The Unusual Suspects

When ALL else fails Amateur radio gets through.

KD5YZU

Erik Rabe

4030 New Mathis Rd

Elmendorf, Tx 78112

Grid Square: EL09te

State: Texas

County: Bexar

License Class: General

Latitude: 29.177269

Longitude: -98.413210

QSL by Mail: Yes

QSL by E-QSL: YES

2 Meter Grid Chaser: No

6 Meter Grid Chaser: No

Active on: 80,40,20,15,12,10, 6, 2,70c

BIO: In the summer of 2003 I bought a 1984 Military Blazer (CUCV) over the internet (sort of by accident). This camouflage suburban assault vehicle had these massive antenna mounts that needed antennas, so I got my ticket. That’s it. The truck needed antennas, antennas need radios, radios need operators and operators need licenses. I began to collect gidgets and gadgets that would fit nicely into this slot or that box in the CUCV. I thought that I had everything I needed...

During Katrina, I was deployed to the Kelly flight line where the evacuees were arriving. This experience enlightened me. I (now) have a more informed opinion as to what items I need, packed and ready, for the next deployment. Cross-Band Repeaters need HT’s, HT’s need spare batteries, spare batteries need chargers and chargers need to work on both AC and DC (or solar). I have also learned (since Katrina) that the greatest need in the forward deployed area is Digital Signal Processing (DSP), which is the ability to send regular email over HF. If you're not already a DSP subject matter expert, you need to become one.

My portable/tactical station consists of a CUCV which tows a 13 foot "Scamp" RV (affectionately nicknamed the "EGG"). The  distinctive CUCV has a military AT-1011 HF 16 foot vertical antenna, which extends to 32 feet when fully deployed (and stationary). I picked up the EGG over the internet (sort of "on purpose") on Memorial Day '06 and stress tested it on the following Field Day. The built-in computer system, air conditioning and fridge make emergency communications comfortable. The latest photographs as well as the inventory of communications and power devices in the CUCV, EGG and the QTH, can be found at http://www.qrz.com/db/kd5yzu.

I am an Assistant Emergency Coordinator with Bexar County ARES (http://www.bexarcountyares.org/) and a.k.a. AAR6OD, an active Texas Army MARS member.

"CQ" is my Rat Terrier who travels with me on DXpeditions and selected ECOMM exercises. He doesn't talk much on the radio, but his CW is now approaching 45 words a minute.

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Copyright © 2011 - Gregory Lewis {N5XO}