I apologize for the original post where I included all the html stuff. Hopefully this version is better. I reported the original in hopes that it can be deleted. Here is a corrected version.
Anon411, I put === between your comment and my reply and put ****** between topics. .
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Ok, this is not going to be the simple question you asked for. To know where I’m coming from, you should read my articles from last year. https://www.theorganicprepper.com/category/preppers/the-information-specialist-series/
I want to be the local information guy. I’m not healthy enough to garden, hunt or pull long stints of guard duty outside so I’m hoping I can trade information, of all types, for food, protection (yes, I have guns and lots of ammo and lots of prepper stuff), etc. Yes, I have a great deal of the info discussed in my articles.
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First let me say that I am a retired information technology guy in a very complex healthcare environment. One of my tasks was to help folks create and operate projects similar to yours, albeit with a different intent, but there are many similarities. So although my response may seem a bit formal and stilted, I think I can illuminate some of the issues and perhaps suggest directions for us to explore.
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I’m waiting on a turnkey price for a solar system for my house. This is primarily to power my computers, radios, a small digital TV, battery chargers, router, plus some other stuff. Yes, I’m ready for an EMP.
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I have lived off the grid for over 20 years now. The specification for a household solar system is complex. Sooooo many variables. Be sure you are getting a system that fits your needs. Most are required to have an grid inter-tie and no battery backup. A whole house system is over-kill for the applications you list. We can discuss that in detail later.
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I once had a Yeasu FT-897, but it took a lightening strike several years ago. I have a Yeasu FT-50R and a couple of other handhelds. I have a couple portable 2 meter / 70 cm radios. I’m looking to replace the FT-897. I have a current Technician license.
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I have a FT-857 and FT-817 as well as some other rigs. Glad you have a license and some experience. Makes it much easier. Tech license has some limitations for HF work. It would be of value for you to upgrade. Most emergency HF work takes place on the lower (160-40 meters) bands where regional propagation easier. We can discuss potential HF equipment later.
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I want to be able to communicate with hams well enough to know what is going on and to be able to pass along useful info, especially in a grid down situation. So, that means HF, VHF and UHF and solar power. I can’t afford nor want a $10K stationary rig for the house nor a 1500w amplifier, which is why I specified a 100w portable. Won’t use it portable unless I have to evacuate. Would need to gear up (hardware and software) for the various digital modes
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No need for high power or expensive antenna/rigs. I would suggest an older rig with some specific attributes which we can discuss later.
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I would also like to have a sw receiver/scanner. There used to be one that would receive DC to 1GHz or 2GHz, but I have forgotten the manufacturer and model number. Would like something along that line.
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We need to get you current with the software defined radios (SDR) receivers that are available now. $20 will get you one that will surpass most high end scanners. These were originally designed for TV tuner application, but as purchased now, they cover DC to 3g and can waterfall display a whole amateur band in one display. Here is an Amazon link to one of the more common ones. https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref*sr_1_4?crid*25EETIOUIEELW&keywords*sdr+rtl+dongle&qid*1565280905&s*gateway&sprefix*SDR%2Caps%2C474&sr*8-4</span>
Not sure if that is gonna work. If not, search Amazon for RTL SDR. Then go to youtube and search the same thing there and watch a couple of the videos. It will change the way you “see” radio.
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Would like a police scanner for my local area. I also have a CB radio, still in the box from my Y2K preps and a couple of FRS radios.
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Police and most other governmental agencies are using digital comm’s now. Most are in a mode called P25 mode 2. You need special scanners to hear the audio. I understand that two RTL-SDR dongles hooked to a raspberry pie will do the job. In addition to P25m2, they are encrypting most traffic. Makes it more complex/impossible to hear the audio. However hearing the raw P25 even with a non-P25 receiver will provide OPTEMPO (operational tempo * how busy the system is). A sudden increase at an unusual time may mean something is happening.
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I did the weekend bicycle race support type stuff for a few years. Done a little of the emergency comms. Frankly, I found talking on the radio in normal situations boring.
I agree on the boring part. I almost never chit-chat anymore. But it is a good way to load test your gear and get hands on experience so the operation of your gear becomes muscle memory. I need all the help I can get.
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I just want to know what’s going on.I can do that today on the Internet. in a TEOTWAWKI situation, that means radio and I want finish getting geared up for that. Oh, hate all those menus, so complicated. I will need to be able to teach non-hams to operate my radios. Can’t do it 24/7 by myself.
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That is why it is so important to create a station specific SOP for your situation. It should take anyone that can read and that has a limited familiarity with the station from unlocking the station door to checking in to the local nets. Each time you power up, use that protocol and refine it continually. More on that later.
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August 1, 2019 at 8:15 am #21268 Reply | Report
This idea just occurred to me. Be geared up to transmit digital files (text and others) via ham radio. I know that capability exists, I’m just not yet geared up for it. So, have prepper survival info (all aspects of food, water, etc, etc) in text files (much preferred!) or PDF (not really practical, too big) files and be prepared to transmit those to hams who need that info in a TEOTWAWKI situation. Could come up with a schedule of dates and times you will send specific documents so many hams could copy in one transmission. Heck, I’ve been out of ham radio for 10 years, this may be a well known concept now.
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We need to look at the entire “library” function. I doubt that distribution of any but very short files will be useful via ham radio. The bandwidth is just too limited. You will need to get up into the mesh network level (2.4gig and higher) for that to be viable. We can talk about that later.
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I see 3 general categories in your project which I define as follows.
LIBRARY: Includes the collection, storage, indexing and preparing for distribution of textual/image/voice/video files.
COMINTEL: Includes the identification, understanding and evaluation of communications available to you before/during/after an event.
RF: (Radio Frequency) All the aspects of those components that require reception or transmission of information. This is a big and complex category.
We can go through each in detail later.
And one last comment.
During Katrina I operated a $350,000 mobile comm. truck. I started just north of New Orleans at the north end of the big bridge into NO. Then I traveled throughout southern Louisiana setting up satellite comms and local wifi/voip systems. As I worked, I monitored ham, frs, gmrs and all the other non-governmental frequencies. There was almost NO comms dedicated to local information or other personal use. There was a bit of garbage on FRS, but that was probably the most used band, but it was completely disorganized.
This and the comments of other hams that experienced the same, was the starting point of a web page dedicated to the personal use of radio during an emergency. Unfortunately, I can not dedicate the time, energy or $$ needed to continue. But take a look at it. Only some of the table of content links work and there are several bad links. But it will give you some background in my approach to the subject. I really should continue but at age 80, I have other things to do. As the saying goes, “I would rather do, than write about doing.” check out http://www.griddowncomms.com or http://www.n1ahh.com which should link there as well.
Well now to see if this can be pasted into the forum without getting it scrambled.
Comments??
73 de ron N1AHH
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This reply was modified 10 months, 1 week ago by
Ron Lastname.
