Off Grid Ham Radio in a storm
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- čas přidán 30. 06. 2024
- Off grid ham radio camping in a storm. Equipment QRP with the lab599 tx500, data modes with the Icom ic-705, Nortent Gamme 4 for shelter, titanium wood storm for food and heating.
Hello Operator.
Today on OH8STN Ham Radio we discuss portable ham radio in a storm. During a camping trip with OH8HUB, we found ourselves hot tent camping during a severe wind storm. Bei g off-grid with limited battery power for our HF radios, the importance of energy efficient QRP rigs like the Icom IC-705 and Lab599 TX-500 became apparent. Here's the story.
Our portable ham radio station was located at KP24IX. The place was perfect for a WWFF radio camp in the World Wide Flora and Fauna activation area: OHFF-0970 on Hailuoto island Finland, in the Gulf of Bothnia.
The storm brought in winds which made it impossible to deploy the powerfilm solar panels, leaving us with finite battery power for the excursion. Luckily we had the Icom IC-705 and Lab599 TX-500 QRP radios with us. Having an energy effiencent radios was critical to the portable ham radio activation. It was also excellent practice for understanding the basics of a real grid down event.
I was operating data modes Winlink and JS8Call with the Icom IC-705, while OH8HUB worked SSB on the TX-500 radio.We both powered our stations with LiFePo4 battery packs
The Nortent Gamme 4 is a lightweight hottent and foldable titanium wood stove combination. It was recently reviewed by Joe Robinet for his solo winter camp in a blizzard video.
All camping gear, portable ham radio setup, HF antenna and portable power strategies are all outlined in this video.
73
Julian #oh8stn
Share video URL: • Off Grid Ham Radio in ...
Equipment used:
Icom IC-705:
GigaParts USA: oh8stn.net/32Emj8w
PileupDX EU: oh8stn.net/3l8Ar0b
Lab599 Discoovery TX500: oh8stn.net/3xsVu2k
Chamelon MPAS 2.0:
GigaParts USA: oh8stn.net/3cRY3BJ
PileupDX EU: oh8stn.net/3D6Lmxi
Super Antenna MP1: oh8stn.net/3phe7Tf
Nortent Gamme 4
Nortent EU: oh8stn.net/3lfxWJy
Canadian Preparedness North America: oh8stn.net/3FUhPsJ
Nortent titanium tent stove:
Nortent: oh8stn.net/3p6RPnh
Titanium Coffee Press: oh8stn.net/3xEN8F2
Finnish MO5 Sleeping bag
Varusteleka: oh8stn.net/3CUZxFO
- Camping chair: oh8stn.net/3FYRDNw
- Sleeping cot: oh8stn.net/3d4Ng7k
OH8HUB Blog: oh8stn.net/3piMBoy
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Portable power recap
01:14 Riding out the storm
02:00 The importance of heat
02:33 Logistical failure!
02:56 Energy efficient comms
05:03 Basecamp equipment
07:09 Radio Gear
09:12 Success or failure?
10:00 Deployment 101
12:00 Chit chat with a couple of steaks
______________________________________________________________________________-
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One small comment on the steak; cook the carrot and onions, set them aside, then get the pan as hot as you can and put the steaks in for a proper sear. Season them first too. Carrot and onions back in for the last minute. That stove is so impressive though, as is the quality of your video making. It's making me want to go winter camping with my 705.
The cook here! I agree with you about taking the vegetables to side and that's what I would have done in other situations. But we didn't have the luxury of pots and pans, nor nobody really wanted to do any dishes afterwards (it was freezing and high winds outside).
So I used what I had available: The stove was not flat, it was lower on one side and I took advantage of that. The vegetables were lower so they were boiling in tasty mix of vegetable juices and butter. And the steaks on higher level. I also tried to take as much heat as possible from the stove, but that's what I got and it didn't even burn the vegetables.
I'd throw the carrots out the tent flap. Let the critters have them. 🤮 steak and carmalized onions are the ticket! KI5IQE
One of the reasons I so enjoy spending say a week on my very little 20 ft trailer sailer is the lesson of "learning to live small" something that doesn't come easily when your a westernized gear- head like me. When you get back to civilization, a house you don't constantly need to keep checking it's in the same place you left it, abundant lights and access to energy, and the ability to turn on a tap and hot water comes out, there is a shift internally that makes you appreciate it so much more , it makes you grateful for the simple things in life that we take for granted as we guzzle down all that energy. There is something about being off grid , going QRP, living off batteries and the sunlight that makes you feel alive, maybe it's the buzz of beating the system in someway that appeals to the repressed prepper in me. My KX3 pulls about .3 of an amp on listen, running off my location sound bags NP1 batts we can just go all day.. Ya gotta love it right... I have never even seen a tent with a stove wood burner hole in the roof for sale in New Zealand that is next level. Regards and 73's Kris
I decided to get my Ham ticket after working disasters. Now I'm a CERT Instructor, Ham Radio Operator, and Emergency Communications. Enjoy your videos!
Absolutely outstanding! Don't forget the gorilla nature of emergency communications from a personal perspective. Public service is critical, but often we are detached from methodologies critical to those disasters are affecting in real time. Anyway your comment is certainly the best comment of the day. Thanks for telling your story, watching and for the kindness. It's very much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
@@OH8STN ,No problem looking forward to more videos! Living in Tornado Alley, 🌪 I never know when I'll be cut off from the grid! I do have Solar panels for radios. I storm spot as well. Best wishes my friend!
You haven't lived until you've had to dig your way out of your tent because of an overnight snowfall. It adds a whole new level of suck! :) In the Army we used to say, "If it ain't rainin'...we ain't trainin'!" and "If it ain't snowin'...we ain't goin'!"
Every deployment is a learning situation.
Agreed, thank you.
73
Julian oh8stn
Great video! As a new ham, your info and presentations are a welcome relief from all the techie talkies that provide no real insights, and have me focusing on “efficient” QRP operations. Thanks for sharing all the gritty lessons learned and the processes you use to build, test, and analyze. My dad always like to say, “Anyone can go camping in good weather.”
73
Thank you, thank you so much. Your dad was a wise man!
Before anyone asks this was my (OH8HUB) sleep system (seen on right side of the tent, timestamp 6:20):
* Ground sheet: A piece of light tarpaulin
* Sleeping mat: Mountain Equipment Aerostat Synthetic 7.0 Wide Regular. R-value 4.0.
* Sleeping bag: Carinthia Defence 1. Comfort rating +4°C.
* Thermal cloak: Varusteleka Särmä TST Thermal Cloak with 100g Climashield insulation
* Pillow: Therm-a-Rest Camping Compressible Pillow
Varusteleka's thermal cloak is multipurpose item. It can be used as a coat/cloak, sleeping bag, and tarp or emergency shelter. Here in this trip I had my Carinthia sleeping bag inside the thermal cloak to have two bag system.
When comparing weights and sizes OH8STN's Carinthia Finnish M05 bag weights 2000 grams and packs smaller or about the same size as my system. My two bag system weights 2700 grams (1200g for Defence 1 bag and 1500g for thermal cloak), but it also serves multiple purposes.
I was not able to spot your blog post on the description. Could you please share the link? Thank you,
@@luissanchez3214 oh8stn.net/3piMBoy
Great video! Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Thanks!
Excellent. Misery + utility = romance
brilliant video as ever ! thank you so much - whilst not quite as extreme as your setting, i've actually been on a field day, somone brought an IC7300 and a huge battery and mag loop wanting to run 100W - i turned up with my IC705, Alex Loop Ham pack antenna and 10W, i was on the air running no time, the other chap, well, lets say he had more time trying to get his radio to work rather than actually operating... QRP all the way :)
Episode notes: oh8stn.org/blog/2021/12/05/portable-off-grid-and-qrp-ham-radio/
Interested in other off-grid field tests? Here's a playlist for you 👍
73
Julian oh8stn
czcams.com/play/PLKMrdrsNkFA4twcymWH1w0YK93AgyGBRx.html
Comfort is always job #1. Even if it's minimalist. Safety, Security, Shelter, heat if cold out, food source , water. Then power, comms, etc. If you aren't in a 'safe location / situation, you can end up hurt, and not doing what you want to accomplish. I treat these types of dry runs as practice for disaster situations. MidWest US: Tornadoes, Ice Storms, Blizzards, Civil Unrest, Zombies. My Go-pack includes all the things above, like what you show in the video, but includes water, sanitation, alt power, etc. Total package weight around 50lbs, plus water and food.
Outstanding feedback Kevin
Another great one Julian. Never noticed but hello to a fellow lefty.
OUTSTANDING! Loved the contrast between music outside and inside in the opening!
Julian, thank you for all the content you do and provide us with. KN6PWH....73
Good morning and Merry Christmas. Tommy
I so enjoy your videos. You have mastered the elements to enjoy your radio activities. You are one hardened man. I certainly admire your approach to life. I learn so much from your body of work. Your channel is certainly an educational channel. Thank you for sharing your adventures. I always take note of your equipment especially your selection of antennas. I can’t tell which are your favorites. The MP 1 Super antenna was a surprise. Not many people in the states use that one on deployments.
Hi,good interesting video,,,,,looks like good fun,,,,,but I like my creature comforts,but maybe something for the summer months, 😀,,,,thanks from Rotterdam 👍
Very well edited video, Subscribed!!!
Congratulations for your video! Exelent!!!
Thank you 🙏
You have a really interesting channel. I’m very impressed. Thanks.
73
Thanks for the comment and kindness. It can get boring sometimes because I like to show the how we get their part. I hope it remains interesting for you though. Thanks again👍
Finland: our weather has its own guitarists
Not an operator. Guitarist / bassist / & laser operator checking in. However, I do appreciate the contrasting 'mood music' between inside and outside. I lean towards the aggressive 'Outside' music when producing. Now I am interested in HAM Radio.
Best comment of the day👍😊
Very nice vid, nice setup for outdoor field-qrp.
Thank you Hans
73
Julian oh8stn
I can smell those steaks from here ;-) Thanks for all the links. One thing to consider vs increasing the wood stove size is to add a ground cover inside your tent. I don't know if it's psychological or actual (I have no metrics), but it "feels" warmer in the hunting blind tent when I add a ground cover. Why? Dunno...I'm going to guess that it provides a minuscule insulation layer with trapped air and reduces the moisture uptake from the soil and thus reduces tent humidity somewhat. It's also somewhat oversized, so it helps to seal the perimeter wall bottom gap.
There's nothing quite like watching your breath rise to the top of the blind, freeze, and then come back down as snow XD
73, WA2LXB
Watching that steak cooking made me hungry! Great video as always..
Julian, this was a wonderful video. I got a good chuckle from the intro, the comments about QRP versus QRO make a ton of sense, and I loved the non-ham content at the end. The way you wrapped it up, it felt like a National Geographic special. Well done!! 73 de KC1JMH
PS: My stomach is totally grumbling for some steak now!
Thanks. I hope we can make the industry pay attention, with one of them developing a qro radio with extremely low current consumption. That would be the Holy Grail.
Thanks for watching and for the kindness. It's very much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
As always, excellent video! So much information. Thank you!
Thanks for watching and the kindness. Very much appreciated
Why am I thinking about a heat generated power supply. 🤔
Absolut marvelous video you’ve made. Excellent narration. 👌🏻 it held my focus from beginning till the end. And I loved the subject. 73.
You are absolutely right. Any mission starts with finding shelter for the night/sleep, warmth and food. 73 Wolf, oe7ftj
Thanks Wolf 👍
73
Julian oh8stn
What a great video Julian, The premise is offgrid surival then comms , even though your at 60N here, in VK (summer) it still hold true setup your shelter and then you can get on with the rest of the setup, and have a retreat to cool down or warm up , keeping your gear warm or cool is important. The piont about the LiFEpo4 batteries being able to be discharged below freezing, (thanks for that). Again another great video from you with some great pointer and tips, 73's Steve VK1TSK
Always nice to see a new OH8STN video!
Thank you 🙏
Your intro rocks 🎸
Thanks 👍
Another great video Julian thank you, your channel always has so much to offer. 73s
Thank you. So often it feels like I should be doing much more on the channel. I appreciate your comment though. Thanks for watching and for the kindness.
73
Julian oh8stn
Hi from Australia. We too love to do what you do. But not at crazy cold temperatures. The best we get is minus 10 Celsius in the high ranges. Keep on keeping on my friend.
Great stuff as always!
Thank you 👍
Excellent. Thanks
Great comms-ex Julian. I've not been doing much radio lately. It's been a tough year (see my community post) and I've picked up another hobby along the way (field/3d archery). However just recently I've been playing around with setting up a TARPN link between the villages in my area, with another Ham. It's been a great little project.
What a lot of folks don't realise is just how operating in extreme environments such as deep cold, can impact your normal abilities. Hands become less dextrous, and the cold dulls your wits, not to mention the negative impact on your equipment. You did an awesome job of maintaining your operating environment and rationing the power as conditions required. Well played sir!!
Great video, thanks
Thank you 🙏
Great video, Every day is a lesson on how we can do things better, just installed 4200W of Solar on my south facing garage roof Tuesday now realizing how I could of been more efficient, learning and growing is all we can do. Nice to see the gear you are using, am looking at a Promoly T-Brick Max titanium stove for use with our S African Trailer with 360 degree awning and side walls that are Milspec ripstop canvas so should be sufficient even in -20C to -30C camping to keep everyone warm with the softwood we have to work with here for heat. They get great reviews and everyone I know that has one here in Canada loves them.
Excellent! Thank you
Thanks for watching👍
Hi Julian wow what an excellent video. And to be able to work stations in the comfort of the bunker. And I’m sure you’ve learned a whole lot being that it was a real storm. Thanks for doing such an excellent video and I hope you have a fantastic week.
WD5ENH
Steve
Thank you Steve. Yeah this was supposed to be one of those nice relaxing radio outings, without any drama. 😂 anytime we can learn something while getting out there's a good thing. It was also a good primer for winter field day 2022.
Thanks for watching, for the comment, and for the kindness. It's much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
GREAT JOB!
Thank you
73
Julian oh8stn
Thank you for a lot of useful information. I recently enjoyed nighttime 160m 10W CW QRV with 30mL wire from a riverside tent under four degrees C. Your story will help me enjoy "real winter" off-grid QRV. 73 JS1QIZ Tak.
You are very welcome. Perhaps I need to brush up on my CW skills so that I can try to work you tent to tent sometimes.
73
Julian oh8stn
That looks like it was a great time.
As always - good quality video, keep them coming and thank you for sharing with us.
Best 73 - LB6CI
Thanks. Many more incoming.
73
Julian oh8stn
Great video, Julian! 73 de Hadrian - YO2BTW ... from Solaris Bushcraft Transylvania ...
One of the best video's I've seen you do. Very informative and I'm very jealous of your setup. To add to my camping woes I have to take a deep cycle battery to power my cpap machine for sleep apnoea. Definitely not a light option to be carrying so I'm limited to places I can get a vehicle to. There are lighter battery options but the cost of them outweighs the benefit as they don't last longer than a night or two. I need to spend a bit more time watching some of your older video's as I'm not up with all of the digital modes being a newish operator (two years). I've only used FT8 so far. I'm slowly getting my portable radio setup together and find your experiences extemely helpful.
Be careful with my old videos :D Quite often they are gibberish and poorly made. I was over thinking it.
Trick question. What are the input voltage/current requirements of the CPAP machine? I have been asked a few times to do a lightweight version based on some of my battery builds.
Doing a build like this to help get other more portable would be an honor.
73
Julian oh8stn
Good video
Thanks
Hey Julian,
Great story beautifully told. The music worked wonderfully. I was going to call your production skills professional, but a lot garbage gets made for pay. Top flight amateur work! Tim KC1IJC (inactive)
You remind me of the time I took one of the early portable LORAN units sailing, powering it from a video camera battery. I was amazed that it drew 800mA. And then doubly amazed to find the LED backlights took up fully half of that! So I could simply shut the backlights to double operating time.
Actually that's a really good point. I turned off the back light on the 705, but it didn't make that much of a difference. Having the backlight on added about 3 milliamps, so decided to just leave it on.
@@OH8STN Three milliamps? Is that an OLED screen? LEDs would still pull 20mA each.
Your shelter is remarkable. The discussion on heat and warmth is so critical in cold times of year. When the snow is coming down and the wind is blowing, just getting the shelter up can be extremely challenging. I like the “dome” of your tent, the pole architecture, as this design seems to stand against the wind better than other “piramid” structures. On the note of power consumption, the past 12 months you’ve really changed my perspective on portable operation. Not only are QRO rigs thirsty, they’re heavy. But I can’t take a tiny battery with when powering my Yaesu 891 in the field. Between bulk and weight alone, it’s becoming clear that field communication is not sustainable for my objectives with QRO rigs. Thanks for putting this video together.
You are very welcome.
I wasn't sure about it all when we got started about a year ago. Winter Field Day brought it home.Even if we can carry a QRO rig, we can't sustainably carry the battery it requires. I hope this triggers the Manufacturers to consider a new rig designs which are less hungry, much simpler and can operate sustainably. Yaesu was almost there with the FT-897. A new version of that rig with a Lithium ion battery would be amazing.
I have a battery build incoming. It is capable of 20 amps output, but very small (pocket sized). Wont operate very long, but it will power a QRO radio.
@@OH8STN Fantastic. I really will have to give battery building a go this winter. I'll look out for your new build! Winter Field Day was revealing, absolutely agreed. Thanks again, Julian. Your thoughts always go a long way in my book.
Another great video, Julian.
The "bunker" looks very comfortable with the stove.
Understand that you don't use the power of the car battery. Is the way to practice real outdoor emcomm!
73 de Stefan DG4RBS
Thank you so much Stefan. I figure in a real situation I wouldn't have the car there to help me, so I shouldn't rely on it when I'm trying to practice the off-grid craft. Not relying on the car with a much better lesson
Always appreciate your comments on kindness.
73
Julian oh8stn
I just got a GStove, only good for car camping as is heavy as F, but damn that is a high quality hot tent stove. Planning some winter action to but probably not as extreme as you get where you are :)
Yeah I was also looking at the G stoves but decided on the winter well woodlander small. It's about the same size as my tent stove, but it has legs which pick it up off the ground. It also doesn't have any of those fiddly bits that need to be handled with bare hands in the cold. The only reason I didn't get the G stove equivalent was this one I pulled the trigger on from winnerwell was have the weight. How are you liking the gstove though?
@OH8STN Ham Radio I have yet to burn it in, hopefully I can get it done this weekend. They do extended legs for it if you want it higher. It's a LOT heavier than that titanium one you've got. I think it's like 10Kg...
Looks like an absolutely fantastic trip! I need to get out soon and try out some new gear. For a vehicle based deployment, I really like my Ecoflow River Pro for powering my station. It'll keep my TX-500 and computer running for days without solar power.
Yeah I agree with you. Car camping is much more forgiving. Equipment we can carry just lets us do much more. The flip side when we can't carry so much equipment is reducing the current consumption. The surprising thing was how long these radios can run on 5 amp hours. Perhaps I need to build a micro solar generator:-) how do you like that ecoflo?
@@OH8STN I'm a big fan of the Ecoflow products. They're a NMC chemistry which has its pros and cons over a LiFePO4. For me, the lighter weight outweighs the shorter lifespan.
I really like the wireless monitoring so I don't have to be right next to it to see the input, output, or state of charge.
I use it as more of a holistic off grid backup power solution rather than being specific to radio. To that end, it's worked beautifully. Plus I got it on sale for less than I could build a system for so it was a bit of a no brainer.
Great video, Julian. Keep up the good work. 73-Allan KA3FBL
Keep moving forward :)
Thanks for the comment and kindness.
Much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
Great vid. Adapt and overcome! 73, AC1KD
Agreed, thank you.
73
Julian oh8stn
@13:25 ... 'less is more' ... in my mind would have been less radio and more steak. you always make me hungry!
I just bought a "new" secondhand FT818nd, never seen any use. I now need an interface for digital modes. Made my first QRP contact with 6 Watts to Russia, 3000km!! It wasn't easy but it happened and I'm really impressed with this little transceivers capablities. Can't justify a 705/Lab500 right now as I need to play with the FT818 to see whether or not I like it, QRP!!!
Absolutely outstanding. I used the Yaesu ft 817 for almost 20 years. Once you get to know it, you'll get some good use out of it. Use this digital interface for the 817. It's the smallest one available. oh8stn.net/3nWRjc5
@@OH8STN Cheers, thanks for the feedback. Just purchased your recommended interface with the pre-made cables. Once again thanks because this wasn't even on my radar.
Awesome, video...as usual. One must have sustenance to properly operate a radio.
I admire Julian and all the minimalist, but I am much to lazy and addicted to comfort to go the man portable route. Car mobile means I carry more battery, solar, and radio. When I run out of gasoline in a grid down event I hope to be in a good position. Hopefully at home.
Absolutely understand. Well we got there with the car in this trip. It was nice not having to ride my fat bike 4 hours or hike for half a day before setting up a camp. Still we tried to keep things as minimal as possible for this trip. I'm thinking about doing a ski Adventure, but I need some practice on the skis again before I can try. Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Do you fish? The stove and tent are lovely!
I haven't in a long time but I've been thinking it's time to get started again. Thanks for the question and the kindness, It's very much appreciated.
I am now considering my current draw of my QRP rig. Looks like my Flex 1500 will only draw 450 ma. Instead of using my camper power system I plan to build a Power box using a 12 volt LiFePO4 battery. This will give me the option of operating without the camper, maybe on the boat. I just need to run some current draw test on my Surface Go and Surface Pro tablets. Still hoping Flex radio comes out with new QRP software that uses SmartSDR. For now PowerSDR, and VAC will have to do.
Comments like these really make my day. This current consumption problem is one the industry has ignored. With so many people putting emphasis on it, perhaps we'll get some lighter-weight radios.
I'm sure there are other brands but Devil Watt makes some air cooled thermoelectric generators that might help with charging after dark.
Thanks, I'll check them out.
73
Julian oh8stn
That meal sure beat a MRE :)
It definitely was. The downside is you can only do this on the first day and when it's cold. Any fresh meat will start going bad unless it can be kept cold so, one day of paradise, then back to the dehydrated meals 😂👍
Thanks for watching and for the comment. It's very much appreciated.
73
Julian oh8stn
@@OH8STN In your winter weather you just put it outside. It will stay frozen till spring lol
Guten Appetit, Julian 😋
And please insert a bit more landscapes in the next video 😉
Hi Brother :D Will do.
I really miss you old man. Your chicken wings and vodka martinis are still legendary :D
You good?
@@OH8STN Already two digits (99) on the balance 😀 (starting from 113 kg, middle of july).
Thanks Julian, we are well, with the big hope to meet You in 2022, having some meat or salmon cooked on this "1A-stove" 😋
Hello Julian! Greetings from Barcelona. I love your videos and I learn a lot! I have a couple of questions for you... Normally you don't have the ground isolated inside the shelter (although you do while you sleep) don't you have a problem with possible rain? don't you insulate the floor with the stove from heat?... the other question is whether the combustion of the stove can affect the oxygen inside the shelter?... thank you very much for your attention! Greetings from EA3GHT, 73's.
I'm really quite glad that you got caught without enough battery and unable to charge with solar. I have watched this channel get increasingly dependent on digital communications and solar power over the last year. I think that this is to your detriment. Looking at your gear, a 5Ah battery on that TX-500 should be more than enough to sustain SSB operations for several days. (It is for me.) But it's not going to run your IC-705 and your Surface Go in a digital configuration setup for any reasonable period of time. A while back you made the comment that it was delusional to build a SHTF communication strategy based on SSB. I hope that this experience has given you some new perspective on extremely low power SSB ops
This is a fair comment. 👍
That comment I made about SSB was based on its bandwidth. It simply takes a lot more power to push an SSB signal the same distance as it does to take a narrow bandwidth data. signal. The other thing about SSB was if there's no one on the other side of the radio to hear it, it's the same as not being able to transmit at all. Even so, the value of an extremely efficient qrp radio with a good antenna it's priceless. The 705 is only slightly less efficient than the tx500 but I get your point. The surface is the energy hog compared to the two radios. Still it has its own internal battery which is good for five or six hours continuous. Using winlink that's quite enough for several days out. Definitely have learned a lesson though.
You might be surprised to learn I sold all of my qro radios now. We often don't realize it but the current consumption is our Achilles heel. As much as your comment hurts, I agree with you. Thanks for the comment, for watching and the feedback. It's much appreciated.
Any deployment you get home from is a good deployment. Especially if you learn something. 73 KE0KAZ
That's true. This one was also very educational so nothing lost. Thanks for the comment and for watching.
Julian, are you going to get an X6100? Thank you for the videos. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
Yep. It's incoming.
@@OH8STN awesome! Mines on the way aswell.
Outstanding. I'm really hoping it's going to be something special. If nothing else at least a low-cost alternative to the capabilities of the 705. I absolutely love the x5105 so the 6100 should be better :-)
@@OH8STN agreed. I love my x5105, the thing I felt would make it even better was a fft / water fall display, voice memory keyer, and more power. Looks like we have that covered in the x6100. I am hoping the x6100 has or will have bluetooth / wifi rig control so maybe an android app can be developed for it. Would be very cool to have complete wireless digital modes like the 705, but on my android phone.
Excellent video and very thought-provoking.
Please excuse my ignorance, but since you have a wood stove, have you looked into thermo-electric generators or battery chargers instead of solar panels for times when solar isn't an option?
Yes definitely possible to use. Generally that one not using the car so the weight of them wouldn't be manageable. Car or snowmobile camping definitely. It wasn't an ignorant question it was a great one.
Awesome job guys. Who was it that said "When the going gets tough, the tough get going"
Thanks for watching and for the comment. I'm not sure if this was so tough. We had heat, good place to sleep, and our house didn't fly away. All in all I'd say we were in a good situation 😂👍
A very interesting video. I was listening to it like a podcast as I drove for work. The tent and stove combination looks very nice.
Do you keep the fire going while you sleep, or put it out to prevent possible carbon monoxide issues?
Thanks for the comment and for watching Mark. Generally we let the stove die out when we hit the rack. I have ordered a carbon monoxide meter so that the stove can remain on Into the Night.
So, Julian, just how warm does your camp stove keep your tent in a storm like that?
Referring to your bed as your "rack" give you up as a former Marine if that was previously generally disclosed! ;-))
Thanks Jim. I can't find the screenshots from my temperature measurements but I would say it was comfortable. I took off my coat and sweater, to Relax Inn a long sleeve Merino wool under. When do field day last year I measured + 18 Celsius or about 65 degrees Fahrenheit inside the shelter.
this is all good when you are not chased by monsters :) I think this is good start but I see a lot of fail points here - if you have to move quick I would not want to have all those pieces to worry about - I think I would still go for FT-891 HF i
and solar panel and turn the rig off - movement and ability to pack quick is more important - I would also not trust that plastic rig if you did not have the comfort of a stove and dry wood :) So all in all a good start but a loooong way to go.
I wouldn't carry all this gear if I'm being chased by monsters. This video shows one set up in a particular scenario. This wasn't supposed to be a bug out scenario. It was supposed to be a relaxing radio camping weekend with my buddy. For a bug-out scenario, I'd use another of my setups which is extremely minimal. Radio, wire antenna, battery, solar panel.
Field testing :-)
Even a minimal set up of the 891 requires much more equipment than a minimal setup with my "plastic" radio. I have deployed multiple times with both! The battery requirements for the 891 will increase the size of your kit to unmanageable levels if forced to abandon a vehicle. Think about the weight of the ft-891, antenna, the battery, equipment for charging, all the wires, then poor running time, ... It only works when we are mechanized or in a basecamp style setup. I've done it and it wasn't easy.
I'll do a video with a more manageable "being chased by monsters" friendly setup.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to come in. It's very much appreciated.
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@@OH8STN this is really important what you are doing for everyone watching! This content can save lives very soon. Please if you have time and resources make a video with monsters in mind. thank you for your work and quality content and production!
A small thermo-electric generator generating up to 35 watts could be useful in such a situation.
Do you have any recommendations? I have been trying to research those and many (maybe all) require some kind of cooling, e.g. water circulation making it a bit messy setup with liquid containers and pipes and pumps, etc.
Build your own to fit your stove, it's not rocket science. The one i built used a really big heatsink with fans. I haven't measured it but it can run LED lights, a phone charger (albeit slow)and its own fans. Granted, your need for power is greater than mine but I bet you could build, with some experimenting, a water-cooled heatsink with self-circulation. You won't need pumps but use larger hoses. Guessing 1.5" will do. No need for a radiator either, adjust the length of the hose instead. Like I said, needs some experimenting but it ain't rocket science.
What's the custom counterpoise you're using on the MPAS Lite? I'm guessing 4x 8m 16ga PTFE wire?
3-5x 16 feet 24aug
Love your channel. What is your tablet and software?
It's covered in a previous video/blog post.
Here a video for you czcams.com/video/xIrd2l8t4l8/video.html
Here is a blog post with more context. oh8stn.org/blog/2021/10/10/microsoft-surface-go-2-faq-ham-radio-laptop/
Hope this helps
I just watched your vid and seen where the car was parked,why dont ya get a 250w to 350w solar panel and mount it on the car roof racks and then run some 50A fig 8 wire from ti to a mppt controller in the tent and possibly even look into a small portable windturbine
Btw a rechargeable lantern for tent would be really good 😋
Generally don't do car camping. The car was only there to get us to the spot. It wasn't there to support the excursion.
Well now I'm curious as to what my QRO radio's exact standby amp draw is. I'll have to test it tomorrow.
Please come back and let us know the model and the current draw.
@@OH8STN Icom IC-7000, hovers right around 1.9 amps while receiving only. That's surprising, I would have thought it would be closer to 1 amp but then again, it is an older, less efficient radio.
That's in line with mini HF radios these days. I hope we can see a low current draw HF rig in the future.
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Julian oh8stn
Hi Julian I don't see the link to HUB's blog?
Sorry Philip here it is OH8HUB Blog: oh8stn.net/3piMBoy
@@OH8STN Thank you
How about some kind of thermocouple electricity generator that would generate a useful if low power source of electricity to charge batteries and other items.
Definitely possible. Especially when we are talking about such low power rigs. 👍
In fact the 705 can be recharged with USB. Something like a bio lite stove would work.
Julian, have you thought about adding a TEG or Thermoelectric generator to your arsenal? It might generate enough power from your wood stove to charge your batteries.
Yes, and love the idea as long as I don't have to carry the TEG on my own back. Using some sort of mechanized transport, it seems like a brilliant idea. Perhaps when I finally get the snow mobile for winter outings, we can come back to this topic. Is there a "best brand" or should we try DIY?
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Forgot to mention a portable wind turbine would have been brilliant in this storm. This is something we must look at in the future.
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@@OH8STN I don't have any recommendations I just know they exist.
QRP... USDR The Best (precio / prestaciones)
Have you looked into Pomoly stoves?
Yes I have. What I have now is very similar to theirs. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a winnerwell stove. It's heavier but there's no assembly required. Are you using the Pomoly stoves?
@@OH8STN Yes, I am. I have the Pomoly Timberwolf and it folds great. You just have to pull up the front/back and then insert the other plates. A great view. All fits into a laptop sized bag.
Waiting on the Dweller as a gift to me.
Mejor que en casa 73...
sí, estoy de acuerdo :)
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Julian oh8stn
sounds like you need a couple of those electric from fire devices. i know nothing about them, other than they exist.
Sadly they are too heavy gor normal portable use. Definitely awesome for a cabinet or base csmp if we don't need to carry them. 👍
Can we have a talk or two about logistics? A lot of discussions around operating mobile are omitting that aspect. Things are easy if you have a truck AND are able to drive to your operating location. They are also easy if you operate just a few hours and only when the weather is warm and dry.
Consider your car is broken and or the terrain does not allow to use one. Consider it is pouring rain or the sun is burning like hell or what ever inconvenient weather you can imagine that impacts your and your equipments ability to operate. Consider you have to operate portable, not hours, not days but weeks or even more.
This channel does an excellent job on discussing the radio and power equipment. I would love to see more about the things that allows us humans to function outdoors. And I would also like to see discussions about bringing all that gear into the field not only by car but also some other means.
Discussing this might then also makes it more obvious why efficient devices are so important. Try to backpack that huge battery while also have to carry food, shelter and other stuff.
he has done so..might want to check out his past videos blogs, etc or maybe you have... if so I am not sure what you driving at. 7 3
@@alexalonso2093 The viewers of this channel probably are the wrong audience for my comment I guess. And although logistics were already discussed on this channel, I have the feeling there is room for more.
As someone who is primarily man-portable 99% of the time, Logistics is incredibly important to me. To be fair, I hate operating from a car. I may use the car to get dropped off some place then hike in, but that's about the extent of it.
czcams.com/play/PLKMrdrsNkFA4twcymWH1w0YK93AgyGBRx.html
Almost done replicating your remote station.
Are you sharing it anywhere? I'd love to see it or even read about it.
I guess I really don't understand something. With the car only 3 or 4 meters from the "bunker" how was access to power to recharge batteries a problem? Couldn't you simply charge the batteries in the car?
To my way of thinking, there is a big difference between a "drive up" activation where you can bring anything that can fit in a vehicle and one where you might have to put everything in a rucksack and travel several kilometers on snowshoes.
The car was there to get us to the location, nothing more. It would have been too easy to charge a batteries with the car.
As many times as I'm busting my balls to make videos man-portable in terrible conditions, I thought this one time, I could get a ride and actually enjoy making the documentary.
Although that is certainly what you'd have to do in an emergency situation, I think the point is "the exercise" of pretending so that it's possible to learn. If you just park your car and tap into it when you need to, you'll be unprepared mentally when the time comes. It's practice.
@@OH8STN There are all levels of testing your survival skills. Times past I've done it in my backyard. As long as you stay true to your level of test. You may have the ability to "plug in" but if you don't avail yourself of that ability then it's still a great test. Keep up the fantastic work. John
@@OH8STN Perhaps, but there is still a big difference between sleeping in the "back yard" knowing that warmth and comfort are only a short distance away and being out in a storm miles from the nearest civilization. I can't help but feel that the presence of the car makes a big psychological difference when conditions start to get unpleasant.
To be clear, I am not faulting you for making a video where you used a car rather than hump in all your gear. If the goal is to test the gear, that is a great choice. What it does not test is how the operators perform under realistic conditions.
Perhaps you have seen The Tech Prepper on CZcams? This video says it all: czcams.com/video/XP1Z67b7D24/video.html
I’ll say this: Even the military has vehicles out in the field on standby. I can tell you for a fact I have spent many nights out in the Black Forest on maneuvers, but was never in any real danger because of the support system I had with me. Yes, true survival would be putting all of this gear on a toboggan, and pulling it 20+ miles out in the middle of nowhere, and having to survive off of the land for 2-3 weeks, while trying to manage a safe operating environment, keeping your hygiene up, and keeping mentally focused. Sitting around and thinking about how to orchestrate this, versus actually doing it, even if it is a “test run” is the only way you’re going to work out the problems, and refine your technique.
Use lid while cooking !