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

JP Douglas kb1tcd at gmail.com
Mon Jun 8 06:52:41 EDT 2020 

You can get a brand new Dell Win 10 solid drive laptop for $150 that also lets you use winlink, not much memory but if you are only using it for ham applications it works fine, that’s what I use as a dedicated ham laptop.
73 de Jose Douglas KB1TCD

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 7, 2020, at 11:28 PM, Gwen Patton <ardrhi at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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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