AMATEUR RADIO COVERAGE INDEX We are currently seeking a new Amateur Radio Editor for TCTR Publications. If you have technical writing experience, are interested in providing detailed technical articles and relevant news articles, and would like to do so without pay (all of our staff are volunteers) then please send an e-mail to editor@commtechreview.net. NOTE: A number of readers have asked if we would review the PacTerm software that is intended to work with the KAM-XL (review below). We have been in contact with the makers of that software but they can not supply a copy of their software for us to review. Here is a part of the response we received... "For some reason, some hams don't put value with software, even though as much development costs goes into desiging and developing software as does hardware (and most of the time more money than hardware). The cost to design and maintain Pacterm is about $300,000." I apologize to our readers, but this is one product that it does not look we will be able to review. We don't have the budget to go and buy every product out there, and we have no need for their software ourselves. Welcome to our expanded coverage of the world of Amateur Radio. You will find everything here from ARRL to Zepp [end-fed that is!]. What's News? Kantronics KAM-XL TNC - Review Available Now MAKING YOUR OWN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS VEHICLE: Many ARES groups have a dedicated incident communications vehicle. But why can't - or why shouldn't - every HAM have their own. Think of how much more useful we would be. If each of us had the ability to provide on-the-spot mobile emergency communications, we would be a lot better off. In the modern world with the looming threat of another terrorist attack, it's just smart. It would also enhance our usefulness to Search-And-Rescue and other organizations. You may not need a complete Mobile Incident Command Center, but a vehicle equipped with VHF, UHF, HF, APRS, ATV, and a good TNC could sure come in handy. Selecting a vehicle is just the first step. You don't need a Unimog Commo Truck or even a van. How about a Jeep Wrangler? They are perfect for SAR and are ideal for off-road fun. Granted they are not ideal for installing a ton of radios, but we recently located a product from TUFFY that solves that. Click here to read about it. We are working on a 1999 Wrangler Sahara that will show YOU how to do it. It will include the following radio products... Icom IC-706MKII-G - All-band/All-mode radio Icom AH-4 Antenna Tuner and Icom AH-2b Antenna Element Kenwood TM-D700A for voice, packet data, APRS and more Lowrance iFinder GPS Midland 79-290 CB Uniden BC-796D Radio Frequency Scanner with APCO 25 Trunking Click here to read about it and the products installed in it. Are you ready to use your skills to provide communications during a disaster or emergency? Do You Have Your "Grab And Go Kit" With You At All Times? Are All Of Your Batteries Charged? Do You Have Alkaline Battery Backup Packs? Do You Have A Cigarette Lighter Plug For Your Radio? Do You Have Vehicle-Mountable Antennas In Your Kit? Do You Know The Emergency Frequencies For Your Area? Do You Know What Your Local Emergency Nets Are? Have You Been Through Drills To Practice Your Skills? Are You Prepared To Help? You can take a look at a new article here detailing my personal emergency response kit. I have had a few snide comments from some people about how "geeky" it looks. Well guess what? I don't care. I know what my capabilities are and what I can do with it. I know that I am prepared to help in any emergency situation. I keep it in my trunk, and I always park my car where - in an earthquake - it won't get crushed so that I can get to it. I was a Boy Scout. I believe in being prepared. With the situation on 11-September-2001, I think that all of us can be a little more prepared.  - Jim, K7FTP Emergency Communications Supply of Florence, Oregon has made some additions to their product line. Reflective Name and Callsign patches are now available for their vests. You can take a look at our review of their vests by clicking on the button to the left. Need To Change Your Address With The FCC? That's easy, just file an ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE through the ULS. Do not file a MODIFICATION - AU is the option to choose.