Preparedness Notes for Thursday — December 10, 2020

 Print This Post Email This Post Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit Google LinkedIn LinkedIn

This evening marks the first day of Hanukkah. I wish all our readers a joyous Hanukkah season!

—

On this day in 1942, my great uncle Lt. Robert I. Kinsella was killed when his B-24 bomber (part of the 90th Bombardment Group, Heavy, 320th Bomber Squadron), flying from the Iron Range Airfield in Northern Queensland, Australia went down in the South Pacific.

—

And on December 10, 1520, Martin Luther publicly burned the papal edict demanding that he recant or face excommunication.


5 Comments

  2. Posted on my Gab page.

    Components for low cost and versatile radio shack, and ‘solar system’.

    Here is a suggested list for the most versatile, yet simplified radio shack base station that can cover 136 to 174mhz, 400 to 512mhz, and 200 to 260mhz. This includes a mobile and a hand held. Both are tri-band radios. Not all, but most parts are included. This will put you on the fast track to getting operational. With this, you’ll have a more capable radio shack than most Amateur Radio operators.

    BTECH Mini UV-25X4 25 Watt Tri-Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, 1.25M, UHF Amateur (Ham)
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCDWT6V/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AA3MGRC7F9EI2&psc=1

    For Mobile installation. Not design for use for 200 to 260Mhz. Broadband VHF/UHF Tram 1181 antenna (needs no tuning if operated within the range advertised. most antenna require tuning, or should be checked with an SWR meter. I’ve test a box full of these.)
    https://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Dual-Band-Antenna-140-170-Centimeters/dp/B018EUB8DU/ref=pd_di_sccai_1/140-2911129-1345802?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B018EUB8DU&pd_rd_r=b097af10-1dab-4ee0-ac18-aab43d98c9c2&pd_rd_w=x7CJQ&pd_rd_wg=9EvAK&pf_rd_p=c9443270-b914-4430-a90b-72e3e7e784e0&pf_rd_r=715PJEZH151PQ3PMNKDM&psc=1&refRID=715PJEZH151PQ3PMNKDM

    Base Station antenna Tram 1141 Discone Antenna. The goal of this transceiver and antenna combination is to provide a compact and affordable, yet extremely wide range and versatile base station radio. This is a very broad band antenna that will cover the entire range of the BTECH Mini UV-25X4 25 Watt Tri-Band Base, Mobile Radio. It is not the best radiator, yet should suffice for covering an AO. It may also be used for scanners and CB’s! Alway verify the SWR with a meter.
    https://www.amazon.com/Tram-1411-Discone-Scanner-Antenna/dp/B00QVNI1V0/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=tram+1141+discone&qid=1607586493&sr=8-13

    50 feet of RG213 to connect to the Discone antenna. This is the most versatile length and cable type for this combination of transceiver and antenna type. It is a low loss cable needed for UHF frequencies.
    ALPHA – 50ft RG213/u Coax Jumper Cable with Amphenol’s PL259s
    https://www.amazon.com/ALPHA-Jumper-Amphenols-PL259s-Soldered/dp/B07M6ZGK94/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2RQ01FUZNGRBL&dchild=1&keywords=rg213+coaxial+cable+50+ft&qid=1607587681&sprefix=rg213%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-3

    Tri-band Baofeng radio with 3 antennas, and 3000mah battery. $32.00
    https://www.amazon.com/Tri-Band-400-520Mhz-Antennas-Portable-Transmitter/dp/B083TK3X25/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=1.25+meter%2C+222mhz+antenna&qid=1607586258&sr=8-11

    Uniden scanner with Close Call feature.
    https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-BC125AT-Alpha-Tagged-channels-Lightweight/dp/B00772MR0K/ref=sr_1_3?crid=4PGFODTN9769&dchild=1&keywords=uniden+scanner&qid=1607589858&sprefix=Uniden+s%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-3

    As always, it good SOP to check the SWR of any antenna after it is installed. This is a good low cost meter. If you can afford better, do so. This meter is a very necessary part as it allows one to also make antennas, and fix antenna. Gotta have one.
    Surecom Sw-102
    https://www.amazon.com/Mcbazel-Surecom-Digital-125-525Mhz-Antenna/dp/B01D86IKIQ/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?cv_ct_cx=surecom+swr+meter&dchild=1&keywords=surecom+swr+meter&pd_rd_i=B01D86IKIQ&pd_rd_r=962b06d9-c9ac-4a76-b0b9-404a80212236&pd_rd_w=DTeZC&pd_rd_wg=WXYZm&pf_rd_p=1835a2a9-7ed8-48dc-ad07-fcd7527bd2bc&pf_rd_r=Z2DVW8BC34FBV56Z4AC8&psc=1&qid=1607587455&sr=1-1-80ba0e26-a1cd-4e7b-87a0-a2ffae3a273c

    The Renogy 100 watt, is the best photovoltaic panel for the price.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GF5JY35/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

    A 30 amp charge controller that will charge all battery types.
    https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Charge-Controller-Compatible-batteries/dp/B07G1PL1B9/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2XACXL9Q2Q6G3&dchild=1&keywords=renogy+charge+controller&qid=1607588162&sprefix=renoloby+cha%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-3

    A few notes about a PV system.

    I prefer two 6 volt golf cart batteries that are true deep cycle. A Marine battery is not a deep cycle battery. AGM and gel cel type batteries are expensive, yet are spill proof, and good for a portable station. Seal lead acid batteries are a lower cost option for portable operations. You will need at least 1 watt of photo voltaic power for every 1 amp hour of storage capacity. For example, if two 6 volt deep cycle batteries have a rating of 220 amp hours, it would be best to have 300 watts of solar panels power. 400 watts would best, but 200 watts would be enough if you lived in a sunny region. I live off-grid in Montana. I need 400 watts and a Honda generator to get through the darkest part of the winter if I would run a laptop and radios for 12 hours per day. If you are running only a few Baofengs or old analog scanner that draws only .075mA on standby, that is listening, then you will probably be okay. The newer scanners with Close Call draw lots of power. Not good. If you live in a sunny area, you should have plenty of power and not need a generator. Use automotive heavy gauge 10 AWG wiring and fuses to connect it all together. Use a free on line voltage drop calculator for long runs to solar panel to determine if a heavier gauge wire is necessary. 10 awg will cover most shorter runs, but 12 awg might be used if the run is very short. Make all runs from the panels to batteries directly, or ‘ home runs’.

  4. Happy Hanukkah! May we draw strength from the memory of how our Lord provided for His people in that long-ago time of darkness. And may we use this time to rededicate ourselves to His service as well.

Comments are closed.