Operated under solar power from Anacapa Island, CA (NA-144) running 5 W using an FT-817 & 18 ft tall vertical. Outstanding signals from around the world sitting 930 feet (230 m) above the blue Pacific. 73 Rob N3RW & Jack KG6RWI
Great video, one all ham content creators should see. Little or no "on camera" time for the presenter, all visual content with narration. One suggestion is if the site is quiet enough, have about 2 minutes of NO narration. Let us hear the wing and nature sounds with the camera looking outdoors. Questions: What antenna did you use? Explain the Rasberry Pi's function in the setup and maybe share the outline of your code if you wrote any How many days did you stay "off grid"? Does your bicycle have a generator to charge your battery on cloudy days? What battery are you using? Your setup is outstanding. You put a lot of thought into the station as well as the video. Thank you for sharing. P.S. The longest I have been off grid was 45 days after Katrina in New Orleans managing the cellular restoration there...BUT...the CEO of my company (a large large company) sent me a diesel motorhome with generator, a brand new one as a surprise. The other workers had camping trailers, large tents, shower tents and mess tent. I was happy with that but I enjoyed using the bus at night living in luxury! I had an FT840 and a little MFJ 1621 on roof (tuner section wrapped in a plastic bag). Easily made CW contacts outside the area and SSB too. CW to a station in Texas who called my wife for me so she knew I was alright. On the 4th day my guys got us internet by running fiber 200 yards to a provider who still had service. The Motor Home at the dealer (the model was "Hurricane" LOL! The FT840. I used a straight key. The MFJ1621. It had a 50 inch whip. Some of the downed cell towers
Possibly if they did, then the R-Pi would have to pass part-90 testing. As it stands now, it's intended for home/SOHO use, and any emissions coming out of it are tested only in that context. But your point is well taken. I would like to see a R-Pi that is designed to be integrated into other larger products.
You are right. The Pi is very RF-noisy out-the-box, requiring good quality ferrites on all cables to control it.
Fully agree. R-Pi is used here only for CAT control and digital emissions using Pi software receiving and sending audio stream via the radio. Indeed using R-Pi directly as transmitter from the pin 12 if I remember is noisy especially if someone wants to amplify that thus requiring filtering. I purchased a small hat kit for 20m from QRPGuys to put it on r-Pi and used WSPR on random wire. It worked and I was heard after 15 minutes in UK and Netherlands when transmitting from Africa.
Julian, you are 'THE MAN' ! No question...If I were 40 years younger....I still couldn't do what you do. I'm a fan of all your videos and exploits, keep up the outstanding work(and fun)....see you on JS8. Dave, K3FHP
Answers in red above to 1 and 5. I am sure if I sit through several videos the others will be answered.
Thanks again for the effort and video Julian. Have you considered operating FT8 on 144 MHz for tropo and Au etc? That of course would require something like the FT-857, or maybe an "FT-867" in Yaesu's future. hi 73,Eric (ex: BQ40, BQ50 grid Ops)
8 years ago I began questioning our political stability and the stability of the grid. I bought a few acres in the Rockie mountains. I built a completely off grid home and I love it here. Yes, the winters can be harsh but not unmanageable. There is a learning curve and an adaptation process. I have all the conveniences of living in a town without the hassle. I'm 45 miles from anywhere but I have indoor plumbing as well as an outhouse. I have hot and cold running water. I have plenty of lighting and a 50" tv. The fridge is electric as well as the coffee pot. One simply needs to consider their power consumption and time of day. My power comes from a hybrid solar and wind arrangement. 1500 watts of solar and 1kw wind turbine into 12 L16 batteries at 24v. Solar is controlled bt an Outback 80a controller and the wind turbine is managed by a home brew controller. The inverters provide 8kw of power. I can use my welder as needed until mid day without compromising my power and my radios are available 24 hours. The AL 84H can be used as desired. This man had to take a trip to see my everyday life, lol. Living off grid is not for everyone. It requires a lot more day to day planning but I am pleased to see he is taking the time to learn the way of life and I admire his willingness to experience operating in a grid free environment. There is a lot to be said about preparing for worse case operations.
Someone, utilizing a spectrum analyzer and a large variety of ferrites, should determine the optimal kit needed, then sell them as a kit to "cleanse your Pi of nasty RF noise".
For those of us who only do voice, is there any real reason for Rasberry pi? I don't contest or anything, just go camping and talk on the radio. I certainly enjoy you very informative post though. Philip
