Baofeng BF-T1

 The Baofeng UV5R had a baby I guess...

More on Packet Radio

 Navigating packet radio can be very hard, especially if you're just starting out in the hobby. You may have questions like "What's the difference between APRS and packet?" or "Why can't I use X software for packet?" Heck you may even wonder how can you set up your own packet radio operation. Today, I hope that this blog post can put some of those wonder and questions to rest. So follow me as I delve into (hopefully) helping you get your start in the internet of amateur radio - packet radio!

BBS Packet Radio PART II

Okay everyone, we are just a few connections and solder blobs away from putting the packet radio node on the air! It's been quite the adventure, so let me tell you all about it!

Dusting off the crystal scanner

Do you have a crystal scanner that you just can't find a crystal for? Perhaps you have one that has your area's old analog public safety frequencies. Not sure what to do with it except throw it in the trash? Well today, I might just have the solution to keep it out of the landfill.

BBS Packet Radio

 Okay, so my AllStar node was a bit too...ambitious. Therefore, Project AllStar has been cancelled :( I might make a personal radio-less AllStar node just for me.

That's okay, though, because I have a better and easier project that even YOU can do! And this should still benefit my community too!

Hearing the Dead

Satellites, that is... 

Miles and miles above the ground, thousands of metal bodies with specialized instruments orbit our blue and green marble of a world, taking photos, surveying weather phenomena, and even providing amateurs with extraterrestrial repeater service! 

With that being said, I can't emphasize how many orbit the earth - there are so many that concerns have been raised about the threat of space debris falling from the sky. In recent months, space debris from old satellites have fallen from the sky, and in rare but not impossible instances, they have ended up in someone's home. 

However, some of these pieces of space junk have been found to be fully alive! After 40, 50, and even 60 years, some satellites just spring back to life. Below are a few examples of ones I've found - and heard!!!

An Interesting APRS Experiment

Things have not been going as planned, especially since my Kenwood TK-705 now lies in pieces and is probably dead. The APC circuit is completely dismantled and I'm not sure if it's worth fixing now. However, not all hope is lost for my APRS adventure.

I recently passed the online SKYWARN training, and they always mentioned the use of ACES while storm spotting - Awareness, Communications, Escape Route(s), and Safe Places/Shelter. I have read that many SKYWARN spotters utilize APRS when they are in the field to relay their position to others to keep in constant contact. In the event that a vehicle would face the inevitable destruction of a severe storm, this would enable search-and-rescue teams to quickly locate the spotter's vehicle. With a few inexpensive items and a DIY attitude, anyone can do this, and if you aren't a SKYWARN spotter, you can use this for other purposes such as a wireless weather station, a standalone APRS beacon, a vehcile tracker, and so much more! If you want to go above and beyond, you could add an entire weather station with temperature, wind speed, humidity, etc. to make your vehicle just like a Tornado Intercept Vehicle. Small disclaimer: I strongly don't recommend driving directly into tornadoes unless you drive TIV-1, TIV-2, or any of the Dominator vehicles!!!