer. Available sometime in 2010 once FCC approval is complete.
The 448.10 MHZ repeater power supply has been repaired. We are now just wating on the two repeater trustees to get to the site at the same time to finish the job.
CHALLENGE: Do you know hams personally who do not participate in the nets? They are going to be of very limited use in an actual emergency. Try to get them to participate in one or more nets so that they can get trained.
-N7OZH-
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
ERC 10/12/2010 Suggestions and Ham Links & Ham Resources
There was a lot discussed tonight, both on the net and after the net. Here are the highlights.
SUGGESTIONS
1. Repeater list in your PDA or phone.
2. Cell phone list for your ward for ERC operators.
3. LED flashlights EVERYWHERE. (Vehicles & Home & Office)
4. Twitter & Facebook accounts using your Call Sign
5. Ward Emergency operators should have a ward phone list.
A CHALLENGE
How to get ham radio operators active in the nets and other activities.
In order to get them active in the nets, you have to know who they are. Here is an easy way to find ALL the hams in your zip code.
To see the distribution of hams in any ZIP code, use the URL http://www.arrl.org/fcc/hamszip.html?zip=XXXXX, where XXXXX is the ZIP code for which you want to see a map of licensed Amateurs.
You will be surprised how many there are and might even find that some people you know are also licensed hams. The more of these "inactive" hams that we can get into the nets and clubs, the more we will have available when the disaster hits. Untrained Ham Radio operators are not nearly as capable as trained ones.
GENERAL INFO
There was a HUGE discussion on using FRS/GMRS radios for emergency communications to augment Ham Radio.
The October 2010 issue of Communications Magazine has info on FRS/GMRS proposed changes & other topics - available at Barnes & Noble.
Part 97 business band radios with 5 Watts or less can be used on GMRS - available cheaply on eBay.
There is a Cobra FRS/GMRS radio with removable antenna - model #MRHH425LIVP - costs over $100.00.
HAM RADIO REPAIR
Don Woods - Centerville exit - Precision Electronics - Business Radio Svc -call before you drop by, he is sometimes out of the office on business or community service. Just look up Precision Electronics in the phone book. Referred by KC7GMN - RICK SHAW.
TONS OF USEFUL HAM RADIO LINKS
http://www.ldshams.com/
www.gigaparts.com (Win a free HF Radio)
www.ac6v.com/ (HUGE list of ham radio links & info)
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/ (Ham magazine)
http://utahvhfs.org/ (Best Utah repeater list)
http://utahvhfs.org/linklist.html (Utah VHF Society links)
http://www.powerwerx.com/ (Excellent source for cables, adapters, connectors, etc. for Emergency use)
http://www.qsl.net/k/kd7rto//utah/hamrptr.htm (Another repeater list)
http://www.levinecentral.com/repeaters/google_mapping.php (Google map of repeaters for utah)
That should do for now. More next time.
73 de N7OZH
SUGGESTIONS
1. Repeater list in your PDA or phone.
2. Cell phone list for your ward for ERC operators.
3. LED flashlights EVERYWHERE. (Vehicles & Home & Office)
4. Twitter & Facebook accounts using your Call Sign
5. Ward Emergency operators should have a ward phone list.
A CHALLENGE
How to get ham radio operators active in the nets and other activities.
In order to get them active in the nets, you have to know who they are. Here is an easy way to find ALL the hams in your zip code.
To see the distribution of hams in any ZIP code, use the URL http://www.arrl.org/fcc/hamszip.html?zip=XXXXX, where XXXXX is the ZIP code for which you want to see a map of licensed Amateurs.
You will be surprised how many there are and might even find that some people you know are also licensed hams. The more of these "inactive" hams that we can get into the nets and clubs, the more we will have available when the disaster hits. Untrained Ham Radio operators are not nearly as capable as trained ones.
GENERAL INFO
There was a HUGE discussion on using FRS/GMRS radios for emergency communications to augment Ham Radio.
The October 2010 issue of Communications Magazine has info on FRS/GMRS proposed changes & other topics - available at Barnes & Noble.
Part 97 business band radios with 5 Watts or less can be used on GMRS - available cheaply on eBay.
There is a Cobra FRS/GMRS radio with removable antenna - model #MRHH425LIVP - costs over $100.00.
HAM RADIO REPAIR
Don Woods - Centerville exit - Precision Electronics - Business Radio Svc -call before you drop by, he is sometimes out of the office on business or community service. Just look up Precision Electronics in the phone book. Referred by KC7GMN - RICK SHAW.
TONS OF USEFUL HAM RADIO LINKS
http://www.ldshams.com/
www.gigaparts.com (Win a free HF Radio)
www.ac6v.com/ (HUGE list of ham radio links & info)
http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/ (Ham magazine)
http://utahvhfs.org/ (Best Utah repeater list)
http://utahvhfs.org/linklist.html (Utah VHF Society links)
http://www.powerwerx.com/ (Excellent source for cables, adapters, connectors, etc. for Emergency use)
http://www.qsl.net/k/kd7rto//utah/hamrptr.htm (Another repeater list)
http://www.levinecentral.com/repeaters/google_mapping.php (Google map of repeaters for utah)
That should do for now. More next time.
73 de N7OZH
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
ProWords for Ham Radio
Ham radio ProWords are very useful for exchanging information in a quick and efficient way. Unfortunately there are variations such as with the ProWord "BREAK". In most of northern Utah, BREAK means that there will be a pause in your transmission followed by more information. In southern Utah (starting in Provo) "BREAK" means "EMERGENCY". In some other states, "BREAK, BREAK" means emergency and if a few places the emergency call is "BREAK, BREAK, BREAK". In Provo, using "break" to mean that you want to join the conversation will get you chewed out for making a fake emergency call. I don't know why we don't just all standardize on "EMERGENCY" to mean "emergency" and get rid of the confusion.
On repeaters, if you are available for a conversation (QSO) then you simply say "This Is" followed by your call sign followed by "MONITORING" or "LISTENING". On HF we call "CQ" three or more times followed by our call sign in order to stretch out the information so as to have a better chance of being heard by someone who is turning the tuning control looking for a CQ call. On a repeater, you are on a fixed frequency and there are either people on that frequency or not. No long drawn out call is needed to get their attention, hence the much shorter "MONITORING" or "LISTENING".
There are other ProWords that are peculiar to SKYWARN, SAR (Search And Rescue), CAP (Civil Air Patrol) and the Salvation Army net known as SATERN. You can find all of these using Google.
For a treat not even related to ham radio, check out the very last URL link given below. Also, be sure to check out HAM RADIO ON YOUR PC, by HamSphere, which is the next to last URL link given.
Q Codes
http://www.qsl.net/w5www/qcode.html
Ashland CERT ProWords
http://sites.google.com/site/ashlandcert/Home/ham-radio-communications/prowords
Wake County ARES - Standardized ProWords
http://www.wakeares.org/?page_id=38
WikiPedia - Procedure Word
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedure_word
WikiPedia 10 Codes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-code
Ten-codes are generally avoided in services such as amateur radio where other existing standards (Q code and prosigns for Morse code) are already long established. Aviation and marine radio is better served by Q-codes, as the ten-code phrase lists were designed primarily for local police tasks while Q-code provides specific abbreviations for concepts related to aviation, shipping, RTTY, radiotelegraph and amateur radio. In radiotelegraph operation, a Q code is often shorter (as ten-codes require transmission of three prefix characters: 1, 0, hyphen) and provides standardization of codes, essential in international and shortwave communication.
Wikipedia - Prosigns for Morse code
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosigns_for_Morse_code
Wikipedia - Morse code mnemonics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morse_code_mnemonics
Scroll down and see the morse chart (Visual Mnemonic), it is the most original morse chart I have EVER seen.
Lots of general and useful ham radio information
http://www.oharts.org/
THE SALVATION ARMY TEAM EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK - SATERN
http://www.satern.org/ecom.html
http://www.satern.org/
Another ProWord List
http://www.qsl.net/k/kf4uel//lingo.htm
Ham Radio in your PC
http://www.hamsphere.com/?gclid=CJDd7urRiKQCFRhaiAodejOjHw
And now for something completely different
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39100951/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1
73 de N7OZH until next time.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Oct to Dec - SET Drills!
SERVICE PROJECT
SEP 18TH SERVICE ACTIVITY - MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - HAMS NEEDED
Contact Eugene at 801-541-1871 or N7OVT@ARRL.NET
0800 PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY - 15 different areas (locations) of service - hams needed for all. Free continental breakfast before and free lunch after!
---------------------
There are lots of local and national SET (Simulated Emergency Test) drills coming up. Quoting from the latest issue of QST - The 2010 ARRL SET is just around the corner. October 2-3 is the focal point weekend but RACES, ARES and other local nets can conduct their drills anytime September through December. Contact your ARRL section manager for more details (www.arrl.org/sections/). Or, click HERE.
ERC is doing a SET drill on November 6th on 147.56 Simplex. Any repeater traffic that they need to pass will be on the MARA 146.74 repeater. More info will follow. MARA has been invited to participate in this drill with ERC, and it is a great learning oppportunity. This is ERCs entry in the Utah State SET drill.
---------------------
The state of Utah is doing a Mega-SET drill this year. More info can be found at www.utahset2010.org. This one is an everything-at-once scenario. A record breaking snow storm all over the state of Utah with accumulations up to 65 inches in the higher elevations plus 4 earthquakes. The one at Antelope Island will cause 6 foot waves that will leave downtown SLC in water two feet deep. All power lines and phone lines will be down. The power outages will trigger failsafe devices that will knock out power in all surrounding states, so we get no outside help.
The state would like ALL ham radio operators to participate. All local groups are asked to communicate on all their regular and alternate frequencies. The state will try to contact all counties and all relief organizations and each county will be trying to contact all their local relief agencies plus other counties plus the state.
They want to see how the system handles a major overload. One really original part of the scenario is that organizations and individuals with generators are to assume that the only fuel they will get is what they have on hand. The roads are so torn up that fuel trucks cannot get through. They also assume that every single overpass is down and that I-15 and I-80 are closed all over the state. Of course, they will also toss in some additional challenges that are not in the documentation.
This is going to be FUN! Please go to the web site and download the forms and plan to participate.
One other thing about the forms, they are excellent for your use in an actual emergency. Both the message forms as well as the details for the Post Incident Review.
If you know of other drills, please let us know so that we can monitor them or even participate if there are openings for hams from "outside" the group.
We can all learn from these drills and we can all improve our operating techniques and procedures and readiness. Hope to see you there!
---------------------
MARA will have an exercise on Nov 6th as part of the State SET drill. Our participation will be timed to NOT conflict with the ERC net that day.
---------------------
For additional info, visit the DCARC web page at http://www.dcarc.net/go/ or just click HERE.
---------------------
DCARC CLUB SWAP MEET- Saturday 9/18/10
This is the DCARC Annual Swap Meet on September 18th at 8:00 am till 10 am. We are inviting UARC and OARC to join with us. This year it will be at the Bountiful City Park (same place as last year) which is at 100 West and 400 North in Bountiful. You can find it on Google Maps by clicking HERE.
---------------------
The annual ARES/RACES Conference will be held on Saturday, November 13th, 2010, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. This will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Salt Lake City. This is a great opportunity to receive training and also meet with fellow communication specialists from across the state.
You do need to pre-register for the conference. In order to do this you will need to utilize the U-Train system which is found at https://www.utah.train.org. Once at the website, the first thing you need to do is set up an account in U-Train as a new user (if you have not already done so previously). Once your U-Train account registration is completed you will then proceed to log in and then either do a course search for the keyword(s) ARES or RACES or on the right side of the home page key in the actual course number, which is 1011069 for the ARES/RACES Conference. Once you have the course listed on the screen, click on that to bring you to the registration/information page and click on the registration tab to register. The system will indicate that your request has been submitted and has to be approved. U-Train notifies the State Training Staff and they will acknowledge by email that you are signed up for the ARES/RACES Conference.
-N7OZH-
SEP 18TH SERVICE ACTIVITY - MULTIPLE LOCATIONS - HAMS NEEDED
Contact Eugene at 801-541-1871 or N7OVT@ARRL.NET
0800 PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY - 15 different areas (locations) of service - hams needed for all. Free continental breakfast before and free lunch after!
---------------------
There are lots of local and national SET (Simulated Emergency Test) drills coming up. Quoting from the latest issue of QST - The 2010 ARRL SET is just around the corner. October 2-3 is the focal point weekend but RACES, ARES and other local nets can conduct their drills anytime September through December. Contact your ARRL section manager for more details (www.arrl.org/sections/). Or, click HERE.
ERC is doing a SET drill on November 6th on 147.56 Simplex. Any repeater traffic that they need to pass will be on the MARA 146.74 repeater. More info will follow. MARA has been invited to participate in this drill with ERC, and it is a great learning oppportunity. This is ERCs entry in the Utah State SET drill.
---------------------
The state of Utah is doing a Mega-SET drill this year. More info can be found at www.utahset2010.org. This one is an everything-at-once scenario. A record breaking snow storm all over the state of Utah with accumulations up to 65 inches in the higher elevations plus 4 earthquakes. The one at Antelope Island will cause 6 foot waves that will leave downtown SLC in water two feet deep. All power lines and phone lines will be down. The power outages will trigger failsafe devices that will knock out power in all surrounding states, so we get no outside help.
The state would like ALL ham radio operators to participate. All local groups are asked to communicate on all their regular and alternate frequencies. The state will try to contact all counties and all relief organizations and each county will be trying to contact all their local relief agencies plus other counties plus the state.
They want to see how the system handles a major overload. One really original part of the scenario is that organizations and individuals with generators are to assume that the only fuel they will get is what they have on hand. The roads are so torn up that fuel trucks cannot get through. They also assume that every single overpass is down and that I-15 and I-80 are closed all over the state. Of course, they will also toss in some additional challenges that are not in the documentation.
This is going to be FUN! Please go to the web site and download the forms and plan to participate.
One other thing about the forms, they are excellent for your use in an actual emergency. Both the message forms as well as the details for the Post Incident Review.
If you know of other drills, please let us know so that we can monitor them or even participate if there are openings for hams from "outside" the group.
We can all learn from these drills and we can all improve our operating techniques and procedures and readiness. Hope to see you there!
---------------------
MARA will have an exercise on Nov 6th as part of the State SET drill. Our participation will be timed to NOT conflict with the ERC net that day.
---------------------
For additional info, visit the DCARC web page at http://www.dcarc.net/go/ or just click HERE.
---------------------
DCARC CLUB SWAP MEET- Saturday 9/18/10
This is the DCARC Annual Swap Meet on September 18th at 8:00 am till 10 am. We are inviting UARC and OARC to join with us. This year it will be at the Bountiful City Park (same place as last year) which is at 100 West and 400 North in Bountiful. You can find it on Google Maps by clicking HERE.
---------------------
The annual ARES/RACES Conference will be held on Saturday, November 13th, 2010, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. This will be held at the Red Lion Hotel in Salt Lake City. This is a great opportunity to receive training and also meet with fellow communication specialists from across the state.
You do need to pre-register for the conference. In order to do this you will need to utilize the U-Train system which is found at https://www.utah.train.org. Once at the website, the first thing you need to do is set up an account in U-Train as a new user (if you have not already done so previously). Once your U-Train account registration is completed you will then proceed to log in and then either do a course search for the keyword(s) ARES or RACES or on the right side of the home page key in the actual course number, which is 1011069 for the ARES/RACES Conference. Once you have the course listed on the screen, click on that to bring you to the registration/information page and click on the registration tab to register. The system will indicate that your request has been submitted and has to be approved. U-Train notifies the State Training Staff and they will acknowledge by email that you are signed up for the ARES/RACES Conference.
-N7OZH-
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Info from the web
http://www.totalradioservice.com/
They list a Dual Band HT for $129.00. The charger uses 12 volts and it is computer programmable. Sounds like a good deal for someone who has a limited budget.
GOOGLE "n3jt station grounding" to read one of the very best articles I have ever seen on station grounding. He unhooked ALL this antennas and still had major lightning damage.
GOOGLE "The Portable Omni Box WB8VGE" A fascinating little utility. A more complete article on this is in the July issue of QST magazine.
GOOGLE "KH6TY sound card interface"
http://kh6ty.home.comcast.net/~kh6ty/JuneQST.pdf
(Above is June 2009 article)
An expanded article is in the July 2010 issue of QST magazine. If you EVER get into digital modes, this article contains the BEST info I have ever seen on what settings to use on your PC to get it to work right. The 2009 article referenced above mentions using digital modes with your HT on 2 meters for EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. This gets a cleaner signal, improves your range at any given power setting, and keeps a complete log of all message traffic during the session. WOW! I think this is the perfect way to handle emergency communications in areas where HT traffic has trouble getting through or covering the entire affected area.
Go to www.powerwerx.com to see some of the neat accessory cables, connectors, and adaptors that are available. You can buy the parts and build these yourself for less money, or you can let somebody else do the work and pay just a little more.
The previous post was about lightning. Here are some excellent notes and links sent in by Scott, W7OXZ.
It may be interesting to note that the National Lightning Safety Institute does not consider the current involved in a lightning strike to be DC but rather high frequency AC, making it true that skin effect plays an important role in lightning projection. it is the reason that people in a car are protected. It is not the insulation provided by the tires. I saw what happened to the tires of a small rubber tired tractor when it came in contact with a 12 KV power line - small piles of smoking carbon under scorched metal rims. The operator tried to climb off the tractor and never made it. What is a few inches of rubber to the mega voltage of a lightning bolt!
"Electrically speaking, at lightning's higher frequencies, currents are carried mostly on the outside of conducting objects. A thick copper wire or a hollow-wall metal pipe will carry most of the lightning on outer surfaces. This phenomenon is called "skin effect." The same holds true for lightning when it strikes metal vehicles: the outer surface carries most of the electricity."
"Rubber tires provide zero safety from lightning. After all, lightning has traveled for miles through the sky: four or five inches of rubber is no insulation whatsoever."
The URL for the page on vehicles is http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/vehicle_strike.html or click HERE.
Scott / W7OXZ
73 until next time -N7OZH-
They list a Dual Band HT for $129.00. The charger uses 12 volts and it is computer programmable. Sounds like a good deal for someone who has a limited budget.
GOOGLE "n3jt station grounding" to read one of the very best articles I have ever seen on station grounding. He unhooked ALL this antennas and still had major lightning damage.
GOOGLE "The Portable Omni Box WB8VGE" A fascinating little utility. A more complete article on this is in the July issue of QST magazine.
GOOGLE "KH6TY sound card interface"
http://kh6ty.home.comcast.net/~kh6ty/JuneQST.pdf
(Above is June 2009 article)
An expanded article is in the July 2010 issue of QST magazine. If you EVER get into digital modes, this article contains the BEST info I have ever seen on what settings to use on your PC to get it to work right. The 2009 article referenced above mentions using digital modes with your HT on 2 meters for EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. This gets a cleaner signal, improves your range at any given power setting, and keeps a complete log of all message traffic during the session. WOW! I think this is the perfect way to handle emergency communications in areas where HT traffic has trouble getting through or covering the entire affected area.
Go to www.powerwerx.com to see some of the neat accessory cables, connectors, and adaptors that are available. You can buy the parts and build these yourself for less money, or you can let somebody else do the work and pay just a little more.
The previous post was about lightning. Here are some excellent notes and links sent in by Scott, W7OXZ.
It may be interesting to note that the National Lightning Safety Institute does not consider the current involved in a lightning strike to be DC but rather high frequency AC, making it true that skin effect plays an important role in lightning projection. it is the reason that people in a car are protected. It is not the insulation provided by the tires. I saw what happened to the tires of a small rubber tired tractor when it came in contact with a 12 KV power line - small piles of smoking carbon under scorched metal rims. The operator tried to climb off the tractor and never made it. What is a few inches of rubber to the mega voltage of a lightning bolt!
"Electrically speaking, at lightning's higher frequencies, currents are carried mostly on the outside of conducting objects. A thick copper wire or a hollow-wall metal pipe will carry most of the lightning on outer surfaces. This phenomenon is called "skin effect." The same holds true for lightning when it strikes metal vehicles: the outer surface carries most of the electricity."
"Rubber tires provide zero safety from lightning. After all, lightning has traveled for miles through the sky: four or five inches of rubber is no insulation whatsoever."
The URL for the page on vehicles is http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/vehicle_strike.html or click HERE.
Scott / W7OXZ
73 until next time -N7OZH-
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