When Hurricane Katrina came, I was deployed to the Kelly flight line where the evacuees were arriving. This experience enlightened me. I (now) have a more informed opinion as to what items I need, packed and ready, for the next deployment. Cross-Band Repeaters need HT’s, HT’s need spare batteries, spare batteries need chargers and chargers need to work on both AC and DC.

My tactical station now consists of the CUCV (with an Kenwood TM-271) which tows a 13 foot "Scamp" (RV) with redundant 2m and 70cm phone, and a (KPC-3+) mobile packet station. There's an HP "e-Vectra" mini PC that's network, as well as, dial-up capable and cell phone compatible, and sports a $50 all-in-one (fax/scan/copy) ink-jet printer. The Sanyo RL-4920 (cellular modem) is equipped with an external Wilson-301101 Dual-Band (800MHz & 1.9GHz) Antenna. The CUCV has a military AT-1011 HF 16 foot vertical antenna, which extends to 32 feet when fully deployed (and stationary).

Power choices include the dual batteries in the CUCV, the battery in the trailer, the portable solar panel recharged deep-cycle marine battery array in the CUCV or the 3125w generator when commercial power is not available.

I picked up the RV (we call it the "EGG") over the internet (sort of "on purpose") on Memorial Day '06 and stress tested it on the following Field Day. I installed the computer system and converted the sink and stove into necessary counter space. The air conditioning and fridge help make emergency communications more comfortable. The laptop which serves as a backup (to the "e-Vectra") is WiFi, network & dial-up capable and cell phone compatible too.

A Kenwood TM-G707 Dual-Bander accomplishes the VHF/UHF mission in the "EGG", with an Alinco DX-70 handling the HF portion, through an MFJ-945E mobile tuner. My Yaesu VX-2 picks up the QRP packet when it's not being used for cross-band repeating. I keep a 40m NVIS antenna in the "EGG" for the next deployment.

Back at the house, the tower is a Rohn HBX-56. The first antenna you'll encounter on a climb up my tower, is an AR-6 (6 meter Ringo) at about 25 feet. A pulley system at the 55 foot mark supports one end of a sloping G5RV. You'll also find a Cushcraft A3S/A743 mounted on the mast at 61 feet. At 66 feet there is a 2m/70cm Comet GP-3.

The barefoot ICOM 746 works HF (via the VC300DLP Tuner) and VHF through the MFJ-921 Tuner. A PAKRATT PK-232(MBX) is the Terminal Node Controller at the QTH.

I am an Assistant Emergency Coordinator with Bexar County ARES (http://www.bexarcountyares.org/) and continue to assist the local community in whatever way I can be best utilized.

I am no longer a "no-code Tech". On February 24th '07 (the first day of the "new" rules) I became a "no-code General".

"CQ" is a Rat Terrier who travels with me on DXpeditions and ECOMM deployments. He doesn't talk much on the radio, but his CW is now approaching 45 words a minute.

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