Radios

[Jen]

In the event the phones go out, what methods of communications will you be using?

I have a Icom 706 MKII G mounted in my vehicle, which actually get's some pretty good range and has come in handy during some cross country trips where cell phones were of no use at all.

[ghostcat]

At the current rate I'm going I will be using smoke signals:D Seriously I haven't gotten to that stage in prepardness yet. But I'm on here to learn what to look for when I do.

[ram]

Yaesu 747GX at home for HF, an old Alinco dual bander at home for 2 meter and 440, a yaesu 1500 in my truck for 2 meter, and several assorted 2 meter handhelds for the family. Plus half a dozen gmrs for the neighborhood. The dual bander is capable of 50 watts on gmrs frequencies, not that I would ever think of transmitting on any of those frequencies with that power.

All powered by solar and a couple of 6 volt golf cart batteries.

[GySgt D]

Yaesu FT-857 in the truck, and a FT-817 in the backpack.

[mosby's men]

f.r.s radios for short range stuff ,,
would like to use 2 meter ht's with stubby duck antennas but cant get the rest of the guys i train with to get with the plan ..
need to pick up a few more 2 meter radios for the cars..
we have already been post hurricane when all the cell phones were down and we used 2 meter for the front and rear of the convoy

[FN74]

Getting ready to upgrade my comms as well. Been using a Yaesu FT50RD HT dual 2M/440 since 1997. I plan on going to a Multiband mobile - UHF/VHF/HF for my rig. Biggest decision I have to make is whether or not to mount it in my current rig or wait a year or so until I buy a new one to mount it in.

[Goldenspurholderx2]

I have NONE! What do you have to do to get your license? GySgt D, you answered this for me while I was in the sand box before but I don't remember.

[FN74]

Find your local HAM club - do a search for your area on google for the ARRL in your area, contact them and ask where they do the HAM testing. You then need to get a study guide, study, pay the fee, take the test and get your license. There is no requirement for the base license to learn code.

This may help: http://www.arrl.org/sections/CO.html

HAM radio is the bomb. I will have had my license for ten years come this coming march. I finally plan on upgrading to use the HF portion that I am not allowed to right now, but in a SHTF situation, just having the capability is paramount.

[Goldenspurholderx2]

Thank You!

[Bidah]

For HF I can run my Kenwood TS-430S, the 757GXII, or my HW-9, or my homebrew stuff. I just got an 817 to use for backpacking and what not. Ham Radio is worse than firearms.. :)

I then have a 2m mobile a handhelds for the short stuff.

I can do CW, SSB and upgrading my digital as it is a bit dated.

-bidah

[sparkky]

most of the locals in my AO run 10 meter rigs. I prefer the mobil rigs to bases for the 12volt capabilities.

[bobd42]

746 Pro On Base /icom 725 In Rv . Ft2800 On Two Meters In Truck And
Ft 7800 For Two Mwtwrs And 440 In Auto . Alinco Dj596 Ht And Two
Gmrs/frs Ht With Ear And Mikes Boom. Working On Solar Charger .

[tedbo]

There ya go..speakin' French or sumptin' like dat! I know nothing of these rigs and what is good and what is extraneous. I need to edumacate myself for shtf time before it is time. The closest I got to this stuff was cb radios. I got tired of the guys with all the power walking all over me and the rest of us trying to have a conversation. This was in the late 70's,I hope things have improved since then.
I need to seriously look at low cost but quality units that run on 12 volt. What is the ballpark cost for such a set up-1 base unit and 1 to 2 mobiles or 3 mobiles total?
I don't know of anyone in my area.I am also trying to play catch up on stuff that got left undone last year when I got put out of commission.
This is equipment that more than likely will have to wait until the next year or two until some other loose ends are tied up.
Thanks ahead for the help!

[GySgt D]

Yeah, radios, particularly mobile units, have improved quite a bit since the '70s.

While driving down the road yesterday, I was able to hold a conversation with someone in Germany. This was with a Yaesu FT-857.

[bobd42]

Icom746 pro on the base , all wire antennas including the new 440' loop .
Icom 735 in the rv with 40 & 80 meter antennas
yaesu ft2800 in the pickup with a mag mount
yaesu ft 7800 2mtr & 440 with mods on the gmrs freqs.
alinco dj596 2mtr & 440 ht
working on setting up a solar panell and battery charger .

[bobd42]

icom 746 pro on the base into a g5rv or a 440 ft. loop set up as a nvis antenns.
have an icom 735 in the rv and a yaesu ft7800 2meter / 440 mobil in the car and a yaesu ft2800 2 meter with a alinco dj596 ht .
we also have a great neighbourhood watch group / storm survival group and for that we are using gmrs 14 mile ht's and have a 40 watt base .

[264Win]

Up here in Alaska we have more hams per capita than any other state. We have ARES members all over the State and conduct weekly ARES nets. Over IRLP and and HF. The primary focus up here is earthquakes, and wildland fires, but the flooding back in 2006 was a good example of ham radio as the fiber optic line was cut between Willow and Fairbanks so the only comms was ham radio for two or three days. All comms were done over ham radio between the outage area and the emergency EOC setup in Wasilla. The 1964 earthquake was handled thru Amateur Radio and the first contact outside (lower48) was by ham radio . We also work with Forestry on wildfire contacting people in the area planing evacuation. So up here we have a thriving ham community that is always ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbors


Thanks for listening
264Win