I also have an IC-718! Nice, simple, easy to operate rig.
Have you tried WSPR?
https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/wspr.html
Its a fun mode to see how far your signal can reach out, it produces some cool maps.
Similar to this...
I am in the process of getting my adsb setup running on a Pi4 from an old model A
I only track .mil aircraft. I am glad I found my old instructions here:
Tracking .mil Aircraft
Packet Radio is alive and well here in the form of Packet Winlink.
Go here and click on packet: Live System Information
We have Winlink Wednesday and a Century Club!
Passed my Extra last Saturday, scored 100%
Getting my paperwork straight to become a VE!
I read the new Extra ARRL License Manual and Extra Q&A book.
Then used hamstudy.org until I reached 100%/100%.
I got 100% on the Tech and the General using hamstudy.org only.
We use them mostly in basement offices, places that usually don't have windows.
The new 4G units are great but the GPS requirement sucks. We have business phones that can call 911. I wish GPS would be optional, silly govt regs again.
I did the same last week, Pi4 4GB with RTL-SDR dongle and Dump1090, dont have the flight aware antenna yet. I have too many antennas on my house so I think I will put it all out in the garage or probably the workshop or somewhere. Too much other RF going on around the actual house.
My thoughts pretty much... do what you want as long as your having fun and not hurting someone else. I have a blast with WSPR from time to time, not really even making a QSO in that mode but just like to see the random places my signal travels.
How do you feel about FT8?
Useless mode to cheat to get meaningless QSOs?
Great way to rack up Contacts quickly?
Don't care, rather have a slice of apple pie?
Explain.
FT8, thats the "get a WAS or DXCC over the weekend" mode?
I did not know what I was doing, spent 5 minutes, made 2 clicks and had a QSO from Spain and Venezuela!
TM-281A is on the lower left. It uses one of the Signalinks for packet Winlink. I used a bigger 35 Amp power supply in the case to power both radios, saves space. They sell the case with a 12 or 23 amper but I confirmed with Samlex that the 35 AMP supply is the same size and will fit as they...
Nice antenna! I got my 2m antenna mounted a few weeks ago. Replaced the mast for my ota antenna with 16ga gavanized while I was at it. Antenna is a little Diamond X-50A fed by LMR-400.
Not my picture but it is the 2m base setup I have. A Samlex case and power supply with a Kenwood...
The Part A voice traffic net was interesting to listen to. Simulated broken generators and supply deliveries and all sorts of simulated situations arose.
I'm also hoping to have Winlink up on HF over the weekend.
Titanium do you have "Winlink Wednesdays" traffic drill where you are?
There is...
I was the only one in my county ARES group that could send via Winlink today (me the newbie).
I got the ARC-6409 form sent off and got an acknowledgement back from ARCATL.
Drill successful for me today. How was the drill for you Brian?
I'm looking forward to the exercise, for work I took all the requisite FEMA courses that ARES wanted. Once I got my ticket I was almost set with the requirements.
I need to figure out the differences between Winmor, Ardop and Vara on HF and get that setup soon.
I'm working this drill on Saturday, I have both a mobile and base Winlink station. Both are Kenwood TM-231A 2m radios w/SignaLink. Don't have the IC-718 setup for Winlink yet.
Local/Regional/National ARES-Red Cross Exercise Set for May 30: Locally-organized ARES exercises in 28 states across...