Emergency Ham Van

This is a 1994 Ford E-350 with 364,000 miles on it. I have set it up for emergency use if needed. I own the van but keep the Milton Amateur Radio Club emblem on it because I try and give 100% to the club.

When I go camping & fishing I can set up on the riverbank and TRY and get a few fish or just work SSB or Digital modes. (PSK, Field Hell, EasyPal, or SSTV)

I have gone from 225 pounds to 300 pounds since 2005. In my mind, I blame it on all the pills from the VA but I have to take some of the blame. My 2012 goal is to get back to my 2005 weight. Starting today. 01/01/2013 (310-)

The ICOM IC-7400 isn’t part of the van. It was used in 2012 IOTA NA-142.

This was a dream radio to work. Ban switching was simple, twisting knobs made DX just flow into the radio.

The only drawback to me was the price. Being a Disabled Veteran it’s out of my range. It is now back at Icom.

The Yaesu FT-890 and Kenwood TS-120 are still working as workhorses. All of the radio gear in the van is my equipment.

Everything I own is old. I have collected them over the years. It just proves you don’t have to have $100,000 in radio gear to get the job done. It helps, but only the county and governments can do that. The computers were given to me by other hams they were broken. I fix them and brought them back to life. They’re slow, but they work.

This is the passenger side of the Ford Ham Van setup. All older but working gear.

Two meter VHF, UHf, VHF Marine Band, 11 Meter CB Band, 6 Meter FM, Two Meter APRS.

All Band Scanners.

This is my way of trying to give back for the many years of ham radio that I have enjoyed.

I wish more people could get into the hobby for the enjoyment of being a regular Amateur Radio Operator. We have too many hams getting a license for just doing EOC use or to help in furthering their jobs.

You can train and train and get them the license but you never hear them on HF or VHF or UHF bands. Now day’s money is a big problem with equipment prices climbing and climbing. Now you can see the reasons that local hams call me the names listed earlier.

I pray that I never have to use any of this equipment but it’s here if there is a need and everybody else’s equipment isn’t working.

Remember the old saying, Keep It Simple Stupid!

Their words are my words and only my words. I believe that most of the United States people have come to being lead around like sheep.

They have given up on themselves and are relying on the government to do everything for them.

That’s one of the reasons that people don’t take the time to stock for and water supplies before a bad storm.

The government will take care of us. What happens to people helping people, sharing, and building things together?

One word; LAWYERS!