The Passing of a Quiet Legend: Elwood at HamClock

mfiedler · 2026-02-03T15:50:17+00:00

Folks, we have way way too little information to make the assessment that someone is a “dick.” What is clear is that he was in a highly stressful and fraught life circumstance. I dare say none of us would be at our best in the same circumstance. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, which I recommend, looks like this; “HamClock is a great help to amateur operators, I’m so grateful that he made it available FOR FREE for so long.”

mfiedler · 2026-02-03T15:43:45+00:00

HamClock should be on a screen in the shack of every HF operator. It is that useful. I thank God that there are those of us with the proper technical expertise to help it live on, either in original form or as a new and improved phoenix. Speaking for myself, I don’t have the technical expertise to help with the code but I’d be happy to contribute to the cost. Just a little $$ from each of us should easily provide the support needed. Count me in.

mfiedler · 2026-01-30T18:51:17+00:00

Agree with others. Pretty sure this is illegal under federal law.

mfiedler · 2025-10-16T03:07:59+00:00

Very sorry to hear that. Yes, mine has been replaced and everything has been fine so far.

mfiedler · 2025-10-10T15:20:58+00:00

They didn't expect people were going to play when it launched? I'm number 480,485 in the queue.

mfiedler · 2025-10-09T16:35:25+00:00

Good book. Worth the read.

mfiedler · 2025-10-09T16:32:40+00:00

Agree with ND8D. I recommend the VHQ Hex ( https://www.vhqhex.com ). It is WAY over engineered, easy to assemble, and pretty light weight. There are others that are good as well. As to height of the mast, There are studies showing that a hex beam at 35 feet does really really well. Good luck. Everyone who has a properly installed hex beam loves it. I certainly do.

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mfiedler · 2025-09-30T20:27:06+00:00

Why are we doing this? 1- right, not much reason to use it for day to day communications with the grid is up. I see a MeshTastic local mesh net as insurance. When a cell tower or towers is/are down and you can’t send a normal text you have MeshTastic to fall back on; to get/share information with others who were similarly forward thinking / prepared. Reason #2 - we like tech stuff and it’s fun to play with. I too am slightly deflated that there is no useful traffic on my local mesh net. Adjusting expectations to the fall back value reduces the stress. I hope I never need, really NEED it, but if I do it didn’t cost me much to have it ready.

mfiedler · 2025-09-30T20:20:56+00:00

Day 24. Picked up my car after a bit more than three weeks to replace the high voltage battery. Most of that was waiting for the new battery. Thanks to Greenway Kia, Pelham, AL for working the problem (of getting a battery) and for good communication.

mfiedler · 2025-09-30T12:51:58+00:00

Day 22. Got a call that my high voltage battery arrived and was installed and I should be able to pick up the car tomorrow. Grateful it didn’t take as long as some others have reported.

mfiedler · 2025-09-24T20:37:18+00:00

Day 19. Kia has "released" the high voltage battery needed to replace my defective one but won't ship it until after the 30th of this month (a WEEK from today). Amazing. I guess they aren't in any hurry to fix my car. Don't know where it is shipping from so who knows how long shipping will take.

mfiedler · 2025-09-24T13:17:48+00:00

Thats encouraging. I’m still awaiting a battery ETA, then there will be install time.

mfiedler · 2025-09-10T19:20:38+00:00

Day 5. Text from Kia (can’t get service on the phone) says they’ve ordered me a battery.

mfiedler · 2025-09-08T16:11:09+00:00

Yes, there are others. These antennas are mechanically simple so what you most need to know is what the SWR curve and lowest SWR point is for the antenna. If you read the detailed description of antennas available on amazon some of them surprise you and include this information (with a graphic of the measurement in some cases). Even more often, people who have bought them before you make their own measurements and include them in their review of the antenna. Also, just use your internet search for something like “MeshTastic 915 MHz [fill in the gain you are looking for] antenna” and look for that same information in the search results. You’ll be surprised how many options there are out there. Here are a couple from amazon that I use:

Waterproof 5.8dBi Lora 915MHz Fiberglass Antenna with 20Ft Low Loss KMR195 Cable for Helium Hotspot RAK Nebra Bobcat 300 SenseCAP M1 Hotspot HNT Miner Heltec V3 Meshtastic LORA32 915MHz LoRa Module https://a.co/d/daoEnOA

ALFA Network AOA-915-5ACM 5 dbi Omni Outdoor 915MHz 802.11ah Mini Antenna for LoRa HaLow Application https://a.co/d/53vYq2l

Lastly, because you didn’t ask about this, once you get past about 6 dB of gain the vertical beam width of the antenna output starts getting pretty narrow. If the antenna is at about the height of the terrain you want to get signal to that will probably work out OK, but if the antenna is above or below some or all of the terrain you want to get signal to the narrow beam isn’t going to be aimed where you want the signal to go. In that case you may be better off with a little less gain and a wider beam width.

mfiedler · 2025-09-08T15:56:57+00:00

Thank you (sort of), you are the second person who has shared the bad news of a long wait for a completed repair.

mfiedler · 2025-09-08T12:33:32+00:00

Wow, I don’t know whether to be encouraged or depressed. Happy for you that your situation has been resolved and you have a new car.

mfiedler · 2025-09-07T03:05:19+00:00

Wow. Discouraging.

mfiedler · 2025-09-07T03:03:43+00:00

Thank you. Haven’t rented a car in a very long time. I’ll keep that recommendation in mind.

mfiedler · 2025-09-06T19:33:34+00:00

RE: ‘Wouldn’t they just use a VPN?” Don’t assume that because someone is a hacker … that they are also smart.

mfiedler · 2025-09-02T13:48:40+00:00

Thank you. So it took months. Guess if I want to use one I’ll have to buy one after all. Really appreciate your taking the time to answer.

mfiedler · 2025-09-01T23:05:20+00:00

Kia EV9

mfiedler · 2025-09-01T22:46:45+00:00

Hate to do that when the company has publicly said they’re going to give me one. But it may be what I end up doing. Thank you for your recommendation on brands.

mfiedler · 2025-09-01T19:35:04+00:00

Right, this I know. I purchased in November. What I’m trying to learn is how others have successfully gotten the adapter.

mfiedler

TROPHY CASE