Fallback Engineering
Field Notes by GreyOperator
Eric—KM7GHS—writes as GreyOperator at Fallback Engineering. He is an engineer, broadcast systems specialist, programmer, amateur radio operator, and lifelong fixer of things that were supposedly working five minutes ago.
Fallback Engineering explores resilient technology, practical preparedness, communications, automation, field systems, and the engineering required to keep essential capabilities running when normal infrastructure becomes unreliable. The focus is not collecting more gear—it is building systems that are understandable, testable, repairable, and ready to work when needed.
9 published Field Notes
Programming the BAOFENG AR-5RM with CHIRP on Ubuntu Linux
A tested Ubuntu 26.04 LTS workflow for installing CHIRP 20260410, connecting the BAOFENG AR-5RM by USB, preserving a radio image, reviewing basic settings, and uploading verified changes.
Sizing, Storing, and Treating Emergency Water for the 72-Hour Plan
How much emergency water should a household store—and what happens when it runs low? This field note covers 72-hour and 14-day targets, safe storage, rotation, treatment, and resupply decisions.
Getting on the Air: Etiquette, Conversation Scripts, and Informal Nets
A practical operating guide for making calls, starting real conversations, joining active channels, handling quiet repeaters and talkgroups, and organizing an informal roundtable without unnecessary ceremony.
Configuring Pi-Star YSF2DMR for the Yaesu FT5DR and BrandMeister
A tested setup for using a Yaesu FT5DR with Pi-Star YSF2DMR and BrandMeister, including DMR ID registration, hotspot security, talkgroup selection, five-digit FT5DR entry, and the current radio-control limitation.
Configuring Pi-Star for the Yaesu FT5DR and YSF Reflectors
A tested, step-by-step setup for using a Yaesu FT5DR with a Pi-Star simplex hotspot in YSF mode, including reflector selection, FT5DR controls, test destinations, and the limits of WIRES-X-style hotspot control.
Understanding Pi-Star as a Digital Voice Gateway
A practical overview of Pi-Star: what a node is, how a hotspot bridges an RF radio to digital voice networks, and where modes such as YSF, DMR, D-Star, NXDN, P25, and cross-mode links fit.
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.
Measuring Antenna SWR with the SeeSii NanoVNA-F V2
A concise field procedure for calibrating the SeeSii NanoVNA-F V2 and measuring antenna SWR on 2 meters and 70 centimeters.