Some Thoughts on Planning Communications

[Z.O.R.G.]

I mentioned people should define what they want to do with a radio before we make a suggestion on what a "good" radio for them is.  I've been thinking that many people may not know what some of those things just might be.  Here's some examples to get people started in thinking what they might want for their communications setup.  I'll have some follow-up posts with suggestions on what can satisfy some of these individually,

Who do you want to talk/listen to?

• Talk to friends/family/group over short distances (1-3 miles)
• Listen to local LEO/Fire/EMS/Utilities (never forget utilities – during power outage it's useful to local electric crews as they make repairs)
• Talk to people in your local city/town/county (say maybe 50 miles or so)
• Talk to people regionally (say 50-500 miles)
• Talk to people on your continent (say 500 to 3,000 miles away)
• Talk "around the world."
• Listen to shortwave communications from around the world

What types of communication do you want to have?

• Analog (AM/SSB/FM) voice
• Digital Voice (DMR, D-STAR, P25, etc.)
• Data (text style messages, email, pictures, video)

How to you want to power your radio?

• Internal batteries/power pack
• External 12-14 volt battery
• Using a vehicle battery/alternator
• 110 volt AC to DC power supply
• 220 Volt AC to DC power supply (Hams can transmit p to 1.5 kW on most bands, but to get above ~ 500 watts you need a 220 volt supply)

Where do you planning on using your radio system (radio, power supply, tuner (if needed), feed line, antenna(s) and antenna support)

• EDC (Every Day Carry) in a coat, pocket, book bag or on you belt
• BOB (Bug Out Bag), carried on your back
• BOV (Bug Out Vehicle) or camper
• Fixed location, residence or BOL (Bug Out Location) – this is the only practical one for towers, I've seen short ones on trucks and trailers but be prepared to spend some money
• How much physical space do you want to set aside for your communication equipment

What's your budget?  You can spend anywhere from $25 for a handheld to $10,000+ for a base station radio (and that's not including if you also need a power supply, antenna tuner, and antennas)

Think thru these and it will be much easier for folks to help you with suggested equipment. 

You might also have several different plans, like

• EDC: I want to be able to talk locally & monitor local LEO/Fire/EMS/Utilities
• BOV: I want to do all the EDC, plus have extended ranges and more frequencies
• Home/BOL: I want to talk locally, and anywhere up to 3,000 miles away

I hope this helps.

[Moab]

It does. Are you looking for scenarios/questions?

[Z.O.R.G.]

Sure!  Post here or send a PM to any of the "radio" folks. 

[Moab]

Here's a scenario:

Basically man carried monitoring of LEO/Fire/EMS/Utilities etc. Transmission between 4 people as they travel together. Transmission between regional locals.

In answer to your questions:

Who do you want to talk/listen to?
Talk to friends/family/group over short distances (1-3 miles)
Listen to local LEO/Fire/EMS/Utilities (never forget utilities – during power outage it's useful to local electric crews as they make repairs)
Talk to people in your local city/town/county (say maybe 50 miles or so)
Talk to people regionally (say 50-500 miles)
Listen to shortwave communications from around the world

What types of communication do you want to have?
Analog (AM/SSB/FM) voice
Data (text style messages, email, pictures, video)

How do you want to power your radio?
Internal batteries/power pack
External 12-14 volt battery
Using a vehicle battery/alternator

Where are you planning on using your radio system (radio, power supply, tuner (if needed), feed line, antenna(s) and antenna support)
EDC (Every Day Carry) in a coat, pocket, book bag or on you belt
BOB (Bug Out Bag), carried on your back
BOV (Bug Out Vehicle) or camper
How much physical space do you want to set aside for your communication equipment? (SMALLER THAN A 10 INCH SQUARE)

What's your budget? $350 or thereabouts 

Think thru these and it will be much easier for folks to help you with suggested equipment. 

This the

You might also have several different plans, like
EDC: I want to be able to talk locally & monitor local LEO/Fire/EMS/Utilities
BOV:  EDC would be the primary use on person/backpack. But in and out of vehicle. So maybe charging off if dual battery system and/or solar panels. Small man carried solar panel as well. 

[Z.O.R.G.]

OK, with that plan you need to get a Ham license for regional (50-500 mile) and data.  You'll either need a Technician license and learn CW (Morse Code) or a General license for voice operation.  Pretty much everything else could be done with a GMRS license and a shortwave receiver.  

I believe you've a Baofeng already, so several of your requirements can be met with that.  Do you have CHIRP and a programming cable?  I do NOT recommend programming a Baofeng without the $10-15 programming cable (pretty much always sold separately).  Have you looked up local repeater frequencies on Repeater Book and frequencies you want to monitor on Radio Reference?   Check your local laws/ordinances - some areas don't allow mobile radios to monitor LEO frequencies.  

HF (High Frequency or shortwave) is needed for reliable regional comms.  For data, you'll also need a laptop (could be an old one and the same one used to program your Baofeng) and likely and interface box/cable to your radio. 



My first thought for HF/shortwave would be something like a Yaesu FT-817/818, but they were around $700 new - and they're not made anymore.   An Icom IC-705 would also work, but they're retailing for about $1,350.  I need to do some homework on a HF transceiver that can meet your budget requirements.  (And maybe buy another QRP radio - dam!   )

@TACAIR did a review on the G1M G-CORE which would fit into your price range - but specifically said it's not a rig for a new Ham.  I'd trust him on this.  

Do any of the other Ham guys have positive experience(s) with HF AM/SSB transceivers that are around $300?  

[NT2C]

In my shack gear I have "DC to daylight" coverage on receive, operable from AC/DC/solar/generator/battery.  On the transmit side, I have UHF down to 160m covered including DMR, P25, C4FM, and most other digital modes.  I'm really weak on Morse though and need to improve my skills there (hard with my hearing disability) and especially QRP CW