Hi,

Does anyone have contact information for James (Jim) Mitchell - KC8UNJ, author of the programming software at kc8unj.com? I can't seem to find an email address for him on the site...

I'm a Linux user, and have to use a friend's Windows box to program my VX-7R. I'm trying to get in contact with Jim to see if he'd be interested in letting me have a look at the source code and port the program to Linux.

Thanks,
Jason
KC2OZU
www.jasonantman.com

Just to clarify, I'm not interested in anything for ham right now, I'm happy with my HT and the mag mount if I need it. All I need is AM/FM stereo and VHF public service (155-160 Mhz).

I have a friend who used to be a Sti-Co dealer (still listed even though he closed up shop a few years ago), and I'll ask him.

Thanks.

Hello,

I'm looking to start outfitting my new truck... right now I have a dual-band handheld (with a mag-mount antenna when I need it) for ham, but I also need a VHF mobile for public safety (volunteer EMT).

I really want to keep the truck slick-top (so a mag mount that always stays there is out of the question), and I'd like to avoid drilling holes if at all possible - essentially, I'm looking to keep the truck with a "stock" look.

I know I've read a few times about people using their AM/FM antennas for 2-way, either by means of a "converter" box (I'm sure I saw one advertised online somewhere) or, probably a better alternative, by replacing the factory AM/FM antenna with one designed for 2-way VHF use, with an appropriate thread on it.

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts, or knows of a source for such items?

Thanks,
Jason
KC2OZU

Thanks for all of the links. I put a deposit on the truck yesterday...

I don't particularly care for any of those from Galls. I want something that really looks sharp, or at least is well covered.

I ended up with a 2006 which has the four factory-installed upfitter switches which can take care of the lights for now. For the time being, I think I'll just deal with that, my HT, and a mag-mount 2m/440 antenna.

When the summer is over and I have some more cash (I'm a college student), I'm planning on building a console, probably something vaguely like:

http://jantman.dyndns.org:10011/indexed/console/211988823hDmWff_ph.jpg

I'm buying the truck used.

I've done installs for my previous truck and a few people on my ambulance corps. Whatever I do with this truck, I'll probably do myself. If anything's *really* complex, or I can't figure out how to get the console to look right, I'll bring it to a local guy who outfits police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks. He's done some great chief's trucks for local FDs.

Thanks, I'll check dealers for a Gamber Johnson quote too.

I'm financing the truck. Between $1000 for lighting and electrical control, $500 for radios, a bed liner, $150 for custom-fit floor mats, $500 for a Viper remote start & alarm installed, etc., etc. I have to draw the line somewhere, and $400 for a console seems a bit extreme.

Yes, the truck will cost around $24,000 financed. But if I'm putting $6000 down, $2000 for upgrades is nothing to scoff at, and on my relatively tight day-to-day budget, if I can save $300 on the console, that's a good thing.

I think I may end up making one out of high-grade plywood and covering it with matching carpeting.

I'm a relatively new ham and a volunteer EMT. I'm getting a new truck - a Ford F-250 SuperCab, with bucket seats.

I'm planning on putting a 2m or 2m/440 rig in the truck, along with the one or two VHF mobiles (EMS/public safety), scanner, and custom switch panel for emergency lights.

I've solicited suggestions from a number of people who do installs in emergency vehicles, and they all suggested the custom radio consoles made by Jotto Desk, Havis Shields, etc... which are well within the budget of a municipal PD, but (at around $350-500 for the console and brackets) are a bit out of my price range. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for safely mounting a BUNCH of radios in a way that also looks nice? Maybe building something to replace the factory console...?

Thanks for any advice.

So I have two VX7R's and use VX7R commander to program them.

I just tried reprogramming one, and it won't take. I read the memory to the computer, saved it, and changed one channel. I tried to write it, but it ended early with a clone error, and set the radio totally back to factory settings. Now, it won't take any of my saved files. It says Clone RX, the computer finishes writing (100%), but the radio stays at "CLONE RX" for a few seconds and then says CLONE ERROR.

Any ideas?

I have a relatively new VX-7R and use VX7R commander to program it. A local closed-access repeater uses DCS on the input frequency and CTCSS on the output. It seems that the right setting for the VX7R to do this is the "D Tone" setting.

I cannot find an entry in the Commander software to do this. So, I tried changing it manually through Mon F -> Set. It works fine, until I shut off the radio, and then it is back to the DCS setting.

Does anyone know how to make this work?

Thanks,
Jason
KC2OZU

Ian,

I took a peek at the site... interesting. It's not exactly a fit for me, I do NOT run windows...

But was just wondering, will this be GPL'd?

Jim,

I think I understand what you're saying.

But how strictly are the keys controlled?

I.E. could I just go on my favorite auction site, buy a BK (or other brand portable) and the key, and have a front-panel-programmable radio?

Charles-

I've seen the brochure. Maybe it's just old, but it doesn't do a lot to sell anyone that I know. I gave a copy to the captain of our ambulance corps, and the photo of the two guys in the faux uniforms (with the shorts up to their chests) was hung up on the corps bulletin board for a while... just for laughs.

At the moment our town is transitioning to a new emergency managment coodinator (police chief retired). When a new one is named, I'll be sure to bring it up with him.

I think that the other problem is that, in our town, we have had relatively few real disasters. If the repeaters are knocked out due to storm, we move to an alternate simplex frequency. The few times I remember seeing a true communications overload, that could have benifited from hams relaying messages, it was over within an hour or two.

As to the standardized training - it would be wonderful if FEMA/EMI would offer an ICS class in amateur emergency communications, which could be nationally recognized. At least FEMA is an entity that most people in this field are familiar with.

KC8VWM said:
"I feel that any local municipality that dismiss the value of these services volunteers should provide are simply uninformed of the facts."

Ok. How do I inform them? Does ARRL have propaganda that I can order? Are there case studies about ham in previous incidents?

My municipality sees no advantage whatsoever... yes, because they're ignorant and uninformed... so how do we combat that?

And as to the cross-training, the only town in my area with a well-formed ARES group, or with ham working with them in any way, is Ramsey. The majority of their OEM members (all ham operators) are EMT's, Firefighters, Police, and Public Utility workers. When an incident happens and they need to activate their ARES net, you have members who already know how each organization works, and what its priorities and needs are.

At thwe very least, I think it would be beneficial for hams to train with served organizations on a regular basis, not just as radio operators, but to get a grasp on what the organization does, needs, and sees as important.


Finally, in response to the ARECC course - there is simply no way I would spend $75 on a relatively short training course for myself. It's not economical for me. I believe that a few of the local ARES groups, like the mentioned Ramsey OEM, will pay for the course if you join. However, I have obligations in my town, and don't want to take on ones ten miles away.

If there was a local group that offered free training, I'd do it. I don't have $75 to spend on a course that, in all practicality, I could probably pass as an online course with a cost of nothing. There's an idea.

Just as an FYI for those who are interested, I've never paid for emergency training in my life. The state of New Jersey has an EMT Training Fund, paid for in part by a surcharge on all traffic tickets, which provides free training for every volunteer EMT in NJ. The courses pretty much run the gamut of what's availble and appropriate to EMS.

Ronnie,

I realize that I neglected to specify that I was talking about the municipal level where, at least in my Boro, hams have been literally laughed out of planning meetings.

Secondly, as to the newby stab, while i may be a relaitvely new ham, I have nothing to prove to the world of emergency services.

In my town, there is absolutely zero involvement between the few hams we have, and the local OEM and emergency agencies. Why? The other hams in town just can't sell the idea. Granted, I haven't tried, as I'm associated with one of the public service agencies, and am already on the front lines of any emergency.

Here are a few of my observations on what we (as hams) should be doing to help sell ourselves as a useful resource in a disaster:

1) Get an entity to standardize our infrastructure and organization. Base everything on the ICS/NIMS model. Conduct national certification in Emergency Communications by one organization, and offer multiple levels of training and certification, each with its' own position title.

2) Decide on a name for ourselves, and omit "Amateur". The word is weak, and evokes images of middle-aged men with walkie-talkies on a ragchew net. I like Radio Communications Volunteers or Volunteer Radio Communications, but anything in that vein would work ok.

3) Stress that we are a resource to be utilized by other agencies. They call us, and we do what they tell us. We know how to do it once asked, but our purpose is  to serve the public service agencies.

4) Stress that we can provide communications at all levels. We do not want to replace your organization's communications system.

5) Many areas already have OEM's or other agencies that can show up on scene with hundreds of portable radios and mobile repeaters. We're not taking their job away. However, we can handle the routine, non-emergent traffic between command posts and the outside world - requesting food for personnel, fuel, and other messages that don't need to tie up tactical radio channels.

6) Stress that we can provide (if the local members can) communications beyond an agency's in-place systems. One example is providing an agency with a ham operator who comes complete with a vehicle, mobile rig, and a packet-capable computer (equivalent of a Mobile Data Terminal) so that agencies without data-radio capabilities can utilize them. This becomes very important when sending disaster patient information to a command post.

7) We must understand, as a community, that certain responsibilities come with such a job. First, we must conduct ourselves in a professional manner. This isn't just limited to being polite and not getting in the way, but also that if we provide communications in a disaster, our systems must be at least as robust and fault-tolerant as the public service agency's mission-critical radio systems.

Also, we must understand that this means making a REAL commitment to BEING THERE. I can flat out say that if my agency were to consider the use of amateurs to provide communications in a Mass Casualty Incident, and actually include them in our plans, we would need the full required contingent of personnel within 20 minutes to an hour. Past that window, the largest part of communications overload has passed. This means having people available 24x7x365.


Please feel free to add to this, or just discuss what we can do as a group to help out, and to show public service agencies that we are a valuable resource.