We are mapping our ward, visiting each members home and trying VHF Simplex, VHF Repeater and GMRS connectivity to our EmComm Specialists Residence.

Over the years I have seen plenty of race maps that include the elevation profile of the race course which I realize is not important to flat-landers but it's really important in areas like Denver Colorado where there is plenty of variation in the geography.

I found this website: http://www.heywhatsthat.com/profiler.html  that provides just the tool I wanted for representing the difference between two (or more) points on a map. This is the profile between my home QTH on the left and the Denver Storehouse on the right:

I have a twitter account and am tweeting / retweeting valuable preparedness tips:

https://twitter.com/#RCWEmPrep

-Rob

I am about to finish up the class portion of a CERT class with the final exercise to take place this fall.

I am in a class with seven other people, none of whom are Hams.

Anyone else part of a team with comm's build around Amateur Radio?
Or is FRS going to be the primary comm. mode?

Parts List for Go-Kit:
(all of the following are linked to product descriptions online)

• Fuse Blocks
  
• Power Socket
  
• 35AH AGM SLA Battery
  
• Battery Switch
  
• Toolbox
  
• Battery Tender
  
• Powerwerx Watt's up Meter
  
• Anderson Power Poles Connectors (per ARES Specificiations)
  
  •   30A Connectors for all accessories
    
  •   30A Panel Mount Connectors
    
  •   75A Connectors for all battery connections
    
• Battery Fused Connectors
  
• UHF Bulkhead Connectors
  
• CAT6 Panel Coupler 
  

Misc hardware and accessories:

•   Old Construction shallow Junction Box
  
•   AC Duplex outlet
  
•   AC Cord wired to outlet (from Inverter)
  
•   Wire (high quality 14Ga and 8Ga from HRO)
  
•   Steel Plate
  
•   Aluminum Plate
  
•   1/2" and 3/4" Aluminum Angle
  
•   1/2" Aluminum Channel
  
•   3/8" Aluminum Bar Stock
  
•   Screws, Washers and Nuts (primarily #8-32, some #10-32)
  
•   SWR Meter
  
•   AM/FM/Weather/Shortwave Radio
  
•   COTS 400w DC to AC Inverter
  

A little background first:

My area experienced a wildfire in April, I was in contact with my representative ARES district but was not allowed to contribute due to not having completed the requisite training and background checks. I resolved then and there to get prepared and trained.

I have gained training and insight in what I need to have on deployments. My dream list is longer than my budget, I still need a QRP HF rig (and my General  ), a dual-band mobile that supports cross-band repeat and additional external power. But I figured I would go ahead and let you all in on what I have built so far and get your input if you have any.

I have an old aluminum satcom box but I have serious concerns about stray RF within an enclosed metal container so I ruled it out (though I was thinking it would be a great barrier to EMP should that ever be a concern). I have been looking for a container that would work well, looking at hundreds of photos on Google Images. I kept struggling to find a solution that met my most strict initial requirement: I don't want to have to carry a 50lb go-kit 300 yards up a mountain side to work a deployment so the container has to be self mobile and I cannot take something that is flimsy.

Among the planned features for the outfit are:

• Yaesu FT-7900R
• 400W Power Inverter
• 30AH AGM battery
• Perko Battery Switch
• Relatively Water Resistant
• Storage for Coax, binder, tools, adapters, meters and dummy load, etc.

It just so happened that I was walking through my local big-box-hardware store and saw the Stanley Fat-Max toolbox. I was drawn to the large storage area, integral dolly and accordion design. The box is actually very sturdy and had considerable space for location of electrical connectors, coax bulkhead connectors, etc.

The layout of a number of design elements changed as the build progressed. It all started with an insulated aluminum enclosure for the 30AH AGM Battery. I decided that an AC inverter would be a great addition because there are occasions when AC is a necessity. Simply having the AC inside would have been enough but I decided to add an external outlet which proved to be a very easy addition. I knew the DC would have to be fused and I wanted numerous Anderson Powerpole outputs. Going overboard is a character trait of mine and I decided that fusing both Positive and Negative would probably be sufficient so two fuse blocks were in order.

I decided to provide six power outlets, two on exterior of the bottom box, two on the exterior of the top box and two inside of the top box. In addition, I wanted to be able to operate the radios inside the top box with the lid closed (ex. in Snow or Rain) so I added two CAT-5e header connectors. The Yaesu radios allow you to jumper the Mic only or the whole faceplate using the CAT-5e header connectors which allows for considerable flexibility. Audio (external speaker/headphones) will be handled by the RCA audio connectors.

The whole case expands to enable access to the storage compartments. I am able to store a good size first-aid kit, 20m of RG-213 Coax, string, parachute cord, etc. Within the center section I am able to store tools, adapters, wire and connectors.

I am still concerned about not having an AC to DC power supply, but the best I can do for now is add a Perko battery switch with an external 75amp Anderson Powerpole connector that allows me to connect to a vehicle battery or my Deep-Cycle Marine battery that is part of my Solar generator.

I fabbed two aluminum brackets that allow the radio to set completely within the top box, there are two notches on the back bottom edges that allow the radio to sit firmly across the opening. I added a Watts-Up meter so I can keep track of my power consumption on the primary radio.

There's probably more I could add, but this has taken long enough to write-up and I want to get to bed

73 to all!
Rob
WB7SGL

Second time writing this reply as my login session timed out on the first one 

I am a loyal Yaesu owner & user. I have been hearing a lot of people on the nets and on the air talking on these Wouxun radios. Their audio quality has been as good as any other radio from what I can tell. You might consider starting with one of these if you don't want to spend the money on a Kenwood, Icom or Yaesu.

This is the eHams Reviews Summary for the Wouxun KG-UVD1:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/8172
 
Some of the Pro's are compelling until you really consider the Con's. ... Take a look through the reviews and decide for yourself. Example concerns from my perspective include such simple things as the fact that the antenna connector isn't standard; I like knowing the SMA antenna connectors for my  HTs will work with any other radio that uses the SMA connector. (think adapters allowing external antennas during disasters)

Let us know what you decide and how it works for you.

Rob
WB7SGL

The following message was delivered by ARRL to ARRL members, please take a moment and consider whether the 70cm band, or any band, is important to you and if so, please contact your representatives and let them know your position!

73, WB7SGL
_______________________________________________

All:

The following is forwarded from ARRL HQ.

As you may have read, Rep. Peter King (R-NY) has introduced the
"Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011" and the bill has been
assigned HR 607 as its number.  The full story about the Bill's
introduction can be found on the ARRL web at

http://www.arrl.org/news/spectrum-management-bill-threatens-amateur-frequencies

As you will read, while the ARRL supports spectrum for the Public
Safety needs, we oppose HR 607 in its current form because of the
inclusion of the 420-440 MHz spectrum (most of the Amateur 70-cm UHF
allocation) as part of a spectrum swap.

At the request of ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, we are asking ARRL
members to contact their local Representative asking them to oppose HR
607 in its current form. Members should be directed to

     http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters

for resources tools to assist them in their letter writing.  These
include:

    -   A sample letter opposing HR 607 in its current form
    -   A link to the ARRL Webpage that gives the ARRL member the
contact information for their Members
         of Congress
    -   A link to information sending their letters to our Washington
lobbyist to hand-deliver to Capitol Hill

A couple of key points to remember when discussing our opposition to HR
607:
        We understand and support the principle that Public Safety and
First responders should have the D-Block frequencies.
       Our opposition to the bill stems from the inclusion of the
420-440 MHZ Amateur allocation as part of the proposed "frequency
swap".


Time is of the essence on this request, as the bill is gathering steam
in Congress. So please make your membership contacts as soon as
possible. Finally, please include my address n1nd@arrl.org in what you
distribute to the ARRL membership (for our records here at HQ.)

Thanks for stepping up to the plate to assist with the direct threat to
our Amateur Radio spectrum. What you bring to the table helps us keep
this ship heading in the right direction.  Please contact me if you
have any problems or questions with this request.

73

Dan Henderson, N1ND
Regulatory Information Manager
ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio(tm)
860-594-0236
dhenderson@arrl.org