slow scan television as post-disaster commo

[GySgt D]

Soooo.... a (insert disaster scenario here) goes and distrupts your land line, cellular service, internet connection, and perhaps even your snail mail. You really wanted to show the out-of-state relatives that you are now living under a tarp in 95 degree weather. What to do, what to do?

Not a problem! You wisely decided to forgo the purchase of another $2000 FAL/ACOG combo, and spent your last tax refund on a $500 HF transceiver.

Using the SoundBlaster compatible computer that you are using right now, you simply plug your transceiver's data cable into the headphone and microphone jacks on your computer. Using the slow scan television freeware software that you wisely installed on your computer for just such an occasion, you find the picture that you took of your family's suffering, and hit the "send" button. The computer converts the proof of your destitution (lets call it "sendlawyersgunsandmoney.jpg") into a digital signal resembling that of a phone modem, while simultaneously keying your radio to transmit.

Meanwhile, Uncle Fester, (who also has the same setup, and lives 550 miles away) checks his computer around lunchtime for incoming pictures on the "family calling frequency". The pictures that you sent have been automatically saved on his hard drive. He takes the appropriate measures, and peace and happiness ensue.

"Wow!", you think to yourself. "I sure am glad that I made the investment in amateur radio, rather than buying that set of $350 handguards for my AR-15".

Here's some random pics to illustrate:

A Spanish station sending me back the pic that I sent to them, which allowed me to make any necessary adjustments (increase power, change bands, etc.). That is me in the inset picture, standing in front of a bunker northwest of Ramadi.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/Hist108As.jpg

Same station, sending me his pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/Hist107A.jpg

Much the same, this one from Russia:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/Hist96A.jpg

This one came in real good; from South Africa:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/zs4ph.jpg

From Turkey; not so good quality:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/SSTV.jpg

You never know who is out there listening. Here is a Ukrainian station asking me for my callsign:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200408101555.jpg

I don't have any good pics at the moment showing the interface cable, or of the program interface, maybe later, if there is any interest.

[GySgt D]

Additional examples...

From Germany:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200403291713.jpg

From Crete:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200403300846.jpg

From Italy:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200403311416.jpg

From Hungary. That is me in the inset:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200404041346.jpg

The little brat was making fun of me. From Texas, IIRC:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/200503201625.jpg

A Polish station replaying the pic that I sent. He wanted to see her without the "mustache":
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/frompoland.jpg


Here is a crummy pic from a Russian cargo ship. IIRC, he said he was on the Indian Ocean:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/russianmm2.jpg

From the same ship, different radio operator:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/russianship.jpg

....and finally one from Oman. Addressed to whomever it may concern:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/GySgtD/aw5wg.jpg

[jamesq]

nice! that would make amateur radio more interesting, fo sho. that hungarian guy looks like he might be up to something.

[Da Nerd]

what makes you think the electricity post SHTF will be working?
OR does your computer work on 12v..?

[CR1198]

The German girl sure looks happy with her :beer:, but what's with the Italians and Mount Rushmore? I like the idea, but I'm not sure that would be the way I'd want to use my juice, considering I'll probably be running a small generator or something. It is a neat idea for emergency communication, though.

[adam762]

Actually, Nerd, computers DO run on 12 volts... sorta. PC power supplies produce a very finely regulated 12VDC, as well as 5VDC. Old PC power supplies can make very nice power sources for 12 volt auto appliances.

Hooking your home pc up to the car battery may proove frustrating, though, I admit.

[GySgt D]

I run my computer off of 12VDC power, using either of two methods: use a commonly available inverter from Wally World, or using a cigarette plug adapter.

As for the Italian station, he was quite the america-phile. He sent me a lot of similar stuff.

All of my gear was "field tested" in Iraq. It survived frequent power outages/brownouts, incoming artillery fire, sand storms, and generally nasty conditions all around. With the exception of my 220 to 110 converter, all of the gear needed to do this fit into my laptop case. That is how I brought it in-country.

[lowr8]

:bow:
kudos to you. now i just need my license and a radio!!
LOL
this is really pretty cool, great work

[rochte]

"now i just need my license..."

Well, get it! A technician class license involves a 30 (or is it 35?) question, multiple-choice test. That's it. And the entire question and answer pool is available (for free) online. The best solution, though, is to spend $20 and buy a good study book - check Amazon or arrl.org.

The tech license will allow you to use VHF and higher gear - to use HF (i.e., worldwide "shortwave" frequencies) you'll need to study a little Morse code, too. But start with the tech license and go from there.

And while you're using SSTV on your computer, don't forget about APRS to send your location and even text messages! :)

73, Robert KC8UCH

[Tuscan Raider]

Good idea Gunny.I had no idea.Quick question because I have zero knowledge of this?Can HF be triangulated and found if someone had the gear and gumption?Seems like an ideal form of commo if the other guy can't find the signal.Regulars on Guard

[GySgt D]

Yes, it can be DF'd.
To what degree of accuracy at longer ranges, I dunno.

[kc8kk]

WW II movies, the van with the antenna??? Triangulation on HF is limited to ground wave propogation. Ionispheric bounce propogation would make it a bit more complex. The FCC used to maintain manned monitoring stations around the US, but I think they've pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur (may have automated them away instead) Enough hijack, back to surfing...

[44echo]

Quick question, any chance there is software to do this written for the IPAQ pda?

[GySgt D]

The last time I checked (about a year), there wasn't any written for any pda's.

I'd suspect that eventually there will be.

[GySgt D]

Bumped for the "How to assemble your own radio to computer interface device" thread....