East Wind Comms II training weekend Nov 14-15 in Farmington, Mo.

Every time we use our EB radios, we learn a few more things.

R-392:

First, we still need to test longwire / beam antenna on the 392, but only after fixing the problems below.

We're having what's best described as "microphone gain issues" across all the R-392 sets. Whether used as a jawbone mic or speaking directly into it, volume on the receiving end is too low. My guess is that the mic element is not functioning properly. (I don't remember much about how mics work...gotta do a quick refresher.)

This is really strange, because we used to have intermittent problems with volume on the Rx side, but other times the mic worked really really well.

Course of action:

1) remember the different types of microphones and brainstorm possible causes (crystal, cardioid, something with a diaphragm, etc).

2) clinically test all R-392 sets- Set a remote (250-500m distant) R-105. Establish comms on another R-105 from test site. Line up 392s. Test 'em in succession.

3) with our newly discovered pin-out of the 392 mic cable, think of solutions.

R-105M:

We're getting better an better with these sets! New thoughts:

1) Do some more antenna math regarding the sectional mast antenna to get proper lengths to include in the radio's operating instructions. Then, we need to crunch more numbers to figure out the "combination" antenna which is comprised of both mast sections and the "flexible rod" a.k.a. Kulikov. This combination antenna needs to be tested.

2) On our way home, Misha and I talked about developing our own equivalent of the R-105M's operating instruction panel inside the door. I'm getting on that as soon as I finish the wireless writing for EB training. This card will include a radio panel diagram and descriptions of controls, as well as step-by-step operator's instructions.

R-147P (I think it's "П"...correct me if I'm wrong)

The R-147 Rx/Tx'd clearly from the trailhead we stopped at. I wonder what that range is? Anyway, that was with the shoulder strap antenna, not the duck dodger. That's pretty awesome for such a little set.

R-126

In order to get that set ready to deploy, we may want to beef up the non-OEM wiring a tiny bit- it looked a bit fragile when I poked around in there. It looks like we could do a cleaner job than what's there at the moment.

R-107T

Brett- do you have the translation of the front panel? If not, I'll do a new one between now and whenever we do radio work.

RT-68 in BTR-40

I wasn't privy to testing data gathered during the practical. I wonder if we can get less reflected power thru the whip antenna on the BTR-40 in the freq range required for the NVA's operations? I better read the R-28 manual- even though I won't see the thing often, I feel like I better know the ins and outs beyond very basic "set freq & talk."

Other

We still need to work on radio procedure / prowords / etiquette.