During my recent presentation with regard to expanding Emergency Communications capabilities using Community Mesh-Networks, I touched only briefly on the potential failure of the power grid. This is a large topic which can't be properly discussed during a brief presentation. I revisit it here because I feel it is very important all people, and especially to all radio operators.

I have spent considerable time researching the topic and am fairly familiar with the largest threats. Each time there is a major disruption to power important lessons are learned. However, most of those lessons are not well translated for the benefit of everyone who relies on grid power to maintain a our lives. The video I'm sharing does an excellent job of breaking down the issues and threats to the power grid. It is 15:44 minutes long and worth every minute to watch.

I hope you will take the time to watch and then join me to begin and maintain an open and ongoing discussion about
how best to have reliable power for more than just radio operations. For me backup power is tied to many other issues and so touches virtually every aspect of our lives. When we talk about power, we need to talk about everything. It's a big subject we should not ignore. Here is the link to the video.

https://youtu.be/1Dt1ze_XaNk

I found a very interesting article on Vice Voices titled "Why Channel 37 Doesn't Exist". I found it very interesting for several reasons and thought others might as well. I knew some of the information in the article but some was new to me. The article seems entirely relevant today given the increasing demands on the RF spectrum. Here's the link https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy8by7/w...ket-newtab

Meshtastic is a great project which can be used in a variety of ways. One of these is to create off-grid mesh networks. Meshastic should not be confused with Mesh Net software which directly links phones together via onboard WiFi or Bluetooth. Meshtastic devices are a separate means of accomplishing mesh networking. This video helps explain the meshtastic approach to mesh networking Here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqAsWtIjHUY

QRP Amateur Radio Club International's "Four Days in May" is being offered online this year.  Details below.
73
Dave, VE3WI
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Come one! Come All! Virtual FDIM is Saturday May 22, 2021

It's time to register for FDIM 2021, you do not want to miss out on our first ever virtual FDIM.

Registration Link is found by going to https://qrparci.org on the front page.

The line up this year includes:

[i]Jerry Wolczanski KI4IO - Making an Antenna Coupler
Dr. Jack Purdum W8TEE - How to Select a Microcontroller for a QRP Project
Dave Benson K1SWL - Anatomy of a Transceiver; Building a Better Mousetrap
Han Summers G0UPL - Reach for the Skies: Extreme QRP at 35,000 Feet
Dino Papas KL0S - Bench Setup Using Inexpensive Test Equipment
Tim Snodgrass KC0DN - Breaking Free of the Sunspot Cycle
Ashhar Farhan VU2ESE - sBITX - An Open Source SDR that YOU can hack![/i]

We will also have evening sessions with the authors, and vendors.

Registration is $10.00, then one week before the event you will receive a link to the event
and a link to a PDF of the Proceedings Book. Please register as soon as you can so we
have some idea of headcount. Also, registrants will be eligible to win fabulous and
certainly valuable door prizes, like always! You do not need to be present to win but
you DO need to be registered.

Printed copies of the Proceedings Book will be sold through the QRP-ARCI Toystore
for $15 a copy. If you can not attend, the book is a great way to catch up on the
presentations from this Virtual FDIM. Book sales to US Customers Only, DX customers
purchase through the Toy Store after 5/20/21.

David W. Cripe, NM0S  -  President QRP-ARCI

I have just encountered a new digital communications program dubbed as D-RATS. Those who like doing word games may recognize that D-RATS is in fact a clever reuse of D-STAR simply reversing STAR for RATS. What I find of interest is how this digital program is being used in various ways, including as a possible addition to the Emergency Communications Toolbox.

Here's the link to the video for those who might have an additional interest.  John Davis, WB4QDX is a D-RATS expert and appears in the video at roughly the 5 minute mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPW-FZTzPcE

If you prefer text or want additional info, here's a getting started with D-RATS document. http://www.clayares.org/attachmates/dsta...kStart.pdf

Attached you'll find a pdf file which is a companion to the power point presented On Tuesday March 9, 2021. The document contains links to many resources. Following those links will allow you to gain a better understanding of the technology involved in creating a community based cell phone mesh-network.

If you are a builder there is a lot of excellent information about projects like Meshtastic, which used the LoRa platform. You can learn about how other people are building Community Mesh Networks in a variety of places including Toronto. While Mesh Nets might not seem like area of interest for HAM's such is not the case.  All these technologies use RF and are in fact very engaging for those with an interest in antenna's, propagation, and very long haul transmission and reception using low power devices.

There is no end of potential uses for LoRa technology. It is the foundation of the Internet of Things IoT, and is being rapidly developed for some very exciting projects.

Also on the pdf are some very interesting and exciting uses of Mesh Networks by a California Group called Land Ops.
  Objective and Resource Guide.pdf (Size: 39.92 KB / Downloads: 8)
  Objective and Resource Guide.pdf (Size: 39.92 KB / Downloads: 8)

A bit of trivia I found:

The IC-7300 S-meter isn't calibrated the way you'd think it should be.  John Akerman N8UR measured the meter response.  His results are in the attached table.  I included the so-called "Collins Standard" which is the way I thought most manufacturers calibrated their S-meters. (±1 S-unit = ±6 dB, S9 = -73 dBm or 50 µV into 50Ω).  The IC-7300 is spot on at S9, but each S-unit change appears to be about 3 dB, not the expected 6 dB.  Curious.

73
Dave, VE3WI

PS: John's blog post is at https://blog.febo.com/?p=378

Attached Files

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If you own an Icom 7300 you may want to bin it after watching this video:
https://youtu.be/EmfRzqhONyo

Came across a great series of videos for the IC-7300 radio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m48WLp76...CuredSmoke

Step by step instruction following the radio feature.

Enjoy
ve3bqm