The best training comes from getting out there and doing it. Especially in the light of recent events, the ability to communicate efficiently in less-than-ideal conditions is crucial; the testing of equipment and finding out what works and how to improve what doesn't is even more important. Antennas, radios, cables, and batteries; the whole thing …
Category: communications
Simple, Rugged, Rural Line of Sight Communications
Bottom line, minimum equipment, reliable, ease of use under stress, able to survive primitive and combat abusive circumstances. What do I go out and procure for on foot mobile comms for a citizen small unit infantry team for inter squad and checking in periodically with a home base system in the Appalachian Mtn range? Keep …
Continue reading Simple, Rugged, Rural Line of Sight Communications
Open Sources- Russian Army HF Digital Mode
A great resource for the observer of Foreign Armies From bare bones basic but effective LRP: To the Warfighter seen here: Working a digital mode from a sort-of Toughbook and HF in a hasty OP: This is important for a couple of reasons. It gives us something to listen for, recognizing the new modes and …
Working without a Tuner
Tuners are important for a couple reasons. Most importantly, they make the most efficient use of an antenna for your set, and second, they protect your set from damage should there be a high SWR. A tuner should most definitely be part of your radio kit, especially if working in less than ideal or field …
The Base Radio Station
We've talked about Squad Radios, we've talked about Patrol Radios, now let's move to the next layer in the echelon: the Base Radio Station(BRS). The BRS Squad Radios(read: Handhelds) are for intra-team communications on the ground. They're limited in range and utility. Why? Because you don't want everyone in the valley hearing your chatter when …
QRP- The Patrol Radio
QRP, as per the technical definition, is low power communications. The three letter group in and of itself simply refers to low power, however these days it's common amateur radio lingo for 5 watts or less. It's becoming a more and more popular segment of the amateur radio hobby and rightfully so- it's fun to take tiny …
Maximizing the Dakota Alert Motion Detector
Motion Detectors A common force multiplier deployed in static positions(such as Safe Houses, RON sites, LP/OPs, etc.) and to monitor avenues of approach are motion detectors. One of the most popular ones on the market is the Dakota Alert MURS motion detector. They can be quite useful and are commonly found in rural areas as …
Continue reading Maximizing the Dakota Alert Motion Detector
Last-Ditch Communications Kit
Life rarely goes as planned. Plan accordingly. Sometimes everything goes south. Sometimes just nothing works. SGT Murphy showed up just to tell you you suck. HF conditions are bad. Batteries go dead unexpectedly. Your Baofeng got wet in the river you just crossed and crapped the bed or maybe just melted on its own. Your …
Near Vertical Incidence Skywave- Simplified
I've brought this up enough times already; let's de-mystify this beast. Communications fall into one of two categories: Line of Sight(LOS) and Beyond Line of Sight. LOS If you can see it, in theory at least, you should be able to communicate with it. Low-band VHF(10M/11M/CB) and above(UHF, Microwave) works in this manner. VHF can …
Continue reading Near Vertical Incidence Skywave- Simplified
An AAR on NVIS from an EMCOMM group in Kentucky
Recently in the Grid Down Communications FB Group, an editorial/AAR was posted pointing out certain failures or inadequacies of NVIS. Aside from the "complaints with no solution" attitude exhibited, there's some key takeaways. Read for yourself: https://kypn.wordpress.com/2015/10/10/a-year-of-hard-lessons-for-the-hf-nvis-crowd/?utm_source=amateur-radio-weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter First things first, the author lists three faults as he sees it: Over dependence upon and improper application …
Continue reading An AAR on NVIS from an EMCOMM group in Kentucky