Outdoor Adventure USA

Please check me in.

WD6USA
Jeff

Check in please - Thanks - Bernie

This is KM6OJB (Joe). Would you please check me in.
Thanks

Please check me in KE6PLA 73!

Thanks for the information tonight Jack!

The ABC's of Operator and Equipment: A systematic look at what it takes to establish and maintain communications.

Antennas
The best antenna for the situation based on cost, location, power, LOS, skip... Although location, location and location have everything to do with the initial issues faced by the communicator, be cognizant of this and do the best with what you have.

Batteries
Power to run equipment is a major component and besides running off of "shore power" batteries are the next best thing to providing what your equipment needs. Sure, generators and solar are great, but batteries tend to provide the best "on the spot" capabilities to provide continuous operations within the means of most amateur operators on a budget.

Connectors
How you connect everything is very important as well. Quality of coax, having the right connectors to complete the antenna system, power cables and using the right connectors and wire for the amount of power being distributed. Again, focusing on how to do this as efficiently as possible with power savings holding a very high priority.

Operator
You, the amateur radio operator, complete the system and there is no substitute for this critical piece of the equation. The knowledge you bring to the field with respect to hardware, principles, training, experience and tenacity is where communication begins. Don't let COMMO work you, you work COMMO!

Equipment
Do not let your equipment, location or environmental inhibitors own you. You need to remain humble, bring a manual or two and be prepared to improve your position (physically/mentally) and your communication standards on a consistent basis, this will set you apart.

If you can work through the basics and you re-check any of the areas of concern mentioned above when communications go south, you can establish and maintain "EFFECTIVE" communications.

For new hams: https://newhams.info/

Looking back for guidance:

The Amateur's Code
by Paul M. Segal, W9EEA (1928)

The Radio Amateur is:

• CONSIDERATE, never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

• LOYAL, offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.

• PROGRESSIVE, with knowledge abreast of science, a well built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.

• FRIENDLY, with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.

• BALANCED, radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.

• PATRIOTIC, with station and skill always ready for service to country and community.

The Flex 6300 Radio.

I really can't say too much about these, but just wanted to say, that I do have a Yaesu FT-1900R Mobile, a Kenwood TM-281 Mobile, and a Baofeng UV-B6 HT, I also used the Wouxun dual-band mobile for its cross-band repeat function mainly, but then last year I bought a Yaesu DR-1XFR Repeater, bought another one this year, so since they have Yaesu digital capability, C4FM, Wires-X, System Fusion, etc, I then decided to get the Yaesu FT-70D HT, plus I was going to get the FTM-400, but it showed that it wasn't in stock at the time, and there was a waiting list to get one, plus I saved around $100.00 getting a FTM-100Dr instead, again mainly to get the Yaesu digital capability, C4FM, Wires-X, System Fusion, etc.I don't really know a lot about some of these transceivers, but just thought that I'd share some of what I now have. I did have HF, but now live in a second floor apartment, and there's no place for an antenna outdoors, and trying indoor antennas, although they worked OK on receive, they didn't work too well on transmit range, so sort of gave up for now for HF, unless I get it set up in the car again, as I do have a multi-band HF, plus 2 Meters, MFJ mobile antenna, one of those where you change the jumper to change the band. Oh yes, I removed the Bridgecom repeater, which is analog only, and replaced it with a Yaesu DR-1XFR repeater, but the Bridgecom is a SDR repeater, and I do have the programming disk now, only because I was going to try and sell the BCR-40U, and in order to change the operating frequencies, and the call sign, and whether the repeater IDs constantly, every 10 Minutes, if that's what you set the ID to, no matter whether the repeater has been in use or not, you need the software, so that's why I recently purchased the programming software. 73 and have a good evening...Bernie

My Orbiter ground plane antenna made from a UHF barrel connector, 5/8” ring terminals and 1/8” bronze welding rod.