Illustrated with archival film and photographs, as well as interviews with those involved, the documentary traces the evolution of civilian involvement in radio-based intelligence during both world wars.

Here's a link to an interview with MFJ's founder, Martin Jue.  In it he talks about the history of MFJ & responds to some of the hard-to-answer questions about their reputation for poor quality control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdrYlxbb...oGuy-G0KSC

I doubt we have a member who has nothing from MFJ in their shack.  Martin Jue K5FLU is the great-grandson of one of the legion of Chinese men brought to the US to build the transcontinental railroad.  He started building ham accessories in Starkville, MS about 50 years ago, and MFJ has become the largest ham equipment manufacturer - by a large margin.  MFJ provides employment to a lot of local folks who might otherwise not be able to find work.  He has bought up and kept in business several brands which would otherwise be gone, like Ameritron, HyGain, Cushcraft & Mirage.

I've spoken to Martin at Dayton.  He's a real nice guy, seemingly always on duty at the MFJ booth.

73
Dave, VE3WI

To let everyone know, a month ago I bought a 3D printer which can fabricate pretty much anything needed.  I am still learning and at the moment simply downloading files from the internet for builds.  It works for building brackets etc for antennas and I am currently building brackets for a VHF moxon antenna.  If anyone needs anything fabricated with a 3D printer, I may be able to help with my limited knowledge.

This excellent video features some very important discussions about various aspects of preparing for Emergency Operations. There are lots of good talking points and lots to consider. The video also features the producer of the youtube channel 100 Watts and a Wire, which originates from the group and associated website of the same name.

Thanks to Richard VE3OZW and Marvin VE3VCG for volunteering as Net Control Stations.    That is 6 now, so that means just one time every 6 weeks. Who else wants to help out...

Click HERE for our meetings page.

Tom, your new forum organization is well thought out and a good improvement.  Thanks for your continuing efforts.
73
Dave, VE3WI

As a new HAM I got a lot of help, and inspiration from other HAM's. There's a lot to learn and all the experience of others is useful in figuring out how best to get on the air. Aside from interaction with members of GBARC I found a lot of really good HAM radio websites and youtube channels. One of my favorites was and is, 100 Watts and a Wire.

I really like this website because it focuses on really basic operating using simple gear. When just starting out in the hobby keeping things simple really is the best way to go. Mastering simple operations really helps when learning the essential fundamentals and how they apply to every aspect of radio. Getting well grounded (no pun intended) helps give one confidence. This site in particular is one place were getting grounded in the basics of amateur radio while having fun is actively encouraged.

Even if you've been a HAM for years, this site is a fun place to visit. However I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone who's just newly licensed. Following is a link to the site 100 Watts and A Wire

Those who missed my Zoom Community Mesh Network presentation may be confused by references to LoRa based community mesh-networks. Simply, LoRa are low powered radio devices which can be linked in a mesh-network. This devices can, using clear line of sight links communicate over long distances.

Cell phones can be paired a LoRa device and using free applications such as "Meshtastic". This application then allows text messages to be sent to the LoRa device for re-transmission to any other LoRa device within range. LoRa devices will automatically connect to near by devices in a self-discovering network and self-healing network. Self-discovery occurs each time a new LoRa device is activated within range of other LoRa devices. Self-healing happens when a LoRa device is removed from the network.

The are numerous projects community mesh-network projects under development in various place now. However I don't wish to cover those in this post. The point of this post is to share a video in which LoRa devices are used to create a very simple table top Mesh-Network. Real world application of this technology can involved solar powered LoRa devices in weather proof housings. With some imagination it is easy to imagine a number of such LoRa devices distributed across a community. Such a network would allow for real time communication in the absence of phone services, as might happen after a disruption to grid power.

In the attached video, an engineer explains the events and circumstances which brought about the near collapse of the Texas power grid in February 2021. His video presents a very clear explanation which should be useful to everyone, engineers and non-engineers alike. This is not a political video, its focus is primarily about the physical causes of grid failure. I feel it is well worth the time to watch.  

Those who are engineers, or have had professional experience with the operation of the power grid will find this especially interesting. Not all of the problems related to why Texas had their loss of power will directly translate to our grid here. Texas of course is not the only weak link in the power grid chain. I feel that owing to the interconnected nature of the grid, it should be obvious that problems elsewhere can and have in the past impacted us here. This will continue to be the case in the future.

I took special note of the fact that, in this video it is mentioned that Texas was less than 5 minutes from a total grid collapse. That collapse, had it occurred, may have taken down the entire grid and required months to bring back on-line. Months without grid power, seems unthinkable but, in my opinion is the very thing all EmComm operators should put at the top of a very short list of priorities. 

Yes, I am beating the drum again about vulnerabilities to the power grid. My apologies for continuing to focus on this subject. My only defense is that, having studied the issue closely for several years I really do believe its a subject which should be of interest to all HAM's.



The report I'm offering here, can be downloaded for free. It is an older study but the fact reinforces the fact that the threats described still exist and in fact have increased in scope, complexity and potential. Grid security is being tightened and enhanced, but there is an ongoing foot race between attackers and security forces. Recent sophisticated and successful attacks on the actual security software used to protect vital infrastructure prove the point that the grid is vulnerable.



For HAM's there are two basic elements to consider with regard to a operating during a wide area, long duration disruption to grid power. 1) Our ability to operate off-grid for a sustained period, 2) Physical operator support including food, water, shelter, heat etc.



As I have made clear from my interest in Community Mesh Networks, I believe we can do a good deal to promote sustainable long term communications within communities. Communications are of the very centre of any emergency response and so, I feel that devising such community base emergency communications networks can go a long way towards helping people, help themselves.



As HAM's we form a unique community which could be essential to our communities in a major blackout event. Not only would such an event challenge us to support served agencies, but also to support each other as well as our immediate communities.



For those who have not researched how the 2019 California wild fire experience impacted communities in the affected areas, I encourage you do so. Countless valuable lessons were learned about how quickly gasoline for generators became unavailable. Given that example alone I think that building an emergency plan based around having gasoline for generators might not be flawed. There are options to gas generators which I'll be sharing in future posts and not all are solar.



The example of how many people coped in California with a prolonged loss of power should not be wasted. There are many such examples which can be found all over the world, especially in less developed countries where living without power is a daily reality.


The pdf mentioned above is attached.
  Cyber Threat and Vulnerability Analysis of the U.S. Electric Sector.pdf (Size: 1.12 MB / Downloads: 0)