Search results

Hi folks, I need a good number of hill days before going for my ML training. I'm based at Dounans Centre, Aberfoyle, Trossachs, and I'm looking for people to go and practice some skills with. I have no transport and I'm finding it difficult to get places! I'm a volunteer at the centre after...

Good tips folks! I'll try some of this.

Does anyone have any knowledge of natural tinder that works well with a firesteel? I'm sick of using tissue paper, and I really need something I can find lying around in case myself or my kit get wet through. I do canoeing/bushcraft so this is even more important.

The weekend course for the foundation licence doesn't really cover morse. It isn't required for the exam any more. I learned morse in my own spare time and use it on air. It doesn't take that long. You could probably do it in a weekend if you really went for it though!

I don't believe it! I was searching through some old threads when I came across this one. I built this radio a little while back, and it's been a real little cracker! The receive on this thing is awesome; you can really pull out those weak signals and filter out those nearby stations. Also the...

It's a very nice idea! But unfortunately I would be unable to commit to anything at this time, I'll keep a note of the folks on this thread though, and maybe organise something in the future if possible. I'd love to say I could make it but I wouldn't want to let anyone down if things didn't go...

If any of you folks use the radio while bushcraftin'/wilderness traveling, what sort of antenna arrangements do you make? I was thinking along several lines: 1. Doublet (inverted V position) used with ATU 2. End fed wire used with ATU 3. Resonant dipole (possibly no ATU) Any...

Greetings fellow antenna enthusiast! I think Code Quick is probably the best way you can learn code from a complete cold start. It uses the language centre of the brain right from the beginning and gets you thinking in morse in no time. I've heard it said that it could even teach a tree stump...

I was musing on almost exactly the same lines myself Doc. I think both ideas are fantastic. Not been on 80 since I was in scouts mind, I might have to look into ordering some new xtals or just order a new Rockmite ($27 you can't go wrong!)

I agree entirely, it seem more 'natural' than other forms of long distance communication, with signals arriving at the receiver via a path which is not man-made. I think QRP brings you closer to that early pioneering spirit which the early inventors must've felt, the magic is definitely still...

Good luck on the foundation course Richard, send me a PM if you need some soldering done for your Rockmite. I've done so much recently I'm thinking of getting a solder pipeline put in so I'd have it right on tap! Don't forget to order a nice ATU kit with your Rockmite and you'll be away. The...

Hmmmm, all this talk of the Elecraft KX1, mentioned several times now. I'll check this rig out methinks. I didn't expect to find so many fellow amateurs on here, and they are all code proficient at at least 20wpm it seems! I'm no speed demon, I used to be able to copy at around there but it...

I've hardly used 30m at all, I've got a 5W Howes CW rig with interchangable band modules and a 30m plug in I've never really used. I think it's sometimes the 'forgotten band' with folks jumping directly from 20 to 40 without stopping! So much so that I forgot I owned the module and only just...

I've also noticed this, the interest stateside is far greater than in the UK. It's a shame because I think it would interest so many people. For anyone interested, find out about foundation licence courses in your area. The courses run over a few weekends and is a gentle introduction to...

Hi folks, Just wondered who else enjoys combining their bushcraft stuff/wilderness travel etc. with amateur radio (HF QRP (low power)). I've been into radio stuff for a while and usually combine the two, I find they compliment one and other well. I use a tiny radio transceiver called a...

The term bushcraft to some might mean the ideal of self sufficiency, making full use of what the land has to offer, but to others a mounting kit list of everything but the kitchen sink, and probably more, is an absolute necessity when venturing out into the woods. I have read some claims of...

Speckled Jim was the pigeon in blackadder IV, the one that captain blackadder shot and ate for his lunch and was subsequently court martialed for. This is my favourite episode in my favourite television series.

I think that your comment about 'something still the inside us that connects us with our ancestors fear of the forest' is a very perceptive one. I think that there is definitely some inbuilt circuitry deep within our subconscious which still manages to find its way out into our waking lives...

My recent purchase of a brand new hammock from ebay prompted me to explore a brand new area of bushcraft (for myself at least), and find a whole range of new possibilities for myself that had previously lain undiscovered. The main advantage I immediately saw was to be liberated from the need to...

I think that I will try the flint and steel approach, I think it sounds quite fun, but more importantly it seems like a lot less effort and my poor old arms are taking the strain! Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I'm sure I will enjoy being here. Thank you.