[KYHAM] KEN Training for Dec.2: Which Radio Is Best for Emergency Comms? Part 3

[Ron Dodson]

While the 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 3
Ed Harris, KE4SKY,
Virginia RACES State Training Officer
� 2002 Virginia RACES, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Used here with permission of the author.
----------------

My portable field-deployable HF antenna consists of paired
hamsticks on quick disconnects for 40 and 75m on quick
disconnects, which can be used either on-the-go use on the
vehicle ball mount, or mounted horizontally on a dipole
adapter with 25 ft. of mast. I also carry extra hamsticks
for 10 and 20 meters.   If space is available, I also carry
end-fed wires, 32 ft. for 40m and 55 ft, for 75m which are
readily connected to my mobile antenna mount.  

Crimp and solder 3/8 ring terminals on one end of the wire
and bolt them onto Hamstick quick-disconnects.  On the other
end, tie a "dogbone," 50 ft of nylon line and a 2-oz. Surf
casting sinker, which can be thrown up easily into the
nearest tree to erect the wire as a low sloper.  This works
much better than a hamstick dipole or mobile whip.  I also
carry a military mast kit, two BCI Group 27 deep cycle
batteries (total 190ah capacity) and two Siemens SM20 solar
panels for battery charging. 

All three of my vehicles have mobile radios.  The 1984 Jeep
I use for a RACES vehicle has the Yaesu FT900 HF and a Yaesu
FT5100 dual-band 2m/440.   The family passenger car has
Kenwood TM742A with 2m, 220 and 440 modules installed, using
a tri-plexer to connect it to a tri-band mobile antenna.  
My alternate commuting vehicle has a Kenwood TM255A all-mode
with 5/8 wave whip and a KB6KQ halo on an A/B switch and an
extra power cord from the battery which enables temporary
installation of an HF radio, if needed.

 I have a  boom-mic, headset in the go kit for  the TM255
all-mode which also works on  the TM742 tri-bander, if its
multi-band receive is needed for a command post or net
control.  Rigs are in quick-disconnect mounts to enable
quick removal for portable use at a shelter or other fixed
station.  Another FT5100 dual-bander is mounted in a Pelican
box with 17ah gel cell battery, 25 ft. of coax, dual-band
mag-mount, extension cord and 10A power supply which can be
deployed at a shelter or as a cross-band repeater.   

For portable auxiliary power I carry either a pair of BCI
Group U1 AGM batteries in .50 cal. M2A1 ammunition cans,
which provide 64ah capacity, or a single Yuasa NP65-12 gel
cell 65ah battery with retractable handles.  I also carry a
20amp AC power supply, a  Schumacher SE-600, 6A gel cell
charger and 100 ft. heavy-duty UL-rated extension cord on a
reel. 
Good field deployable dual-band antennas are the Diamond
X50N or Cushcraft AR-270, which are compact and fit easily
in a vehicle for transport.  While dual-band for 2m and 440,
either "works" for low power on 220, with acceptable VSWR as
an expedient tri-band antenna.  I carry a mobile antenna
adapter with mast clamp and radial kit as an extra field
antenna.

My primary dual-band HT is a Yaesu FT50R.  For it, I have
three NiCd battery packs, a AA case, external DC power cord
and 7ah-gel cell battery.  My "spare" HT which stays in my
"go kit" is an older Standard C558A, which I actually like
better for RACES applications than the FT50R because it has
dual receive. 

In my go kit I keep two AA battery cases for the Standard
HT, a Mirage BD35 dual-band brick amp, Comet CX722A
dual-band half-wave rigid antenna with BNC, an extra CX72A
flexible dual-band antenna, fused 20 ft. AWG10 gage power
cord with battery clips for connecting the brick amp to a
car battery, a KPC-3 TNC, laptop and 17ah gel cell for
portable packet operation. 

My "Extra" loaner and spare HT is a converted GE M-PD public
safety radio which is type accepted Class "C" for use
outside the amateur bands.  It has a total of 46 RACES,
VHF-marine, CAP, ground-SAR, EMS, fire and local government
frequencies pre-programmed for emergency use.   

The above doesn't provide "all" the answers, but I hope will
provide your RACES or CERT team with some good "thought
starters" for your emergency equipment and  "go kit"
planning.          O