A Complete Station in a 1.5 Pint Container
As I was preparing my emergency supplies per recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security it struck me that it would be nice to have a small ham station packed in there along with the peanut butter, duct tape, etc. If I ever do have to pick things up and run to safety because of some kind of disaster I would like to be able to get on the air and talk to someone, somewhere. The package I put together is shown above. It is a complete station including a transceiver, antenna tuner, battery, keyer paddle, coax jumper, ear buds, log book, pencil, and an antenna pack complete with support line, insulators, and weights for launching. It all fits in a 1-1/2 pint Rubbermaid container and has instructions on the inside of the lid. Below are more photos and information about the components, and some photos of the station in use during a field test. Click on any of the following pictures to see a higher resolution image.
 Transceiver = RockMite |
Because someone is almost always monitoring the 40 Meter QRP frequency (7.040Mhz) it seemed that a simple crystal controlled rig on that frequency would be right for this project. The RockMite by Small Wonder Labs seemed like a good choice because it has a built in keyer, receiver offset, sidetone, two frequencies, QSK, and a 9V battery will power it. |
 Antenna Components |
The end fed half wave seemed like a good choice for the antenna because it radiates well and is relatively easy to erect in a variety of conditions. I was able to come up with three spools that fit inside each other. That allowed me to wind up the antenna, counterpoise, and support line and package them in a very small space. Sinkers fit in the center of the smallest spool and they are used to toss the support line over a tree branch or suitable support structure. For more infomation on the end fed half wave antenna check the AA5TB site and the N2CX "Halfer" |
 Antenna Tuner and SWR Bridge |
In order to match the high impedance of the antenna to the transmitter, I built a tuner that is like the NJQRP "Rainbow tuner" (resonant circuit with tapped coil) and incorporates an LED based SWR bridge like the N7VE bridge used in the Norcal BLT. I built it Manhattan style to fit in an Altoids tin. A tuning tool and jumper are stored in the lid and secured with Velcro |
 Miniature Paddle |
During a visit to the St. Louis area Dave Gauding, NFØR and the fellows there showed me a paddle built in a 1/4 inch stereo phone plug. The paddle I built is like the St. Louis paddle except that it is built in a 1/8 inch plug. It can be plugged directly into the RockMite jack or used on the end of an extender cable. This smaller version is not as functional as the 1/4 inch model Dave showed me but I have made contacts with it and it certainly would work in a pinch. |
 Contents of The Communications Pack |
Also stored in the 1-1/2 pint container are a 9V battery and plug, ear buds, coax jumper, a pencil, and a small log book, the essentials of a complete and functional station. |
 Field Test |
Shortly after I finished the comm pack I went on a wilderness survival campout with my son and our Boy Scout troop. This was a good opportunity to take the Emergency Communications Pack out for its first field test. The scouts were out there to earn their wilderness survival merit badge so emergency communications fit with the agenda. Operating time was limited but I did have QSOs with stations in Maine, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Being early April it was a little cold in the tent at night but the outing proved to be lots of fun. |
 Setup in the Tent |
This is the way the setup looked in the tent although most of the time I powered the RockMite with a 12V battery instead of the 9V. The antenna was tied off to a loop on the top of the tent and extended to a locust tree about 75 feet away. The far end was up about 20 feet. The ATU dangled from the end of the antenna. I did not use the counterpoise and the antenna tuned up just fine without it. |
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