[MDC-EC] Health Dept. Go-kits

[Jeff Fishman]

A few years ago, all of the county Health Departments in MD were issued one or two go-kits for ARES or other emcomm hams to use to support their Health Dept. emergency operations. These go-kits contained Yaesu FT-8900 quad banders, IBM Think Pad laptops, US Interface Navigator TNC type devices, power supplies, antennas, etc. We have used the voice mode of the Yaesus in support of the Frederick Health Dept. exercises, but would like to be able to utilize the digital data modes of these kits.

We have been unable to get the rather complex US Interface units to work properly, and are recommending that our Health Dept. purchase easier to use Kantronics KPC 3 Plus TNCs  for their two go-kits as a more useable digital interface. Also, we are recommending adding basic 2M/440 HTs such as the Wouxun KG-UV3D or Yaesu F60Rs to the kits to allow for cross band repeat and greater flexibility with the FT-8900s.

I would like to hear from other ECs in the state to see what your experience has been with these go-kits, and what you would recommend to make these kits more useable. Thanks.

73,

Jeff Fishman KB3FIO
FRED CO EC