[KYHAM] KEN Training for Nov. 25: Which Radio Is Best for Emergency Comms? Part 2

[Ron Dodson]

While the author of this series author discusses
many rigs by name, in no way do I or the operator of this
listserv promote the use of one brand or model over any
other.  Your individual tastes and BUDGET will likely be the
number one factor in any rig you choose to purchase.  I am
using this article as a tool to start you considering your
options, not to sell any particular brand of product.
73, KA4MAP
=======================

Which Radio Is Best for Emergency Comms? Part 2
Ed Harris, KE4SKY,
Virginia RACES State Training Officer
� 2002 Virginia RACES, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Used here with permission of the author.
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No amateur mode is "secure" in the national security sense. 
However, using amateur bands and modes not received on
common consumer scanners is more "discreet".

Using modest output power of 25w and a compact horizontally
polarized antenna such as a loop, 2 meter SSB is highly
reliable for portable and mobile units up to 100 miles. It
provides a good alternative to 75-meter SSB for "short path"
during high SFI or solar storms when HF is unreliable for
short paths beyond FM repeater coverage.  

For 2 meter SSB to work reliably for your organization,
enough of your operators must have it.  This again weighs in
favor of the IC706, though I still prefer separate 2-meter
all-mode and HF rigs, because they generally have superior
individual performance and provide system redundancy for
reliability.

Any amateur equipment used for EmCom should be frequency
agile and capable of being readily programmed from the
keypad in the field and have at least ten programmable
memories and CTCSS encode.  CTCSS decode and receive outside
of the amateur bands isn't needed.  You shouldn't listen to
anything except your assigned net.  Don't use a transceiver
needed for "Comm" as a "scanner" because you may be
distracted by other events and miss important traffic to
you.

Mobile radios, whether single or dual-band, should be simple
to operate and rugged and have a large and easily read
display.  Transmitter output should be at least 25w output
per band; ten memories per band, with CTCSS encode.  

Intermod rejection is important but receiving outside the
amateur bands is not.

Many amateur rigs, which receive outside the amateur band
fail miserably in intermod rejection, so carry a notch
filter.  In Virginia RACES experience filters from Par
Electronics are the "best bang for the buck." 

An HT for RACES must be able to operate from three power
sources: 1) its NiCd or NiMh battery pack, 2) from AA
batteries using a battery case which fits the rig, and 3)
from an external DC source using an adapter cord capable of
connection to a gel cell battery, cigarette lighter plug or
regulated power supply.   

My HF rig is an older Yaesu FT900CAT mobile, equipped with a
head set / boom mic and hand mic, connected to an MJ-89 mic
switch which permits using either the hand mic or a boom mic
with headset connected to a foot switch for use in high
noise environments.  This is mounted in a quick-detachable
mobile mount in a Pelican box. If limited to ONE HF radio it
would be the FT900, because its controls are intuitive,
simple and straightforward on the front panel.  It has a
large display, very loud audio, built-in antenna tuner,
effective noise blanker works, sensitive receiver with IF
shift and notch filters and you don't need a manual to use
it if unfamiliar!  The only thing it lacks which newer rigs
have is Digital Signal Processing.  I use the Am-Com Clear
Speech DSP speaker for noise cancellation, which is very
effective.