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Thread: Need Help with equipment

  1. 05-31-2016, 05:15 AM #1
    realist
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    Need Help with equipment

    Okay guys it is time I got off my ass and get some equipment. I went over to one of the guys in our local radio club who volunteered to help out and he gave me some suggestions. I have found radios are like guns there are lots of opinions and you need to know what you want them for. So here goes. I want at least one preferably two handheld radios and they have to be rugged. I want a mobile to run in my truck and also have one as a base station. I understand I need a power supply for the base. I am still up in the air about an antenna.

    For the handheld I was looking at a Yaesu FT-60R
    Mobile Kenwood D710G
    Power supply Alinco DM-330MV

    I want to put together a mobile which I can run off a battery. I understand I can run the Kenwood this way but I am looking at an additional mobile this way I can take it in my wife's car and leave the truck with one.

    What do you think? I figure I have a bunch of guns of the same make and caliber why not the same goes for radios. I understand the cost and was budgeting $1,000 just to get started. Thanks for your impute. By the way if you think I am bat shit crazy I would like to hear that too.
    If it is predictable then it is preventable....... Gordon Graham

    So if it is predictable and preventable then you better prepare.
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  2. 05-31-2016, 07:09 PM #2
    bacpacker
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    You just described my basic station. I have a pair of FT60s. Milspec rigs so they can handle a little abuse. Just find some high gain antennas for them and spare battery packs.
    i
    I have a couple of Kenwood D700s, which is the older model preceding the 710. Solid rigs and have never had a problem with them. I used the APRS function a lot with our EmComm group, but would turn it off yesterday in a SHTF scenario. The cross band repeat function is well worth learning to use. BWRR just had a post about that.
    the Alinco power supply is the only one I like right now. Well built and has protection in the output to help protect your radio.
    You got good taste in radios my friend.
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  3. 05-31-2016, 10:16 PM #3
    Vodin
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    The only bit of information I can provide is, It is always best to have spares of the same model for parts. Other than that I am following what suggestions are.
    The tallest oak in the forest was once just a nut who held its ground.

    Be decisive. Right or Wrong, make a decision. The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who could not make a decision.
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  4. 06-04-2016, 02:50 PM #4
    realist
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    For my portables after talking to some people I may change.
    I may pick up the Yaesu portables but I am also look at picking up some Kenwood HT or MT 1000s which I might have access to. I am not worried about programming them because I have a guy at my office who can do it and show me how. I may also look at the Motorolas too. The thing about the Kenwoods and Motorolas is they are really tough. I have used them in public service for years I just need some second opinions on them from a Ham standpoint first.
    If it is predictable then it is preventable....... Gordon Graham

    So if it is predictable and preventable then you better prepare.
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  5. 06-04-2016, 03:06 PM #5
    Kesephist
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    Going in for my General in a few hours.

    Duplicate where possible. If you are enough of a solder jock, get the schematics and likely needed to be replaced parts.

    I figured a couple of FT60s, spare battery sets, a spare RS HTX 10, 50' of -8X, half wave dipole, deepcycle battery, 750w inverter, and two Thunderbolt briefcase solar panels with controller, each item sealed in bubblewrap, will fill a galvanized trashcan with room to spare. XHD duty jumper cable clamp on the lid, other end to ground, and voila! For-cheap faraday cage.
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  6. 06-04-2016, 08:52 PM #6
    bacpacker
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    Kenwood makes go9d gear. I have an HT and a couple of mobile rigs. Motorola has made commercial equipment t for years. Just not familiar with them for ham use.
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  7. 06-05-2016, 04:46 AM #7
    ak474u
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    I know nothing. I went to a guy's house this week that had a 125' tower with I'm pretty sure EVERY doohickey available on it, and a radio shack at the base that looked like a radio store.
    Common sense is so rare these days, it should be re-classified as a super power.
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  8. 06-05-2016, 03:23 PM #8
    ElevenBravo
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    Ill vote for the FT-60 also, buy extra batteries and chargers to keep them topped off.. use CHRIP to program them, make sure they are MARS/CAP modded then you will have extra wiggle room for comms out of band in the event of an emergency.
    "Takes .357 to the field... every time..."
    "AR - America's Rifle"
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  9. 06-06-2016, 01:56 PM #9
    realist
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    Regarding the Motorola I have a guy I work with who can make a few alterations an program in the Ham channels.

    EB since I am new I haven't a clue what MAR/CAP is can you explain please? Thanks
    If it is predictable then it is preventable....... Gordon Graham

    So if it is predictable and preventable then you better prepare.
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  10. 06-06-2016, 02:29 PM #10
    Kesephist
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    MARS Military Amateur Radio Service

    ARES Amateur Radio Emergency Service

    CAP Civil Air Patrol

    RACES Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service
    NOTE: RACES is closer to FEMA and technically the only HAMS allowed to operate if the President opens up the War Powers Act.
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