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You definitely have me thinking 10 meter. I will look up the Icom 271A. I see I spent a lot of money in the wrong direction e.g. 2 meter. Now a guy from Sweden is well known, and if it's the same guy, yes he is a nice guy. I've heard he's on the air a lot.
The whole idea of commo in close came from a book I read called Emergency Power for Radio Communications by Michael Bryce, WB8VGE. He states that disasters are usually local in nature so being able to contact someone half way around the world for a local problem is a moot issue. So I designed my commo for close in. Also the fact I can call for help when anything is out.
But I do like the simplicity of a dipole antenna, and the best part is I can just lower it when we have a lightening storm, which are pretty intense. But I think it's time to drag out the ole' key and start again.
I just bought some low pass filters. I don't want to take any chances with neighbors; another reason I chose a dipole. People don't know what it is.
As far a CW: What I can't find on CW is key "Technique", I did manage to find on on ebay printed in 1921. It's the only one that tells you how to hold the key etc, and one video on Youtube. I'll go pound some brass starting tomorrow.
 
You definitely have me thinking 10 meter. I will look up the Icom 271A. I see I spent a lot of money in the wrong direction e.g. 2 meter. Now a guy from Sweden is well known, and if it's the same guy, yes he is a nice guy. I've heard he's on the air a lot.
I think I may have confused you - the 2m IC 271A is what I am using for local/close-in communication with my local preparedness group. My 10m/CB is a "Magnum Mini Mag" my emergency communication device that I carry in a EMP proof box. I have 50' of RG213U coax and a 10m dipole and about 60' of rope.
The whole idea of commo in close came from a book I read called Emergency Power for Radio Communications by Michael Bryce, WB8VGE. He states that disasters are usually local in nature so being able to contact someone half way around the world for a local problem is a moot issue. So I designed my commo for close in. Also the fact I can call for help when anything is out.
But I do like the simplicity of a dipole antenna, and the best part is I can just lower it when we have a lightening storm, which are pretty intense. But I think it's time to drag out the ole' key and start again.
I just bought some low pass filters. I don't want to take any chances with neighbors; another reason I chose a dipole. People don't know what it is.
As far a CW: What I can't find on CW is key "Technique", I did manage to find on on ebay printed in 1921. It's the only one that tells you how to hold the key etc, and one video on Youtube. I'll go pound some brass starting tomorrow.
That is a good approach - reading to help fill out a plan - have you read "How to Survive the End of the World As We Know It", and "Patriots"? Those books helped me with my plan....but it clearly shows the difference between the types of things we're preparing for!. If you're preparing "close in" it's easier to expand specific items of your Prepps. It's kind of like the way I started - but after two hurricanes hit within 25 miles of each other, 30 days apart - cut communications with my parents and family (in another city) - for over a week - I was able to read the way to develop/expand my comms to all of my group.
 
I haven't read that; at least not yet. Good point with further commo though. My CB came in today but I'm waiting for the paracord. I may get my wife's boss to come over and see if he can get it higher then I did.
 
I haven't read that; at least not yet. Good point with further commo though. My CB came in today but I'm waiting for the paracord. I may get my wife's boss to come over and see if he can get it higher then I did.

Both books were written to address the issue of survival during non-normal periods - they were written by John Wesley Rawles. The first book I mentioned (How to Survive the End of the WorldAs We Know It"), is non-fiction look at what to store, stock, etc., as well as skills necessary for surviving "off-grid" if the grid goes down for any reason. The other ("Patriots") is a novel that he puts all of the information into a real life scenario. There are a couple of sequel books ("Survivors" and "Founders"), but I haven't read them yet.

Like I said, I think you have quite a good start!
 
Wish I could find CB radios locally. In the 1980s, there were a lot but nowadays, it is usually VHF or UHF radios.

I have a pair of UHF radios which I regularly use during my cable installation projects. (this will double as my comm). The range is not that long, I have tested it out to about 3 kms
 
Wish I could find CB radios locally. In the 1980s, there were a lot but nowadays, it is usually VHF or UHF radios.

I have a pair of UHF radios which I regularly use during my cable installation projects. (this will double as my comm). The range is not that long, I have tested it out to about 3 kms
You can
Wish I could find CB radios locally. In the 1980s, there were a lot but nowadays, it is usually VHF or UHF radios.

I have a pair of UHF radios which I regularly use during my cable installation projects. (this will double as my comm). The range is not that long, I have tested it out to about 3 kms
I have Used Cobra radios primarily, but I now have a Galaxy. Best Buy sells CB Radios at http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Car-Audio/CB-Radios-Scanners/abcat0302011.c?id=abcat0302011&gf=y or try Ebay at http://www.ebay.com/sch/CB-Radios-/40054/i.html
 
Hi Clyde, been using my contacts in the Radio Communications industry (vendors and suppliers), they said that they would have to special import the CB Radios.

OT: my post got double-posted coz been having problems with my DSL connection. How can I delete a post? TIA
 
What is eveyone's take on CB Radio ? Do you think it would come into play when the shtf ? Would it be useful communication?
A legal CB Radio is only 4 Watts. Range would be limited, 5 miles maybe, but there are some out there that are pumping out more Watts then the Legal Limit. I pick up people all over the country.
So what's your take?
Well, I am looking at the new Galaxy DX 99V2 the price range I have seen on this is $289.99 - $319.00.
I will probably buy a new Wilson 5000 for it, as my Wilson 1000 is about 15 years old, and my Wilson "Lil Wil" just isn't strong enough.

here is the description of the 99V2;

The NEW DX-99V2 is the only Galaxy all mode radio. It operates on AM/FM/USB/LSB. With Dual Mosfet finals (instead of 4 or 8 finals) the 99V2 draws less than 10 amps and can be hooked up anywhere a standard radio is wired. No special heavy duty guage wiring is required. The front mic jack allows this radio to fit in tighter spaces than the original version. While the features are essentially the same as the classic 99V, it has a few significant upgrades: *High performance main circuit board (same as the one used in the DX-98VHP) provides increased frequency stability ans accuracy for sideband, as well as increased sensitivity ans selectivity on receive. *Streamlined Chassis with front mic jack *Blue LED Channel and Frequency displays *Automatic SWR Circuit *Red Modulation lamp *Talkback circuit with ON/OFF switch *Echo and Voice Changer, (no robot) *Extended 3 Year Warranty It also has small LED indicators for the following functions: *High SWR Alert (Red) *+10KHz (Blue) *Roger Beep (Blue) *Transmit/Receive (Red/Blue)

FEATURES:
High performance main circuit board (same as the one used in the DX98VHP) provides increased frequency stability and accuracy for sideband, as well as increased sensitivity and selectivity on receive
  • Streamlined Chassis with Front Mic Jack
  • Blue LED Channel and Frequency Digits
  • Automatic SWR circuit
  • Talkback circuit with on /off switch
  • Red Modulation Lamp
  • Echo and Voice Changer, but no Robot
  • Extended Three Year Limited Warranty
It also has small LED indicators for the following functions:
  • High SWR Alert (Red)
  • +10KHz (Blue)
  • Roger Beep (Blue)
  • Transmit/Receive (Red/Blue)
dx99v2.jpg
 
Santa brought me a 40 channel cobra last year for Christmas just never got around to installing it in the GMC as of yet...good project for this weekend....thanks for reminding me.
What kind of Cobra? I had the Cobra 148F GTL. I don't think they are available anymore. They were such good radios.
I would buy another of they would put the Frequency counter back in.

cobra 148f.jpg
 
What is eveyone's take on CB Radio ? Do you think it would come into play when the shtf ? Would it be useful communication?
A legal CB Radio is only 4 Watts. Range would be limited, 5 miles maybe, but there are some out there that are pumping out more Watts then the Legal Limit. I pick up people all over the country.
So what's your take?
Well I placed my order for a new CB. I am getting the Galaxy DX 99 V2, and a Wilson 5000 antenna.
The Galaxy will be both 10 and 11 meter. This way I can use it once I finally pass the Ham license test.... when ever that is.
 
What radio are you running now?
I do eventually want to get a good 2 meter radio

I have a Galaxy 959 still in the box. I have a dipole up in the tree but needed para cord to tie out the V from it. Didn't get that far yet. I was trying to be stealth. I put the dipole up months ago. This way the neighbors would get used to seeing it. I ordered the paracord and when it came I found I'm short another 10' coax cable. Still haven't got that yet. I've got some ferrite cores just in case, but I'm missing the coax.
On 2 Meter I use a handheld with 5/8 wave antenna. It's a Yaesu FT-270 5 Watt. I can't go higher due to my pacemaker. I've got a 2 Meter Yaesu FT-2800 75 Watt still in the box which I can't use in my car due to my pacemaker but could use it as a base radio with a dipole inverted V once I get the coax.
But the problem on 2 Meter is in this area we have a bunch of elitist hams who ignore anyone with a tech license and want the ham band to themselves. That is a problem, and why I went back to CB. But you can still listen.
That's why I was thinking White Tiger was right about the 10 meter. CW would take too long and I don't pick it up easy either.
 
I have a Galaxy 959 still in the box. I have a dipole up in the tree but needed para cord to tie out the V from it. Didn't get that far yet. I was trying to be stealth. I put the dipole up months ago. This way the neighbors would get used to seeing it. I ordered the paracord and when it came I found I'm short another 10' coax cable. Still haven't got that yet. I've got some ferrite cores just in case, but I'm missing the coax.
On 2 Meter I use a handheld with 5/8 wave antenna. It's a Yaesu FT-270 5 Watt. I can't go higher due to my pacemaker. I've got a 2 Meter Yaesu FT-2800 75 Watt still in the box which I can't use in my car due to my pacemaker but could use it as a base radio with a dipole inverted V once I get the coax.
But the problem on 2 Meter is in this area we have a bunch of elitist hams who ignore anyone with a tech license and want the ham band to themselves. That is a problem, and why I went back to CB. But you can still listen.
That's why I was thinking White Tiger was right about the 10 meter. CW would take too long and I don't pick it up easy either.
Sorry to hear about the issues caused by a pacemaker.
Why can you use the 75 watt in the house and not in the car? My non-medicaly trained self would think it wouldn't matter where you are when using the radio.
What did the 959 run you?
I know nothing of "dipoles."

I have heard a lot of good things about Yaesu.
I hope I don't have those types of operators around here.
 
Sorry to hear about the issues caused by a pacemaker.
Why can you use the 75 watt in the house and not in the car? My non-medicaly trained self would think it wouldn't matter where you are when using the radio.
What did the 959 run you?
I know nothing of "dipoles."

I have heard a lot of good things about Yaesu.
I hope I don't have those types of operators around here.

It all depends where the antenna is placed. At that power It has to about 10 feet away not to have the RFI interfere with my pacemaker, the reason I couldn't use it in my car.
The 959 ran me $200 peaked & tuned. It was used but new in the box. On the low end they run $179.
Just a bunch of snobs here on 2 Meter.
 
It all depends where the antenna is placed. At that power It has to about 10 feet away not to have the RFI interfere with my pacemaker, the reason I couldn't use it in my car.
The 959 ran me $200 peaked & tuned. It was used but new in the box. On the low end they run $179.
Just a bunch of snobs here on 2 Meter.
If I'm correct then you could run a lot of power just so long as you keep the antenna away from you.
 

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