Radio

I have decided to add a new label that is searchable. I have several posts that are about radio and radio topics. I recently received an email from a young lady that was interested in ham radio and had discovered my orphan blog about ham radio. She suggested adding the following link about ham radio emergency communications.

https://alertfind.com/amateur-radio-and-emergency-communications/

Thank you Ella, that was very timely given the recent hurricane and the response by the ham radio community. Hams are currently deployed throughout the Florida Panhandle at shelters and emergency operations centers. Communications is both on linked UHF repeaters (sarnetfl.com) and on HF on 40 and 80 meters depending on propagation.

Information on Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES) at the link.

 

Here are the contents of the orphaned blog:

Want to share some interesting ham radio links.

Subject for the May 15, 2016 TAPRN net was lightning protection. Lots of good discussion. Links include:

QST articles and other links. Definitive information on lightning protection.  http://www.arrl.org/lightning-protection

Gas tube surge protectors  http://www.alphadeltacom.com/

http://www.dxengineering.com/search/department/grounding-and-lightning-protection/brand/dx-engineering/product-line/dx-engineering-utility-enclosure-kits?autoview=SKU&N=4294953334%2B401126&sortby=Default&sortorder=Default


Here is the link from below we talked about on the TAPRN Net today, Feb. 14, 2016. Moved it up to be easier to find.
https://sites.google.com/site/fmtransceiverinterface/sound-card-interface-for-fm-transceivers
The printed circuit board is no longer available. See below.

WB5VJB Cheap Yagis for VHF and UHF. http://www.wa5vjb.com/yagi-pdf/cheapyagi.pdf
Kent has lots of other good information and products for sale on his website. See the downloads page for Pre Amp Cookbook, Circular Polarization Calculator and Antenna Measuring Notes.
Pre Amp CookbookCircular Polarization Calculator (exe) (zip)Antenna Measuring Notes

Happened to look a the QRZ.COM page for KH6TY and found some links to several of his projects:
Compact 2- Meter Quad for the Attic: https://sites.google.com/site/2matticquad/2m-attic-quad
A Sound Card Interface for FM Transceivers (June 2009 QST): https://sites.google.com/site/fmtransceiverinterface/sound-card-interface-for-fm-transceivers
 FM DXing (Powerpoint presentation): https://sites.google.com/site/skiptellerfiles/files/2MeterFMDXing.ppt
 SS5 (5 element Skeleton-slot beam from SVHFS Conference 2009):https://sites.google.com/site/skiptellerfiles/files/5elementskeleton-slotbeamfor70cm.doc
 Jolly Roger - Omnidirectional, Horizontally Polarized, 2 Meter Antenna: https://sites.google.com/site/skiptellerfiles/files/JollyRoger.zip
Another AmRRON member checked and the PC boards for the HT sound card interface are not available. She found an alternative on EBay. Search for "EASY DIGI" Sound Card Interface.  It is available as a kit through complete units with cables for your radio. Prices from $10 & up plus shipping. Short presentation with schematic is here: http://www.aracc.org/EASYDIGI!.pdf

Have not been involved with handling traffic before but am now participating in the AmRRON project. Hence the recent interest in traffic handling. The ARRL has some useful information / publications developed for their National Traffic System (NTS). You do not have to be an ARRL member to access it.  The publications include: PowerPoint presentation, NTS Manual, a Net Directory, Forms, NTS Digital and an Instructors Guide. www.arrl.org/nts

On the subject of traffic nets,Quick and Dirty CW Netiquette: Old hat for some, new to me...
http://www.qsl.net/n5lf/cw-nts.html

Wondering which shortwave broadcast station is on your net frequency on 40 meters? When are they scheduled to go off the air? Just want to do some shortwave listening? Check out Shortwave Schedules Around the World.

Maritime Radio Historical Society In cooperation with the Point Reyes National Seashore, part of the National Park Service, the Maritime Radio Historical Society (MRHS) has taken on the job of preserving the historic ex-RCA coast station KPH and returning it to the air. Home of KSM, K6KPH and the True Believers. Be sure to check out Incredible Radio Tales link.

The 7163 Group meets daily on 40 Meters from about 5 AM to 8 AM to work DX. Good group and everyone gets a shot at the DX stations that show up on frequency. And there are quite a few.

KP4MD has a great web page with lots of information on antennas, antenna modeling and propagation studies. She also has a link to the 40 minute documentary "An Insider Tour of the Arecibo Ovservatory". Carol's interests include VHF/UHF and WSPR. 

Had a discussion about portable operation during the TAPRN net April 2, 2016. Lots of radios discussed including the KX-3 (10 W), FT-817 (5 W) and the FT-857 (100 W max adj. to 5 W). I happened  to have an FT-857 and was looking at various options. Ran across this website with a neat setup using the 857 with a battery setup for backpack operation:
http://yo3hjv.blogspot.it/2008/07/ft-857d-backpack-kit.html

Since we were discussing portable operation, I checked out the operating voltage specifications.
The FT-817 will operate with the following power conditions:
Supply Voltage:
Normal: 13.8 VDC ±15 %, Negative Ground
Operating: 8.0-16.0 V, Negative Ground
...................FBA-28 (w/8 "AA" Alkaline Cells): 12.0 V
.................. FNB-72 (Ni-Cd Battery Pack): 9.6 V (Option)
Current Consumption: Squelched: 250 mA (Approx.)
Receive: 450 mA
Transmit: 2.0 A

The FR-857 is has the following power specification:
Voltage: 13.8 VDC +/- 15%
Receive 1 amp, transmit 22 amps (of course this will be lower with reduced power)

KX3 Standard Features Show:
Built-in 8 AA-cell battery holder works with any 1.2-1.6V cell type
Current drain as low as 150 ma in receive mode.