Can someone clarify for me if APRS messaging is robust and easy enough to use as an alternative to SMS text messaging?

My specific need is to fallback on APRS messaging if SMS texting is not available.  The likely scenario is an earthquake has disrupted the cell networks and I need to get in touch with my wife.  If we both keep an APRS capable HT (like the Kenwood TH-D72A) in our cars at all times, I'd like to be able to use the APRS messaging network to stay in touch with her and be able to coordinate a plan of action on the fly.

Thanks!
Jeff

(whoops! I failed to notice there is an APRS forum --- mods please move this message there!)

My initial build had these options:

2.7 kHz 5-pole, 1.8 kHz 8-pole, 400 Hz 8-pole filters
DVR for voice macros (great for saving the throat)
100w amp
Interal tuner
The I/O board (a must for a good digital setup)
0.5ppm TXCO

That setup got me from 0 to DXCC with a multiband dipole.

I just added the following (3 years later):

Sub receiver with matching filters
General coverage module
6 kHz AM filter
P3 Panadapter

For digital modes I'd recommend a Signalink or Microkeyer II (great for FSK RTTY).

If you buy used, try to get a late model (2010 or later) as Elecraft made some board revisions that incorporate needed hardware mods for certain modules such as the sub receiver.  I got mine in March 2010 and haven't had to do any mods.

Thanks for the clarification.  I'm amazed how many EU ops send me IRC that aren't stamped at all!

Why am I getting IRCs stamped for a country that differs from the destination I need to send the QSL back to? For example, I received a QSL from a Russian station, the IRC was for Japan (stamped).

Will the USPS honor stamped IRCs if the destination country is not the same as that indicated on the IRC?

-Jeff

Interesting.  I originally got my Ham license because I took up Paragliding! We used simplex frequencies for Instructor to student comms, and for pilot to pilot ragchewing while we flew.  And of course for coordinating recovering of people that landed out in the boonies.

-Jeff

My macros are setup to adapt to the style of the op I'm working.  DX, ragchew, or standard macro exchange.  If they want to chat, I do.  If not, no biggy, in the log they go and I move on.

-Jeff

Anacapa Island (NA-144) will be activated as W6UX/P with a team of 6 operators during the IOTA contest.  As far as we know, NA-144 has not been activated since we were there last year, so don't miss this chance to get this rare IOTA in your log!  Anacapa also counts for ARLHS USA-012 and WLOTA-1300 lighthouses, US Island CA-002S, Flora-Fauna WFF KFF-014 and for Ventura County.

Team: W6UX, AE6RS, N6GP, KQ6ES, KR6J, KJ6REP
Bands: 40, 20, 15, 10, and possibly WARC (non-contest)
Modes: CW, Phone

Anticipated Operating Schedule:

0000z July 28 - 0600z July 28 (Station checks and non-contest QSOs)
1200z July 28 - 1200z July 29 (RSGB IOTA contest as W6UX/P)
1200z July 29 - 1400z July 29 (Battery power permitting, final non-contest QSOs)

This is a battery powered operation (1 "run" station, and 1 "multi" hunter station), and we will need to conserve power in order to make it all the way to Sunday.  We plan to limit output to 50w unless absolutely necessary to boost QSO rates.  We expect most of the action to be on 20 and 40, but with luck 15 will be open and we are bringing a Moxon for that band.  All other antennas are PAR Endz-fed dipoles.

Contest QSOs are logged as "W6UX/P" and will be uploaded to LOTW and eQSL.  To receive a special NA-144 card, QSL via W6UX.  For all non-contest QSOs, QSL via home calls.

Thanks!
Jeff, W6UX

Ok thanks for the replies.  Forgot to mention I'm using WinWarlber.  It has multi-decoding, can work 3 QSOs simultaneously, and integrates with DXLab which I use for my main logging software.

-Jeff

Looking for some good "rule of thumb" tips on nabbing PSK31 DX.

My gear: K3 with 2.7 kHZ, 1.8 kHz, and 400 Hz filters; Hex Beam antenna.  Usually limit power to 25 watts.

Is it best to narrow down my filter width to say, 100 Hz and just tune up and down within the usual PSK frequency windows looking for DX? When I open my filter up to 2.7 kHZ, I get bombarded with strong stateside signals and the weak traces won't decode (AGC?).

Thanks,
Jeff

I've been enjoying the TV series Doomsday Preppers.  If anything, it's interesting to see people living in missile silos, but several times, the "experts" that advise the preppers after evaluating their setup will recommend improving their comms capabilities with a ham radio.

So I was thinking....if you had the forethought to have a retractable antenna system that would allow them to survive a nuclear blast (let's assume you've got a nifty bunker underground)... how well is that antenna going to work with all that fallout and radiation?

Does anyone know if it's been studied?

-Jeff

Yep, N3FJP is the way to go for a public FD operation (it's as simple as can be made, I think).  Our club has been using it for years.

We also used it for the CA QSO party.

-Jeff

Anyone else hear this around 2106 UTC.  It was intermittent, but sounded deliberate.  Or am I just hearing something local?

I heard this same sort of jamming during the ARRL DX SSB contest this past Sunday (first near 14.235 then on other bands).  Sounds like a tuner, but short staccato notes in rapid succession, with some long tones.  No real pattern, so I think it's human caused.

This happened when a "Yankee Victor" station was being worked.

-Jeff

Another believer of the Hex Beam here! Been working DX like crazy lately with 100 watts and the hex up at 40'.  A little over 700 SSB contacts in 10 hours during NAQP last week.

-Jeff

These jumpers were purchased (RG8X at a swap meet; LMR400 from the DX store).  Yeah I'll double check these!

Well this is really interesting:

Band	No Filter	Input (R)	Input (L)	Dummy load
28.318	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
28.450	1.0:1	1.1:1	1.1:1	1.0:1
28.550	1.2:1	1.3:1	1.3:1	1.0:1
24.930	1.4:1	1.4:1	1.4:1	1.0:1
24.940	1.3:1	1.4:1	1.4:1	1.0:1
24.987	1.0:1	1.3:1	1.3:1	1.0:1
21.200	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
21.325	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
21.447	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
21.447	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
21.447	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
21.447	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
18.110	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
18.145	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
18.165	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.0:1
14.150	1.2:1	1.3:1	1.3:1	1.0:1
14.250	1.1:1	1.3:1	1.3:1	1.0:1
14.347	1.0:1	1.0:1	1.1:1	1.0:1

These readings were taken using the K3's internal SWR measuring function (10 watts output).  These numbers actually look very good.  What I don't understand is why I got a HI CURRENT/HIGH SWR warning from the K3 last night operating SSB on 28.375.  I also saw a HI CURRENT message from the K3 the previous day operating 14.080 RTTY.

The frequencies where SWR was a bit lower are highlighted in bold.

Next time I see a high current warning message I'll check the SWR using the K3's SWR measuring function.  I guess I jumped the gun thinking SWR was over 3 (I was testing with my voice, not a tone).

Maybe it's different at 100 watts output; I'll check to see if I can get the K3 to measure SWR with 100 watts out.  Anyone have anything to add here?

Thanks,

Jeff