wjm@whuxl.UUCP (MITCHELL) (07/10/84)
<munchies??> While we're discussing code requirements and emergency communications, let's also consider the need for equipment that can operate without 120 (or 230 if you're in Europe) VAC power. Most 2m hand helds meet this requirement (especially if you have spare charged battery packs for them) but what about your low band rig (if you operate on 160 thru 10)?? Field day is a good time to try emergency power operation and know you're ready if it should happen. I agree that 2m FM is a viable means of emergency communications IF the repeater has emergency power. As for the exam, I'd like to see the technical part of the test reflect modern amateur practice. The General/Technician and especially the Advanced exams should have some digital questions on them. As for tubes in 1984, let's face it - those little glass bottles are more resistant to electrical abuse (such as EMP among other things) and more cost effective for use in ham transmitter power stages than are transistors. If you have a tube rig and you inadvertantly try to run it into a mismatch, you probably won't damage the rig - on the other hand, a solid state final is likely to be on its way to the service bench (hopefully on the other side of your shack) Not that I'm a CW type - I used it when I was a Novice, and I'll use it if its the only way to get through, but there's plenty of room in ham radio for all of us. CW is one option of many that hams can use to communicate but it is one that can be quite useful at times 73's, Bill Mitchell (whuxl!wjm) WB2IAU
ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (07/11/84)
Will you detractors please note that all the communications in an emergency of size can not be handled by two meter walkie talkies. You repeater is more than likely going to require some substantial emergency power. It is not clear that VHF is going to do the job at all. If you are trying to communicate out of the affected area you may have to use HF to do it. Even so, any reasonable ham can run a modern transistor from low voltabe supplies. In addition, every June we all run out and run our HF rigs on emergency power out in the middle of nowhere in a contest thinly disguised as an emergency exersise called Field Day. -Ron