Update on the battery backup for my house
It's been 10 months and a brief outage yesterday made me realize I haven't had to do anything with this system since it was installed.
This isn't for ham radio, although it could be. My ham shack runs off it's own solar panel and battery.
Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
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Quick POTA with my mish mash antenna and wowzers RF noise!
I had to run out to ship some packages so I decided to grab a quick POTA and officially test out my pieced together antenna. I ran out of the house, forgot my external battery and grabbed the wrong coax, but my suffering from OOPS (Overt Over Preparedness Syndrome) I at least had coax in my emergency kit in my truck.
Wait until you hear the RF noise from a transformer near my house. Holy toledo!
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I pieced together a new portable vertical for 20 meters
I couldn't find one ready made antenna that just checked all the options. I wanted a full sized whip, no coil. I wanted folding tripod and I wanted to be able to attach radials with banana plugs. I didn't want a lot of loose parts and pieces. One antenna was really close, but it has been out of stock. So I pieced together my own.
The 213 inch whip from Wolf River Coils
https://www.wolfrivercoils.com/order.html
The Mr Big Stick base from Radio Active Antennas (doesn't appear to be available at this time.)
https://www.radioactiveantennas.com/product-page/mr-big-stick-base-only
Neewer Portable Desktop Mini Tripod - Amazon Affiliate link
https://amzn.to/3pxqS0l
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Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
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Field Day 2023
I look forward to field day and club activities. It had to beat hanging out with fellow hams and working towards a common goal. Things don't always go smoothly, but that is part of the challenge.
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New Boom for our Mosley Classic 33
I was given a "new to us" boom for our Mosley Classic 33 yagi that we use with our crank up mast trailer. I needed to move some hardware over to it to get it ready for field day.
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2 Park POTA rove
I finally got out to do a Parks On The Air activation. No hike, but I did rush to activate 2 parks. It was a night night. Some good DX contacts on a linked dipole in an inverted V.
Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
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Some of the projects I've been working on recently
Just a few projects and ideas I'm working on or thinking about.
QRP Guys - Switched Attenuator - https://qrpguys.com/qrpguys-10-20-30db-switched-attenuator
3d Case for attenuator - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5384764
Byonics - Micro Fox 15 - https://www.byonics.com/mf
Ham Radio Dude - 3D model for antenna winder - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5377182
KK6USY - Mast stake - https://youtu.be/EEiMp1Ge7Zs
KB9VBR - Aluminum screen - https://youtu.be/UadUg5H8KO8
Not in video - IC-705 folding kickstand - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4772252
You'll need some M4-0.7 x 12 mm screws.
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Tacoma RF noise - more testing.
I was able to do some more testing today. Tried some of the suggestions in the comments from the last video.
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Dealing with Toyota Tacoma RF noise - follow-up
This is a follow up to some other videos I've made about RF noise on HF in my Toyota Tacoma.
Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
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Spring 2023 Simulated Emergency Test brief recap and yard work
I talk about the Sprint Simulated Emergency Test. Something else that effects most ham radio operators.
I do some wood splitting
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Volunteering Part 3 - Wrap up.
Just going over how things went at the Rabid Racoon.
Bonus - antenna repair.
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Volunteering part 2 - at the event.
Just a quick video from my volunteer shift at the Rabid Racoon 100.
I was there to work and we were busy most of the time, so I didn't film much.
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11 minutes of a German Shorthaired pointer digging for moles.
So close.
This is what owning a pointer is like. Augi doing what he loves to do.
I say shower instead of bath because I just take him in with me.
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HRD Wire winder.
I printed a wire winder that @HAMRADIODUDE posted on Thingiverse.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5377182
I used a 140-43 ferrite core. 16 gauge magnet wire. Specs all suggested by K1RF Steve Dick in his presentation. I've used several of his suggestions and they have all worked great.
http://gnarc.org/wp-content/uploads/The-End-Fed-Half-Wave-Antenna.pdf
I printed the case in PETG. I had some warping so it didn't fit perfect. I had to drill out the BNC connector hole a tiny bit. It's a tight fit, but it is a nice small package. It wouldn't hurt for it to be a little bit bigger.
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Raspberry Pi for digital modes - Build-a-Pi and DigiPi
Both Raspberry Pi setups for digital modes are fantastic, but they are different. Both have pros and cons. If you are new to digital modes I recommend the DigiPi and the Build-A-Pi for users with more experience in Digital modes and Linux. I highlight some of the DigiPi features for new users.
https://digipi.org/
https://github.com/km4ack/pi-build
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Winter Field Day 2023 with WACOM
I usually do winter field day by myself, but this year I decided to organize an event for my club. Washington Amateur Communications (WACOM/WA3COM). We used it as a training exercise, like most events. We came up with a comms plan and set goals.
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Building the K6ARK Single lever key
In this video I assemble the key that Adam - K6ARK designed and then shared the files so you can print your own. It's a really cleaver design. Below is a link to Adams Printables.com site. It is where you can get the files you need to print and there are links to all the supplies you need.
https://www.printables.com/model/345195-single-lever-morse-code-paddle-cw-cootie-key
Adam has lots of great designs.
For mine I just used wire from a piece of CAT5 network cable.
This key has become my favorite.
Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/TangoOscarMike73
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
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2 meter Simplex contest
I participated in the WASH - Wireless Association of South Hills 2 meter simplex contest. The contest ran from 7pm to 11pm local time. It was a bit chilly, but I wanted to use the Elk antenna on my mast, so I had to be outside.
You could operate, FM, SSB, CW and digital.
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3D printing. It's not just for printing toys.
I'm not sponsored by anyone, nor did I receive anything for free or special discount.
I got a 3D printer for Christmas and at first I was just printing 3D models I found online. I found the need to start learning some CAD and designing my own.
Adam K6ARK 3D Models - https://www.printables.com/social/352045-adam-kimmerly/models
My 3D Models - https://www.printables.com/social/505113-tangooscarmike/models
I use Thangs to search for models - https://thangs.com/
Autodesk Fusion 360 for Hobbyist - https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal
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Year in review 2022
Just a little video talking about 2022 and plans for 2023
Thank you for watching my videos
Find me on:
Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/TangoOscarMike73
Twitter - https://twitter.com/commsonawire
Others on Rumble:
https://rumble.com/c/HamRadio2dot0
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Antenna repair part 2
I wasn't expecting to make a part 2, but just getting the line back up in the tree was only part of the problem.
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