Thanks
There is already one review up here on eham. If you get a chance to review it, that would be great .

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11065

How much did they cost at Dayton?

I still mainly run XP. Also use Linux Mint on a laptop and "Easy Peasy" on the Asus Netbook. No plans to upgrade to Windows 8 (I doubt Win 8 would run on my low to medium end XP machines anyway).

And I refuse to buy any new computer with Windows 8. Perhaps Microsoft will come to their senses and go back and release a normal OS like Win 7. Otherwise I'll just continue to run XP on my main computers or migrate more to Linux.

For the older Operating Systems, Windows 2000 was/is a good performer and still useful for some applications. And Windows 95 and Windows 98 can run older packet radio applications (and logging programs) as well as Win 2000 and XP using hyperterminal.

Just because the OS is dated no reason to stop using the computer. I'm sure non of us would toss out their Icom IC 706 MKIIG rigs because they are discontinued by Icom.

As long as I can get around the internet safely, I don't care what the OS is (as long as it is NOT Win 8 )  .

With Packet one can have instant messaging, mailboxes and set up a BBS without relying on the internet or cell phones. Some of the vintage Packet Multi-Mode TNC's such as MFJ 1278 and the PK 232 can be had for $50 or less and run with older but still functioning Windows, 95,98,2000 and XP machines. Unlike the internet, if it is obsolete for the internet it still can be used for digital communications on amateur radio.

One could just put spare equipment to good use and having it run in the background. Also you can use "Hyperterminal" in XP (and other older windows operating systems) instead of the older DOS proprietary TNC software.

Packet still has its place 20 - 25 years later after its heyday for good basic everyday communications independent of the grid and independent of the cell phone.  For emergency applications, having a packet station with a BBS and mailboxes would prove invaluable for storing messages for retrieval later on when needed.

New QRP RADIO: X1M QRP SSB/CW Transceiver $299

http://www.wouxun.us/item.php?item_id=302&category_id=65

I saw this selling on Ebay for $350 now as well as $299 at the Wouxun website. This is a 5 watt SSB/CW radio that promises all the ham bands however it lists only 5 bands with something about 'configured separately with additional filtering'.

(I did a search here on eham for X1M QRP Transceiver and yielded no results, so I guess this radio has not been mentioned yet.) This is an fully assembled radio according to the site.

The website says they are talking orders and it will be shipping in early May, but some Ebay seller from North Carolina has it now for $350.  The price seems great and for the price of a Youkits 4 band CW only rig, this radio appears to offer even more. Seems Wouxun is going to be importing these in to sell in the U.S.. The manufacturer seems to be  "Xiegu Technology"

The site goes on to mention that Wouxun.us is now "Import Communications" and that they will be at the Dayton Hamfest North Hall 175-176.  I have no connections to these guys whatsoever and just passing on the information that I found.

Specs from the website
Modes: USB & LSB & CW
Power output: 5 Watts
Operating voltage: 9.6 ~ 14.5 vdc
Operating current: 0.35 ~ 1.2 amp
Receiver Preamplifier:  Yes
Memory Channels:  100
RIT Function:  Yes
Automatic Internal CW Keyer:  Yes
Backlight On/Off:  Yes
Keyboard  lock:  Yes
Dimensions:   3-13/16 x 1-9/16 x 6-1/8 inches
Weight:   0.65 kg  ~  1.43 lbs
PTT Microphone:  Included

 
* Transmits on ALL Ham Bands,
   Plus 5 Ham Bands are configured separately with additional filtering

Band 1:   3.5 ~ 3.9 MHz
Band 2:    7.0 ~ 7.15 MHz
Band 3: 14.0 ~ 14.5 MHz
Band 4:   21.0 ~ 21.45 MHz
Band 5:   28.0 ~ 29.7  MHz

 
Receiving sensitivity: better than 0.45uV,
RF output power: ≥ 4.5W
Frequency stability: better than 0.5ppm
Frequency accuracy: better than 0.5ppm
Operating voltage: 12.0 ~ 14.0V DC
Receiver Standby Current: 0.5A
Emission current: 1.5A Max

 Like others have said, both stations really should have the same polarization. Let us know how the hill topping went and how high the 'hill' was....

A friend back in New Jersey was able to have regular contact with a station in Rhode Island using 160 watts into a 10 element beam antenna on 2 meter SSB. His propagation was practically an all water path.

(All water paths can be a good substitute for those who don't have high hills or mountains to go to. There have been countless reports of great DX over water paths. FL to TX are possible under great conditions.)

I recommend getting at least a 3 element antenna for hill top excursions or for any kind of SSB communications. You can get a small tripod and a couple of 5 foot masts and the 3 element beam that should easily fit in the trunk and then put it together real quick to do some hill top DX.

Does anyone use a Windows CE Netbook for Amateur Radio?

 If so, can you use the Signalink or Rigblaster with it? Does it have hyperterminal? Ham radio apps?

I'm also looking for information along the same lines except using those mobile data terminals that they sell on E-Bay next to nothing  for possible packet/APRS uses and/or as dumb terminals. One of the MDT's I saw (think it was a Pyramid) had GPS capabilities as well...saw an asking prices under $50 and could have been used for APRS .

You can use hyperterminal with an old MFJ 1278 as a digipeater and send it somewhere else.

Has anyone taken those used Mobile Data Terminals that sell on E-Bay and adapted them for Ham Radio Use? For instance using a MDT as a dumb terminal for packet or APRS ?

One of these terminal displays on E-Bay with the brand name Pyramid had GPS and it was for $29 Buy it now. I noticed MDT's and without GPS starting prices of $25 and up.

Has anyone taken those used Mobile Data Terminals that sell on E-Bay and adapted them for Ham Radio Use? For instance using a MDT as a dumb terminal for packet or APRS applications? Can it be possible?  Is it worth the trouble?

OK thanks for the replies. I'll take a ride over to Radio Shack to see if they have the parts. I didn't think shack still sold resistors and capacitors.

Thanks

Radio Shack HTX 202 to MFJ 1278 TNC Connection question

 I have Googled the question and have come up with two different answers. I want to hook up the HTX 202 to the MFJ 1278 TNC.

One answer says I have to use a 1:1 audio transformer, a resistor and a capacitor in between the connections between the two. (Why?)

However the RS HTX 202 owners manual mentions no such thing and looks like a simple matter of just hooking them up. Now I don't have the resistor, capacitor or the audio transformer. I could order them. But it would be easier for me to just use another radio in the meantime.

1. So do I just hook them up without the extra parts like the owners manual says?

2. Do I need the extra parts so I don't ruin the radio or the TNC?

3. What other radio could I hookup to the MFJ 1278 without ordering extra parts?

4. Does anyone have a simple diagram for hooking up a radio to the MFJ 1278?

I will be using hyperterminal for what it is worth. I eventually want to make all 'old school project" (using vintage 1990's equipment for packet).

Thanks

A traditional packet set up using current packet equipment and computers. (With possibilities of using 'old school' equipment like obsolete computers and old MFJ 1278 and Baypac modems in a pinch.) Using older re-purposed equipment for packet would cost little or nothing and could make a good secondary backup or two in an emergency and could be deployed for little or no cost since basic packet is simple.

I read about Pactor and how after Pactor I it became proprietary with SCS. I see those modems costing $1300 and up. I understand that it is used a lot for getting email at sea through 'Sail Mail' which is different from Winlink.

But I guess one could use Pactor II and up for Winlink as well?

Excellent, thanks!

Does anyone use packet as part of Emergency Communications? If so, what equipment do you use?