2022 – 2 South Dakota Trip 1

A sudden change in plans caused a unplanned trip to South Dakota. This time in the wife’s C300 with no antennas (see Florida Trip) and hardly a magnetic surface. A quick mount of the Florida Trip equipment and off we went – the dog and I.

Ham equipment was again monitoring the usual 146.52 and 446.0 – nothing. Another radio monitored BM TG3100 but due to the endless “testing” and over modulated newbies, not for long. I had a few QSOs with my friend N2KTO on D-Star XLX029, but D-Star is squirrelly when traveling a a good speed switching cell/data towers. Like it or not, it appears DMR has a better recovery protocol than D-Star. But, nevertheless, it was great company on a 24 hour haul – times two to become round-trip.

I am still searching for the next generation road radio. Monitoring GMRS and CB19 AM were quiet. I still think the ham-magic may be talk groups on DMR dedicated to the major interstate numbers could be the future. I would sure hate to throw in the towel and use Zello!

The K7RA Solar Update April 26, 2024
"ASWFC GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING ISSUED AT 0733 UTC/26 APRIL2024 BY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE WEATHER FORECASTING CENTRE."A coronal hole wind stream has moderately enhanced the solar windspeed and been associated with several hours’ worth of southward IMFparameter Bz. For this reason, it is possible that periods of G1-G2geomagnetic storm conditions may be observed."INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVI...
The K7RA Solar Update April 19, 2024
Solar activity increased dramatically this reporting week (April11-17), and thirteen new sunspot groups emerged. One appeared onApril 11, two more on April 13, three more on April 14, another twoon April 15, one more on April 16 and another two on April 17. OnApril 18 an additional two sunspot groups emerged, and the dailysunspot number […]
Active Hurricane Season Predicted for 2024 April 13, 2024
Colorado State University (CSU) hurricane researchers predict an active Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) in their initial 2024 forecast.ARRL Director of Emergency Management Josh Johnston, KE5MHV, attended the National Hurricane Conference in Florida in late March, where the CSU prediction was issued. "The common discussion at the National Hurricane Conference this year […]
Amateur Radio Saves Family in Death Valley National Park April 12, 2024
Death Valley National Park is in a remote desert in southern California, where mobile phone networks are spotty at best. On Saturday, April 6, a radio amateur and his family were enjoying the park when their vehicle became stuck in mud in a dangerous area. Without access to a cell network, the ham called for […]
Ham Radio Active During Eclipse April 12, 2024
Millions of people across the United States got to see a rare solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.The path of totality -- the line of darkness where the moon fully occluded the sun -- stretched through the South Pacific, Mexico, central Texas, the Ozarks, the Midwest, the Rust Belt area, and to New England […]