InterceptRadio.com Forums

Hi all,

I was curious what your suggestions are for amateur radio gear designed for emergency use. In light of recent events, my wife and I were evaluating our preparedness and I'm thinking that good communication ability is something we should have on hand.

I was thinking that a mobile HF/VHF/UHF transceiver such as Yaesu's FT-857D or FT-897D or the Icom IC-706 might be a good choice. How worthwhile is it to have a transceiver that can operate on internal batteries? I can always use my car's power source if need be, but I might like to have more portability than that.

I'm also curious if anyone has suggestions for portable or car-mount antennas that are light and work well. Any particularly trusted brands?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

73 de KG6TXP

I love my Comet SBB-5.
http://www.cometantenna.com/products.ph ... &childID=4

I use it with an FT-8900R. I can cross band other users together that are on opposite bands. I'd like to add an FT-857D for the 100W output and a third VFO in the car. I haven't chosen an antenna for it yet but I'm really happy with Comet and their fold-over ability.

The IC-706 does just about everything but is too expensive for me.

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I taste copper.
Comments, views, opinions - and trails of destruction - are my own.

Outside of large HF base stations, the only "emergency" radios I've had experience with are the Yaesu FT-857 and the Icom 706 Mk II.

I prefer the Yaesu.

-The receiver performance seems better to me (and, the published spec's support that observation),
-The current consumption is noticeably less on standby (especially standby receive...550ma for the Yaesu, compared to 1.8 amps for the 706!). That could make a difference in an "emergency" deployment on battery power.
- And, it's a smaller overall package

The Icom does have a larger display that may be laid out better - but, the Yaesu display can have a whole rainbow of background colors, so I can adjust it to the particular lighting situation and make it work ok for me.

These radios were used in my vehicle, not as an emergency station. However, I am pretty partial to my Yaesu so far. Very nice rig.

Brad N7JGX
Whidbey Island, WA.

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Whatever.....