Ham Radio and TearDrops

[ai4kk]

I've been a ham for 20 years or so but got burned out during all the storms we had about 10 years ago (I worked every storm to hit FL plus 2 trips to Katrina-landand in fact my original interest in building a teardrop was to have a comfortable place to sleep in a disaster zone) and have been almost completely inactive since the death of my youngest son Joshua, KI4NGO. Now that I'm settled in my new career of nursing, a direct result of my trip to New Orleans and subsequently joining the local DMAT, I and my roommate Eric KG4CJV, son Stefan KI4 JTA and I are planning a portable station that we can take teardropping with us.
Guess it would help if I got some radios again

Gene, aI4KK

[Hippie Bear]

I am trying to finish my TD build in time for the Orlando Ham Fest, not sure if I will get it done with all the rain here. You can look for me on 147.42 simplex at the ham fest. Other times on the KC2UFO repeater Echolink 302025 or IRLP 4227.

73 de K4UZM Hippie Bear

[Hippie Bear]

I was just thinking, how about a Tear Drop Net? HF, EchoLink or DMR ?


73 again, De K4UZM Hippie Bear

[Hippie Bear]

cq cq cq de k4uzm
hippie bear

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Coincidently, I just returned from a shopping outing to replace my lost multi-meter (and other stuff), and while looking at auto electronics at Wal-mart, I saw an inexpensive CB radio. I haven't seen one in years, and last used one in '78???. So, I was thinking about whether or not the addition of one to my camping/travelling gear would be desirable. My thoughts were about gathering info when out of cellphone range, and the ease of use I remember from the '70s. I also remember needing some directions (no cellphones or GPS back then), in unfamiliar country in West Texas, when lost at night and running low on gas- while some young girls were drowning out everyone, singing "Convoy" over and over and over, on a linear (I pulled my CB from its' slide-mount and tossed into the back seat-where it stayed until I sold the car). I researched here about CBs and Teardropping, and found only negative comments. Basically, go HAM or go home. So now I am starting to research either FRS (also mentioned in the posts, but more favorably) or Ham radio. I'd like to possibly get in just a little way and cheaply if possible, to Ham radio.

Hi working on it,
There are quite a few TD owners that frequently travel to campgrounds and use CB's to chat back and forth...
I found my old CB from the 70's and after I check it out, am thinking about putting it in my TV. In addition, if I ever get off my duff, I'll mount a dual band FM Ham radio in the trailer and in the TV... I can chat to the XYL while out walking on my HT...

See my previous post... I built a couple nice Dual Band (2m/70cm) antennas (Similar to the ARROW) and plan to use a tire mount (park trailer on base) and poke it up in the air...

73's and good luck on the radio mount
Call Sign Withheld

[working on it]

Hi working on it,There are quite a few TD owners that frequently travel to campgrounds and use CB's to chat back and forth...
I found my old CB from the 70's and after I check it out, am thinking about putting it in my TV. In addition, if I ever get off my duff, I'll mount a dual band FM Ham radio in the trailer and in the TV... I can chat to the XYL while out walking on my HT...

See my previous post... I built a couple nice Dual Band (2m/70cm) antennas (Similar to the ARROW) and plan to use a tire mount (park trailer on base) and poke it up in the air...

73's and good luck on the radio mount
Call Sign Withheld

Funny thing, coincidences....I was just looking up my old post concerning Ham radio and CB usage, when I saw this response from you, two years after my post. I had been thinking about getting a hand-held again (primarily for emergency use, power outages, NOAA weather, etc) and had even started to take practice tests, again (I'm still getting about 5 wrong answers). The deja vu factor pops up considering that I was going to contact a fellow camper who got me interested in the first place, Texas Bill, to tell him I was interested once more. I recently learned of his passing, having not seen him in almost 2 years, Very sad. But, although I haven't camped since then (when Bill graciously tuned the SWR of my CB installation, at Beaver's Bend), I was going to try to get back into camping and join him in amateur radio. A day late, a dollar short, as usual for me.... Hardly ever go anywhere now, a year after I retired, mainly for my health (my knees and back, overworked!!). Projects at home have sidelined me further, but I'm going to get the radio, then the license, then maybe take a trip or two. Thanks for your interest, AZ.

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Howdy working on it,
I am installing my old Kenwood (TM-V7A's) dual band mobiles (Often called the "cool-blue" because of the blue LCD Readout); one in the truck and the other in the trailer. I bought these some years back to talk with my Dad and wife... Dad went silent key a few years ago and I'm just getting back on the radio. I bought a little Icom dual band handheld along about the same time for prospecting. When prospecting alone, I would set the Kenwood in the old Blazer to cross-band mode. I would set the mobile to 2m to contact the closest major repeater about 25 miles away on top of a mountain and the other band to 70cm to contact my handheld... I would usually park the Blazer on a high spot and I could wander way off in a canyon to get help if needed...
You guessed it, the cell wouldn't get out...

I got away from the CB's when I went Ham, but decided to hook it back up to talk with other trailers and truckers when on the road... So, to antennas to put on the truck...

73's and keep studying, you'll make it...

[Sparksalot]

CD, CQ, CQ...

[stupido]

I started on a small trailer dedicated to amateur radio but got side tracked. It was not to be a camper but was to be a portable battery/solar power plant with a field desk. Still hope to restart it.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=71388

[Modstock]

I was camping up near Payson and saw a group of guys having a amateur radio get together. One guy had a really impressive trailer with a massive antenna that folds up. They said they were able to reach New Zealand that day.


Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk

[Sparksalot]

I started on a small trailer dedicated to amateur radio but got side tracked. It was not to be a camper but was to be a portable battery/solar power plant with a field desk. Still hope to restart it.

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=71388

I’ll check it out!

[Sparksalot]

I was camping up near Payson and saw a group of guys having a amateur radio get together. One guy had a really impressive trailer with a massive antenna that folds up. They said they were able to reach New Zealand that day.


Sent from my H1611 using Tapatalk

They must have been set up for field day. An emergency preparedness event. I’ve reached New Zealand and Australia on much more modest antennas.

[stupido]

I did Class 1E this year. Still have to submit. It was interesting. A bit more difficult than last year with all the big stations. Also I had issues with my batteries so I ended up going off my solar charged batteries to other batteries. Hence I did not get my 5 natural power contacts for the bonus

[Sparksalot]

I did Class 1E this year. Still have to submit. It was interesting. A bit more difficult than last year with all the big stations. Also I had issues with my batteries so I ended up going off my solar charged batteries to other batteries. Hence I did not get my 5 natural power contacts for the bonus

If you used them for part of it, I’d still claim the points.