[Elecraft] Peaks, parks, and prayers: CW & SSB islands in a digital sea

[David Gilbert]

Thanks to Ray and Gwen for the tip, and that indeed looks like a really
nice low cost way to go.  But I already have a KX2 and I would still need
to bring along a notebook or small laptop computer.  I could certainly
homebrew a combined unit consisting of the MDS Phasor, a Raspberry Pi, and
a 12 volt display ... total cost would probably be less than $200.  I just
think that a self-contained unit would be inherently smaller, and probably
a good seller if Elecraft ever was inclined to offer one, especially if it
provided multiple bands.

73,
Dave   AB7E


On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 6:50 PM Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com> wrote:

> My pleasure, Paul. Feel free to repost elsewhere.
>
> And keep on truckin' :)
>
> 73,
> Wayne
> N6KR
>
>
> > On Jun 7, 2020, at 3:09 PM, Paul Gacek <w6png at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > Wayne
> >
> > Thanks for promoting wilderness radio including SOTA and I hope you
> don’t mind but I copied your entire message into a post on the global SOTA
> Reflector (watering  hole).
> >
> >
> https://reflector.sota.org.uk/t/wayne-burdick-elecraft-promoting-sota-cw-and-ssb/22983
> >
> > You captured the essence and feeling of mountain top radio. I love it
> and never cease to get a kick out of what you describe around the moment of
> the first contact (which includes a mountain of anticipation as to whether
> there will be a first contact).
> >
> > Of my almost 250 mountain top activations and 40 or 50 NPOTA
> activations, I had either my KX3 or KX2 and neither have ever let me down.
> My antennas have failed, my coax has failed and my ability to spot (I’m SSB
> so not RBN for me) has in a hollowing gale atop a cold mountain had be
> retreat and fail but never the radio.
> >
> > Thanks Wayne (and your team) for all you have done for the /P brigade.
> >
> > Paul
> > W6PNG/M0SNA
> > www.nomadic.blog
> >
> >
> >> On Jun 7, 2020, at 2:35 PM, David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I suggested this about a year ago and got mostly dismissive replies from
> >> the group, but I still think that a small, dedicated FT8 rig (and
> similar
> >> modes) would be an attractive offering.  Something the size of a KX2 or
> >> maybe just a little larger, with a modest display and separate
> >> processors/memory for the rig and the digital modes.  It's entirely
> >> possible to run FT8 from a Raspberry Pi and an inexpensive display, but
> an
> >> all-in-one rig would be so much more practical.  The rig portion itself
> >> could be MUCH simpler (and therefore less expensive) than a KX2.
> >>
> >> 73,
> >> Dave AB7E
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 11:32 AM Wayne Burdick <n6kr at elecraft.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Every day, hams worldwide, young and old, summit mountains and hills
> >>> carrying the lightest possible load. They earn every calorie burned,
> and
> >>> are rewarded with vistas most people never see. Like all adventurers,
> they
> >>> proudly display nature's merit badges: scrapes, bruises, and stings.
> >>>
> >>> And then they go back for more. The number of peaks "bagged" by some
> >>> operators is staggering, as is their level of fitness and endurance.
> >>>
> >>> In addition to those formally pursuing peaks (via SOTA, or Summits on
> the
> >>> Air), there are many others who operate casually from hiking trails and
> >>> parks. Some operate while they walk (pedestrian mobile, HT-style or
> >>> HFpack). Some operate bicycle-mobile.
> >>>
> >>> I'm writing this out of admiration for, and in solidarity with, all of
> >>> those who commune equally with nature and the ionosphere.
> >>>
> >>> * * *
> >>>
> >>> There's one thing these hams have in common.
> >>>
> >>> Upon arriving at their destination -- tired, sweaty, hungry, elated, or
> >>> some combination of these -- they hope to make a few QSOs. To
> experience a
> >>> synthesis of the outdoors and the radio art.
> >>>
> >>> But it isn't always easy.
> >>>
> >>> While many hams have transitioned to computer-based digital modes such
> as
> >>> FT8, others have not. This includes ultralight travelers, as well as
> those
> >>> who seek the satisfaction of home-building simple gear and putting it
> on
> >>> the air.
> >>>
> >>> For portable operators in particular, simplicity and pragmatics often
> >>> dictate the use of CW and SSB. It may not be desirable or even
> possible to
> >>> lug a laptop in your pack, find a place to set it up, and attach its
> myriad
> >>> cables. You might struggle to see a washed-out LCD screen in direct
> >>> sunlight. High winds might capture an open laptop and sweep your gear
> away.
> >>>
> >>> Many, instead, choose traditional modes. These allow for small,
> integrated
> >>> gear that can often be hand-held. And there's the bonus of immediacy
> such
> >>> modes offer, without mediation, without constraints on duration or
> content.
> >>>
> >>> To put yourself in their shoes, imagine that you just trekked several
> >>> miles, much of it uphill. To accommodate the need for food, water,
> >>> clothing, and safety gear, you've brought a minimum amount of radio
> >>> equipment. It might be a 3-ounce CW QRP radio; an HF-VHF-UHF portable,
> an
> >>> all-band/all-mode HF HT (like a KX2), or your latest home-brew
> transceiver.
> >>>
> >>> When you arrive at your peak, you survey the spot for a suitable
> operating
> >>> position. It might be a large, flat rock; a patch of ground not
> infested
> >>> with ants and spiders; or a shady spot with a downslope in a favored
> >>> direction. You might climb a tree. Shelter beneath a ridge. Or dangle
> your
> >>> legs and antenna from a cliff.
> >>>
> >>> Speaking of which, deployment of antennas presents another challenge.
> You
> >>> could spin-cast or toss a wire, hoping for a good landing, without
> snags.
> >>> You might wedge the feet of a tripod into rocks, then attach a small
> >>> magnetic loop. Or you might use a simple telescoping whip.
> >>>
> >>> All that effort. Now it's time to turn on the radio.
> >>>
> >>> Virtually every time I've gone on such an outing, I've made contacts.
> At
> >>> times I've been lucky. Maybe it's operating experience: knowing who to
> >>> call.
> >>>
> >>> But sometimes there's no one around on CW or SSB. Is it propagation?
> Or is
> >>> everyone swimming in the digital sea, not paying attention to you, on
> your
> >>> remote island?
> >>>
> >>> You can spot yourself on RBN (reverse beacon network), or prearrange
> >>> skeds. But what many of us hope for is that burst of contacts. Feeling
> like
> >>> a rare DX station. Feeling that slap-on-the-back-at-a-distance that
> says:
> >>>
> >>> "We hear you."
> >>>
> >>> * * *
> >>>
> >>> You can, of course, partake of this experience yourself.
> >>>
> >>> Whether you do or not, though: Please consider listening for those who
> do.
> >>> Formal activations are announced in advance. See for example:
> >>>
> >>>   https://www.sota.org.uk/
> >>>
> >>> The band segments used are very small, or even a single frequency,
> making
> >>> it easy to monitor them while you engage in other activity around the
> shack
> >>> or on the air. You can use SOTA spotting websites, or just keep a
> receiver
> >>> on one of the watering holes. (The Elecraft K3/K3S/KX2/KX3 make this
> easy,
> >>> with built-in scanning. You can set the rig up for either muted or live
> >>> audio scans, the latter making it easier to hear weak signals when
> they pop
> >>> up.)
> >>>
> >>> One final thought. In this pandemic era, some of us have had more time
> to
> >>> get on the air, and some of us have had more chance to get outside.
> >>>
> >>> Let's do both. At the same time.
> >>>
> >>> 73,
> >>> Wayne
> >>> N6KR
> >>>
> >>>
>
>
>