Connunications update following Polls:

[Lightspeed]

(4 October 2012, 21:53)PrepperJohn Wrote:

(4 October 2012, 15:38)Lightspeed Wrote:

(4 October 2012, 15:25)PrepperJohn Wrote: Thanks LS

I am enjoying it.I have only been on air for a few weeks so it is all very new. I have signed up for the intermediate course which will hopefully be in February next year.

I am learning morse at the moment because I want to explore qrp and building my own equipment etc

Ham equipment is so expensive.

Hi PJ,

Yes ham gear ( the proper stuff) is extremely expensive.

Re Morse, its a good skill to have. Find yourself an enthusiastic Ham to help you learning.... I'm not very proficient but good enough to manage some quick QRP contacts on home built kit.... I would not have achieved even this low level of skill without the encouragement and advice of a mentor.

It too late for this year, but have a look at the RSGB backpacker competition. I used to take part in this with a 30 year old Yaesu FT 290 Mk1 2.5w contacts to Scotland and Central Europe through home made portable yagi antennas are a real thrill.......The prepping element to this is that its great cover for going onto the hills to test equipment and operating methods in the real world......that experience continues to benefit me to this day. Getting sensitive electronica to work consistently in wet, windy and cold conditions is a great challenge. ( the Summits On The Air SOTA program is equally good in this respect)

When you have rigs that can operate on 40m and 80m CW let us know as there are a number of folk on this forum who are gearing up for low power CW operations as part of their preps. When we have sufficient number we will be able to start regular CWtraining nets as part of establishing part of the Prepper communications network.

72 de

LS

I am thinking about building a Foxx-3 but I am struggling to find asuitable ATU.

Any suggestions?

pj

I think the FoxxIII is similar to a PixieII, yes? They work quite well on TX but their RX is pretty deaf (Pixie that is) Making contacts with them is hard work and perhaps not the best way to start out.

I've had very good experience with SmallWonder labs kits, in particular the SW20+(not sure thatthis is still available) and the Rockmite20

If you go down the rockmite20 route I think you'll find construction fairly simple and performance both TX and RX as good as the best QRPp rigs. It has crystal filters, TX offset, and even a CW keyer so its ready to use with either a straight key or paddles.

A better bet, if you have the cash to spare is one of the Ten Tec CW rigs specified in the preferred prepper equipment list in this section. There are single band affairs but with VFO ( as opposed to fixed crystal controlled single frequencies of the other rigs mentioned above) For Ham use get one for 20m, this will give you pan european contacts and maybe worldwide if you're lucky. For prepping go first for 40m or 80m as these will git you NVIS contacts within UK as well as into the near continent.... DX is still possible here too but conditions have to be very favorable..

ATU should not be a problem, in fact I'd suggest making one yourself just for the experience.

Bigger problem might be getting an SWR meter that'll work. For my SW20 I use an old CB meter and it works well enough.

I think all this Ham talk may be boreing for the prepper community! PM Me if you need any help.

LS