How I got interested in ham radio.

I stopped by a friends house to visit. They were setting up for a yard
sale. I looked around and found a morse code key, speaker and a instructional tape from the ARRL. I thought this could be an interesting way to fill up some spare time and asked "How much?", "No charge."

I took the items home put in the first tape and heard about ARRL. I wondered if the ARRL had a website. I did a quick search and found it. I poked around the site and became interested in ham radio. I found a club in the area and signed up for a free class to get a Tech class license. The first night of class was 9-11-01.

I showed up for class and my instructor Walter, KA2RGI explained that due to the World Trade Center attacks class was canceled, but the evening could still be educational. As the Towns EC he explained how he and other radio operators were in contact with emergency personel in New York City.

Today I am still a tech, but I am a member of my local ARES / RACES and an Assistant Emergency Coordinator. I am not a big fan of contesting, but I do enjoy particpating in public service events and learning about and being prepared for disasters.

To be ready for disasters I have been doing research on what other people have done in the area of "Go Bags" or "Go Kits". I learned its best to several kits and not to carry every item. I have tried to keep it simple.

Kit 1 - What I carry to Work.

Being one of the thousands who walked out of New york City on 9-11, I assembled this one to have items that would have been nice to have on 9-11 and a few extra more comfort items. Its purpose is to keep me informed of whats happening while I get myself home.

An Alinco 2m radio, programmed with repeaters frequencies from NYC to Babylon

A small first aid kit

Empty Sucrets container with extra batteries and antibacterial moist wipes

8 hour glow stick

Pocket sized poncho

Puff's facial tissues

Dustmask, cash, NYC street map, NYC subway map, FCC license, pen/pencil and pad

Kit 2 - For public service & emergencies

I store most of these Items in a Rubbermaid ActionPacker Totebox. ICOM T81a HT with extra batteries, Wall/Auto charger, Window clip antenna mount, extra gain antenna, speaker-mike, headphones, headset, glowsticks, small clipboard, Leatherman Wave, pen/pencil, a few items from my work kit, energy bars, water and a small backpack.

This box worked well when I was net control for a local run. I needed to monitor 2 frequencies and use the 2m/440 in my vehicle, everything worked out well. I plan on adding a cookie sheet to the underside of the box lid to place a magmount antenna.

Kit 3 - In the making

I am assembling another kit for a remote setup. For a home base station that I can easily transport to wherever I have another 2m/440 radio and a telescoping mast called the Wonderpole. All I need is to do now is decide on a dual band antenna and get some antenna cable and i am ready to go. I picked up a patio umbrella stand that will support the mast for indoor and outdoor events.

As part of my towns emergency plan is the use of Packet Radio. I have not decided if I should go with a Rigblaster or a TNC.

Updated October 10, 2004