Gary and Sandi ask:
Hi Byron, Would you mind sharing with all of us exactly how you keep up with email, internet etc. via ham radio?Well, the topic sure doesn't lend itself to succinctness but I'll try to be brief.
In short, there are several methods of utilizing ham-to-internet-email
gateways. I presently happen to enjoy using the HF PACTOR systems most
of all. Those systems and the humans who provide them are prone to serving
the needs of maritime mobile stations onboard vessels at sea, AND RVers.
In
fact, some of the best gateway software has been designed BY active
RVers FOR active RVers. And they've done it well.
One of the clever reasons that the PACTOR systems work so well goes something like this:
1. I have a puny system in my Airstream. It only puts out a hundred watts and the antenna is only a vertical. Doesn't matter because...
2. ... the PACTOR systems are located all over the country, and indeed all over the world. Meaning that -- propagation considerations being the topic here -- chances are strong that you'll find one that is very strong wherever you happen to be camped. And...
3. The PACTOR systems tend to have high power, directional antennas, and are clearly able to really crank up the chances of success, even when my onboard-the-Airstream system is so relatively poor. And ...
4. ... The PACTOR systems scan numerous bands, searching for your signal. This is crucial because, while one band may not support propagation between you and the PACTOR system, there doggone well ought to be one (or more) bands that WILL.
Confused yet? Take a peek at WB8IMY's book entitled "Your HF Digital Companion". It's available for ten bucks plus shipping at www.arrl.org and is yet another of Steve's excellent books.
Best regards,
Byron Hurder, KY1T
Searching like crazy for a consulting contract in Texas...