Biography

Good Day.

I am Ariel C. Medina of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines.

I am an Electronics and Communications Engineer. I have over 20 years experience in the field of Cellular Communications. Started from building cell sites to optimization and now I am the head of the Network Operations Center of Smart Communications Inc, the leading wireless telecoms company in the Philippines.

I am new to Ham Radio. I just got my license almost a year ago now. My interest in radio was triggered by my unforgettable experience when I was deployed in a province after a devastating Super Tyhpoon name Haiyan in 2013 (I'm sure one way or another most of you have heard about this typhoon). I was one of the first responders. My mission is to establish a satellite communications link where affected people can make calls for free to their loved ones. It is also a mission to link up one of our major cell sites in the area via VSAT. It turned out to be a very challenging task since I dealt with traumatized people on the road. Cadavers were all around us. People tried to take what I have on hand (car battery and satellite phones). However, after explaining to them that I was there to help them contact their families, they understood and let me be. No Power. No Communications. No food. Guess what? Information to the National Headquarter of the governemt were being relayed by, yes you are right, HAM RADIO OPERATORS.

With all those experiences, I became a prepper. As a normal prepper would do, I bought some two way radios for family use. Being in Telecom industry as a practicing ECE, I knew that portables have limited coverage which is not what I wanted for my family during emergency situations. I looked for materials and references until I became a member of an FB page where majority of radio enthusiasts converge and discuss things. To cut the story short, I was able to get my Class B license (skipping Class D and Class C) being an registered ECE (I only had to take Radio Laws portion of the licensing Exam).

After almost a year of being a licensed Ham Operator, I am now a member of DX1ACE, a radio club in my part of the country. Also a member of PARA (Phillippine Amateur Radio Association, Inc).

Equipment

>>> Yaesu FT-450D with Nagara TV416J Antenna
>>> Alinco DR-638 base radio with Diamond X510 antenna (70ft from the ground, at 750ft MSL)
>>> YAESU FTM-100DR for my mobile radio with Diamond M285S antenna
>>> Portable Radios: YAESU FT70DR, BAOFENG UV-5R, TYT-MD380
>>> Nano hotSPOT (normally connected to DMR, various TGs)
>>> Cignus and Steady Volt Power Supply
>>> Yaesu G450 Antenna Rotator
>>> Homebrew 10-element Cross-Yagi Antenna for VHF directional operations
>>> DAIWA CN-103L SWR and POWER Meter
>>> MIRAGE B3016 VHF Amplifier
>>> MFJ-939 IntelliTuner
>>> Signalink USB Sound Card
>>> YAESU SP-6 External Speaker
>>> YAESU MD-100 Dynamic Microphone