Fallback Engineering Project · KM7GHS

Ham Radio

A maintained record of the KM7GHS station, the systems connected to it, the way they are operated, and the work still required to make them dependable.

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Status

Operational + Building

Callsign

KM7GHS

Primary area

Goodyear, Arizona

Last updated

July 2026

Purpose

Ham radio is part communications tool, part technical laboratory, and part community.

This project documents how the station is actually used: local repeater conversations, simplex, APRS, digital voice, internet-linked systems, vehicle operations, field deployments, experimentation, and emergency-preparedness support.

The objective is not to own every mode or collect radios like commemorative plates. The objective is to build several useful communication paths, understand their dependencies, operate them competently, and know what remains available when one path fails.

Operator profile

Operator: Eric Howell
Callsign: KM7GHS
Publishing identity: Grey Operator
License: Technician
Operating area: Arizona, primarily the Phoenix West Valley
Interests: VHF/UHF, mobile and field communications, APRS, System Fusion, DMR, AllStar, EchoLink, antennas, digital tools, and resilient communication systems

Current station

Handheld

Yaesu FT5DR

VHF/UHF analog
System Fusion / C4FM
APRS position, status, and messaging
Portable repeater and simplex operation
ADMS-14 programming workflow

Mobile

Yaesu FTM-510DR w/ASP

Installed in a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe
VHF/UHF analog and System Fusion
APRS and stored message workflow
Remote control head and mobile operating position
ADMS-18 programming workflow

Linked systems

Pi-Star hotspot
BrandMeister DMR talkgroups
YSF and FCS rooms
EchoLink mobile access
AllStar node and DVSwitch experimentation

Computing & logging

QRZ contact logging
Radio programming backups
Linux-based radio tools and experiments
Future custom logging utilities
C64 QSO logger and digital QSL project

How the systems fit together

System	Primary use	Important dependency
VHF/UHF simplex	Nearby direct communication without a repeater	Terrain, antenna, power, and another station in range
Local repeaters	Regional communication and club activity	Repeater coverage and continued repeater operation
APRS	Position, status, telemetry, and short messages	Digipeater or gateway coverage for wider distribution
System Fusion / WIRES-X	Digital voice and participating linked rooms	Compatible repeater or node and network services
DMR hotspot	Talkgroup communication through BrandMeister	Local hotspot, internet, and network service
EchoLink	Phone or computer access to participating stations	Internet and a participating node or repeater
AllStar	Linked analog nodes and repeaters	Node configuration, internet, and audio path
Meshtastic	Separate low-power text and telemetry mesh	Compatible LoRa nodes and suitable coverage

No single line in this table is “the answer.” Resilience comes from knowing which systems share the same dependencies and which paths remain independent.

Operating practice

Local repeaters

Listen before transmitting.
Identify clearly and state that you are monitoring or looking for a contact.
Use a specific question when the repeater is quiet.
Leave space for priority or emergency traffic.
Move long conversations when a calling or shared resource is busy.

Digital talkgroups

Keep wide-area calling concise.
Move extended conversations to a more appropriate talkgroup when possible.
Allow network linking and repeater timers to settle before speaking.
Log enough information to understand how the contact was made.

Field and emergency use

Use plain language.
Record times, locations, requests, and message status.
Confirm the operating frequency and backup before deployment.
Carry printed information when the phone becomes an expensive rectangle.

Active work

Work item	Status	Current objective
Jeep mobile station	Testing	Eliminate 2-meter vehicle noise and move radio power to a proper battery-fed circuit.
FTM-510DR programming	Operational + refining	Standardize memories, APRS messages, quick functions, and backups.
APRS contact workflow	Operational + refining	Make short, useful contacts with minimal typing while mobile.
Pi-Star hotspot	Operational	Develop a repeatable DMR and YSF operating workflow.
AllStar node	Testing	Stabilize audio quality, mobile access, and connection procedures.
Portable field kit	Planning	Define a compact kit for travel, camping, and communications exercises.
Meshtastic / StrangerGrid	Building	Develop West Valley text and telemetry coverage independent of the ham station.
C64 QSO and QSL system	Building	Create an offline-first contact logger and personalized digital QSL workflow.

Known problems

The Jeep mobile station has significant electrical noise on 2 meters while 70 centimeters performs substantially better.
The current rear accessory-outlet power arrangement is temporary and leaves little margin for future radio equipment.
The mobile antenna installation and common-mode behavior need additional testing despite acceptable spot SWR readings.
The AllStar audio path has required troubleshooting and is not yet considered dependable.
Radio programming, backups, reference sheets, and field procedures are spread across multiple tools and need consolidation.
Local repeater and network reference information must carry a last-verified date before publication.

Next actions

Complete the direct-to-battery mobile power installation with appropriate switching and protection.
Isolate the Jeep’s 2-meter noise source using controlled antenna, power, and vehicle-state tests.
Document the final FTM-510DR memory and APRS configuration.
Create a one-page local operating reference with verified frequencies, tones, rooms, and node information.
Standardize contact logging for analog repeaters, DMR, Fusion, EchoLink, AllStar, and APRS.
Assemble and test the first portable field radio kit.

Field procedures and references

These printable references will be added as the procedures are validated:

Mobile station startup and shutdown
Repeater contact card
Simplex channel plan
APRS quick-message reference
Emergency communications checklist
Field deployment checklist
Radio programming and backup procedure
Vehicle power and antenna inspection
Contact logging reference by mode

Related Field Notes

Published Field Notes tagged project-ham-radio appear here automatically. They document installations, measurements, contacts, programming changes, troubleshooting, failures, and operating lessons behind this maintained project page.

July 14, 2026 · Amateur Radio

Understanding WIRES-X on Yaesu System Fusion

A practical overview of how Yaesu System Fusion, WIRES-X nodes, repeaters, and rooms work together—and what other operators hear when a station connects.

Read Field Note →