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.

Share This

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.

Share This

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.

Share This

I am no longer a member of Midwest SSTRC Inc.

There was a lot of internal discussion between myself, and members of the Board of Directors of Midwest after I announced I was leaving. There was also discussion between members of the organization in response to my leaving. These discussions were private, and as such I will not repeat them here—I will say that we nearly reached an agreement on my returning as a member, but remained apart on two important questions. Ultimately, I decided that Midwest isn’t the organization for me. I’m not leaving with any ill feelings towards Midwest, and I hope there are no ill feelings towards me.

I still intend to go out into the field to check out severe weather occasionally next summer. It’s something I like to do as a hobby—I’m not a hardcore storm tracker, but I do enjoy seeing nature up close. Hopefully, this year will be a little more interesting without being more dangerous, and I’ll have more to write about. I will be also be taking the NWS storm spotter class again this year, but I’m not sure yet which session I’ll be attending.

If you live in Madison and you’re interested in coming along and checking out the weather at some point this summer, please leave a comment and we’ll see what we can work out.

Share This

Long power outage a wake-up call to be better prepared (cnet)

I’ve just emerged from a brief visit to the 19th-century (via a storm-driven 36-hour power outage) and among all my other experiences and impressions during this odd weekend, none was more powerful than an extremely visceral understanding of just how fragile our modern infrastructures are.

Oddly, there was no Internet connection, and after a cursory check to see why, I realized that our power was out, a condition that had taken my Internet service and home phone–which comes in via Comcast cable–down.

…once home, my cell reception was extremely intermittent, far worse than usual, a condition that made it impossible for me to get online via Verizon’s EV-DO…

Hmm. No power, no cell phone, no internet connection, not safe to drive… but that’s California, you say. They have bad stuff happen out there all the time. (Which seems to be true, if you watch the evening news.)

However, in the past two days in my neighborhood (Wisconsin) we’ve had unusually high temperatures leading to fog… which led to the pileups described here More than 100 vehicles involved in I-90 pileups; two dead, 50 injured. We also had thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes associated with the same weather weirdness that brought the fog.

I’ll admit to slacking a little lately, due to being busy with school and the holidays. I think now might be a good time to make sure I have my gear in ready mode. Tornadoes in January? This could be an interesting year….

Share This