tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11851794938381451782024-03-05T10:45:53.991-08:00Marcus NX5MKAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-29676051171487822152015-01-01T22:55:00.001-08:002015-01-01T22:55:39.525-08:00Radial/Counterpoise Kit (Dale-W8ABZ)Here is a nice article on optimal antenna counterpoise lengths:<div><br></div><div>http://www.qsl.net/sv1uy/counterpoisekit.html</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-82264020363103039812014-11-25T18:47:00.001-08:002014-11-25T18:47:05.960-08:00update on USNGJust received these great links from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01911406802876371811" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">USNG08</a>, who left me a message on a prior article of mine:<br />
<a href="http://kd0jkm.blogspot.com/2013/07/navigation-coordinate-systems-for.html">http://kd0jkm.blogspot.com/2013/07/navigation-coordinate-systems-for.html</a><br />
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His comments as follows:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">Some updates:</span><br style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">a) </span><a href="http://usngflorida.org/" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">USNGFlorida.org</a><br style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">b) </span><a href="http://usngcenter.org/" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">USNGCenter.org</a><br style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">c) GMap4 works on any smartphone even w/o connectivity: </span><a href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?usng=15S_TD_5532_2407&tilt=off&z=4&t=t1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;">http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?usng=15S_TD_5532_2407&tilt=off&z=4&t=t1</a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 14px;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-46059047490349249822014-09-23T05:11:00.001-07:002014-09-23T05:11:42.675-07:00Off topichttp://vimeo.com/100670266Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-91989095421529205822014-07-21T20:42:00.003-07:002014-07-21T20:42:56.732-07:00Arkansas River Trail activation<div>
Here are the details to my upcoming Arkansas River Trail activation on Saturday as a Pedestrian Mobile /PM Amateur Radio station:</div>
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Where: <a href="http://arkansasrivertrail.org/" target="_blank">Arkansas River Trail</a><div>
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When: Sat, July 26, 2014 from <a href="http://radar-america.blogspot.com/2014/07/northern-hemisphere-summer-radar-contest.html" target="_blank">1400-1800Z (9AM-1PM CDT)</a></div>
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Freq: <a href="http://hfpack.com/air/" target="_blank">7185.5 kHz USB, 7296.0 kHz USB</a>, <a href="http://www.qrpp.org/#qrp_calling_freqs_list" target="_blank">7285.0 kHz LSB</a> or higher <a href="http://hfpack.com/air/" target="_blank">HFPack frequencies</a>.</div>
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Transceiver: <a href="http://www.barrettcommunications.com.au/" target="_blank">Barrett 2090</a></div>
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Power: 10W SSB</div>
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Antenna: <a href="http://www.hellbeck.net/downloads/dxmleaf02.pdf" target="_blank">DK2RZ DXM-90</a> with <a href="http://www.dbbear.com/k0emt/projant/hfpack/" target="_blank">counterpoise</a></div>
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When you follow the individual links above, you will see a bit of background information on the various listed details. </div>
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I will walk along the river, making a stab at walking 20km (12.4m) in 4 hours, while operating my backpack. No mountain to help me leverage my signal over the horizon. Temperature will be high and only partly cloudy - so no shade to count on (will have to wear good sunscreen!). Need to carry sufficient water too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy3NlANS7AoQBN50P64Em8T9XHWD6QztpbGiP5s-hXaovOYG0ZD9399u9PuVW83SF2iMeyXuTbyG4sQNg8OiFcnHDySIUeFOLW1kN-1Wu765C2KEXRlVHM0cpNLOd4bcGm027RYhpVU4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+21.26.22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXy3NlANS7AoQBN50P64Em8T9XHWD6QztpbGiP5s-hXaovOYG0ZD9399u9PuVW83SF2iMeyXuTbyG4sQNg8OiFcnHDySIUeFOLW1kN-1Wu765C2KEXRlVHM0cpNLOd4bcGm027RYhpVU4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+21.26.22.png" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, I am participating in the <a href="http://radar-america.blogspot.com/2014/07/northern-hemisphere-summer-radar-contest.html" target="_blank">RaDAR Summer Contest</a> but I will rag chew as much with every station as they are willing to chat with me!</div>
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Why did I choose 40m as my primary band for those 4 hours? Checking the <a href="http://www.voacap.com/coverage.html" target="_blank">VOACAP coverage map</a>, I had the impression that it would yield me the best coverage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk14-aVi0Ue4WKgfB4SjQM7tDMu4RsAOQYhVW5Xphg1uLy3l_jro07GVHTdKvIxMhs8oniduCT9yxRL6sdpseRrzPdpvvcNie08fLD5jIdek10LRZVlQqYaSbBVwnRIjV9n0Uqg8m5VM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+21.36.07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAk14-aVi0Ue4WKgfB4SjQM7tDMu4RsAOQYhVW5Xphg1uLy3l_jro07GVHTdKvIxMhs8oniduCT9yxRL6sdpseRrzPdpvvcNie08fLD5jIdek10LRZVlQqYaSbBVwnRIjV9n0Uqg8m5VM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+21.36.07.png" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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20m band and higher did not look favorable at all, at least so I thought.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWT4JBkf48h8FoH5i-SyWi6hSpZIbVJ2ze7TCpdoqdKIY4hd7uH6uSiGR2LiIMAHOSoTmKIjVdmgtlqwjxP9fP7Zt_cIblBj7W-odL8FTzAGyJXepL3yh3GoHWAgl8UDIVEgb9ZkElqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+22.23.11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWT4JBkf48h8FoH5i-SyWi6hSpZIbVJ2ze7TCpdoqdKIY4hd7uH6uSiGR2LiIMAHOSoTmKIjVdmgtlqwjxP9fP7Zt_cIblBj7W-odL8FTzAGyJXepL3yh3GoHWAgl8UDIVEgb9ZkElqM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-21+at+22.23.11.png" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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I will take on the challenge of 10W SSB with my DXM-90 40m antenna. <a href="https://plus.google.com/106192823852962787255/posts/V4pAbt4sZkg" target="_blank">I had a great QSO not too long ago with Greg N4KGL from Dallas when I used my 20m DXM-90</a>, my hopes are thus that the 40m version might also deliver some good contacts. It is a gamble, but I can also always still mount my 12 foot whip or change over to a light dipole. The <a href="http://www.voacap.com/areapredictions/53cddcb9886dc/" target="_blank">predicted dipole coverage</a> certainly looks better.</div>
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73.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-22417905159872300222014-07-13T21:26:00.001-07:002014-07-13T22:58:28.980-07:00The journey is the reward.<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">My strategy for the RaDAR contest on the 26th:</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Weather hot and humid here now, thus want to minimize gear to bare essentials, but still want to do /PM. Carrying lots of water a "must", a few powerbars for energy. Anti mosquito spray and sun screen both a conditio sine qua non. Hope there will be no thunderstorm in the forecast, since I don't like to take SUCH risks. Most will agree, some daredevils don't. Darwin will decide who's making the right choice.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Will aim to continue walking during the 4 hours, making 20km total. If I make the 20km before the 4 hours are up, I will deploy a low dipole for 40m. Walking the 20km ahead of time (before I've made 5 contacts for each way stop) should be allowable by the RaDAR Contest rules for /PM operators. Agree?</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Will have to wisely choose the band I want to talk on with my whip, since it's hard to change frequency/ band once my transceiver is on my back (Alicepack). Until now, 20m was always best, but looking at VOACAP, seems like 40m is a better choice.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">My personal aim for this contest date: manage the 20km in 4 hours, with number of /PM contacts made being secondary. The journey is the reward.</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><font face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size: 12px;">http://radar-america.blogspot.com/2014/07/northern-hemisphere-summer-radar-contest.html</span></font></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-87030204861419557852014-06-28T15:58:00.001-07:002014-06-28T15:58:14.116-07:00N5AT<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGecveXjiqpNnrBin4oTry8jewY1UveHvvayfL5jApezEYb62f2IQtyOJpi-_5vWLqIYLAm8dL09C3Bunoo_QEF4-QB995Pp3QgfB-5_zFCAlQxFFlalVf8XE_08oiVaqusEIh8Hbcw/s640/blogger-image-1486160273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGecveXjiqpNnrBin4oTry8jewY1UveHvvayfL5jApezEYb62f2IQtyOJpi-_5vWLqIYLAm8dL09C3Bunoo_QEF4-QB995Pp3QgfB-5_zFCAlQxFFlalVf8XE_08oiVaqusEIh8Hbcw/s640/blogger-image-1486160273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC_xrOtX9w7khltOMRIUM2nqLfnJKh4hxGcTrle2EJJAIciZjTVTXLDNyuibRkRJ3G8koDpMIDGrsdh5QWBLR9pIO17pT4TPmRox1veDMI_7hzobsfxdabb0gna_wVWi-Tean9W3PKiM/s640/blogger-image--863233967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_Xm82WK521nU3Mxt9bw6cVBB2qt5qxRWK8_B2kT4XM9LOalJ1MeBeBlk1UGx0LrcQUuuAgdMdA13d3z8pwDUgx4Yiccaqy52F_TNGZYJG9I6SCNmTBB1qKT5g0FWD3fTFOntC03Gt6o/s640/blogger-image--1633870903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_Xm82WK521nU3Mxt9bw6cVBB2qt5qxRWK8_B2kT4XM9LOalJ1MeBeBlk1UGx0LrcQUuuAgdMdA13d3z8pwDUgx4Yiccaqy52F_TNGZYJG9I6SCNmTBB1qKT5g0FWD3fTFOntC03Gt6o/s640/blogger-image--1633870903.jpg"></a></div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC_xrOtX9w7khltOMRIUM2nqLfnJKh4hxGcTrle2EJJAIciZjTVTXLDNyuibRkRJ3G8koDpMIDGrsdh5QWBLR9pIO17pT4TPmRox1veDMI_7hzobsfxdabb0gna_wVWi-Tean9W3PKiM/s640/blogger-image--863233967.jpg"></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGecveXjiqpNnrBin4oTry8jewY1UveHvvayfL5jApezEYb62f2IQtyOJpi-_5vWLqIYLAm8dL09C3Bunoo_QEF4-QB995Pp3QgfB-5_zFCAlQxFFlalVf8XE_08oiVaqusEIh8Hbcw/s640/blogger-image-1486160273.jpg"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJsWXxe4XsArjHSjQNWO3VXpX-nWhJWtvbdHp7T3zMdCiAwxhcxZ-ggRkfWVcqS36joZILI27qxKsvIeU6dYaC85RctRfmfW7l8EjawL5zJpky1V-zLkm8er9TCC83pPo5lsizHp4jkM/s640/blogger-image--1498381842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJsWXxe4XsArjHSjQNWO3VXpX-nWhJWtvbdHp7T3zMdCiAwxhcxZ-ggRkfWVcqS36joZILI27qxKsvIeU6dYaC85RctRfmfW7l8EjawL5zJpky1V-zLkm8er9TCC83pPo5lsizHp4jkM/s640/blogger-image--1498381842.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-86026828411849703512014-06-28T15:57:00.001-07:002014-06-28T15:57:13.548-07:00N5AT more photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAqSNOhjoW89BnbI8xQ-FmGWMgplmDiPzmSE90jJt01iFDzK_SvK-C3lj5pTNdHKbhF3xZUmEZ4ytX2qb3BHFF_V5U5azXU4PqyxUk43j1y9Fd54rfnmZJjdCpMuPj2cnJXT8im21Qa8/s640/blogger-image--1694286148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAqSNOhjoW89BnbI8xQ-FmGWMgplmDiPzmSE90jJt01iFDzK_SvK-C3lj5pTNdHKbhF3xZUmEZ4ytX2qb3BHFF_V5U5azXU4PqyxUk43j1y9Fd54rfnmZJjdCpMuPj2cnJXT8im21Qa8/s640/blogger-image--1694286148.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAqSNOhjoW89BnbI8xQ-FmGWMgplmDiPzmSE90jJt01iFDzK_SvK-C3lj5pTNdHKbhF3xZUmEZ4ytX2qb3BHFF_V5U5azXU4PqyxUk43j1y9Fd54rfnmZJjdCpMuPj2cnJXT8im21Qa8/s640/blogger-image--1694286148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqf67aGFiy2xT5HqR5Jyzco_RMHx9SWM_LCDTH-1NshU3XWnaNwuzXQGzFCXgygy4MKhpPtAN-GK_EH8mhf_eNzQXu4ixPJukdbcbfB-grHgghr2RVuCtwnm6a0QVtFFI5avr8CiHwQQ/s640/blogger-image--926524269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqf67aGFiy2xT5HqR5Jyzco_RMHx9SWM_LCDTH-1NshU3XWnaNwuzXQGzFCXgygy4MKhpPtAN-GK_EH8mhf_eNzQXu4ixPJukdbcbfB-grHgghr2RVuCtwnm6a0QVtFFI5avr8CiHwQQ/s640/blogger-image--926524269.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqf67aGFiy2xT5HqR5Jyzco_RMHx9SWM_LCDTH-1NshU3XWnaNwuzXQGzFCXgygy4MKhpPtAN-GK_EH8mhf_eNzQXu4ixPJukdbcbfB-grHgghr2RVuCtwnm6a0QVtFFI5avr8CiHwQQ/s640/blogger-image--926524269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuUuhRgSwJW_Uke0c155f8FqyDzd-EIFwdFxjGrvDv41SPHp9LRHYrBX4JVy2qrLZzhAdAyV83AsdKRVWQ97DXc4NxcGYNUFqUJ4pJJhSO4uyp_iQSn47ntwFWjqYTTAQaT7ac0a7Fe0/s640/blogger-image-444609196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s11JfXXbnOcZQt1uzp4qmqw-zAON_cCogmPdS5cA2L0mT6uVHsQYD0-FWS8e75RWWViNZVU4jmFaj3NNPNh1zdZVQLSsPC_KA1QAJ_hFR1rKAydUsJMEgrHjYLZvSr_1PI0unORpWUY/s640/blogger-image--1640008040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s11JfXXbnOcZQt1uzp4qmqw-zAON_cCogmPdS5cA2L0mT6uVHsQYD0-FWS8e75RWWViNZVU4jmFaj3NNPNh1zdZVQLSsPC_KA1QAJ_hFR1rKAydUsJMEgrHjYLZvSr_1PI0unORpWUY/s640/blogger-image--1640008040.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3s11JfXXbnOcZQt1uzp4qmqw-zAON_cCogmPdS5cA2L0mT6uVHsQYD0-FWS8e75RWWViNZVU4jmFaj3NNPNh1zdZVQLSsPC_KA1QAJ_hFR1rKAydUsJMEgrHjYLZvSr_1PI0unORpWUY/s640/blogger-image--1640008040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekyA4AxX92q5xOyw7P3NHDXPJxzf492gTPT4_fi39d0H-0W242WwvOmOmA9TF1ErBAvQFSt5Gcj6nLHqBoIBY6RmOHaxVbhYxlfoeBZcJqt_J0XWXkhNZsPVAXbaLLfX_NopMJDzjw_I/s640/blogger-image--1089355051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekyA4AxX92q5xOyw7P3NHDXPJxzf492gTPT4_fi39d0H-0W242WwvOmOmA9TF1ErBAvQFSt5Gcj6nLHqBoIBY6RmOHaxVbhYxlfoeBZcJqt_J0XWXkhNZsPVAXbaLLfX_NopMJDzjw_I/s640/blogger-image--1089355051.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekyA4AxX92q5xOyw7P3NHDXPJxzf492gTPT4_fi39d0H-0W242WwvOmOmA9TF1ErBAvQFSt5Gcj6nLHqBoIBY6RmOHaxVbhYxlfoeBZcJqt_J0XWXkhNZsPVAXbaLLfX_NopMJDzjw_I/s640/blogger-image--1089355051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXSEhTcB_dXuRuZviWGZtF9uG9aL2MSQUIp_mqziN_zgAyuPmSeG_U-xSiWWzrrFnc3HCyQWb90T2bI0gDLISX0k4-2yQdR7NAR4kO3ChTXuJreLccyGGanU8HSBm1jAtlewAD5K7Zts/s640/blogger-image-1176372142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXSEhTcB_dXuRuZviWGZtF9uG9aL2MSQUIp_mqziN_zgAyuPmSeG_U-xSiWWzrrFnc3HCyQWb90T2bI0gDLISX0k4-2yQdR7NAR4kO3ChTXuJreLccyGGanU8HSBm1jAtlewAD5K7Zts/s640/blogger-image-1176372142.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-789942297417541772014-06-26T19:15:00.001-07:002014-06-26T19:15:20.847-07:00N5AT Field Day antenna setup- 20 meter beam on a 60' tower trailer<br />
<br />
- 204' G5RV center suspended on a 70' pole with shorter +20' poles supporting the ends<br />
<br />
- 1300' horizontal delta loop wire antenna will be supported by the same 70' pole at a lower point, 20’ at 2 trees at other corners<br />
<br />
- 2300' horizontal loop wire antenna will be suspended from trees and 8’-12’ poles<br />
<br />
- 40m half wave NVIS dipole<br />
<br />
- 80m half wave NVIS dipole<br />
<br />
- Alpha Antenna Promaster Sr<br />
<br />
- Alpha Antenna Small Magnetic Loop<br />
<br />
- 2m VHF antenna on poleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-12580073244144295282014-06-23T20:33:00.000-07:002014-06-23T20:33:56.620-07:00Modes used during Field Day<h3>
So which communication modes will our clubs feature during Field Day 2014?</h3>
<a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_amateur_radio_modes" target="_blank">Voice</a>, <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_wave" target="_blank">CW</a>, <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSK31" target="_blank">PSK31</a>, <a href="http://www.w1hkj.com/FldigiHelp-3.21/html/mt63_page.html" target="_blank">MT63-500L</a>, <a href="http://hflink.com/automaticlinkestablishment/" target="_blank">ALE, ALE AMD</a>, <a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Packet_Reporting_System" target="_blank">APRS</a>, <a href="http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/marine/radiofax.htm" target="_blank">WeFax</a>.<br />
<br />
Just follow the links for more info!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-75823137591625099832014-06-23T19:47:00.000-07:002014-06-23T19:53:12.669-07:00APRS for Field Day?So you are interested to make 10 quick points on Field Day? Have you sent NTS style messages? Bored of relaying Radiograms by voice and can't find anyone to accept one? NBEMS too easy for you, since it's such a great and easy and free software suite?<br />
<br />
Then why don't you send a few APRS messages, routing them to email addresses and write them as I've featured in a prior blog entry (<a href="http://nx5mk.blogspot.com/2014/06/arrl-field-day-2014-nts-style-messages.html" target="_blank">see ALE AMD NTS messages</a>)?<br />
<br />
For example:<br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4 R NX5MK ARL 3 EM34ST JUN 29 URCALLSIGN BT ARL FIFTY X BT NX5MK AR</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But watch you message length,<a href="http://www.aprs-is.net/email.aspx" target="_blank"> APRS Email</a> supports 67 characters, less than ALE AMD!</span><br />
<br />
Nonetheless, 10 messages at 10 points each - nice!<br />
<br />
Great EmComm training and great for points too ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-29890240104420288142014-06-23T19:12:00.002-07:002014-06-23T19:12:46.671-07:00Ionosonde surveyLook at the great ionosonde survey webpage that Van AE5CC put together:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wdv.com/ionosonde/index.html">http://wdv.com/ionosonde/index.html</a><br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
...and it works really nice with the swiping! Thanks for sending me this Van!</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-46220293979417631432014-06-19T22:37:00.001-07:002014-06-20T05:07:34.433-07:00ARRL Field Day 2014 NTS style messages via ALE AMD<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am the Field Day Incident Commander for N5AT and one of our goals is to get the Bonus points for “NTS style messages”.<br><br>I verified with the ARRL and it is not the mode of transmission that is of interest (it must however leave the site via radio RF), it is the message format (i.e. NTS radiogram) that is the requirement.<br><br>Thus, please don’t be surprised when you receive an ALE AMD message like the following during Field Day:<br><br>4 R NX5MK ARL 3 EM34ST JUN 29 URCALLSIGN BT ARL FIFTY X BT NX5MK AR<br><br>= approx. 59 characters, which is under the 90 character limit for AMD messages. Great! (Message size limit verified here: <a href="http://hflink.com/standards/ALE_standard_188_141B.pdf" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">http://hflink.com/standards/ALE_standard_188_141B.pdf</a> )<br><br>Maybe the above will inspire some other HAMs to also demo ALE and HFLink to their fellow HAMs during Field Day?! You may of course also choose voice, CW, NBEMS, APRS to send your Radiogram, but AMD makes it so slick… :)<br><br>vy 73 de Marcus NX5MK<br>Apparare Scientior Paratus Communicare</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-48068550521787473962014-06-16T18:47:00.001-07:002014-06-16T18:47:31.677-07:00Wireless Emergency Alerts<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Wireless Emergency Alerts </span><a href="http://t.co/BzaPhL7ZQx" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">lnkd.in/dnFVj52</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-44695967025762903682014-06-03T23:54:00.001-07:002014-06-03T23:54:08.613-07:00Getting into shapeHad the chance to go with family today to the Cedar Falls in Petit Jean State Park<div>http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/things_to_do/trails/cedar_falls.aspx</div><div>which is a 2 mile hike from Mather Lodge, considered moderate to strenuous. Had my entire /PM gear with me, including reserve battery, charge controller, mini-chair, water, CW straight key, you name it. Hefty package all in all... The waterfall was great, we had a great hike, was warm to hot and humid. Sure sweated a lot, but had great fun hiking. Did not operate at all, since I would have had to string up a 40m antenna and today was really reserved for family. But - was a great RaDAR exercise to get into shape for the contests.</div><div>More details on my pack to follow another day.</div><div>73</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-42915299404446787642014-06-03T22:58:00.000-07:002014-06-26T19:16:37.135-07:00ARRL Field Day 2014 announcement<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>News flash: <a href="http://nx5mk.blogspot.com/2014/06/modes-used-during-field-day.html" target="_blank">Modes used during Field Day</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>News flash: <a href="http://nx5mk.blogspot.com/2014/06/arrl-field-day-2014-nts-style-messages.html" target="_blank">ALE AMD during Field Day</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>News flash: <a href="http://nx5mk.blogspot.com/2014/06/aprs-for-field-day.html" target="_blank">APRS during Field Day</a></b><br />
<b>News flash: <a href="http://nx5mk.blogspot.com/2014/06/n5at-field-day-antenna-setup.html" target="_blank">Field Day Antenna setup</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Stay tuned for more updates...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Public Announcement for immediate release -</span></b></h2>
</div>
<br />
<h3>
The <b>Arkansas Radio Emergency Services (A.R.E.S.) Club, The Central Arkansas UHF (CAUHF) Club and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Ham Radio (CAVHS) Club</b> have once again joined forces for this year's <a href="http://www.arrl.org/field-day" target="_blank">ARRL Amateur Radio Field Day</a> @ the VA Hospital.</h3>
<br />
<br />
We three Little Rock Amateur Radio Clubs will once again be participating in the annual ARRL Field Day event the weekend of June 28-29 on the Historic Ft. Roots Parade Ground, Little Rock, Arkansas using the call sign N5AT.<br />
<br />
We will be operating with emergency power and alternate power, erecting a 20m beam antenna, wire antennas and a magnetic loop antenna. There will again be a dedicated SSB station, a dedicated digital station, a digital&voice GOTA station and a VHF station. Digital operations will be CW (straight key) and sound card based modes, including Automatic Link Establishment (ALE AMD).<br />
<br />
<br />
The <a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ArkansasHFDigitalNVISNet" target="_blank">AHDNN net</a> will be conducted from this site between 1600h and 1700h CDT, 7.070 mhz 1000Hz +/-, MT63-500L.<br />
<b><u>Technician Class Licensees</u></b> - SPECIAL NOTICE: Please check-in with CW on Center Frequency, we are listening out for you! Net will be conducted using the NBEMS software suite with FLDIGI and FLMSG to facilitate section "7.3.6. Message Handling” of the ARRL Field Day 2014 Rules. NBEMS nets in adjoining states have planned to stand by.<br />
<br />
<br />
We have decided to organize the event per the NIMS / ICS model, as to increase our knowledge and experience with it, making use of and learning about the AUXFOG. We will have an Educational Activity and hope that the Little Rock Boy Scouts will be able to join us! <a href="http://fd.ema.arrl.org/FD_ICS.html">http://fd.ema.arrl.org/FD_ICS.html</a><br />
<br />
Irrespective of the above, our focus is - as always - on the great cameraderie between the clubs and it’s members, where everyone is invited and welcome to visit and operate.<br />
<br />
Although we have chosen to follow the ARRL Field Day 2014 Rules Objective closely ("To work as many stations as possible on any and all amateur bands…” and to "developing skills to meet the challenges of emergency preparedness as well as to acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio.”), we will nonetheless approach it as we always have, with a degree of leisure appropriate for the searing heat at that time of year!<br />
<br />
If you have time, come join us!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Directions to the park are here: <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fort+Roots/@34.777381,-92.296615,1374m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87d2bccbe07b8829:0xdc8514742de1290b" target="_blank">Google Maps directions</a> and please see the map at the bottom of this post, we will be located on the Parade Ground.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Historical background:<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=5807">http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=5807</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/places/13000021.htm">http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/feature/places/13000021.htm</a></span><br />
<br />
We all look forward to meeting you, be it on air or in person!<br />
<br />
Wishing all a most enjoyable and especially safe Field Day 2014,<br />
<br />
73 de Marcus NX5MK<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">A.R.E.S. Club, CAUHF & CAVHS FIELD DAY 2014 UC/IC</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1pQxhcC" target="_blank">ArcGIS - US National Grid with Current Hazards</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaEzd_6M_DjPdcHdFJkG3CtVK0IJeh9L5o5REt1AOZkSOVMxwwFFj3D6MJrPR2I57sz8pjIYnKWr5sPeOI0raMjLix5V7_woVOGj76Q1w1cvfTg99qB_cyuarrof6ysG6Xm6408bwQkM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-04+at+00.33.00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaEzd_6M_DjPdcHdFJkG3CtVK0IJeh9L5o5REt1AOZkSOVMxwwFFj3D6MJrPR2I57sz8pjIYnKWr5sPeOI0raMjLix5V7_woVOGj76Q1w1cvfTg99qB_cyuarrof6ysG6Xm6408bwQkM/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-04+at+00.33.00.png" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-37097769017637886692014-05-31T13:34:00.001-07:002014-05-31T13:34:24.911-07:00AR-1 DMATToday is the quarterly meeting of the @AR1DMAT and I am enjoying the cameraderie of a great team and learning from the multiple training sessions.<div><br></div><div>Right now learning about prevention of Trench Foot - a real need to know for all backpackers and /PM operators and Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio operators #RADAROPS since it prevents pain and incredible infections / gangrene.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-27212645790126388002014-05-19T21:26:00.001-07:002014-05-19T22:05:08.304-07:00The Amateur's Code<h2 style="text-align: start;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">The Amateur's Code</span></h2>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA (1928)</span></div>
<br />
<hr style="text-align: -webkit-center;" />
<table style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Times;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="LEFT"><h3>
<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Radio Amateur is:</span></b></h3>
</td></tr>
<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP" width="200"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">CONSIDERATE</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td height="25"></td></tr>
<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">LOYAL</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">PROGRESSIVE</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">with knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">FRIENDLY</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">BALANCED</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">PATRIOTIC</span></b></td><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">with station and skill always ready for service to country and community.</span></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-75167746268273872332014-05-19T19:35:00.001-07:002014-05-19T22:06:29.372-07:00Amateur Radio for hospitals - a valuable resource<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/05/19/ham-radio-old-technology-gets-new-respect/">http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/05/19/ham-radio-old-technology-gets-new-respect/</a><br />
<br />
Brief article generally describing value of Amateur Radio operators within hospitals.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-48599018246287516052014-05-15T12:16:00.000-07:002014-05-19T22:01:01.368-07:00Maintaining Leadership Focus in Volunteer Emergency OrganizationsOutstanding How-To article on how to manage Volunteer Emergency Organizations.<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2011/11/judy-esmond-options-maintaining-leadership-focus-in-volunteer-emergency-organizations/#sthash.VEClTRzS.dpuf">http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2011/11/judy-esmond-options-maintaining-leadership-focus-in-volunteer-emergency-organizations/#sthash.VEClTRzS.dpuf</a></span><br />
<div>
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I especially want to point out the following paragraph of the article:<br />
<br />
<i>PEOPLE</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>1) Leaders should ensure that every step is made to make a newbie welcome. A ʺfather – figureʺ (utilising specific skills and abilities) can take the newbie under his or her wing for the first two or three meetings; making them feel at home and instil a sense of belonging. It is a common fact that if a newbie hasn’t made a friend within the first seven weeks, there is a strong possibility they won’t hang around much after that.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2) Home in on the skills, talents, abilities, attributes, etc of the newcomer and begin to utilize them ASAP.</i><br />
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<i>3) If membership or team spirit appears to be waning, perhaps a change of leadership is needed? Leaders who hold the post for long periods can generate staleness. Fresh blood often introduces a fresh approach.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
My comments to this are:<br />
<i><br /></i>
Regarding #1:<br />
I specifically thank all the members of the ARES-Club (Arkansas Radio Emergency Services Club) for having made me feel welcome from the first moment onwards and for your continued elmering. It is not often that one meets HAMs like you.<br />
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Regarding #2:<br />
I also thank you for having utilized my skill set from the beginning - it takes a confident and knowledgeable person to guide someone else, knowing how to apply their skill set and allowing them to gain leadership experience - and you did.<br />
<br />
Regarding #3:<br />
I certainly see no waning team spirit with the ARES-Club! Why is that? I believe it's because you practice the art of rotating responsibilities. That's exactly what a friend of mine, a US Navy Commander, suggested I practice with our Decon Unit where I work.<br />
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<br />
See more about "Maintaining Leadership Focus in Volunteer Emergency Organizations" at: <a href="http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2011/11/judy-esmond-options-maintaining-leadership-focus-in-volunteer-emergency-organizations/#sthash.VEClTRzS.dpuf">http://bigmedicine.ca/wordpress/2011/11/judy-esmond-options-maintaining-leadership-focus-in-volunteer-emergency-organizations/#sthash.VEClTRzS.dpuf</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-7333381899228299762014-05-08T23:11:00.001-07:002014-05-08T23:25:02.599-07:00How to install a grounding rod the easy way<a href="http://youtu.be/-kpI8PFNYl4">http://youtu.be/-kpI8PFNYl4</a><div>Great little how-to video!</div><div><br></div><div>...and this one:</div><div><a href="http://youtu.be/F0dyf-fibzg">http://youtu.be/F0dyf-fibzg</a></div><div><br></div><div>Makes it look even easier!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-75206378273185773462014-04-30T22:01:00.002-07:002014-04-30T22:01:38.078-07:00US National Grid with current hazardsThis map is truly worthy of your review. It presents the US National Grid (USNG) map service along with current hazards data from the USGS, Pacific Disaster Center and NOAA.<br />
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<a href="http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=6337d027539c41bfa9206160fa7edded" target="_blank">http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=6337d027539c41bfa9206160fa7edded</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-46801824808451815972014-04-27T12:41:00.001-07:002014-04-27T12:52:56.815-07:00For all those who believe that ALE is "a solution looking for a
problem"...<div>There are a number of Amateur Radio operators (aka. "hams"), who believe that ALE is a solution in search of a problem. It is for those, that the following is written:</div><div><br></div><div>Executive Summary:</div><div><br></div>The automatic link establishment protocol (aka. "ALE") used for high frequency (HF) radios, is a vendor-independent protocol, which does exactly as it name implies. It automates the establishment of an HF link between two stations. Technical details are sufficiently documented and freely available on the Internet.<div><br><div>Experienced HF radio operators are fairly good at estimating which frequency (band) will likely result in good two-way reception between two stations at a fixed distance from one another at any given time of day.</div><div><br></div><div>If however, there are more than two stations who want to be able to communicate with each other without prearranging a schedule and who are at various distances from each other (e.g. 20miles, 200miles, 1000miles, 2000miles, 4000miles), then experience alone is not the solution. How is the radio operator to know who is wanting to contact him right now and that with 24/7 coverage? Since the other stations are at varying distances from him, which frequency should he be listing to? </div><div>One could of course buy a dedicated transceiver for every frequency and band that one would need to cover, but the cost for such a setup is prohibitive and arguably impossible to accomplish for mobile and portable stations.</div></div><div><br></div><div>This is where ALE comes in and thus is indeed a solution which solves a real world problem and does so more efficiently (less bandwidth and less time consuming) than any "experienced" radio operator could.</div><div><br></div><div>73 de Marcus NX5MK</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-7969111082598803202014-04-26T08:15:00.001-07:002014-04-26T08:15:36.078-07:00NIMS ICS forms for AUXCOM, CERT, ARES, Amateur Radio operatorsThis is the best collection of ICS forms that I have found to date for the AUXCOM, CERT, ARES, Amateur Radio operator, covering all ICS forms of interest for the communicator: <a href="http://bearsfl.us/files/ics_forms/" target="_blank">http://bearsfl.us/files/ics_forms/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-2483800851730852682014-03-28T07:00:00.001-07:002014-03-28T07:00:23.859-07:00Amateur Radio, Federal Government Engaged in Joint 5 MHz Communication Exercise<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #224466; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Amateur Radio operators and federal government stations are engaged in a 12-day nationwide test of their capability to communicate with each other on HF in the event of an emergency or disaster. The High Frequency Interoperability Exercise 2014 (<a href="http://hflink.net/hfie2014/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HFIE-2014</strong></a>) is running concurrently with the federal National Exercise Program (<a href="http://www.fema.gov/national-exercise-program" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NEP</strong></a>) 2014. Activity is taking place on two of the five 60 meter channels. The primary center-frequency channel is 5358.5 kHz, and the secondary center-frequency channel is 5373.0 kHz. Amateur Radio is secondary to government users on the band. The joint readiness exercise that began March 27 will continue through April 7 and include all areas of the US. Participants will use Automatic Link Establishment (<a href="http://hflink.com/automaticlinkestablishment/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ALE</strong></a>), a standardized digital selective calling protocol, to establish communication between stations. </div>
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“The HFIE has been a semi-annual exercise for some years,” explained HFIE-2014 Coordinator Bonnie Crystal, KQ6XA. “Previously, HFIE has been a ham-only exercise. This year, we scheduled HFIE so it coincides with the NEP.”</div>
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Participation in the interoperability exercise is open to all ALE-capable federal government radio stations and to all ALE-capable US Amateur Radio stations. <span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Special Temporary Authorization (STA) has been granted, giving</span> permission for radio amateurs to communicate with federal government stations for the duration of the exercise.</div>
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Crystal said ALE signaling “sounds like turkey gobble,” adding that ALE calls last about 15 seconds. Stations listening “may also hear the operators then start talking on USB voice,” she said. “The signals can be up to about 40 seconds long, if there’s texting riding on it, using a very rapid type of ARQ [automatic repeat request] handshaking.”</div>
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“Once someone links with another station, they have the choice of using SSB voice or sending/receiving up to about 80 characters of text,” Crystal said. “Or they can switch to some other mode, such as CW or PSK or PACTOR.”</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #224466; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, said the exercise offers an excellent opportunity for those amateurs with ALE capability. “It is a good exercise that highlights one of the key elements under which US amateurs were granted secondary status on the 60 meter band,” he said. "The amateur community's ability to participate in an interoperability exercise with governmental communications is a great way to assess where things stand in this area — and to explore the next steps to take. We encourage those amateurs familiar with the ALE protocols and have the station equipment to participate in a meaningful way to do so.”</span></div>
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Crystal said that in past years some hams who work for federal government radio systems have participated in HFIE during their off-hours as Amateur Radio operators. “We got together with some of them and worked out a way to enable federal stations to do some ALE interoperability testing on the 5 MHz channels with hams, since they already are authorized on the exact same channels as hams.” Crystal said it was just a matter of getting the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (<a href="http://www.ntia.doc.gov/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NTIA</strong></a>) and the <a href="http://www.fcc.gov/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">FCC</strong></a> to allow hams and government stations to communicate. The STA was approved on March 24.</div>
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Federal government station HF radios stations have the ALE capability built into the hardware. Amateur Radio operators implement ALE protocols using computer software with their ham gear. “The STA allows for on-the-air testing of interoperability between the hardware and software-generated ALE implementations,” Crystal said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #224466; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The HFIE is a semi-annual ham radio readiness exercise coordinated by the<a href="http://hflink.com/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HFLINK</strong></a> organization and the <a href="http://hflink.net/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Global ALE High Frequency Network</strong></a> It is open to all ALE-capable ham radio stations. Technical and operational <a href="http://hflink.net/hfie2014" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">guidelines</strong></a> for ham and federal government stations are available on the HFIE-2014 website.</div>
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The National Exercise Program is a complex emergency preparedness exercise with activities sponsored by government departments and agencies, designed to educate and prepare the whole community for complex, large-scale disasters and emergencies. As part of the National Preparedness Goal, it enables a collaborative, whole community approach to national preparedness that engages individuals, families, communities, the private and nonprofit sectors, faith-based organizations, and all levels of government.</div>
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<a href="http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-federal-government-engaged-in-joint-5-mhz-communication-exercise">http://www.arrl.org/news/view/amateur-radio-federal-government-engaged-in-joint-5-mhz-communication-exercise</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1185179493838145178.post-16372677686905133842014-03-21T19:14:00.001-07:002014-03-21T19:14:33.530-07:00Some Thoughts About ICS, USNG and SAR - From a Florida Firefighter<a href="http://www.epcupdates.org/2013/06/some-thoughts-about-ics-usng-and-sar.html">~ ~ ~ EPC Updates ~ ~ ~: Some Thoughts About ICS, USNG and SAR - From a Florida Firefighter</a><br /><br />
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No further comments needed.<br /><br />
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M.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386684676459692752noreply@blogger.com0