Getting Ready

 

I have a trip coming up, but more importantly, hurricane season is right around the corner. The start of the season, 01 June is less than 3 weeks away.  Today, I took a look at the Radio Flyer, my micro camper.  this camper is well suited for things like POTA activations and can serve as a place to operate and live in during a disaster response. I had recently washed the bedding and blankets for the camper so I brought them out and set them inside.  I recently put the battery on the charger to bring it up to a full charge.  I hooked the camper up to the house and ran the fridge and A/C. Both were working fine.

I checked the lights and the roof fan, all good to go.

The camper can run on battery (12 volt only, no A/C), 110v house current or campground 30/50 amp connection.  In addition, I have an adapter to run the camper off of a generator if need be.  The camper is small and lightweight, I only lose about mile to a mile and a half per gallon when pulled by my pickup truck.  

May is a good time to start going through your stuff.  The weather is pleasant while still warm enough to test the A/C.  If you are an EmComm/ARES type, now is the time to check your gear. Run your radios, check/test your antennas, charge your batteries and make sure everything works.  Inventory your gear, make sure everything is where it's supposed to be. Each year, I try to add/replace a few things. POTA is a great way to make sure your gear is in working order and it's fun.  During an activation, I run one of my EmComm radios.  I can use a "big" radio because the most I might carry it is 50 yds.  Most of the time it's from my truck to the camper.

While you are checking everything else out, how about you?  When was the last time you were to the doctor?  How is your weight? Blood pressure? Blood glucose? Are you exercising? There are stressors during a deployment that can put you over the edge.  Remember, you are there to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.  Granted, healthy people can keel over dead, but they are less likely to.  Take care of your self so you can take care of others.

One last tidbit.  If you haven't gotten one, consider getting a Starlink Mini.  They are cheap now.  They have a monthly maintenance program for $5.00/month that can be upgraded through Starlink.  In other words you stay on the maintenance program until you actually need more bandwidth and then turn it on, even from the disaster area.  The Mini is small and takes up almost no space.  It will run off of battery power.  Add a solar panel and Bob's your uncle.

There you have it, take some time and be ready.  If nothing happens, you still gain the knowledge that your gear is ready for any adventure be it fun or emergency. Know your gear, know how it works. How well can you operate your radio if you only pull it out every year or so?  Know yourself, how well you work, and how you operate in uncommon environments.  Get out and operate more than once a year or so. Stay safe, and stay ready - de Scott