COMMUNICATION ISSUES

Hi,
Not sure if by 'SOS' you mean a brand name (I don't know it) or "emergency". For the Sidewinder hand crank charger that we carry, we have a complete list of phones compatible using one of the included adapters.

Adapters for other cell phones not included in this list are available for $5.00 including shipping. We can email you that list, or you can email us the make and model you have.(see email on site)

As for the question below, height restriction above roofline is probably covered by local ordinance, or maybe county. Any licensed builder would probably know, otherwise contact would be with local, township, or county building office.

FictionWriter wrote: I looked at that SOS Charger. Looks like a nice unit, but my phone is old enough to where it ain't supported. Oh well. Question on the radio issue: Someone mentioned a 100' mast. I'm assuming that refers to the antenna? Ok, I live real close to an airport. 1.5 to 2 miles from the runway. My house is on the takeoff/approach path.  What are the height regulations concerning maximum mast height? I'd hate to make an investment only to have some 'official' tell me the mast is too high?   Any idea where i can find the info?

    

I read with interest your comments about getting an FCC license and operating modified CBs in the 10 meter band.   I am an extra class amatuer (ham) radio operator (KF0GV).   First, do not buy a CB that has been modified to operate on the 10 meter band.   10 meters is not only considered a ham band, IT IS an amatuer band.   Operating on 10 meters with a modified CB or with an FCC type accepted ham radio without an FCC license is illegal.    The FCC has really been stepping up enforcement lately and the fines can be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.   So, to everyone out there - Don't do it.   You are not welcome on 10 meters unless you are properly licensed and have the proper equipment.   Having said that, it is not at all difficult to obtain your license to operate on the 10 meter band or on any of the lower HF bands.   10 meters is considered a relatively high frequency HF band and is not very reliable for long distance communication (DX) unless you are near or in the solar maximum of the 11 year cycle.   Right now, we are at the bottom and DX communication on 10 meters is almost non-existant except for some infrequent sporatic E communication which usually is short lived and only United States wide or at most to northern South America.    The FCC just passed a new regulation that eliminates the morse code requirement entirely.   I believe that will go in to effect on or about February 1, 2007.   So, now, you don't even have to learn the code to get your FCC license to operate on the ham bands.   There still are various levels of licenses which I think will be Technician, General and Extra.   Each test covers more detailed and difficult information and therefore requires more study to get to a higher level.   My recommendation is to study for and take the tech. and general class exams and get your license.    Then you will have ample frequency priviledges.   Take your extra class license exam later if you are in the hobby to stay.   If you get your General class license, you will be able to operate on all of the other HF bands including 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters.   20 and 40 provide reliable world wide communication year round and throughout the highs and lows of the 11 year solar cycle.   We welcome new hams and are eager to help.   If anyone has any questions about becoming a Ham Radio Operator, I'd recommend contacting the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at www.arrl.org and someone can help you there.   Or contact someone in your local area.   The ARRL can refer you to local Ham radio clubs.    Good luck!

Trident/Delta wrote: Couple quick things - The morse code requirement for hams is no longer in effect. Just a written test on radio theory, electronic principals and station safety. I am a General class Ham. I still use morse because it is much more reliable than voice. I guess that I have been appointed the un-official-official radio geek.  If you have any questions feel free to ask

I'm a new General class.  Right, no Morse anymore.  I went from non-ham to Ham with a General and four radios in about two months.  2 meter radio in the cellar, CB in the same storm cellar, a hand 2 meter-70cm, and I am getting an HF radio for Christmas. More coming in another post.

I'll try not to write an epistle, but hopefully write enough to be of help.  Two months ago I became aware that no one in our church had any ham radio capabilities.  If we lost the Internet and/or the grid, we would be out of touch with the world.  I decided to get into ham and buy a CB radio.  With the help of a very experienced "Elmer" I installed those two radios in a concrete storm shelter, powered by a deep cycle 12 volt battery.  My plan is to recharge the battery at least once per month if not sooner.  I have some other preps I do catch-up work on around the first of each month any way.

I frankly under-prepared for my Technician exam.  I passed but without a lot of room to spare.  The passing grade did let me get on the air and begin getting some hands on experience.  There's nothing about the FCC rules that says that a Technician is going to have about a 50 mile radius range, but when you get into what frequencies that license grants you, that is about the way it works out.  So our goal of having someone in the church who can gain information from the world and pass it on locally was not yet met.  I got a General book and began studying for that license; the time was right for me to buy a new HF transceiver and peripherals, so I did.  Those will be under the tree for me this Christmas.  I spent at least 25 hours preparing for the General exam and made an 89. (I'm a former college prof; I'm used to being a student.  I STILL had to study for this one.)

So now we will have someone in our church who can put an ear to the ground to gain information even if most other forms of communication are down.  Both the HF and the two-meter radios are 12 volt battery supplied, so that deals with some grid issues.  We have 6000 watts of solar panels, battery bank, Generac propane powered 11kW generator, and gasoline powered generator, so we think we will have electricity under most circumstances.  It'd be nice if Kim Jon Un would give us a couple of hour's notice before he send an HEMP over this way so we could turn everything off/disconnect everything.  With information gleaned from HF and VHF, we can then use the CB to relay information along to our church and others who may be listening in.