HAM radio - over my head but interesting

[AJMD429]

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Maybe the ability to be less dependent on repeaters…?

https://youtu.be/b8bVSwhYt8U

This would be nice I think.

[JimT]

Things have come a long way in the last 50 years. The video is dealing with stuff I don't know a thing about. But it brought to mind our trips into Mexico starting back in 1972. We had a neighbor who was a HAM and he helped us with communications. He would fire up his radio and log onto what he called "The Taco Net" ... HAM operators in the area of Mexico we were going to. It was the only way of communicating with them in that day.

Before that, in the 1960's, when I was in Korea in the Army, I once called home using the MARS net. Phone call from our Base to the radio guys who contacted a HAM operator near my folks, who would get them on the phone and patch us through so we could talk. It was all quite sophisticated for the day. When I called home (Phoenix, Arizona) it was Barry Goldwater's HAM station that patched us through.

Now days you can communicate around the world with a little thing that fits in your pocket!

[jeepnik]

The principle is pretty simple. Each unit acts as a relay (or repeater if you will, but they are different). The data stream ( it's digital like stuff over the internet, not analog like Morse or voice) is received, heard and passed on to other units. Rinse repeat.

The big advantage over a repeater is that due to modern electronics and software you can carry a network node in your pocket. And you don't need a repeater in a fixed location.

There have been noises about shutting down repeaters. Due to this technology.

Interestingly, GMRS uses repeaters as well, but the FCC recently outlawed the liking of repeaters. This linking is something HAM has done for long time. Almost seems like the FCC is trying to control the ability of folks to communicate. Sort of the opposite of their mandate.

[Grizz]

i started in ham radio while still in grade school. collected tv chassis from repair shops and built transmitters from the components. built a kit receiver that collected 80M signals and made morse code contacts from the tuned long wire above the ridge of the house. My school ham buddy developed a one-tube transmitter that did not chirp. Somehow. I always got good signal reports, but no dx in those early days. 5W with a crystal Rx and Tx, never acquired any pileups with the QRP regs and uncooperative sunspots.

on my fishing boats i used trolling wire dipoles with the pacific ocean as a ground and had both phone and code contacts around the globe, both cross mode and cross band, depending on propagation, and not a few interesting air-mobile contacts.

straight key.jpeg

I have a QRP component kit that i might find time to assemble before the exit ramp. i have a boat anchor multiband receiver that does not have a single vulnerable component in it, JIC. Loved morse code and in the trolling days sent with a paddle that makes the code sing. I would encourage everyone to get involved in the 'old school' radios, get past the transistor hang-up, and watch the vacuum tube glittering in the night watches, even if it's only receiver, there is something special about getting into the ether that way . . .

[deleted]

73, grizz

[JimT]

I had an old Hallicrafter Receiver that opened on the top like an old sewing machine cabinet ... was missing a tube or two and one of the old HAM guys gave me what I needed. I strung up a long wire and used to listen all over the globe .. literally. Our house was on a mountain pass in Arizona close to 5000 feet altitude ... I got wonderful reception. Used that radio for years and finally gifted it to a friend when we moved.

[Grizz]

I had an old Hallicrafter Receiver that opened on the top like an old sewing machine cabinet ... was missing a tube or two and one of the old HAM guys gave me what I needed. I strung up a long wire and used to listen all over the globe .. literally. Our house was on a mountain pass in Arizona close to 5000 feet altitude ... I got wonderful reception. Used that radio for years and finally gifted it to a friend when we moved.

shared that ! i get sentimental about those days, but it still works! i know the OP was talking about the current whiz-bang encrypted radios, do these depend on the internet? i see ham HF contacts using the internet. it's all way beyond my experiences, which benchmarks them, doesn't it? I do use hand-held marine vhf radios for safety comms in the floating world, but their output is analog, so far.

[jeepnik]

I had an old Hallicrafter Receiver that opened on the top like an old sewing machine cabinet ... was missing a tube or two and one of the old HAM guys gave me what I needed. I strung up a long wire and used to listen all over the globe .. literally. Our house was on a mountain pass in Arizona close to 5000 feet altitude ... I got wonderful reception. Used that radio for years and finally gifted it to a friend when we moved.

shared that ! i get sentimental about those days, but it still works! i know the OP was talking about the current whiz-bang encrypted radios, do these depend on the internet? i see ham HF contacts using the internet. it's all way beyond my experiences, which benchmarks them, doesn't it? I do use hand-held marine vhf radios for safety comms in the floating world, but their output is analog, so far.

It's my understanding that they don't use the internet. The idea is that when you transmit the data stream is received by other members on the "network". And the receiver passes the data stream on to other receivers on the net. It's sort of like a receiver in that way, but because of the software it doesn't matter where you are. As long as another radio on the network receives the data and it passes it along and another receives it you could technically talk to some one in New York from California as long as the radios are on the same network and within reach of one another.

"Tubes"! Now that's going back. But I know several musicians that use old tube amps just because they sound better. They are pure analog. Most of the new stuff is digital. Digital music just seem "thin" to me.

[AJMD429]

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"...Almost seems like the FCC is trying to control the ability of folks to communicate. Sort of the opposite of their mandate..."

This is exactly my fear - any way they can fight the freedom of speech, right to have privacy, right to own property, and of course - the right to widespread and anonymous ownership of politically-significant firearms - they seem bent on doing so.

We MUST see to it that our kids and grandkids ALL learn what the Bill of Rights is about - remember that they do NOT get this in school, and even if OUR kids seem to 'get it', oftentimes OUR kids are "too busy" to instill those values in THEIR kids - and I see tons of folks my age (baby boomers) who have decent kids but their grandkids are clueless lib-tards lost in the materialistic world of 'liberal' ideology.

Radios someday may well be just as vital to us as they were to the Allies eighty years ago.

[Grizz]

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"...Almost seems like the FCC is trying to control the ability of folks to communicate. Sort of the opposite of their mandate..."

This is exactly my fear - any way they can fight the freedom of speech, right to have privacy, right to own property, and of course - the right to widespread and anonymous ownership of politically-significant firearms - they seem bent on doing so.

We MUST see to it that our kids and grandkids ALL learn what the Bill of Rights is about - remember that they do NOT get this in school, and even if OUR kids seem to 'get it', oftentimes OUR kids are "too busy" to instill those values in THEIR kids - and I see tons of folks my age (baby boomers) who have decent kids but their grandkids are clueless lib-tards lost in the materialistic world of 'liberal' ideology.

Radios someday may well be just as vital to us as they were to the Allies eighty years ago.

YaBut, in the close encounter it was Morse code that coordinated the defeat of the aliens . . . just saying ;)

[Grizz]

.
"...Almost seems like the FCC is trying to control the ability of folks to communicate. Sort of the opposite of their mandate..."

This is exactly my fear - any way they can fight the freedom of speech, right to have privacy, right to own property, and of course - the right to widespread and anonymous ownership of politically-significant firearms - they seem bent on doing so.

We MUST see to it that our kids and grandkids ALL learn what the Bill of Rights is about - remember that they do NOT get this in school, and even if OUR kids seem to 'get it', oftentimes OUR kids are "too busy" to instill those values in THEIR kids - and I see tons of folks my age (baby boomers) who have decent kids but their grandkids are clueless lib-tards lost in the materialistic world of 'liberal' ideology.

Radios someday may well be just as vital to us as they were to the Allies eighty years ago.

YaBut, in the close encounter it was Morse code that coordinated the defeat of the aliens . . . just saying

a less smart-alec review . . . imo this technology at the cheap bottom end is a tinkerers time bandit, and a gold mine of comms, IF you can get it to work. the leo level takes some dedicated IT to keep such a network going, and it includes uhf and vhf radios, actual radios. the problem is, in the "event" of an "RF EVENT" that wipes out nearly all semiconductors at once, every one of these things are dead simultaneously.

AND the sun, or Andromeda, can accomplish this before the norko's do it. ANY overhead satellite can do it . . . my guess this might be the threat vector, because the perps will calculate that they will not lose their comms when we do. sounds like a bad movie, like Mars Attacks . . .

if this is acceptable, then nothing more needs to be done, just wait for the silent grid-down darkness. BUT it appears to me that those mesh networks, plus the vac. tube radios, may be the only means of comms . . . and to have the cheapo hobby class peer to peer networks survive will, or could work IF there is an unused, unpowered DUPLICATE in say a triple-layered RF safe place. perhaps a lead lined box inside an isolated copper cannister inside an isolated steel canister inside an isolated waterproof container. THEN there is some chance that survivors could make contact on new networks with the surviving equipment.

more coffee please,

[oldebear1950]

On October 31, 1969, I went to US COAST GUARD RADIO SCHOOL, in New York City, at what is now called FORT JAY, and old army base , but was called GOVERNORS ISLAND by the Coast Guard.
For those that don't know, is a small island that is located off the tip of Manhattan island in New York City.
Only way to get there is by ferry. The Coast Guard operated a ferry terminal that was right next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal.
Being a radio man in the late 1960s and early 1970s we had the chance to tap into the ham radio system when we were at sea to make calls.

But now with cell phones and satellite phones, all that has went the way of the dinosaurs.

[oldebear1950]

as a COAST GUARD radioman we had to copy 30 words a minute to grad from school. But was kinda hard for a guy that had to learn to type before I could get the code down. I had never had any typing lessons.
In those days , the mid 1960s only the girls took typing in high school

[oldebear1950]

but I did learn and still remember the code, not as quick as used to be but still remember the letters and numbers

[Grizz]

but I did learn and still remember the code, not as quick as used to be but still remember the letters and numbers

Morse code is amazing. i never got to 30 but 20-22 was my range. I can still copy a bit of code if i'm not trying to. i loved those dx contacts where the band was too noisy for voice, but could still tune a morse signal so that it could be heard thru static. i was in eighth grade when i got my novice license, administered by my neighbor who was in the same class as i was. He had a general class license so he could give the exam. His Mom made sure we were following protocol. And Boom, i was a radio building ham operator. So much fun.

We tried to make a hydrogen wx balloon lift an antenna, but could not get enough gas in it. W's Dad died that year, he had a certificate for perfect code copy at 80 wpm. i forget how long he did that for, but it was on the cert. W's Dad installed a quarter wave 80M vertical antenna on his roof. That's something over 60 feet high. There was a massive knife switch in the feed line, and you could get 3+ inch long sparks of electricity from thunderstorms that were a couple hundred miles away. All that stuff was so much fun and entertaining and neither one of us were ever attempted to assassinate anyone or to blow up anything that belonged to someone else, and kids with trucks routinely drove them to school with a rifle in the gun rack. It is hard to believe how bad the demos have destroyed American liberty.

not complaining, i am looking forward to the complete one Sovereign Savior with the Government on His shoulders. ruling the nations with a rod of iron. it's gonna be Good to see that .. .

good night all you brass pounders and levergunners too :)

[oldebear1950]

I was a radioman on a weather cutter on ocean station in the north Atlantic, and at two COAST GUARD radio stations. NMC radio station/communication station SAN FRANCISCO, CA, and radio station NMR San Juan Puerto Rico.
We copied code, especially weather obs they were called from every one including the RUSSIANS. And AMVER reports, and that listed location, port departed from and destination. Those were given in case help was needed when a ship was in trouble from sinking. Would let the COAST GUARD AMVER center in New York City, know where the nearest help was.
There is no enemies when a ship is sinking and lives are at risk.

Once in a while a radio operator would sign off with 88, meant they were a female operator. And was usually a RUSSIAN at that

[Nath]

not complaining, i am looking forward to the complete one Sovereign Savior with the Government on His shoulders. ruling the nations with a rod of iron. it's gonna be Good to see that .. .


Amen

[Grizz]

I was a radioman on a weather cutter on ocean station in the north Atlantic, and at two COAST GUARD radio stations. NMC radio station/communication station SAN FRANCISCO, CA, and radio station NMR San Juan Puerto Rico.
We copied code, especially weather obs they were called from every one including the RUSSIANS. And AMVER reports, and that listed location, port departed from and destination. Those were given in case help was needed when a ship was in trouble from sinking. Would let the COAST GUARD AMVER center in New York City, know where the nearest help was.
There is no enemies when a ship is sinking and lives are at risk.

Once in a while a radio operator would sign off with 88, meant they were a female operator. And was usually a RUSSIAN at that

that's an interesting bit of history, was any of that teletype? now days all the ships are reported via AIS, i wonder if the military or merchant marine will even certify code operators any more.

[oldebear1950]

no that was all code, we did use radio teletype, but that was between ships, navy and coast guard, between shore stations, headquarters, and even between NATO FLEETS.
When I was in SAN jUAN we had a NATO FLEET come into port, consisting of 1 BRITISH DESTROYER, CANADIAN SHIP, GERMAN SHIP, DUTCH SHIP, AND AMERICAN SHIP.
We were amazed to go aboard the British navy ship, and see that they still allowed their daily ration of grog, or alcohol. The men were allowed to drink booze when they were off duty.
That was done away with in our navy and coast guard, about the turn of the twentieth century or about 1900.

[oldebear1950]

with morse code I have talked to GERMANS, JAPANESE, RUSSIANS, FRENCH, BRITISH, and almost any and all nationalities .

I do not think any navy/coast guard will ever bring back morse code operations unless something drastic happens.

[Grizz]

.
Maybe the ability to be less dependent on repeaters…?

https://youtu.be/b8bVSwhYt8U

This would be nice I think.

I agree about the mesh radios, interesting and worth the time to see where that goes. BUT they will not survive certain RF excesses.

This transmitter is very close to the one i built in the 60's and used on 80M. It is crystal controlled, but there are VFO plans available. It's a very good project for anyone. Kids should learn about this stuff, because these spark engineering skills.

https://w5dxs.tripod.com/6L6.htm

this kit is the digital equivalent but it has to be protected with a perfect rf cage in order to work when the s hits the p .. .

https://www.tentec.com/1380-80-meter-qrp-txrx/ it transmits, receives, and uses a vfo, a tuning dial for frequency selection.

https://qrpkits.com/tribander.html >> this is the kit i have in my drawer to build 'some day'. . . . don't think that you have to have high power to reach out. low power radios can reach around the globe thru propagation, and if the grid is down the HF bands will be clear and nearly noiseless. . enthusiasts pack a rig like this one to mountain tops and work contacts around the world, it's a thing.

i hope someone is encouraged to follow up on these kind of radios. sure beats late night soap operas

[AJMD429]

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Then there's THIS stuff in the 'tech' department - "ATAK" - off-grid and yet very high-tech.

https://youtu.be/H_8iSnSSOn4

Sounds like a great way to keep a perimeter in check pretty much anywhere.

And - how do 'de-Google' your phon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o4LVBPMrw

[Grizz]

i've been looking at those videos. i like the one on using fiber optic cable for sensors. he showed pictures of the Ukrainian drones that are flying on fiber, it's laying on trees and on the ground from the mile long spools. it's a way to stay off the airwaves.

[Grizz]

i've been looking at those videos. i like the one on using fiber optic cable for sensors. he showed pictures of the Ukrainian drones that are flying on fiber, it's laying on trees and on the ground from the mile long spools. it's a way to stay off the airwaves.

TO BUMP UP

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MESH_.jpg

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. ah so - - -
this is a dump of the configuration of the 'device'. note the public AND private encryption keys !

"they" claim that the keys are renewed with every conection, but then i see the bit below where an admin i suppose can log into this device? IDK

BUT all the movie scripts would have this .cn based network stuff available in cn. could mean that every device is talking to cn all the time, just like tiktok . . . . the great spy thingy, eh.

But Father knows exactly what we are thinking all the time, and all our time is in His hand, so we have nothing to fear, eh?

[Grizz]

a postscript >> i suspect that these devices act as a gps tracker delivering location to the chicoms. those are for sale from the same company. the internal gps can be "shut off" in the software config file, but i don't trust it. i disconnected the internal battery, there is no off switch, it can still run off of usb power, but i don't have time to mess with it any more . . . i think it could be useful for a church group or youth camp out, something like that, for an ongoing roll call. but "meshtastic" is a cn product. it would take some code to set it up with an apache server and isolation from the spynet we use now.

[Grizz]

a postscript >> i suspect that these devices act as a gps tracker delivering location to the chicoms. those are for sale from the same company. the internal gps can be "shut off" in the software config file, but i don't trust it. i disconnected the internal battery, there is no off switch, it can still run off of usb power, but i don't have time to mess with it any more . . . i think it could be useful for a church group or youth camp out, something like that, for an ongoing roll call. but "meshtastic" is a cn product. it would take some code to set it up with an apache server and isolation from the spynet we use now.

pps >> as an alternate development board that is apparently non-vindictive raspberry pi sells a board called Zero which is tiny, has pinouts that allow breadboarding, and is otherwise useful in its own right.

i have one connected to an optical viewfinder on a telescope, allowing the image to be seen on a screen, and making possible exquisite images by the process of focus stacking software. it's how astro-images get that other-worldly clarity . . .

https://shotkit.com/focus-stacking-software/

a plug for the Pi Zero, more powerful than the computer on the moon lander ! just for fun . . .

grizz sendz