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.
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
Related posts will populate here after the Field Notes category and tagging system is created. They will document installations, contacts, programming changes, noise tests, antenna measurements, field trips, failures, and operating lessons.
Change log
July 2026 — Version 0.1
- Created the WordPress live project document.
- Defined the current handheld, mobile, linked, computing, and logging systems.
- Documented active work and known mobile-station problems.
- Added operating-practice, procedure, and reference-document structure.