A good place to start on any forum or group is to give a little background and information about yourself, so here goes my attempt. I got my Tech license in 11/06/2014 after answering an ad and attending a class put on by Kirby "KL7VK" Wheeler in Talent, OR. Kirby did an excellent job of getting us all to pass the test. Around March of 2015 I was in Eugene, OR. for the day and saw a listing for testing so I went in to try for General License which I got and took the opportunity to change to the vanity call sign K7JLJ or "K7 James Linch Jr" as it stands for. I got into HAM radio as another faucet of preparedness and will never be a rag chewer but do enjoy testing abilities and am starting to explore the digital side of things. Having a sustainable solar option for comms has been my latest priority and is about finished. Networking with regional groups is my next goal as a HAM. How to go about that is one of the reasons for this group, as I have no idea how to find like minded people as the idea of a grid-down scenario seems lost on most HAMs as well as your average citizen. Even ones that work EmComms it seems. I'm hoping it's just because I have not found the right people. Since I'm the only person in this group as I type this... LOL I'm going to leave it short and sweet.

There is now a subgroup called "PREPPER / SURVIVALIST MINDSET" in response to this post. TO JOIN: Click "Subgroups" on the left menu after logging into Groups.io or send an email to Preppers+subscribe@OffGridComms.groups.io to join up. Only members of https://offgridcomms.groups.io can see the group or join and archives are not readable to anyone outside of the subgroup. Going forward, if your topic seems to be wider than "OFF GRID EMCOMMS", please use the new subgroup to post it. PS> For more information on this new group, visit it's home page: https://offgridcomms.groups.io/g/Preppers For more information on the core group: https://offgridcomms.groups.io

Hello everyone, just a note that I've added a Zello channel for the group that might come in handy as a back channel while trying to connect over the air. Got the idea after seeing it used during AmRRONs T-REX exercise. The channel is at https://zello.com/offgridcomms Password = griddown

This database will make it easier to map out HF coverage for members wishing to participate in building an OffGridComms Net. Those not wanting to share their callsigns in the open, might consider using the Zello App Channel to make contact with only those they wish to divulge it to. Table is visible to members only and you can edit your own info anytime. https://offgridcomms.groups.io/g/main/table?id=13698