I've set up a page that has downloads of various manuals in Acrobat format. All of these are for equipment I have owned with lots on Yaesu...but other stuff is there too. Click Manuals.
Shack-N-Bag
Just added a new page with lots of photos showing my easy to "grab and go" portable station. Click Shack-N-Bag for details.
El Cheapo AZ-EL Rotor System for Satellites
Details on how to assemble my under $50 approach for my AA5FR El Cheapo AZ-EL rotor system for working the LEO (low earth orbit) AMSAT birds. Click Cheapo.
ATAS-120a Antenna
I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!
New Shack Additions
Just bought the Kenwood TH-F6A HT to add to my minimalist lineup where less is more. Great little radio in an incredibly small package. Just added the Diamond CR320A Tri-band Mobile Antenna to the car to run this as an easy mobile. Covers the same 144/220/440 as the TH-F6A HT and works MUCH better than the cheapie MFJ dual bander mag mount.
Going HF Mobile
Also, just convinced the XYL that an HF mobile mount is a good idea, especially for mountain topping (she is less convinced about using it while driving)! That way, we can operate portable in the comfort of the car with the top down on the convertible.
Just got the Comet CP-5 and the Yaesu ATAS-120A auto tune antenna. Will also be using the ATAS for portable operation. Update: Just added the Diamond K-400C Mount for the ATAS as I was finding the Comet CP-5 not quite good enough. See new test results now that I have installed the K-400. Will dedicate the CP-5 to the CR320A by clicking ATAS.
I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!
Arlington seeking licensed ham radio usersBoston.comBy Brock Parker, Town Correspondent Arlington is putting out a call for a local licensed ham radio […]
Village Voice DrummoyneForget Skype: this whiz kid prefers radioVillage Voice DrummoyneJason Brand, of Dulwich Hill, passed his ham radio test earlier […]
Ham radio club signals Marble Falls High School students to design bannerThe River Cities Sunday Tribune (blog)MARBLE FALLS — When Highland Lakes Amat […]
Clear Lake Amateur Radio Operators Spot For National Weather ServiceKUHF-FMThe volunteers include concerned citizens, pilots, public service officials […]
Ham radio operation from SwazilandSouthgate Amateur Radio ClubTwo amateur radio operators, Phil, G3SWH, and John, G3OLU (aka EA5ARC), will be active a […]
Amateur radio operators launch balloon aimed for ChinaKaty TimesLaunched at 3:15 pm from No Label Brewery in Katy, the balloon was expected to stay af […]
Amateur radio operators prep in JonesboroKAITThe group is mainly interested in using amateur radio, also known as ham radio, to communicate during an […]
Broaden horizons with ham radioPatriot-NewsAmateur shortwave radio, or ham radio, while largely forgotten by the general public, can be an invaluable […]
Email:
You can email me by clicking on my eyeball contacts (yep, really my eyes.)
A Gift - Even If There Is Less Than A Zero Chance We Will Work Together
This is one of the ways that I am "paying it forward."
Zero cost. Zero expectations - except that it is with my hope that it helps improve your life - and more quickly gets you from your current Point A to your desired Point B. Click the Five Year Life Book Cover to download this 82 Question Pop Quiz.
Don't even think about starting a company or new venture - or even a new romantic relationship without answering these 82 questions about your life - five years from right now! Make sure your personal life goals, your romantic goals and your new business goals are totally congruent.
Click the book cover to download your free Workbook with my compliments.
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Start Up Company Services
Here are some videos on my start up company services.
Please click the full screen icon to really be able to read
them!
(They are actually seen in higher resolution by clicking on
the YouTube logo.)
Video Of Some Of My Photography Of The Smoky Mountains In Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Here's some of my own photography done as a video set to music on YouTube.com. (Best seen in full screen and hi def mode.) You can view this bigger by clicking BIG!
I just uploaded this - and would appreciate your viewing it and leaving your comments on YouTube!
Demonstration of the new Yaesu FTM-350 receiving APRS Beacons. For a full review of the Yaesu FTM-350, visit www.worldwidedx.com Here’s a description of how a tape rule antenna was built. This video can help show how to set up your Yaesu VX-8R for ISS APRS packet data sending and receiving and other aspects to make a [...]
Some cool APRS images: ARI MONZA Associazione Radioamatori Monza Image by Michele Ficara Manganelli Sono un radioamatore con patente e Licenza Ministeriale con la sigla IW2NIQ (ex IW2FT Sono un radioamatore con patente e Licenza Ministeriale con la sigla IW2NIQ (ex IW2FTJ) e questa è una serata in sezione per l’aggiornamento tecnico sull’Aprs con cena finale. Sono un radioamatore con [...]
Consider promotion of dy dir within 2 months: HC The petitioner was denied promotion against the Director's post on the grounds that his APRs were not “initiated by competent authority and were incomplete.” The respondents in their response had also stated that integrity of the petitioner was not … Read more on GreaterKashmir.com Toyota of Greensburg Says 'Welcome [...]
PART 2 of 3. Leigh Klotz WA5ZNU demonstrates a wireless APRS device (Automatic Position Reporting System) using a low cost microprocessor and transmitter to send GPS location information. Video by NQ1R/ARRL. www.arrl.org Video Rating: 4 / 5 Tags: Leigh Klotz, APRS, Demo
ARRL‘s new video, “The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio,” is an 8-minute video that follows some of the innovative, imaginative and fun ways “hams” use radio technology in new and creative ways. The presentation is directed toward the DIY (do it yourself) movement, which is inspiring a new generation of creators, hackers and innovators. The message should [...]
running test Amateur Radio Video Rating: 5 / 5 A demo of the Avmap G5 and Kenwood D710A using Avmap Tactical Mode. This allows you to track One APRS callsign on you Avmap G5 Video Rating: 4 / 5 Tags: Amateur Radio Video, aprs tracker, Video Rating
Check out these APRS images: apr terminal end plate Image by mpechner This was a 3rd time I ever used a bridgeport milling machine. 30 minutes of setup to do 2 minutes of work. IMG_0302 Image by mpechner WS0778 Image by matsubokkuri Tags: bridgeport milling machine, images, APRS
Check out our new webcam for the current view from our balcony!
Just click the photo for the most recent update. Updated every 5 minutes.
Our new Cobbly Nob TN site was just chosen as an Earthcam Top 10 Webcam!
All of this in just our first two weeks of operation - and before we install our new wide angle, high definition lens! Stay tuned for even better images!
EarthCam, Inc. is the global leader in providing webcam content, technology and services and ranks among the top 1% of all websites. EarthCam.com is the world’s favorite webcam network and the EarthCam Network cameras have been seen on top news shows, including CNN’s Headline News.
General Info
Name:
Robert
QTH:
Clearwater Beach, Florida and Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Locator:
EL87NO - FL EM85HS - TN IOTA - NA34 - FL.
Rigs:
Yaesu FT-897D, usually running only 20 watts. My main HF rig at my base station.
Yaesu FT-857D. This is my mobile rig working with the ATAS-120. Amazing result with the two - my first three contacts sitting in my Florida parking lot: Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Ukraine.
I also use the FT-857D as the main component of my "grab and go" "Shack-N-Bag" for easy portable operations.
Typically, using a SignaLink USB for all the digital stuff - especially PSK-31 and more recently JT65. MFJ-1026 for noise control. Both are amazing devices worth their weight in DXCC certificates.
Auto antenna tuner: The battery-powered LDG Z-11 Pro for the often portable FT-857D.
Antennae:
MFJ-1786 Magnetic Loop - Mounted on balcony about 30' above the sloping ground on the top of a mountain at 1,800' elevation.
Arrow J-Pole for 144/440 - Mounted on balcony about 30' above the sloping ground on the top of a mountain at 1,800' elevation.
Yaesu ATAS-120a for mobile and portable operations - which does a surprisingly amazing job for both. Best DX so far: Mobile from the top of the Smokies to VP8, Falkland Islands - with 10 watts - even at the bottom of this sunspot cycle. I have gotten so many requests for info and photos on the ATAS-120 antenna, I've created a separate page. Click ATAS to see!
Interests:
Everything! including my wife (absolutely my #1 favorite way to spend my time), digital photography, Photoshop, mountain hiking, sailing, biking, scuba diving, computers, writing, helping start up companies really get started and, of course, ham radio!
Previous Calls:
WN4LEJ - Novice WA4YFH - General KD5SB - Advanced AA5FR - Extra
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Emergency Radio Communications For Preppers
I get a lot of "preppers" who visit this site looking for information that will help when IT hits the fan.
When the Chaos comes, cell phones and the Internet may no longer be available. In those cases, you will need other kinds of communications such as the following kinds of radios. And, you may need more than one in order to stay in contact with your family.
The radios listed below require a ham radio license to legally operate in transmit mode unless it is an emergency. No license is required just for receiving. I've included links for a couple of books that show how easy it is to get a ham license now.
Seriously consider getting your ham license now - so you are trained on how to operate, how to properly construct an effective antenna and how to operate with stealth. When it has already hit the fan, is not the time to learn this stuff! Be prepared now!
Now available in paperback, eBook and Kindle editions! Click the book cover to find out more about my latest book on Efficient Love:
Click eBook if you prefer to get your own Efficient Love in the next five minutes as an eBook - with a 60 day risk free guarantee. Paperback edition of book in stock and now IMMEDIATELY available from Amazon. Also available from Barnes and Noble and most bookstores for only $19.97! Click Kindle for the JUST RELEASED Kindle edition to immediately download your own copy of Efficient Love to your Kindle from Amazon!
If it's not in stock at your local bookstore just have them order ISBN # 978-0-9792952-0-1
Email:
You can email me by clicking on my eyeball contacts (yep, really my eyes.)
Ham Radio News
