Okay, so I don’t have a microphone working for my IC-735 yet, and I have all but given up on the code for now.
I’ve had my eye on the Alinco DR-M06 6 meter rig for a while now, Okay, so it’s not Alinco’s newest model, I like it anyway– it was also slightly cheaper. Since I don’t have a base antenna up yet (here we go with getting antennas airborne again), it’s going to live life as a mobile for a while. I did some Googling about 6 meters, and discovered that WBAY-TV 2 in Green Bay WI has a well written FAQ article about how propagation affects their low VHF signal (they transmit on 55.26mhz). Also found a list of modifications for 6 meter rigs, including the extended receive unlock for the DR-M06T. Didn’t even have to void the warranty.

Yeah, there’s a lot of stuff I could have bought that would be a lot more practical in an emergency. Oh well, this radio’s about fun.

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I have (as usual) been rather busy with work and school, so I have not had much time to actually operate (vs listen to while I’m studying) the radios. I do occasionally have time to consider that I still haven’t learned the code, and I still don’t think I’ll ever find the time. I’m more interested in rewiring the microphone that arrived from MFJ so it works with my IC-735.

Side note: My experience with buying online direct from MFJ was great, and I have zero complaints. I wasn’t sure when I ordered it if the mike I bought would definitely work, but it’s much easier to rewire one that’s already got the right connector than have no mike in the first place. And, just as important, it gives me an excuse to get out the soldering iron.

Anyway, I came across this description of Morse Code skills on obsoleteskills.com:

Now that Morse skills are optional, the Code is increasingly popular on the Amateur Bands simply for relaxation and enjoyment.

Which is an answer to a lot of things that deal with amateur radio; there are a lot of reasons to buy certain types of equipment. You need emergency power so you can pass ARES/RACES traffic during a widespread power outage. You need a TNC so you can send and receive digital traffic; but these types of things are tools. A lumberjack needs a saw. A radio operator volunteering his/her services to an emergency management agency needs a VHF/UHF radio. No one needs to operate CW. Honestly, if an emergency situation is bad enough that CW is your only option, you probably should have bugged out 24 hours ago. People hang onto CW because they enjoy using it. And maybe that’s just the answer… Morse Code is just one of those things that some people like to do, because it’s unique and they enjoy it. I don’t need to learn Morse Code, but it’s there if I ever want to play with it.

I have made some purchases because I feel I need certain items; to be at all effective in ARES/RACES, you honestly need a certain amount of communications gear (and what that level is exactly, is a tough thing to pin down). Lately, I’m considering that I should make some purchases of equipment that’s meant to be used for fun. Specifically, I’m looking at 6 meter gear. No practical purpose for ARES/RACES, not useful for Skywarn, just a radio and band that’s there to play with when I do have time.

Cause yeah, it’s supposed to be fun.

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Current weather conditions here in Madison, WI: Heavy Snow Blowing Snow and Breezy

Yep, that about covers it. Madison Area Technical College is even closed today, which (I’m told) does not happen very often. A picture says a thousand words… see if you can see my street. So much for antenna work today… heh… that will have to wait a few months, I think.

Speaking of antennas… well, not specifically… let’s say speaking of 10 meters, and then we’ll get to the antennas part in a minute. I keep saying I’m going to find a way to learn morse code enough to actually be able to operate with it, but it just never happens. I might as well admit that I always have something else going on. So I’m looking at the chart of what bands I can operate SSB on as a Technician, and I’m looking at 10 meters– 28.3-28.5mhz. Which probably doesn’t generate much excitement for many people, because it’s the very beginning of a solar cycle and 10 meters tends to be kinda quiet these days (from what I’m hearing out of the speaker).

However, I can reasonably expect to fit a 1/4 wave 10 meter dipole inside my apartment (or on my patio, weather permitting). I’ve also found a reasonably priced replacement microphone for my IC-735; the MFJ-290I, which I just ordered. So once it arrives, I’ll be playing around on 10 meters a bit, when there’s time between classes and work.

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The topic of what gear to take storm tracking came up at a recent Midwest SSTRC
meeting; here’s my list. This isn’t an official list. I almost always have my
2m/70cm dualband handheld and cellphone with me. If something happens, I can at
least turn on the radio and get in touch with someone and figure out what the
next step should be.

In my backpack I usually have the following gear, plus whatever I happen to be
reading or studying. If something unexpected happened, I could at least
theoretically sit down on the ground and pass traffic for a short time.

• mini mag-lite flashlight
• postit notes
• notepad with refill
• pens and pencils
• South Central Wisconsin foldout map
• dayplanner
• dualband radio charger
• Leatherman
• aspirin
• Sudafed
• shades

Items that I usually don’t carry with me are kept in a box (or in use) in the car.

• “The” binder
  • ARES/RACES activation plan, rosters, etc
  • ARRL radiogram forms and instructions
  • Wisconsin Association of Repeaters updated listing
  • weather spotter reference points
  • NWS spotter’s field guides
  • interstate highway mile marker reference
  • public safety scanner frequencies
• D cell flashlight w/spare batteries
• lightsticks
• RainX wipes
• Dane County street atlas
• Wisconsin Official Highway Map
• compass
• NOAA Weather Radio
• FRS/GMRS radio
• CB radio
• cigarette lighter adapter for radios
• three way cigarette lighter splitter
• spare fuses
• auto emergency kit
  • jumper cables
  • mini first aid kit
  • fix a flat
• rain poncho
• gloves
• extra jacket/sweatshirt
• extra hat
• paper towels
• toilet paper

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