At this time, there are 'terrible conditions' for radio communication: solar storm, CME, lightning strikes causing LOUD static and etc. So, no body is able to use HF radio for communication, RIIIIGHT? Oh yes we can. The sked with Cooter ( from this board) using his tiny QRP rig into a simple dipole antenna came through, and he passed formal message traccif to me, to relay onto tonight's ERIN net. Mind you, his radio would fit into a shirt pocket, runs on AA cells or other small battery, almost for-EVER; perfect for if your communications needs are on-the-move. I don't plan on 'bugging-out' anywhere, but if I did ( or just backpacking) a small QRP CW rig is what I would bring along.
So, never mind the nay-sayers on Reddit and etc. who tell you that 'when conditions are just right' that HF radio 'might work', basically, Cooter and I pass two way message traffic ( usually SITREPS ) from roughly 650 miles with his 5 Watts or less with extreme reliability. Digital modes are great and I appreciate the way that ERIN and AmRRON use them, but when the entire station plus antenna must fit into your cargo pocket, QRP CW is how to do it.
- Sir John Honeybucket
Ps. Lest anyone be horrified that they need to be high speed Morse operators, let us assure you that we do this between 12 to maybe 15 word per minute. Slow, ACCURATE Morse is how it is done. Sure beats walking 650 miles back and forth with sticky notes.
