Commo ALICE ruck w/shelter (56K warning, large images)

[TacAir]

Now that summer is here and I can carry something less than a ton of sleeping/shelter/food/etc because of the cold and snow.....

Set up my commo ruck to ensure everything was 'there' and everything was working. Took some photos and thought I'd share them.


This is commo + ant + shelter - the full setup.


Ruck sitting on the ground, ant attached without the trekker poles etc. You can see how the frame is guyed.



This is what is looks like under the hood. OK for a drizzle, not so much in a gusty
rainstorm. Ruck frame is guyed and Ant supported by trekker poles as well. Realy sporty in a wind.


This is a deatil shot of how the trekker poles and ant are 'connected'.


12Ah battery fits in Condor bag, radios fit into Pelican, antennas (AT-271 w/AB spring base and AS-1320/PRC-47 Antenna 15 foot whip NSN 5985-087-2326) in bag, bag under the ruck straps. Also carried is a set up for long wire and di-pole.


The antenna is held by a common CB truck mirror mount. Ya, that mount goes on after you take off the ruck. If I change the mount slightly, I can use the AT-271 w/AB spring base while walking.
You do get some strange looks on the trail. (shrug)

There is enuf room to put sleeping bag/bivy on the other side so you can rack out after working all that late-night DX.....

Food module, cooking module goes in outside pocket, water module goes in outside pocket, bivy sleeping bag in ruck, FAK and water tabs in ruck cover. Pelican goes under sleeping pad and on top of LC-2 xhelf unit. Antenna bag under top cover straps, battery right now goes wherever I can fit it. Battery, pwr connector, voltmeter and loose any junk goes in Condor case.

I have a lightweight panel if I think I'll be lucky enough to see the sun....

This commo module is **FT-817** + Z auto tuner + **Nuemodem for PSK-31**, will also support **RTTY**, SSB, CW.

Other commo module SG2020 + Z auto tuner + battery,, ant, etc. Just hi-power SSB/CW.

The shelter can be set up for shade or rain. If I don't take the commo, the treking poles allow a kinda Tipi for use with bivy+bag. Tall enuf to sit up in it. Where I camp tends to be thin on trees.

For a 3 day trek, I carry nylon pants and a poly top in case I get soaked, extra socks. A blue shamwow towel thing, toothbrush, camper soap and 'camping stuff'.

With water, no battery, 26ish pounds.

WIth battery too much for multiday hikes, OK for a short in, RON, and out. Perfect to glacier walk and operate at base of ice field.

IF just commo gear, I can set up and operate in under 20 min. If in bear country, no commo, just shotgun and ammo with camping gear....

Enjoy.

(Edit, added images)

[doubleohseven]

Why'd you pick the antenna?

I have a MP-1 for my 817 that I'm quite fond, I'm interested in something a little lighter though.

Also what size pelican is that?
I can fit my radio, 2m jpole, and handmic padded into an 1170 but anything bigger I wasn't sure how to carry.

[TacAir]

Why'd you pick the antenna?

I have a MP-1 for my 817 that I'm quite fond, I'm interested in something a little lighter though.

Also what size pelican is that?
I can fit my radio, 2m jpole, and handmic padded into an 1170 but anything bigger I wasn't sure how to carry.

THe AT-271 w/AB spring base is a 10 foot whip that breaks down like those tent poles some folks use these days. With the spring base and can walk and talk just like back in my active duty days. It is a common ant used on everything from the PRC-25 to a PRC-104.

The AS antenna is from a ANPRC-47, it is 15 ft tall and breaks into sections.

Both work with the LDG tuner and I have worked 40 M and up for local nets and the odd DX contact. PSK foesn't need a lot of power to work a good distance.

Very good for SWL while out and about.

If I am around trees I carry a long wire and a dipole cut to 40 M.

Seems to work for the nets I check into here in AK.

[Noven]

I like that antenna mount on the frame of the ALICE pack. What is the model of the mount so I can put one on MY ALICE pack? =)

[Noven]

Also, I was thinking about getting a Pelican 1500 for my Yaesu FT-100D, Z-100Plus Autotuner, and my SignaLink USB. I would probably get another case just for my laptop for digital modes. You think the 1500 would be big enough for the 3 items? Also, for the rucksack antenna mount... a hamstick would screw into that right? I am not sure where to get a military antenna like that, nor do I know much about what bands it would work on. My commo experience in the Army as limited to what I needed to know =P

[TacAir]

I like that antenna mount on the frame of the ALICE pack. What is the model of the mount so I can put one on MY ALICE pack? =)

regular old radio shack mirror mount

[Noven]

Thanks. I just got a cheap one on ebay with free shipping for like 9 bucks =) Thanks for the inspiration! Its ideas like this that make me a proud ZS member... knowledge is power and all that .

[TacAir]

Also, I was thinking about getting a Pelican 1500 for my Yaesu FT-100D, Z-100Plus Autotuner, and my SignaLink USB. I would probably get another case just for my laptop for digital modes. You think the 1500 would be big enough for the 3 items? Also, for the rucksack antenna mount... a hamstick would screw into that right? I am not sure where to get a military antenna like that, nor do I know much about what bands it would work on. My commo experience in the Army as limited to what I needed to know =P

The smaller ant is the same used on the PRC-104 and PRC-77 (ya, I am that old) - FAir RAdio sales has them.

The other is an AS series from the PRC-47 HF rig.

I use an antenna tuner, a regular 108 in CB ant will go down to 40M with the LDG tuners.

I would take the radios in to where you will look at the pelican cases to see if they will fit.

You don't need a laptop if ou have the NEU-PSK modem. It's all in there - with very little multiplexing hash from the unit as a bonus.

[Noven]

Yeah the NUE-PSK is a neat piece of hardware, but I already have a SignaLink USB =). I know lugging a laptop is crap, but if you have power out in the field, its a great tool to have.

[TacAir]

Yeah the NUE-PSK is a neat piece of hardware, but I already have a SignaLink USB =). I know lugging a laptop is crap, but if you have power out in the field, its a great tool to have.

True.
I have an octopus cable set that I made so everything can run from the same 12VDC power source - I can source from a portable battery, lighter plug and a set of large alligator clips to go right to a large (car/truck) battery.

Not too many sunny summer days in AK so while a solar pamel is nice, you still need to have a good battery as the primary source.
Since my 'fun' ham actoivity, (now that the bands are coming back) is to glacier walk, set up the rig and work whoever I can - can be tough sometimes. I have added the poncho to allow use in the less-than-sunny weather too often seen here in AK.

Good lcuk, hope you are able to make contacts. Unfortunatly, ham radio is a dying hobby - due in no small part to inexpensive Internet connectivity and wide coverage cell phones.

But, when the chips are down, HAM radio is still the way to go for comms with your friends/family.

[Sailor]

I have used pocketdigi on some older Dell handheld organizers before with success.

No need for laptop or nuepsk.

http://www.n0hr.com/PocketDigi/PocketDigi_intro.htm

[Noven]

I have used pocketdigi on some older Dell handheld organizers before with success.

No need for laptop or nuepsk.

http://www.n0hr.com/PocketDigi/PocketDigi_intro.htm

Neat, but do they make PDA's still? =P

[TacAir]

I have used pocketdigi on some older Dell handheld organizers before with success.

No need for laptop or nuepsk.

http://www.n0hr.com/PocketDigi/PocketDigi_intro.htm

Neat, but do they make PDA's still? =P

Several site sell outdates or old PDAs. Ensure batteries/chargers are still avalible B4 you purchase.

Good luck, it is a lot of fun.

[Noven]

Today I will be taking my commo gear to the local park, and setup my commo ALICE pack. I really have no good battery solution yet, so I will be running it from my car battery, so the car will be close to my setup. I plan on putting up a 6m dipole on the trees since the band is really opening up since it is summer, and I will also be putting my 40m hamstick on my antenna mount on my ALICE frame. Laptop will be going, so lets see if I can get any digital action going.

Pictures to follow.

[TacAir]

Today I will be taking my commo gear to the local park, and setup my commo ALICE pack. I really have no good battery solution yet, so I will be running it from my car battery, so the car will be close to my setup. I plan on putting up a 6m dipole on the trees since the band is really opening up since it is summer, and I will also be putting my 40m hamstick on my antenna mount on my ALICE frame. Laptop will be going, so lets see if I can get any digital action going.

Pictures to follow.

Coolness. Looking forward to the photos.

[Noven]

Well, I went out this morning before it hit 110 degrees, and got everything setup. No activity on 6m with the dipole so I switched to HF. Got my 40m hamstick setup, then tuned in the band. Lucky for me, all the General portion of the phone was either quiet or some Mexican Music Station playing all across 7.200-300. Rather annoying. I did hear a ragchew on 7.150, but that is in the Extra band. I listened in, heard them crystal clear.. probably local or maybe a couple hundred miles away since they were talking about Lake Havasu. SOOOO I turn on my laptop to get some PSK31 action. I hook everything up... just to realize that I didn't load fldigi on my laptop

I did get one guy on a bicycle stop and ask me about my setup. He identified all the pieces of my setup, which was neat to meet a fellow HAM. So, not really a success on the actually working stations, but a total success for setting up in the "field" and working HF and digital. Overall, MUCH better reception than in my apartment, with my antennas on my porch.

[TacAir]

Totaly cool beans.

A day spent hamming is better than any dyay at work, eh? Looks like the monsoons about ready to hit.

I spent 3 weeks of June in Tucson helping my sis with her new baby - and at 117 F, it was too hot (for an Alaskan anyway) to more than poke my nose out in the AM.

If you don't have a counterpoise for the Hamstick, consider cutting one or two -- the wire doesn;t weigh much and they could be also used as a dipole or NVIS if you have the space/support to put one up.

40M is tough - but I guess that should be an incentive to upgrade to Extra. THen you can work everyone down in the Basin. DId you try 10M at all?

You want to consider a more perm battery hookup, say, some Anderson Powerpoles.

Thanks for the photos!

[Noven]

I have NO idea what a counterpoise is nor how to make one. I have a 10m dipole on my porch, but my wife has claimed it for the season since her plants have decided to grow on and up it.

Why is 40m tough? Is 20m a better band to work? I can grab a couple more hamsticks later on.

[Noven]

https://plus.google.com/photos/11217353 ... 9831286129

[TacAir]

I have NO idea what a counterpoise is nor how to make one. I have a 10m dipole on my porch, but my wife has claimed it for the season since her plants have decided to grow on and up it.

Why is 40m tough? Is 20m a better band to work? I can grab a couple more hamsticks later on.

Counterpoise = radial = some wire attached at the gounding point oif your verticl ant to 'help'.

40 M is full of noise, BCB hash and intruders - like south amrican fishing boats.
20 M will get more DX, once it is open, but then, so will 10M - if it is open.

Make another antenna, the plants need a home as well.... ; )

[Noven]

can you post a picture of your ALICE pack with a counterpoise so I know what I am suppose to get?

[TacAir]

can you post a picture of your ALICE pack with a counterpoise so I know what I am suppose to get?

Military take on field antennas

A solid discussion on antennas - technical, but that's how you learn.
http://www.antennex.com/shack/Dec06/cps.html

and for fun
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9a1mAAtSbE

Also
www.sgcworld.com/radialstechnote.html

http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index ... ic=70140.0

Hope this helps.

[Noven]

Yeah I looked over the stuff, and watched the video. I understand what a counterpoise is now, but the actual making one and attaching it somehow to whatever is what gets me. How do I make one and where do I attach it to and what and how?

I guess I understand the theory but lack the actual method.

[TacAir]

Take the wire, and strip off a bit of insulation - say, two inces.

Now do this to all the wires you will use for the couterpoise - I use two seperate wires.



IN the image, you see all of the bolts have a nut/washer combo. Take the wires and wrap the bare part under one of the bolt set -- under the washer, which in turn is under the nut. Weap in the direction the nut will turn, this endures the wire will wrap 'tighter' as the nut is turned.

Tighten - ensuring the wire stays under the washer.

Spread the wires out - 90 or 180 degrees from each other.

Like this -

--------- ANT ---------- - = wire


Clear now?