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

Sun Jun 7 23:28:06 EDT 2020

I use an older Chromebook, Dave. I removed Chrome OS and replaced it with
GalliumOS, a Linux distro for Chromebooks. You can get an older model
Chromebook for really cheap these days, and that gives you a display,
battery, keyboard, trackpad, processor, and multiple digital mode apps, all
nicely self-contained. And you can use it for other things, too. The only
thing you'll have to add is a soundcard dongle, because the incredibly
stupid audio system in most Chromebooks is too braindead to work on digital
ham apps. Even a really fancy one will cost you only around $30, and there
are far cheaper ones that will do. That's the dongle, not the Chromebook. I
paid about $120 for this one about 5 years ago. I replaced the Chromebook
with a better, faster one with more RAM, a microSD slot that doesn't stick
half an inch out of the side of the machine, and USB-C.

I've got WSJT-X and JS8Call on it already, some logging programs, and
things like Echolink. The MDS Phaser I use it with is set up for 40m FT8
and JS8, but I can switch the JS8 to any frequency I want and run other
modes if I feel like it. Perhaps some Slow-Scan images, who knows?

I've seen some very fancy Raspberry Pi builds for it, though, if you want
to go that route. You'd have to add a display, keyboard, mouse, and power.
OR you can set it up headless and run it with a tablet or even your phone
over a remote access program like VNC. But that adds even more expense
unless you already have the tablet or phone. I'd still recommend a wireless
keyboard, though. Typing on a phone or tablet can be a pain, and there's
some really nice Bluetooth keyboards out there now, even folding ones you
can stow really easily.

I really like the Phaser. It's more challenging on FT8 than a full QRO
station, of course, and it's VERY packable. It makes a fantastic field rig
for working from parks, or probably for summit operation, though I don't do
that. There's few summits you can take a wheelchair to. hi hi

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 10:33 PM David Gilbert <ab7echo at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
> > >>>
> > >>>
> >
> >
> >
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