Re: [PLUG] [OT] SW radio question

[Keith via plug <plug@lists.phillylinux.org>]

On 10/20/22 19:16, Steve Litt via plug wrote:
> Keith C. Perry via plug said on Thu, 20 Oct 2022 17:36:40 -0400 (EDT)
>
>
> > If I can also throw out a recommendation for the hams among us, I
> > highly recommend the  MFJ-971 manual tuner, which requires NO POWER
> > (unless you want to backlight the screen and even then its very
> > littel).  You can't go wrong pairing this with a [QRP] transceiver to
> > work regionally (i.e. inside the skip zone) so you know what is going
> > on around you.
> I can't help wondering: If the whole grid went down, so there are very
> few operating transmitters in your area, with no wifi, microwaves and
> the like, I wonder just how far 5 watts could go at 5 or 10Mhz on a
> winter night. I don't think Marconi used much power to transmit static
> clicks across the Atlantic.
>
> SteveT
I don't have to wonder.  I've talked to other ham radio operators within 
a 400 mile radius with my FT-817ND (that is 5w MAX) on an indoor wire 
antenna, powered by a battery, charged by the sun. This can be done 
anytime of year.  The type of work I'm talking about is typically done 
on the 40 meter (~7Mhz during the day) and 80 meter bands (~3.5Mhz 
during the evening).  10Mhz is 30 meters and would not be appropriate 
for that (it is also not for voice comms) and 5Mhz is not a thing- 
although, 60 meters is about 5.3 Mhz and could work but I haven't 
personally made contacts on there yet.  Obviously in a real situation 
FCC rules are suspended but most people aren't going to magically gain a 
skill and problem solve during a crisis.  That is not how that works.

Point is, power, antenna, frequency and equipment are all part of the 
equation that hams use to practice a skill that can be brought to bare.  
Depending on what mode you are using 5w can work very long distances.  
To bring it back to the topic, if the idea is to be aware one ones 
surroundings- listening only or actually talking to other people, 
worldwide communication is not the immediate concern.  If something 
happens in and around Philadelphia, I'm concerned about that first.  Not 
Chicago, not Los Angeles, not London or Tokoyo.

--
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Keith C. Perry, MS E.E.
Managing Member, DAO Technologies LLC
(O) +1.215.525.4165 x2033
(M) +1.215.432.5167
www.daotechnologies.com

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