Welcome

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog as well as my YouTube channel https://bit.ly/2TAcHW0 .  After running a blog for a couple of years and then switching over to YouTube, I have discovered that both media forms have pluses and minuses.  That being said, I will be putting content in both places.

 To start off.  I have been running a newsletter for a group.  I have decided that some of the content contained in the newsletters may have value to everyone in general.  Part of what I do is communications, more specifically, emergency communications.  This first post will be geared to those communicators who are or want to support prepper or other groups.  I am making the assumption that you may be new to being a communicator or comms chief.  Here is a short list to help you get going.

 Training 

My recommendation is members find training opportunities through groups like AmRRon or the ARRL and local Amateur Radio clubs. It is recommended that members become familiar with VHF/UHF/HF operations to include voice and digital modes. For digital modes minimum requirement is to be able to use                      PSK31. 

 Equipment

Typical net operations occur on the 40 and 80/75 meter bands. With band conditions being what they are, you need to put forward the best signal possible. The most bang for the buck, is putting up a good antenna system. Put up the biggest antenna you can.  For 80/75 meters that would mean a dipole about 132 feet long. My preferred antennas are doublets and Off Center Fed (OCF) dipoles. My current antenna is a 270 foot OCF. If you cannot put up a big antenna, adding an amp will help, but not as much as a good antenna.

 Maintenance

Make sure you are checking your equipment. A month or so ago, I had a near lightning strike (hit a tree and not my tower). I am not sure how it got into the house, however it was not through the coax. It took out my computer which I had to replace. I have been busy so it took a while to get my radios interfaced with the new computer. I then discovered that the usb inter- face on my radio doesn’t work (I have a backup). I have to ship that radio off for repair. I normally disconnect my radios from power and antennas when I am not using them, however I did leave it connected to the computer since it was protected by a power surge UPS (which failed). I now unplug everything.

 Priorities

Your first priority is always your family. Do you have enough food? Do you have enough water? Can you maintain sanitary conditions? Can you defend your family? Yep, broken record, but it plays well when things go south.