Amateur Radio for Home Power People Windy Dankoff KE5HV & Brian Green N6HWY Recent issues of Home Power have mentioned ham radio and its practicality for independently-powered folks. When I was in high school in the late 60's, you couldn't keep me away from radios. I got my ham license and was thrilled to discover how easily I could talk with people all over the world. Eventually I got tired of all the "nerds" out there who had nothing to talk about. Then, just as I was shifting interest to environmental concerns and independent living, I happened to tune into the New Directions Roundtable (NDR). NDR was a nationwide network of hams with information to share about energy systems, self-reliance, economics and environment. In the late 70s, the West Coast NDR was active enough to be a practical forum for useful info exchange among about 30 active members. We had an established frequency at which we would meet three evenings per week, like friends at the corner bar. A typical session would include about 10 people with various guests and family members chiming in. One person would moderate the discussion to keep it on track and see that no one was left out while we would concentrate on specific, pre-scheduled topics of discussion. Occasionally a guest speaker was brought in to address a special subject, which might be anything from alternators to zucchini recipes. I gave several talks on wind power, batteries etc., and obtained answers to countless questions of my own from the pool of expertise available. I also made some lasting friendships. Some of the members of the old NDR have formed the West Coast HOME POWER NET, and we are proposing a schedule of frequencies to help other nets from around the country. Not all these nets are established, so if you are able and willing to participate, please HELP START THEM by calling "CQ HOME POWER" at these times and frequencies: 7.230 to 7.250 MHz at 16:30 Local on Sundays ( US West Coast) 3.900 MHz at 19:30, 20:30, 21:30, & 22:30 Local on Tues, Thurs, & Sun 7.240 MHz at 18:30, 20:00, & 21:00 Central US Time on Fri & Sun 14.290 MHz at 17:00, 19:00, & 20:30 Local on Sat & Sun 7.110 MHz (Novice CW) at 22:00 Local on Weds & Sat. Listen for CQHP from KE5MI If you don't get any action, please keep trying! Future issues will re-list schedules as Home Power Nets crystallize. If you DO get a regular schedule established, let us know so we can publish it! If you are NOT a ham radio operator, you might contact one who has the equipment to operate on these frequencies. Look for wires in the air, or a tower in your neighborhood with an antenna that looks like a TV or CB antenna on steroids. It might be a ham who can help you communicate with us! Remember hams provide a service, and do it for fun. Most will be happy to involve a friend or neighbor. We encourage Home Power people to become licensed amateur radio operators. See HP#5 for inspiration. Licensing involves learning morse code, some radio theory and laws, and passing an exam. Used equipment can be had for under $500 that will put you in touch with our net AND with other hams worldwide! The transistorized 12 Volt equipment uses no more power than a car stereo (10 Watts or less) to receive. While transmitting, it's typically about 100 Watts average. Not much electric power for the potential you can tap! Windy Dankoff Home Power Net News On 19 June 1988, home power hams got together on 40 meters. It was like old home week, most of us had been active on the New Directions Roundtable (NDR). NDR was a local version of the international net started by Copethorne MacDonald of Mother Earth News. We all agree that the time is right for renewable energy (RE) to grow; there have been many changes since the NDR was running. I received an informative letter from Gary Peterson of Breckenridge, CO. As a SWL, he passed signal reports for everyone on the net's first session. Gary just passed his Novice exam and is waiting for his ticket. Gary's station and homestead is powered up with PVs and microHydro. We're looking forward to hearing Gary on the air. Congratulations, Gary! I have it on good authority that Ann Taylor Jones N7LFM has been reading "The How To Do It!" manual by Mary Duffield WA6KFA. Ann and 149 senior citizen's club members built a trailer park for retired seniors near Yuma, AZ. Knowing the importance of emergency communications, Ann started studying the ARRL novice exam material (see Home Power #5). On 22 March 1988, she passed her Novice exam. On 16 April 1988 she passed her Technician exam, on 14 May 1988 she passed the General exam. The icing on the cake is that on 18 June 1988 Ann passed her Advanced Amateur exam. That's four grades of license in 4 months! Outstanding! Ah, you folks that have been putting off upgrading your license take noteÉ Wayne Green W2NSD/1, the driving force behind 73 Magazine, has been pushing hard to make ham radio grow. There are a lot of good articles written for novices and aspiring novices. Check it out. I agree with Windy KE5HV about getting local area nets started. We will print any time, frequencies and call signs that are sent us. This is a good way to hook up for local 2 meter work. Tomorrow its back to stacking pallets in the warehouses of Tri-Valley Growers with my good friend Jim Cook, ole' number 4. 73s, Brian The following are the folks that are making the Home Power net happen: Windy KE5HV, Santa Cruz, NM Johnny K7JK, Grants Pass, OR Len WA6 ZXZ, Tuscon, AZ Richard KE5MI, Arlington, TX Buffy W6PSC, San Juan Capistrano, CA Jim NK6P, Monrovia, CA Bill KG6IN, Escondido, CA Mike WB6EER, San Simeon, CA Mary WA6KFA, Santa Cruz, CA Mike K8XF/MM Len WB6ZLQ, Fresno, CA Rick N7ANL, Sandpoint, ID Pat K6CXA, Van Nuys, CA Dave KF6HG, Yreka, CA Silent Key