On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 10:35:32 -0600, wrote:

I have a general class ham license but have been out of
it a LONG time

I want to get back into some form of free ham radio
comms that would allow me to stay in touch with people
while living in an RV

So.... I want something small and compact. And Im not
sure what "mode" of communications I want. I may want
some form of digital comms like packet or pactor....
not sure

Any advice on all this? What to get equip wise? What
modes to get into?

It is a lot easier to keep in touch with other hams with ham radio,
somewhat more difficult to keep in touch with non-hams.

Having a 2 meter FM rig will allow communications locally, and with
repeaters around the country. Other VHF or UHF bands will add to this,
but 2 meter only will get you through.

An HF rig with a decent antenna will allow long distance comms. You
will have to compromise to get one that is portable, and mounts on
your vehicle.

Packet radio would work for email, but bandwidth is rather limited
compared to the worst dialup options. 1200 baud is common, 9600 is the
most out there. Dialup Internet providers range from 28.8 to 53K.

Depending on who and how you wish to keep in touch, you may still want
a cell phone and set up with a national dial-up ISP.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

It is a lot easier to keep in touch with other hams with ham radio,
somewhat more difficult to keep in touch with non-hams.

Agreed..... no doubt

Having a 2 meter FM rig will allow communications locally, and with
repeaters around the country. Other VHF or UHF bands will add to this,
but 2 meter only will get you through.

Would 2M only suffice for the "email/packet" end of
things tho? I mean.... since an RV will be moving
from one area to another.... does that affect the
transmission and reception "protocols" of email sent
via 2M packet?

Sorry for the dumb questions guys. Please bear with me
ok?

An HF rig with a decent antenna will allow long distance comms. You
will have to compromise to get one that is portable, and mounts on
your vehicle.

Fortunately these all mode and all band radios now days
look pretty small tho. Correct?

Packet radio would work for email, but bandwidth is rather limited
compared to the worst dialup options. 1200 baud is common, 9600 is the
most out there. Dialup Internet providers range from 28.8 to 53K.

Understand. But since things are automated and once I
buy the equip I have it and there are no other monthly
"costs"..... what will it hurt if it takes all night
for the rig/computer to send that email message? Cant
it be doing it's "thing" (sending and receiving email)
while Im asleep or doing other things?

Depending on who and how you wish to keep in touch, you may still want
a cell phone and set up with a national dial-up ISP.

Oh sure. Just looking into ham radio as a cheap method
to use as well

Would 2M only suffice for the "email/packet" end of
things tho? I mean.... since an RV will be moving
from one area to another.... does that affect the
transmission and reception "protocols" of email sent
via 2M packet?

The availability and density of ham packet-radio nodes (whether on 2
meter, 220, or 440) isn't what it was a decade ago. The widespread
availability of Internet access, and the low costs and high
bandwidths, have lead to a big "decay" in the amateur radio network.
Even here in the SF Bay area (densely populated, high-tech-oriented
population) there just aren't more than a handful of 2-meter and 440
packet nodes and BBSen left operating, and most of them seem to be
special-purpose rather than being set up for open use.

In order to use packet at all, you have to find a node or BBS in your
area, and that's not necessarily going to be easy. You'd then have to
find out what sorts of connectivity and services the system provides,
figure out which of several semi-incompatible networking protocols it
uses, come to an agreement with its owner/operator to make use of it,
etc.

HF packet (e.g. PACTOR, or AX.25 using a slower bit rate) helps to
some extent, as it can be used over long distances where there are no
local 2-meter/440 nodes. However, it's even slower and is subject to
HF propagation issues.

Understand. But since things are automated and once I
buy the equip I have it and there are no other monthly
"costs"..... what will it hurt if it takes all night
for the rig/computer to send that email message? Cant
it be doing it's "thing" (sending and receiving email)
while Im asleep or doing other things?

Maybe so, maybe no.

Remember, the FCC rules generally require that you (the amateur) be in
control of your station. Even if you use automatic control, you're
responsible for making sure that you do not interfere with other
amateurs' communications.

Also remember that there are legal rules concerning what sorts of
transmissions you can do... nothing "for profit" may be of concern.

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will
boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 21:58:22 -0000, (Dave Platt)
wrote:

Would 2M only suffice for the "email/packet" end of
things tho? I mean.... since an RV will be moving
from one area to another.... does that affect the
transmission and reception "protocols" of email sent
via 2M packet?

The availability and density of ham packet-radio nodes (whether on 2
meter, 220, or 440) isn't what it was a decade ago. The widespread
availability of Internet access, and the low costs and high
bandwidths, have lead to a big "decay" in the amateur radio network.
Even here in the SF Bay area (densely populated, high-tech-oriented
population) there just aren't more than a handful of 2-meter and 440
packet nodes and BBSen left operating, and most of them seem to be
special-purpose rather than being set up for open use.

In order to use packet at all, you have to find a node or BBS in your
area, and that's not necessarily going to be easy. You'd then have to
find out what sorts of connectivity and services the system provides,
figure out which of several semi-incompatible networking protocols it
uses, come to an agreement with its owner/operator to make use of it,
etc.

HF packet (e.g. PACTOR, or AX.25 using a slower bit rate) helps to
some extent, as it can be used over long distances where there are no
local 2-meter/440 nodes. However, it's even slower and is subject to
HF propagation issues.

Understand. But since things are automated and once I
buy the equip I have it and there are no other monthly
"costs"..... what will it hurt if it takes all night
for the rig/computer to send that email message? Cant
it be doing it's "thing" (sending and receiving email)
while Im asleep or doing other things?

Maybe so, maybe no.

Remember, the FCC rules generally require that you (the amateur) be in
control of your station. Even if you use automatic control, you're
responsible for making sure that you do not interfere with other
amateurs' communications.

Also remember that there are legal rules concerning what sorts of
transmissions you can do... nothing "for profit" may be of concern.

While packet is an interesting mode to experiment with, I do not think
it will work well as a sole access to the Internet.

A national dialup provider with local numbers in the places you
travel, would be best as a primary Internet access.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

On Tue, 22 Feb 2005 15:17:19 -0600, wrote:

Would 2M only suffice for the "email/packet" end of
things tho? I mean.... since an RV will be moving
from one area to another.... does that affect the
transmission and reception "protocols" of email sent
via 2M packet?

HF Mobile is not very reliable. I operate HF mobile voice, primarily
on the County Hunter's net. The bend in a road is sometimes enough to
drop from readable to unreadable. I realize that in digital modes,
the signal gets through when voice doesn't, but there will be times
when you can't reach that one place you desire to reach at that time.

Once you settle down, changing bands and frequencies may not be much
of a problem, especially if you non-mobile antennas at your campsite.

Good luck
and 73
Buck
N4PGW

--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW