Emcomm Trailer- your suggestions?

[N8BHL]

Great comments, thanks! I honestly didn't give the power requirements for a laser printer much thought; I really don't expect to use it all that often. I went with laser because of the extremely bad luck I've had with inkjet supplies going dry- this printer will probably sit for months before being used, so I am positive it would not function when needed. Laser avoids that, and it was free :-) I'll try the printer next time I'm on a generator to see what happens. I noticed the coffeemaker caused the speed to drop momentarily, but we have to keep our operating priorities!  I understand the 'generator monitor' light concept. I have two auxiliary desk lamps on 110, so there's a default monitor in place.

A couple issues for further discussion- first, laptops. I have two Dells, but they use that strange 3rd-wire power connector. So at the moment they're limited to running on AC power. I have an older Sony in my tow vehicle that runs great on vehicle 12VDC. I may proceed to switch out the two on-board laptops, but finances are limited. I just haven't had a chance to apply the bypass that I remember seeing on the Internet. Anyone have luck with that? I would think that running a PC on battery during a typical two to four hour event wouldn't add that much of a load.

The discussion of battery vs. generator power is interesting. I've found that the deep-cycle battery will run radios within reason and inside lighting for over 6 hours, at which point I shut everything down from boredom. For a typical 2-meter public service event, "dry camping" should be sufficient.  We have tossed around the idea of running everything on 12VDC inside the trailer (no 110), and merely applying generator power to the charger/inverter unit to both charge the batteries and inverter. However, with a different vehicle that caused some problems with RF getting back into the inverter (we let the smoke out of the inverter) so I'm a little reluctant. We've had good luck running the trailer as it was designed - just plugging it into generator and running 3 HF stations, computers, coffee, additional lights for 8-10 hours.

I'm with you on the military masts. I have two mounted to the trailer- they swivel on the original awning mounts, and are latched in place at the top of the trailer. We've had 6 and 2 meter beams up about 30' on one unguyed mast successfully. I carry a number of hose clamps, guyrope and hardware to hopefully adapt as needed. I'm using both metal and fiberglass masts.

[KG4RUL]

"I went with laser because of the extremely bad luck I've had with inkjet supplies going dry- this printer will probably sit for months before being used, so I am positive it would not function when needed. Laser avoids that, and it was free"

Unfortunately, unless you are maintaining environmental control in the trailer, the toner can potentially absorb moisture and clump.  So, be prepared to shake it but, don't break it!

[KC8OYE]

i know it sounds dumb.. but what about an old Dot Matrix printer?

WAYYYYY back when when my dad owned a state of the art 24 pin color dot matrix printer.. we noticed that it always wore out a thin spot in the middle of the black only ribbon.. we carefully sprayed WD-40 into the ribbon cartridge.. let it soak turned it over..did the same.. then spooled it around with a cordless drill.. significantly extended the useful life of the ribbon... plus if the printer sits to long and the ribbon dries out, you just advance the ribbon along a little bit and away you go.. (plus you can print on carbon forms!)

not sure about the power requirements of a dot matrix tho.. (and they ARE noisey)

[N0SYA]

no emcom trailer is complete without tactical bacon and a minigun with a barrel of ammo

[KC8OYE]

there is of course.. always the 'toner hokey pokey' where you take the toner out.. and you shake it all about...

[VE6FGN]

I was an emergency manager for 10 years, and have spent a lot of hours in mobile command posts. I got into ham radio as a result of the excellent service given to our efforts from the local ares group.

I applaud your efforts, and hope you continue!

You've had a lot of great suggestions, I'll only add a few:

1- Make your CP off limits to all but the operators.

2- If able, get an awning, lawn chairs, and small table to place under it. This is where the hangers-on can go, get out of the rain, socialise a little, and most importantly get briefed.

3- add a white board to the side of the trailer under the awning- great for briefings, messages, etc.

4- arriving self contained is crucial- keep it up!

Again, well done!

Cheers- Garry

[N8BHL]

Garry, thanks for your insight!  I agree with our county's 911 Director, who has the same approach for his comm truck- lock the doors and nobody gets in.  I do have a white board inside, but I've created a problem outside. There was no awning, and I used the bottom awning swivel mounts to hold two masts. I'll need to scrounge some self-supporting canopies for that idea, but it makes good sense.  While we activated for the big ice storm at the first of the month, Canned Ham wasn't required- so it sat covered with ice like everything else.