FEMA Administrator on Amateur Radio

FEMA Administrator on Amateur Radio:

When your local #emergency mgr says #hamradio isn't needed, show them this: https://t.co/LAxTP3zXrF @CraigatFEMA @nycarecs #whenallelsefails

— AmateurRadio.com (@amatradio) July 8, 2015

Hams at the Boston Marathon

Tim (W3ATB) tells his story of working at the Boston Marathon.

Via the ARRL story about hams at the race.

Power

Looks like the ReVolt is no longer available, but they are working on a replacement that may show up in June. (Kudo's to Bill of ReVolt for noticing my original post dropping by to comment.)

While we are waiting on the ReVolt, I've been looking for something smaller to meet my portable, emergency power needs for my phone and other devices. The WireCutter did a round up recently and recommends the Satechi Energy Station 10000.

• Instant dual power - recharge your tablet and smart phone or other mobile devices simultaneously.
• 10000 mAh Lithium Polymer Battery - Rapid charging - faster than charging from a traditional outlet
• Battery life indicator & auto OFF feature that detects when fully charged.
• Lightweight and compact - easily carry it on long flights in your laptop or tablet bag
• Safety Features: Overload protection - Short circuit protection - Overcharge protection - Overdischarge protection

FYI - If you buy through those links, Amazon will be backing up dump trucks full of money at my front door - at no extra cost to you.

Emergency Power

Some interesting emergency power options from Portable Universal Power for the ham on the go. I need a yellow or red ReVolt to match my radios. Check on the pictures on that page of the ReVolt in the Molle pouch and charging the iPad.

Via SaysUncle

UV-3R: Prevent Transmit

If you are using your UV-3R to monitor frequencies where you do not have transmit privileges, you can program the transmit frequency to "0" or NULL. If you press the PTT, then the radio beeps at you, but nothing is transmitted.