I just finally made a contact on VHF [non marine band the 140-148] and I know there is at least one HAM on the list. Unfortuneately I lost his posts when win98 went down. It took me a year to be able to put together enough together in my head to make a contact, and that contact lead me to a radio club Saturday. I am hoping to do "Field Day" [or at least part of it] Yaesu in hand, while I paddle my Pursuit... Heck, that was my intent a year ago... Anyway, any HAM on the list who would like to, I'd appreciate a note. Near as I can tell, the Yaesu will probably work just as well as a marine radio around here [Seattle Area] because the repeaters have [compared to what I .. remember...] a very good coverage area! I am also interested in how kayaks have fit into Field Day... What the heck, my license is good for about 5 more years I think, I should be able to be up to speed by then...:) Thanks, Tom... KB8UZD <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I don't know what you're trying to say!? That you made a marine mobile contact? There are a number of hams on the list. BCNU W2PN *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bob... No, I didn't make a marine contact. I made a normal repeater contact on my Yaesu FT-50R. I mentioned that it took me all of a year in recovery to get it together enough to make my radio to work enough to make a simple 2meter contact. I want to be active in field day this year and was trying to think of ways to incorporate kayaks into it and wondered what others would suggest... I remember much but certainly a lot is still missing from memory... Frankly I would rather pack my 2m/440 rig than a marine radio now that I have an idea of the coverage for 2meters up here in the Seattle area. I'd rather not go off half-cocked when making that decision however, and it is reassuring to note that I am not the only paddler who sees it as a possibility. >There are a number of hams on the list. And that was another reason for my post-I had lost some of my messages from a ham on the list and also wondered about other hams here. This was an attempt to contact him/and those others... Oh yea, my license is dated 09/16/94... 73 Tom... KB8UZD <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Any ideas for a quick and dirty HF antenna I can rig on my boat? I'd be running my old TenTec at low power, about 5watts, off a 12v battery. Tom KA1JHH *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 08:27 PM 3/22/99 -0800, Rampage wrote: >Any ideas for a quick and dirty HF antenna I can rig on my boat? I'd be >running my old TenTec at low power, about 5watts, off a 12v battery. Hi Tom et al HF antennas, as you know, are rather large if cut to resonance. Unless you feel like messing with a kite or balloon supported long wire antenna, your options are rather limited. There are several linearly loaded (big rubber ducks) antennas available. The "Outbacker" series comes to mind, or you could probably build your own without too much trouble, as it's basically a long inductor fed at one end. Probably the simplest (and cheapest) is your basic base loaded whip. The Hustler series seems popular. You can easily modify a cheap-o CB antenna for 10M operation by judiciously trimming the whip to resonance. Clip it to your gunwale and go. There are a number of magnetic loop antenna designs available, but due to their extremely narrow bandwidth and finicky tuning I don't think you'd want to bother. Then again, with only 5 watts to deal with you could probably get away with several feet of wire wrapped loosely along your (wood or fiberglass) paddle shaft and fed through a random wire tuner . . . or just load an aluminum paddle shaft thru the same tuner . . . as my elmer used to say "De RF gotta go somewhere!" Experience suggests that when the bands are open a whisper can be heard around the world; if band conditions are bad, a kilowatt into a 4 element yagi is just gonna annoy your neighbors. If you you'd like, e-mail me direct, and I'll see if I can dig up some plans for you. ByeBye! S. KG0MB *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
It's a pleasure to meet you Steve! When I first came out here I know that I had not gotten myself involved in radio like I did back "home" [Jackson, MI] and had no idea the coverage of the repeaters out this way. The emphasis appeared so strong on Marine radio... I even found a book on making a mod to the Yaesu to allow it to work on Marine freqs... Never found someone to help me make the change... and really doubt that I will... > 2M band will serve you much better than marine VHF. Ham repeaters nearly >always get good locations; You'd have to be pretty far out to sea before >you would be out of range. Plus the altitude of the repeater antenna more >than makes up for your lack of same. Also, there is nearly always someone >monitoring. You may not get them to come out for idle chatter, but holler >mayday (only in need!!!) and you're almost guaranteed a response. Heh... I actually [!!!!!] hoped that would be the case... Maybe "conking my head" helped me by forcing me to start over in many ways...<g> Good to hear that I am on the right track... real good... >Down-side, however is that few other kayak folks will have a ham license. I keep finding myself alone paddling anyway... perhaps that will change after I find myself up to the old capabilities... for now... Lake Washington is my place... <g> >Carry a marine radio too if that seems desirable. Okay, may as well bring it... If with others I have a couple of inexpensive CB portable rigs I can loan out... <shrug> > Field day means operation for 24 hours with out the benefit of commercial >electricity! OOOOOPS Forgot! <sheesh> <shaking my head> Now do you see why I asked for some feedback from hams? hehehh... thanks for pointing this out! heheh... >You might consider loading up a bunch of batteries or whatever >and going camping with your kayak. As far as field day IN a boat, I don't >think I'd want to spend 24hrs sitting in a 'yak . . . Hehehhh... yea... that wasn't exactly what I had in mind-24hrs in a boat I mean... 'Course I suppose I could combine the portable with my truck rig and a tent... >Ask someone about joining the local ARES (amateur radio emergency service) >group the next time you're on. They'll put you, your kayak, and your Yaesu >to work for sure! BTW, your license is good forever, so long as you renew >it every 10 yrs. <hitting my head> oooops again... perhaps I should read my license once in a while.. heh... I Was a member of ARES back in Jackson-really enjoyed it, and was.... heyyyy I just remembered-RACES...yes, I have a book somewhere on RACES .... You think that ARES might have a use for me and my KAYAK? hmmmmm! Thanks for your reply! My radio skills started a while before my kayak skills, and so once I got the pieces together [including freqs etc...] and jostled my memory enough to make a contact-a bunch came back! Not everything by a ways, but much indeed. I was suprised! 73 KG0MB! KB8UZD <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
At 04:45 PM 3/22/99 -0800, Tom... wrote: >I even found a book on making a mod to the Yaesu to allow it to >work on Marine freqs... Never found someone to help me make the change... >and really doubt that I will... Probably not a good idea anyway. The Yaesu is not a "type accepted" radio for use on the marine VHF frequencies. Although it is pretty unlikely, you could stir up a bit of trouble for yourself if someone took exception to your using it. >If with others I have a couple of >inexpensive CB portable rigs I can loan out... <shrug> Here is something for everyone on the list. If you paddle (or fish/hike/climb/drive/fourwheel/whatever) in a group (or have kids), you might want to check out the Family Radio Service (FRS) band. These tiny HTs are about the size of a cell-phone, operate on 14 discrete channels in the 460MHz UHF band, and output a couple hundred milliwatts. Some even include CTCSS (PL) encoding. I recently got two on sale at RadioShack for $40 each for the young'ens to play with (Riiight!! ;-)) The Ms., (also a ham; KC0BVA) and I were so impressed that we got a couple more for ourselves. No license required, range of AT LEAST a couple miles (pretty much line of sight, like the marine VHF units), run for a long time on AA batteries, smaller, lighter, much, much cheaper than our amateur HTs. I heartily recommend them. > Thanks for your reply! No problemo, Tom! Sounds like you're on the path to recovery from a serious mishap of some sort. Get better real quick! ByeBye! S. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Steve, >Probably not a good idea anyway. The Yaesu is not a "type accepted" radio >for use on the marine VHF frequencies. Although it is pretty unlikely, you >could stir up a bit of trouble for yourself if someone took exception to >your using it. I agree, and understand but-in an emergency... <shrug> don't have near the fine motor control needed to de-solder the chip anyway nor the $$ to have someone do it for me... then there's the tuning problem I may find myself with using a rubber duck...<G> But thanks for reminding me..! >Here is something for everyone on the list. If you paddle (or >fish/hike/climb/drive/fourwheel/whatever) in a group (or have kids), you >might want to check out the Family Radio Service (FRS) band. And at $40-I think you have a very good idea! I was used to a $100 or so price tag, and that was prohibitive to me... Very good idea for groups I would think! >These tiny HTs >are about the size of a cell-phone, operate on 14 discrete channels in the >460MHz UHF band, and output a couple hundred milliwatts. Some even include >CTCSS (PL) encoding. I recently got two on sale at RadioShack for $40 each >for the young'ens to play with (Riiight!! ;-)) The Ms., (also a ham; >KC0BVA) and I were so impressed that we got a couple more for ourselves. No >license required, range of AT LEAST a couple miles (pretty much line of >sight, like the marine VHF units), run for a long time on AA batteries, >smaller, lighter, much, much cheaper than our amateur HTs. >I heartily recommend them. >No problemo, Tom! Sounds like you're on the path to recovery from a serious >mishap of some sort. Get better real quick! My homepage is listed below and gives a run down of what happened if you are curious... Take good care Steve, Tom Weese <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I just found an old AES catalog- They have FRS radios going from $49.00 I think. Their page is at: http://aesham.com/frames.html Tom... <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
If it were me, I'd try a random wire (fine magnet wire) with a balloon off the back of the boat. You will need a tuner and don't forget some form of ground system...maybe some copper foil glued to the hull. cya -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Rampage Sent: Monday, March 22, 1999 11:27 PM To: Paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Hams and Kayaks Any ideas for a quick and dirty HF antenna I can rig on my boat? I'd be running my old TenTec at low power, about 5watts, off a 12v battery. Tom KA1JHH *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Ahh I didn't pay too much attention to the name and didn't connect with your accident. My suggestion is that 2M radio is NOT a replacement for VHF at all. It won't help the Coast Guard locate you if you are in trouble and 2M rigs are not really designed for maritime use. Having one along in addition to a Marine VHF would be fun. I'd suggest a VOX headset, so you could paddle and QSO. I toyed with the idea of a QRP rig with an HF antenna towed behind on a balloon and a contact on my right knee and the hull for a CW keyer.. Cya W2PN -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Tom... Sent: Monday, March 22, 1999 8:03 PM To: PaddleWise Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Hams and Kayaks Bob... No, I didn't make a marine contact. I made a normal repeater contact on my Yaesu FT-50R. I mentioned that it took me all of a year in recovery to get it together enough to make my radio to work enough to make a simple 2meter contact. I want to be active in field day this year and was trying to think of ways to incorporate kayaks into it and wondered what others would suggest... I remember much but certainly a lot is still missing from memory... Frankly I would rather pack my 2m/440 rig than a marine radio now that I have an idea of the coverage for 2meters up here in the Seattle area. I'd rather not go off half-cocked when making that decision however, and it is reassuring to note that I am not the only paddler who sees it as a possibility. >There are a number of hams on the list. And that was another reason for my post-I had lost some of my messages from a ham on the list and also wondered about other hams here. This was an attempt to contact him/and those others... Oh yea, my license is dated 09/16/94... 73 Tom... KB8UZD <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
The more I thought about Steve's previous reply, the more I see that while it may be true ham vhf will not allow me to contact the Coast Guard directly per se, an autopatch would, allow me to do that. If no autopatch, then a contact might be able to land line a call to the CG... OTOH DF gear would not necessarily work...<g> So-the Standard goes in the deck bag, and the Yaesu goes in the water proof bag. BTW, the Yaesu is Mil spec'd for water and shock. Since I now see that Yaesu has a "Tri-bander" out, perhaps they will eventually come up with a 2m/440/Marine radio? Maybe I'll drop a note to them about that... Can't hurt...<g> Bobs' idea about a "VOX" headset sounds like a darn good idea on pleasant days-and maybe I can manage one for [part of] field day...<shrug> I can not manage learing CW for now... [had a difficult time of learning before my accident] but am no where near finnished trying to learn it. Do I remember correctly that 10meters is "UP" now that 5 years have gone by? Both you and Steve have good ideas in that regard I think. Could be that the Loon would be the choice for field day...? No skirt, 30" beam, and a BIG cockpit... At least on Lake Washington it would be suitable I think... Take care... >Ahh I didn't pay too much attention to the name and didn't connect with your >accident. My suggestion is that 2M radio is NOT a replacement for VHF at >all. It won't help the Coast Guard locate you if you are in trouble and 2M >rigs are not really designed for maritime use. Having one along in addition >to a Marine VHF would be fun. I'd suggest a VOX headset, so you could paddle >and QSO. I toyed with the idea of a QRP rig with an HF antenna towed behind >on a balloon and a contact on my right knee and the hull for a CW keyer.. > >Cya > >W2PN > >-----Original Message----- >From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Tom... >Sent: Monday, March 22, 1999 8:03 PM >To: PaddleWise >Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Hams and Kayaks > >Bob... > > No, I didn't make a marine contact. I made a normal repeater >contact on >my Yaesu FT-50R. I mentioned that it took me all of a year in recovery to >get it together enough to make my radio to work enough to make a simple >2meter contact. > > I want to be active in field day this year and was trying to think >of ways >to incorporate kayaks into it and wondered what others would suggest... I >remember much but certainly a lot is still missing from memory... > > Frankly I would rather pack my 2m/440 rig than a marine radio now >that I >have an idea of the coverage for 2meters up here in the Seattle area. I'd >rather not go off half-cocked when making that decision however, and it is >reassuring to note that I am not the only paddler who sees it as a >possibility. > >>There are a number of hams on the list. > > And that was another reason for my post-I had lost some of my >messages >from a ham on the list and also wondered about other hams here. This was >an attempt to contact him/and those others... > >Oh yea, my license is dated 09/16/94... > > 73 > > Tom... KB8UZD > > ><gadfly_at_isomedia.com> > >homepage: >www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** >*************************************************************************** >PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List >Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net >Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net >Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ >*************************************************************************** <gadfly_at_isomedia.com> homepage: www.isomedia.com/homes/gadfly *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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