Off-Grid Ham Radio

Portable ham Radio data modes can be frustrating if you don't have the right portable tablet or laptop computer. In this video, we will go through using the Microsoft Surface, for ham radio data mode communications like Winlink, JS8Call, FT8, RTTY and so on. We'll also discuss screen and drop protection for the Microsoft Surface, setting up the GPS to work ham radio applications, and useful additions like snap-on keyboards. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #microsoftsurface Share video URL: https://youtu.be/-XXpvZ2ifh4 Related Blog posts: https://oh8stn.org/?s=microsoft+surface

Retevis Ailunce HD2 GPS IARU Region frequency expansion, MARS MOD, wide and mod on the radio. No programming software required. The Retevis Ailunce HD2 DMR radio is amazing! A few weeks before this post was published, Retevis reached out to ask if I would test an update to the Retevis Ailunce HD2. I've been using the Retevis Ailunce HD1 since late 2023. Both are capable radios! The HD2 takes DMR to another level with IP67 ingress protection, Bluetooth audio, AES128 & AES256 encryption and much more. If you'd like to support the channel, you can use these affiliate links when purchasing the Retevis Ailunce HD2. These links cost you nothing but may provide a small commission to the channel and blog. - Amazon USA HD2 with GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehd2gps - Amazon USA HD2 without GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehp2nogps - Amazon Europe Retevis Ailunce HD2 GPS (Affiiate Link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-gps - Amazon Europe Retevis Ailunce HD2 NO GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-no-gps - Official Website (Affiliate link): http://tinyurl.com/3xm2xxsx - eBay Global GPS (Affiliate link): https://ebay.us/1hw5Qa - eBay Gloal NON-GPS (Affiliate link): https://ebay.us/rKTRwJ - AliExpress (Affiliate link): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFK6phs Want to dig deeper, here are the episode notes for the Retevis Ailunce HD2: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2024/03/06/retevis-ailunce-hd2-dmr-radio-is-here/ ____________________ Want something interesting to dive in to while waiting for the next video? - Visit my blog and website: https://oh8stn.org Looking for ways to support the blog & channel? Support the channel by shopping on ebay, at Battery Hookups or GigaParts. For GigaParts and Battery Hookup, use my callsign for a small discount. Alternatively, drop a little something in the TipJar. It really makes a difference. Buy me a rootbeer https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oh8stn Shop on Amazon (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3P9Zq28 GigaParts: https://oh8stn.net/GigaParts Shop at Battery Hookup: https://oh8stn.net/batteryhookup Shop at eBay (affiliate link) : https://oh8stn.net/ebay Buy an N9SAB Antenna https://ebay.us/OVVZcG (eBay affiliate link) Buy yourself a Retevis DMR radio Amazon USA HD2 with GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehd2gps Amazon USA HD2 without GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehp2nogps Retevis Ailunce HD2 GPS Europe (Affiiate Link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-gps Retevis Ailunce HD2 NO GPS Europe (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-no-gps

The Portable Ham Radio antenna is the keystone of a successful portable ham radio field day or excursion. The lightest and most efficient ham radio antennas available to the portable radio operator, are the dipole, off center fed dipole, and end fed half wave antennas. Tim N9SAB has sent over a care package containing some very interesting ultra-lightweight and ultra-efficient antennas for portable and fixed station use. The package should include signal and multiband dipole antennas, end-fed half wave antennas, and man-portable backpacking antennas, all being lightweight, and extremely efficient. Any of these antennas would be at home on a SOTA summit, on a POTA activation, or a ham radio backpacking trip with one of the ultra-portable QRP radios available today. Let's do an unboxing together, and see just what Tim sent over. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #antenna Share video URL: https://youtu.be/SlVT7fc0EMo Ordering a N9SAB antenna? Try this eBay affiliate link. https://oh8stn.net/n9sab Looking for ways to support the blog & channel? Support the channel by shopping on ebay, at Battery Hookups or GigaParts. For GigaParts and Battery Hookup, use my callsign for a small discount. Alternatively, drop a little something in the TipJar. It really makes a difference. Buy me a rootbeer https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oh8stn Shop on Amazon (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3P9Zq28 GigaParts: https://oh8stn.net/GigaParts Shop at Battery Hookup: https://oh8stn.net/batteryhookup Shop at eBay (affiliate link) : https://oh8stn.net/ebay Buy an N9SAB Antenna https://ebay.us/OVVZcG (eBay affiliate link) Buy yourself a Retevis DMR radio Amazon USA HD2 with GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehd2gps Amazon USA HD2 without GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehp2nogps Retevis Ailunce HD2 GPS Europe (Affiiate Link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-gps Retevis Ailunce HD2 NO GPS Europe (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/eu-hd2-no-gps

The off-grid ham shack is now 100% energy self-reliant. It has taken some time to develop an effective grid-down energy strategy. Today, the station acting as a TOC (Tactical Operations Center, can stay in the fight during a prolonged grid-down disaster. This video covers batteries, solar power, wind generator, hand crank generator, power distribution, and much of the comms gear used off-grid, in the station. HUge thanks to @S2Underground for inspiring this video! 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio Share video URL: https://youtu.be/l8T75Kp5tSM Huge thanks to Power Queen for supporting the off-grid ham shack project. You can support the channel uy using my links when you purchase Power Queen LiFePO4 batteries and gear for your off-grid power needs. Use coupon code "JULIANOH8STN" for a 5% discount. United States https://ipowerqueen.com/?ref=0q1c0pan Europe https://www.ipowerqueen.de/?ref=732d60hj Canada https://ca.ipowerqueen.com/?ref=y0igztbu United Kingdom https://uk.ipowerqueen.com/?ref=k0j3c653 Looking for ways to support the blog & channel? Support the channel by shopping on ebay, at Battery Hookups or GigaParts. For GigaParts and Battery Hookup, use my callsign for a small discount. Alternatively, drop a little something in the TipJar. It really makes a difference. Buy me a rootbeer https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oh8stn Shop on Amazon (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3P9Zq28 GigaParts: https://oh8stn.net/GigaParts Shop at Battery Hookup: https://oh8stn.net/batteryhookup Shop at eBay (affiliate link) : https://oh8stn.net/ebay Buy an N9SAB Antenna https://ebay.us/OVVZcG (eBay affiliate link) 01:23 Grid-Down Energy Strategy 02:30 Station power configuration 06:25 Comms Gear 14:39 Safety features 15:45 Final thoughts

QRP JS8Call Ham Radio QSO with an Icom IC-705 run73 Julian oning at 10 watts. I was recording cls for another video project, when GW4PZU came in on 20 meters. I was already running the camera gear, so I sent him a shout back. The video is kind of chillaxing or boring (your perspective). However, it does show the power and capabilities of JS8Call fr low power HF communications. 73 Julian oh8stn Share video URL: https://youtu.be/jy1rmFG1KuE Looking for ways to support the blog & channel? Support the channel by shopping on ebay, at Battery Hookups or GigaParts. For GigaParts and Battery Hookup, use my callsign for a small discount. Alternatively, drop a little something in the TipJar. It really makes a difference. Buy me a rootbeer https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/oh8stn Shop on Amazon (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3P9Zq28 GigaParts: https://oh8stn.net/GigaParts Shop at Battery Hookup: https://oh8stn.net/batteryhookup Shop at eBay (affiliate link) : https://oh8stn.net/ebay Buy an N9SAB Antenna https://ebay.us/OVVZcG (eBay affiliate link)

The Retevis Ailunce HD2 DMR radio is finally here! A few weeks before this post was published, Retevis reached out to ask if I would test an update to the Retevis Ailunce HD1. I've been using the Retevis Ailunce HD1 since late 2023. I also knew the Retevis Ailunce HD2 was incoming. Both are capable radios! Here's a video of the Retevis Ailunce HD1 water ingress protection capabilities. https://youtu.be/7oKQCOu0LzE Want to dig deeper, here are the episode notes for the Retevis Ailunce HD2: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2024/03/06/retevis-ailunce-hd2-dmr-radio-is-here/ 73 Julian #oh8stn If you'd like to support the channel, you can use these affiliate links when purchasing the Retevis Ailunce HD2. These links cost you nothing but may provide a small commission to the channel and blog. The Retevis Ailunce HD2 DMR radio is finally here! A few weeks before this post was published, Retevis reached out to ask if I would test an update to the Retevis Ailunce HD1. I've been using the Retevis Ailunce HD1 since late 2023. I also knew the Retevis Ailunce HD2 was incoming. Both are capable radios! Here's a video of the Retevis Ailunce HD1 water ingress protection capabilities. https://youtu.be/7oKQCOu0LzE Want to dig deeper, here are the episode notes for the Retevis Ailunce HD2: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2024/03/06/retevis-ailunce-hd2-dmr-radio-is-here/ 73 Julian #oh8stn If you'd like to support the channel, you can use these affiliate links when purchasing the Retevis Ailunce HD2. These links cost you nothing but may provide a small commission to the channel and blog. - Amazon USA HD2 with GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehd2gps - Amazon USA HD2 without GPS (Affiliate link): http://oh8stn.net/ailuncehp2nogps - Amazon DE HD2 GPS (Affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4caVsjy - Amazon DE HD2 Non GPS (Affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3wKF7Cb - Official Website (Affiliate link): http://tinyurl.com/3xm2xxsx - eBay Global GPS (Affiliate link): https://ebay.us/1hw5Qa - eBay Gloal NON-GPS (Affiliate link): https://ebay.us/rKTRwJ - AliExpress (Affiliate link): https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFK6phs

The Lab599 TX-500MP man pack walkie-talkie version was first seen on the channel in January 2024. This is the much-anticipated sibling of the Lab599 TX-500 portable QRP Haam Radio. As a lightweight, rugged, extreme deployment rig, the TX-500MP is the first of its kind in the ham radio world. In this video, we will discuss the battery, availability, CW interface, release and date. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio Original video URL: https://youtu.be/uDRNwSzjn40 First update video: https://youtu.be/BQ9QmNHs5FU Share his video url: https://youtu.be/QQQqotZi_G4 Blog post about the TX-500MP: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2024/01/16/new-hf-man-pack-from-lab599/ BP-500 Battery Pack: https://youtu.be/rTKyz2yWQv4

Lithium batteries need to be protected from freezing temperatures during charging. In this video, I demonstrate how a Chinese diesel heater can keep our lithium batteries, and the off-grid ham shack warm enough for charging in winter, even when it's far below freezing outside. 73 Julian #oh8stn

In this video, we charge the lithium ( LiFePO4 ) battery powering the off-grid ham shack using a vertical-axis wind generator. Also covered are various methods of charging our solar battery storage, when there is no solar power for our ham radio station. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio Share video URL: https://youtu.be/X5ycaYcu49I Episode notes: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2024/01/23/charging-a-lifepo4-battery-with-wind-power/ Building your off-grid ham shack blog: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2023/12/21/building-an-off-grid-solar-powered-ham-shack/ Power Queen 20A RF Quiet LiFePO4 charger: https://www.ipowerqueen.de/en/products/power-queen-14-6v-20a-lifepo4-battery-charger-2-stage-automatic-intelligent-lifepo4-lithium-battery-charger-suitable-for-12v-12-8v-lithium-battery/?ref=732d60hj More about Power Queen: https://oh8stn.org/power-queen-lifepo4/ Power Queen batteries: United States https://ipowerqueen.com/?ref=0q1c0pan Europe https://www.ipowerqueen.de/?ref=732d60hj

The Lab599 TX-500MP man pack walkie-talkie version was first seen on the channel in January 2024. This is the much-anticipated sibling of the Lab599 TX-500portable QRP Haam Radio. As a lightweight, rugged, extreme deployment rig, the TX-500MP is the first of its kind in the ham radio world. In this video, we will discuss the VFO, audio interface, USB-C interface, audio I/O, and remote PTT. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio

The Lab599 TX-500 was first seen on the channel a few years ago. As a lightweight and rugged rig, it was a first in the ham radio community. Today Lab599 posted some pictures to Instagram. These images showed us the TX-500MP edition. MP stands for man pack. The Man Pack version of the TX-500, adds some much-needed features to the design. This video goes through the limited information we have now. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio

A response to the world we live in today. Narrated by Julian OH8STN

At the off grid ham shack using parallel Genasun charge controllers on several strings of solar panels and a K-TOR P50 hand crank generator. 73 Julian oh8stn #hamradio #offgrid #shorts

The Power Queen Black Friday sale is up and running. Check out offers and deals for Europe and North America at https://oh8stn.org/blog/2023/11/16/ipower-queen-lifepo4-black-friday-sale/ 73 Julian #oh8stn

Letting the EcoFlow River 2 Max manage the Retevis HT batteries is easy. Retevis on-board USB charging simplifies charging, ensuring equipment readiness in a grid-down. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #shorts

Welcome to the Off-Grid Ham Shack series, part 1. In this video we go through putting together an off-grid ham radio station, powered by a Power Queen 100ah lithium Iron phosphate battery, Renogy solar panels, and Genasun charge controllers. The purpose of the completely off-grid radio station is emergency communications, survival radio, and ultimately preparedness in group communications during a grid-down disaster. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #offgrid Share video url: https://youtu.be/HLnpNgvdzwI Genesun charge controllers: Use coupon code "5forOH8STN". North America: https://sunforgellc.com/genasun/ Europe: https://genasun.eu/ Power Queen LiFePO4 batteries in the video. Use coupon code: "JULIANOH8STN" Europe affiliate link: https://www.ipowerqueen.de/discount/JULIANOH8STN?ref=732d60hj North America affiliate link: https://ipowerqueen.com/?ref=0q1c0pan 00:00 Introduction 03:10 Power Queen 100ah LiFePO4 battery 06:20 Solar strings & Power Distribution 07:40 Energy flow 09:00 Bottom line ____________________ Want something interesting to dive in to while waiting for the next video? - Visit my blog and website: https://oh8stn.org - Latest deal, offers or support the channel? Visit https://oh8stn.org/blog/2019/12/17/deals-discounts-support/ - OH8STN on Patreon community: http://www.patreon.com/oh8stn - Become a YouTube channel member: https://oh8stn.net/3G8LaQl - Buy me a rootbeer: PayPal: https://oh8stn.net/2ZGAEjy

Without a solid energy plan, there won't be any emergency communications. #oh8stn

Without a solid energy plan, there won't be any emergency communications. #oh8stn

An emergency grid down solar powered go kit based on the Genasun Merlin GV-10 M100 Solar GoKit. This is a 100-watt solar briefcase & Genasun charge controller capable of keeping critical devices powered or charged off-grid, during a blackout. The kit includes the solar briefcase, Genasun charge controller, and all required cables for interconnections between components and battery. I've included battery recommendations from Power Queen, and will release a separate video on that LiFePO4 battery. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio share video url: https://youtu.be/PR893unyMog Please read the episode notes for more context: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2023/10/13/72-hours-of-emergency-power-on-a-budget/ Merlin Panther 100 solar kit & Genesun charge controller: Use coupon code "5forOH8STN". North America: https://sunforgellc.com/product/gv-10-m100-kit/ Europe: https://genasun.eu/products/merlin-panther-solar-gv-10-lithium Power Queen LiFePO4 batteries in the video. Use coupon code: "JULIANOH8STN" Europe affiliate link: https://www.ipowerqueen.de/discount/JULIANOH8STN?ref=732d60hj North America affiliate link: https://ipowerqueen.com/?ref=0q1c0pan Vevor compressor used in the test: Code: "VVMH5%OFF" (5% off on all VEVOR products) US site:https://s.vevor.com/bfQsvf EU site:https://s.vevor.com/bfQrdK DE site:https://s.vevor.com/bfQsuF FR site:https://s.vevor.com/bfQsuR ___________________ Want something interesting to dive in to while waiting for the next video? - Visit my blog and website: https://oh8stn.org - Latest deal, offers or support the channel? Visit https://oh8stn.org/blog/2019/12/17/deals-discounts-support/ - OH8STN on Patreon community: http://www.patreon.com/oh8stn - Become a YouTube channel member: https://oh8stn.net/3G8LaQl - Buy me a rootbeer: PayPal: https://oh8stn.net/2ZGAEjy

Running my Icom IC-705 and CHA MPAS for a quick check of band conditions. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio

PowerFilm solar panel durability survivability test. Will it continue charging? Hello Operators. This demonstration helps answer one of the "Why PowerFilm?" questions, so often seen in the comments. In my experience, PowerFilm Solar provides portable solar panels for ham radio, that are both man-portable and robust. In this video, we can watch this folding solar panel taking multiple hits from a .25 caliber rifle while continuing to perform. Not everyone "needs" such a panel. For those having mission-critical requirements, it's nice to know the PowerFilm option exists. PowerFilm Solar is an American company. Its panels are designed and manufactured in the Midwest town of Ames Iowa. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #solarpower Video URL: https://youtu.be/I6KGLD5mkDI Blog post: https://oh8stn.org/blog/2023/08/01/powerfilm-solar-panel-vs-hunting-rifle/

Have you considered taking a modular approach to field radio for off-grid ham radio communications? In this episode of the Arctic Circle Off-Grid Expedition after action report, we talk about the pros and cons of the modular HF Radio Go Kit approach, used for the ACOG field station. Some of the problems might be surprising! Normally I would have operated a QRP-10 watt field radio. Wanting to get over the North Pole during grey line meant using more power than would traditionally required for reliable regional off-grid comms. The modular go-kit was based on the Lab599 TX500, the DL4KA PA500, and the DL4KA BAT500 battery pack. PowerFilm solar provided lightweight portable power, and the Digirig mobile made data communications possible. 73 Julian #oh8stn #hamradio #offgrid Share video URL: https://youtu.be/9ghDD5BtzDE 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Modular & Rugged HF Go Kit 03:31 Data modes configuration 04:33 GX connectors & the wire mess 07:48 Painfully slow to deploy 08:42 DL4KA PA500 Current consumption 09:53 DL4KA BAT500 solar charging 11:45 Winlink Performance 12:55 Final Thoughts ____________________ Want something interesting to dive in to while waiting for the next video? - Visit my blog and website: https://oh8stn.org - Latest deal, offers or support the channel? Visit https://oh8stn.org/blog/2019/12/17/deals-discounts-support/ - OH8STN on Patreon community: http://www.patreon.com/oh8stn - Become a YouTube channel member: https://oh8stn.net/3G8LaQl - Buy me a rootbeer: PayPal: https://oh8stn.net/2ZGAEjy

Portable ham radio off grid and outdoors above the Arctic Circle was an incredible learning experience, for grid down emergency communications and preparedness. Enjoy the first episode of the story. 73 Julian oh8stn URL: https://youtu.be/VEannDDbw7g ____________________ Want something interesting to dive in to while waiting for the next video? - Visit my blog and website: https://oh8stn.org - Latest deal, offers or support the channel? Visit https://oh8stn.org/blog/2019/12/17/deals-discounts-support/ - OH8STN on Patreon community: http://www.patreon.com/oh8stn - Become a YouTube channel member: https://oh8stn.net/3G8LaQl - Buy me a rootbeer: PayPal: https://oh8stn.net/2ZGAEjy

The BP-500 battery pack is a modular battery pack which piggybacks on the Lab599 Discovery TX-500 transceiver. it provides power to the transceiver from interchangeable Li-Ion 18650 cells (rated voltage 3.7V). The wide charging voltage range of 13 to 50V allows the battery pack to be charged from a variety of DC power sources: home electronics power supplies, electrical on-board network of various vehicles, solar panels. Provides protection against overheating, polarity reversal. The battery pack has an indication of the remaining battery charge. When connected to the Discovery TX-500 transceiver, additional battery information is available on the transceiver screen. BP-500 FEATURES Direct attachment to the Lab599 Discovery TX-500transceiver without the need for additional cabling Interchangeable Li-Ion 18650 batteries Ability to use 3 or 6 batteries Wide charging voltage range from 13 to 50 V Ability to charge from solar panels Four segment charge LED level indicator Display additional parameters on the transceiver screen The aluminum radiator provides effective cooling of the transceiver Folding kickstands for easy operation and transportation. #oh8stn #shorts #hamradio