After extensive background checks, basic qualifications testing, boating test, ICS-100, and ICS-700, I am finally in the USCGAUX (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary). Now, I can proudly wear the uniform. So what happens now? Well, I will be working on getting my ribbons and shoulder bars in aviation, SAR, vessel inspection, and radio communications. Yesterday,…
Alfonso Faustino: Yaesu FT1XDR: Analog and Digital Transceiver: Super Heterodyne and Front-end Filter
I really dig my Yaesu FT1XDR — it is a Yaesu discontinued item, but I still dig it; and I have no interest in purchasing its successor, the FT2XD. In my recent BLOG, I spoke about the importance of getting a transceiver that is Super Heterodyne and has front-end filters for emergency operations. I mentioned,…
Alfonso Faustino: Super Heterodyne vs. Direct Conversion, and Front-end Transceivers
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Your transceivers should be Super Heterodyne and have front-end filters (the ability to block unwanted RF) when in ICS-based emergency operations. If you don’t get Super Heterodyne transceivers and don’t have a filter for the front-end, you will experience desensitizing in your transceivers while involved with ICS-based emergency comm operations:…
Alfonso Faustino: Part-time at Trader Joe’s: I make $17.60 per hour, and I’m so happy!
After I retired from Corporate America, I traveled the world to learn about people and culture — my favorite places is the Middle East — I find the people and culture beautiful and similar to my family values — they take care of their family like the way my father taught me as a child….
Alfonso Faustino: Ailunce HD1 is a a good transceiver for NON ICS-based emergency comms.(K6ASF)
UPDATE: 16-May-2018: I got FPP for my Motorola. For my HAM operations and my volunteer ICS-based emergency comms crisis work with the the fire, police, and sheriff’s departments, I know the reason that the police, military, fire, EMT, government, and other commercial and professional operators use Motorola…it works! For me, I KNOW my Motorola will…
Alfonso Faustino: Shark RF openSpot and DVMega Bluestack (K6ASf)
I was on my way to San Francisco International Airport while involved with Charlie’s (N6JOA) net control on DMR Talk Group: 31068. I was in San Francisco South West part of San Francisco, and I was trying to stay connected with CARLA’s K6LNK DMR repeater, but was not having a good shot at it —…
Alfonso Faustino: Shark RF openSPOT (K6ASF)
Yesterday, 8-December-2017, at 1430 Hours PST, I was on DMR Talk Group 3100 chatting it up with Ben (KC2RXV) in Tel Aviv: Israel. Ben was telling me about his satisfaction with the Shark RF openSPOT; hence, I became interested in it; because, I wanted a device that would give me strong signal strength inside my…
Alfonso Faustino: CARLA: Antenna Replacement Project (K6ASF)
Boss, N6MVT, invited me to go with him to one of the CARLA sites to replace an antenna on one of CARLA’s towers. I always enjoy helping Boss at his CARLA’s sites; because, I get to see all the technology that makes CARLA so great. In addition to CARLA’s technology, CARLA resides in some of…
Alfonso Faustino: NERT Training with San Francisco Fire Department
Yesterday, 18-November-2017, 0830-1530 Horus PST, I had San Francisco Fire Department’s NERT training, and I was part of a team in charge of communications with San Francisco Fire Department’s Battalion 6. It was a great learning experience for me; because, I had to learn a new way of communicating with field operators and the San…
Alfonso Faustino: Apple iPhone X
Several years ago, an Apple representative from their Cupertino California HQ called me on my iPhone. They told me about their new Apple iPhone Upgrade Program, and based upon my standing of always buying a brand new iPhone and my excellent credit scores, they invited me to participate in this new pilot program along with…
Alfonso Faustino: Apple iPhone Upgrade Program
The following BLOG was written some time last year, ~September 2016, from another BLOG site. The BLOG still is applicable to the current Apple iPhone Upgrade Program with their current products: iPhone X and iPhone 8. Check 6! /s/ Alfonso Faustino Apple iPhone 7 Plus encased in the Tech 21 Evo Mesh (3 meter (9.9…
Alfonso Faustino: Motorola XPR 7550 VHF Transceiver (K6ASF)
My collection of Motorola hand-held transceivers is complete with the Motorola XPR 7550 VHF hand-held transceiver, shown below. The Motorola XPR 7550 VHF transceiver will take the place of my Motorola Radius CP200, as shown in the picture, below. I will either sell or use it as a back-up for VHF communications. Since I already…
