Ham Radio Ops Gear for Emergency
Update: expense report at end. Only 1 more item needed. Chameleon Antenna listed below. Other Chaffon batteries welcomed.
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Hi everyone and thank you for coming to my GoFundMe page.
Many of you know that I have been a ham/amateur radio operator for many years and train to help communities during emergency situations. My gear is getting old and unfortunately not up to an emergency like Puerto Rico, therefore I need new gear to head down there.
Why? becuase when all else fails in communications, we ham radio ops are the only ones who can communicate long distances. You may have seen the news yesterday and today that the Red Cross sent 50 ham radio ops to PR to help. While you may have seen me talking badly about FEMA and that I quit their roster, I am now with another group, and hopefully departing in a week or so.
The idea is simple, we setup in a town where there is no cell phone access and 1x1 we have some one talk to a loved one in the US or elsewhere. Also we take messages that we send via digital comms (modern day telegraph).
At this moment I can't buy the gear as I did years ago so I need your help! And Puerto Rico needs your help. While the gear totals around $2900, I am asking for $4000 as there are always incidentals such as shipping, water protection bags, cables, etc. I also did ot add an iPad there which would benefit me by not having to take my laptop. Remember I am going in fatigues with medics and the alike to places that right now are in horrible conditions. But the reward of seeing someone talk to a loved one is one amazing feeling.
The only thing I can offer back is images of some of those faces, yes of course I will have my camera with me. Want to buy me a new one too? OK only half kidding as that is more than I am asking here ;-)
Below are the items I need with links to where you can see them. If you wish to donate one directly, please that would be amazing. And of course this is URGENT as I am scheduled to leave on Thursday, and hopefully won't be postponed. Also remember that these items will be used in future emergencies as well, not only in the US but around the world.
And lastly please go check http://teamRubiconUSA.org and find a way to support them. They are an amazing organization! One that if I could join fulltime, I would in a second!
THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! any amount helps!
UPDATE: I was just asked what happens to any additional money. I can add more radios for other ops to use. I can add more digital options to be able to text directly to the USA. The budget here is barebones. Batteries and solar panels are at the minimum here. My dream budget is over $15K. But the goal here is sufficient to enable me to workalong with my existing gear. Thanks again.
Radio: Yaesu FT-991a $1495
https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015268
Antennas
Replaces the 2 below which I already bough on my own. https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-013522
-- no longer needed but part of original request--
EF QUAD https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamwire/6347.html $125
EF-10/20/40 trail https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamwire/2853.html $75
------------- end of no longer needed ---
Solar panel https://www.amazon.com/CHAFON-CF-10249-Chafon-40W-0-053Hp-Universal-Folding-Solar-Panels-Chargers-Mono-Crystalline-with-18V-Aviation-DC-Output-for-Battery-UPS-and-USB-5V-2A-Port/dp/B01N1FLGQO/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Z89QNG6JDFFZZC2BY6T4&dpID=51SL4vt1rpL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail $149
Chafon battery https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Battery-Rechargeable-Starter-Outdoors/dp/B01MA4YVNP/ref=pd_bxgy_107_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3PBYGAJ0474H54AB4Q2F $399
Goal Zero kit https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-Sherpa-Solar-Recharging/dp/B00I0RIFMK/ref=sr_1_17?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1506717401&sr=1-17&keywords=goal+zero+panel $549
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For the sake of transparency here are text copies of the money spent so far. $2049 already spent.
Order: D1-258192 03-Oct-17
Originating Store: Ham Radio Outlet - Delaware
Salesperson: Roy Herman
Bill To:
CARLOS G CHIOSSONE
xxxxxx
NEW YORK, NY XXXXX
Ship To:
CARLOS G CHIOSSONE
xxxxxx
NEW YORK, NY XXXXX
Qty Model Unit-Price Extension Shipment-Info
1 FT-991A 1,309.95 1,309.95 - PENDING-DEL Best Way
1 ATAS-25 209.95 209.95 - PENDING-DEL Best Way
1,619.90 Taxable
-100.00 Less Coupons
1,519.90 Total
Payment Method
1,519.90 MasterCard
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Order Placed: October 4, 2017
Amazon.com order number: [phone redacted]736-858xxxx
Order Total: $340.99
Shipped on October 4, 2017
Items Ordered Price
1 of: Chafon 346WH Portable UPS Battery Backup,Rechargeable Power Source
with 110V/500W AC Outlet,12V Car,USB Output,Car Jump Starter for Outdoors
and Indoors -Orange
Sold by: ChafonDirect (seller profile)
Condition: New
$329.00
Shipping Address:
Carlos Chiossone
xxxxx
NEW YORK, NY
United States
Shipping Speed:
One-Day Shipping
Item(s) Subtotal: $329.00
Shipping & Handling: $11.99
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Total before tax: $340.99
Sales Tax: $0.00
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Total for This Shipment:$340.99
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Order Placed: October 6, 2017
Amazon.com order number: [phone redacted]509-544xxxx Order Total: $189.99
Not Yet Shipped
Items Ordered
1 of: [New Version] ALLPOWERS 80W Foldable Solar Panel SunPower Solar Charger (Dual 5V USB with iSolar Technology+18V DC Output) for Laptop,ipad, iphone, Acer,Dell, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo Notebooks and More Sold by: ALLPOWERSDirect (seller profile)
Price
$189.99
Condition: New
Shipping Address:
Carlos Chiossone
xxxxx
NEW YORK, NY xxxxx
Shipping Speed:
One-Day Shipping
Payment Method:
MasterCard | Last digits: xxxx
Total:$189.99
