Who is in to HAM?

[Guest]

In my opinion critical part of prepping. I m just getting started and have been working on the mobile shorter range stuff (2m) for under $150 invested I can talk to my buddies to the East and West at distances over 20 miles. The same set up is also applicable to short range tactical stuff.

Heres what I've got so far, the Antenna breaks down for carry in ruck.



I've got to work out some kinks, figure out the best ways to carry etc but am pleased at my start.

[610Alpha]

I am just starting to look into it. My 2nd cousin is a HAM operator and he told me about this site http://www.qrz.com/ and he said

you can take the tests for free and when you can pass them there will be a club in your area that will give you your FCC test for about $14.00.

If this is true then this will help me lower my $ cost of getting started. My FIL used to do HAM as well so I will be picking his brain.

My question is it possible to build a HAM base station out of vacuum tubes still? Do they even have them anymore? I was just thinking this way I could have Comms even if an EMP happens.

[qrprat77]

I am just starting to look into it. My 2nd cousin is a HAM operator and he told me about this site http://www.qrz.com/ and he said



If this is true then this will help me lower my $ cost of getting started. My FIL used to do HAM as well so I will be picking his brain.

My question is it possible to build a HAM base station out of vacuum tubes still? Do they even have them anymore? I was just thinking this way I could have Comms even if an EMP happens.

vacuum tubes: yep! but be careful, solid state stuff sneaks its way into a lot of places, especially power supplies, and voltage regulating circuits.
you can still find new tubes, mostly russian made, and for high power applications, nothing beats a tube. there's also a good market of used stuff. Color TV's from the 70's are AWESOME! for finding stuff for tubes.

personally, I would keep a stock of solid state stuff in a faraday cage before I would specifically buy tube stuff to work around EMP. Tubes are FRAGILE! If I have a "oh CRAP" moment involving water and solid state, a lot of times I can dry the ****** off and it will work. With tubes, if it gets wet, it will break, especially if it is hot. Tubes also use a LOT of power and while low voltage tubes are there, low voltage in a tube usually means around 120 v DC. And you will need a separate supply for the filament, usually 12 or 6 v DC...

[qrprat77]

In my opinion critical part of prepping. I m just getting started and have been working on the mobile shorter range stuff (2m) for under $150 invested I can talk to my buddies to the East and West at distances over 20 miles. The same set up is also applicable to short range tactical stuff.

Heres what I've got so far, the Antenna breaks down for carry in ruck.



I've got to work out some kinks, figure out the best ways to carry etc but am pleased at my start.

Cool antenna brother, I built a similar one out of measuring tape! One of the reasons I used measuring tape was because you can get it in and out of the car without poking yourself in the eye.
Glad you are having fun with antennas, I have fun with them too!

[EX121]

You might look into a "j" pole antenna made from twin lead antenna wire. I have one that is very portable for my handheld. There are a lot of cheap dual band handhelds out there now. The qrz.com site is a very good site for general info and you can take practice tests there also. Good Luck

[WAB]

You might look into a "j" pole antenna made from twin lead antenna wire. I have one that is very portable for my handheld. There are a lot of cheap dual band handhelds out there now. The qrz.com site is a very good site for general info and you can take practice tests there also. Good Luck

I have several of the twin lead Jpole antennas. I make them and solder a 50 ft piece of 8x onto it and an adapter for your radio. Also tie a 50ft piece of cord to it for pulling up a tree. Roll it up and put into your BOB. Cant ask for a great emergency antenna.


WAB

[Jeep]

I also have a roll-up J-pole antenna that I carry in my emergency comm's kit. Mine is dual-band so I can use it either on 2M or 440. I have about 50ft of para cord that I also carry to help get the antenna up about 20 or 25ft in the air. The roll-up works very well with my Yaesu VX-5 HT.

[qrprat77]

I also have a roll-up J-pole antenna that I carry in my emergency comm's kit. Mine is dual-band so I can use it either on 2M or 440. I have about 50ft of para cord that I also carry to help get the antenna up about 20 or 25ft in the air. The roll-up works very well with my Yaesu VX-5 HT.

ladderline/twinlead J-Poles should be in everyone's gear!
First antenna I built was a twinlead j-pole, still use it in my shack, tacked to the wall driven by the same HT that I built it for.

[cyber_samurai]

In my opinion critical part of prepping.

I can't help but agree. Communications is essential in a "less than equilibrium" situation. My dad and I are both hams...technician class. We've been kinda neglecting our hobby for a few years. In fact, I'm about due for a new 2m. My last one took a bath when I flipped my car upside-down in a creek. LOL. *wimper* *whine* *cry* *Smile* *Go about my business*