I finally took delivery of my last item of my portable solar solution consisting of:
- a PowerfilmSolar R28 rollable waterproof panel
- a Genasun GV-5 charge controller
- and an A123 Systems 12V drop in lead acid replacement Lithium Ion Nanophosphate battery.
To the best of my knowledge, these products belong to the best in their class. Will write more about why I chose these items in future posts and will inform on how they perform.
2012-11-19
Best instructional video on Automatic Link Estrablishment (ALE)
The best instructional video on PCALE and Automatic Link Estrablishment (ALE) that I have found to date is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4USt8JFUHE
It truly is worth the time to watch.
73 de Marcus KD0JKM
It truly is worth the time to watch.
73 de Marcus KD0JKM
2012-11-12
Hand Crank Generator
In search of a Hand Crank Generator to provide an independent power supply "when the lights go out", I had the following criteria that were important to me:
- Made in the USA
- high quality long lasting construction
- light weight, backpack / manpack portable
- 12V output
- "consumer product price range"
The first criteria, "Made in the USA" was the most difficult to fulfill, since I only found three US manufacturers, of which only two still had their product in construction. Of these, only one was backpack / manpack portable, the Pasco Hand-Crank Generator Model No. EM-8090.
The other (non- backpack / manpack portable) hand crank generator is the Crank-a-Watt which is undoubtedly also a great idea and product.
Unpacking the Pasco Hand-Crank, I was impressed by the solid build quality, essentially no plastic (except for the handle)! It is reasonable in size, easily packable. Cranking it without a load attached was easy, it has a well working easy-going mechanism inside. Cranking it under load was understandably harder and easily produced the specified 12V and 25W. There is however a caveat to it, it produced RFI while tuned on the 20m band, did not try it out on the other bands but assume that there may be some RFI too. Now I understand why MilSpec hand cranks sell for much more money! This however did not make me send it back. I have remained a proud owner and look forward to some "muscle training" on future backpack operations.
73 Marcus KD0JKM
- Made in the USA
- high quality long lasting construction
- light weight, backpack / manpack portable
- 12V output
- "consumer product price range"
The first criteria, "Made in the USA" was the most difficult to fulfill, since I only found three US manufacturers, of which only two still had their product in construction. Of these, only one was backpack / manpack portable, the Pasco Hand-Crank Generator Model No. EM-8090.
The other (non- backpack / manpack portable) hand crank generator is the Crank-a-Watt which is undoubtedly also a great idea and product.
Unpacking the Pasco Hand-Crank, I was impressed by the solid build quality, essentially no plastic (except for the handle)! It is reasonable in size, easily packable. Cranking it without a load attached was easy, it has a well working easy-going mechanism inside. Cranking it under load was understandably harder and easily produced the specified 12V and 25W. There is however a caveat to it, it produced RFI while tuned on the 20m band, did not try it out on the other bands but assume that there may be some RFI too. Now I understand why MilSpec hand cranks sell for much more money! This however did not make me send it back. I have remained a proud owner and look forward to some "muscle training" on future backpack operations.
73 Marcus KD0JKM
2012-10-31
Google Crisis Map for Hurricane Sandy
...or how Amateur Radio Operators and SWLs may assist from far away in disaster response efforts
Google has put together an interactive map combing radar, satellite images,
forecasts, Red Cross shelters, etc. for Hurricane Sandy.
http://google.org/crisismap/sandy-2012
On the following page they have a link: "Tools for First Responders".
http://www.google.org/crisisresponse
They've been doing this since Katrina.
All,
let's brainstorm how these tools may assist in our EmComm efforts and how HAMs and SWLs (who are remote from the affected area of a disaster) may be able to assist in Disaster Response efforts by transcribing data received while monitoring the airwaves. It's certainly not necessary to be "in the front lines" as a HAM or SWL to be able to help those in need.
I credit Irv W4IWK for making me aware of this resource.
vy 73 de Marcus KD0JKM
2012-10-17
First time as NetControl on 5403.5
Operated the HF Radio Assistance Network tonight for the first time on 5403.5 kHz at 20:27 hours local (CST) time from Little Rock, AR. Was not surprised that no one responded on it's inauguration. Will aim to operate the net every night at 20:00 hours local time (CST).
73 Marcus KD0JKM
73 Marcus KD0JKM
2012-10-15
30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend – 27/28 October 2012
Please take note of the following announcement:
30 Meter Multi Mode Weekend
*** includes promoting FLDIGI and RSID - see event details ***
When: October 27th and 28th 2012
Where: 10 MHz - 30 Meter Band (10.100 – 10.150)
Objective: To promote experimenting and using different digital modes on the unique 30 Meter Band.
For a more detailed listing of this event go here:
http://www.30mdg.
(You are welcome to post this event information to your other digital friends, Clubs, Yahoo/Google Groups, other Ham Related Websites, etc – please DO help us promote this event - the more that participate the more fun for al and thanks to those that participate on the 30 Meter Band!)
The 30 Meter Digital Group (30MDG) is celebrating….
GL and as always this is NOT a contest – no start or stop times, no exchanges, no logs to send to anyone, no winners or trophy – this IS to PROMOTE AWARENESS of the 30 METER BAND and the only winners are those that participate and have fun!
Don KB9UMT 30MDG#0001-Founder
And the 30MDG Team
When: October 27th and 28th 2012
Where: 10 MHz - 30 Meter Band (10.100 – 10.150)
Objective: To promote experimenting and using different digital modes on the unique 30 Meter Band.
For a more detailed listing of this event go here:
http://www.30mdg.
(You are welcome to post this event information to your other digital friends, Clubs, Yahoo/Google Groups, other Ham Related Websites, etc – please DO help us promote this event - the more that participate the more fun for al and thanks to those that participate on the 30 Meter Band!)
The 30 Meter Digital Group (30MDG) is celebrating….
GL and as always this is NOT a contest – no start or stop times, no exchanges, no logs to send to anyone, no winners or trophy – this IS to PROMOTE AWARENESS of the 30 METER BAND and the only winners are those that participate and have fun!
Don KB9UMT 30MDG#0001-Founder
And the 30MDG Team
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