[Elecraft] KX3 Amp

Sun Jun 30 22:13:30 EDT 2013

I read the blog post.  That's where I found (your) satphone pricing, and 
your comment about calling to be picked up at a different trailhead.

Your blog post does not address the original post -- he wants a 100 watt 
amp for reliable emergency communications from his home located 200 
miles from "civilization."

Different requirements, different answers.  Often, more than one correct 
answer.

-- Lynn

On 6/30/2013 6:40 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> Fine, PLBs are for personal maritime emergencies and EPIRBs are for sinking ships. Either one will get a rescue.
>
> The story about the wildfire is here:
>
> http://wunderwood.org/most_casual_observer/2009/08/fighting_a_wildfire_with_milk.html
>
> In the Sierras in August, any wildfire is serious, even a single-tree fire like we fought.
>
> I'm fine with taking some time to get an antenna up. I'm talking about what you decide to put in your pack at the trailhead.
>
> Since you didn't read the blog post, I'll repeat it. My preference is to avoid rescue situations. Reliable communications can help me do that. Once you are in a rescue situation, activate the beacon and pray.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
>
> On Jun 30, 2013, at 6:05 PM, Lynn W. Taylor, WB6UUT wrote:
>
>> PLBs actually aren't legal for sinking ships (or crashing airplanes), there is a different category of device for that.
>>
>> Personal Locator Beacons are meant to do one simple task: summon help in an emergency.
>>
>> Calling someone to tell them you're at a different trailhead is not an emergency.
>>
>> If I'm off in the backcountry, I'd suggest that a medical emergency and risk of being overrun by a wildfire aren't that different.
>>
>> If you want to report a wildfire that isn't threatening you, that isn't an emergency, and if it takes you a bit to get an antenna up, and find someone to relay a message, then by all means pull out your KX3 and a random bit of wire and tell someone.
>>
>> A satphone (according to your post) is about $120 for a given outing. A PLB is about $250 for five to seven years.
>>
>> It's good to have more than one tool in your toolbox.
>>
>> -- Lynn
>>
>> On 6/30/2013 5:41 PM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>>> There are a lot of emergency situations that benefit from two-way communication. PLBs are great for sinking ships, but not so good for distinguishing between a wildfire and a medical emergency.
>>>
>>> I've dealt with a few emergencies in the backcountry. On one trip, we had both a wildfire and two medical situations. You can draw your own conclusions about heading into the backcountry with me. :-)
>>>
>>> Hey, I wrote a long blog post about that: http://wunderwood.org/most_casual_observer/2011/10/emergency_communication_in_the.html
>>>
>>> wunder
>>> K6WRU
>>>
>>> On Jun 30, 2013, at 5:32 PM, Ariel Jacala wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well, in that framework - I would have to agree that the PLB is better .....
>>>> How do I get one .... :-)
>>>> Ariel NY4G
>>>>
>>>>> Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 17:24:45 -0700
>>>>> From: KX3 at ColdRocksHotBrooms.com
>>>>> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 Amp
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, but.....
>>>>>
>>>>> The original poster is going to be 200 miles from town. He may or may
>>>>> not be in VHF range of something when he needs help. I'm pretty sure
>>>>> he's out of range or he'd just get a couple of handhelds and call it done.
>>>>>
>>>>> The Personal Locator Beacon frequency is monitored by two sets of
>>>>> satellites -- a constellation of low-earth-orbit satellites that can
>>>>> determine location, and a few geostationary satellites that see a wide
>>>>> area of the planet, looking straight down at the surface of the earth.
>>>>> The latter can read the GPS on the PLB.
>>>>>
>>>>> The signal goes straight to search and rescue folks, and the beacons are
>>>>> registered so they know exactly who they're going to be looking for.
>>>>>
>>>>> Which would you prefer: push a button and it's done, or calling on
>>>>> several bands and hoping one is open?
>>>>>
>>>>> Again, I love amateur radio, and I would consider it part of my
>>>>> emergency toolkit, but I'd trigger my PLB first in a real emergency.
>>>>>
>>>>> -- Lynn
>>>>>
>>>>> On 6/30/2013 5:09 PM, Ariel Jacala wrote:
>>>>>> Some HT's have GPS and with APRS one can send messages. I have used it on hikes so my wife can track me on the internet as I hike. The HT sends a beacon signal out and the movement can be tracked through APRS.fi Any Ham can get an APRS account. I have even used APRS on my iPhone for the same tracking capability. Remote from civilization though you would need an HT with APRS like the VX8R by Yaesu or a TinyTrack tracker. With the HT however, you can call for help and the reach can be substantial depending on elevation or having a nearby repeater. Having worked 45 states on Field Day just using a KX3 and a G0GSF dipole, I have no qualms with getting out and reaching people with a KX3 on HF. When the 2m module gets out - I have a complete package for all modes of remote operation.
>>>>>> Ariel NY4G
>>>>>>
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>>> --
>>> Walter Underwood
>>> wunder at wunderwood.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
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> --
> Walter Underwood
> wunder at wunderwood.org
>
>
>
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