Warning

 

Close

Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Confirm Cancel
BCM
User Panel

Posted: 10/18/2014 1:01:10 AM EDT
Do you have a shtf HT? I have a number of baofengs and wouxans, and I'm looking to add a higher end HT to that list. Something like a yaesu VX8Dr, with feature that the lesser radios don't have gps, spectrum analyzer.... What is your shtf  high end HT?

Link Posted: 10/18/2014 1:30:32 AM EDT
[#1]
Honestly, I don't think you want "high end" for SHTF.

First, I'd argue you don't want an HT, but if you're going to insist on a HT, I'd want something
rock solid reliable and tough. That's going to likely be a FT-60R, not a VX8DR. And you're going
to want something that runs on AAs at full power, and that's not a VX8DR either.

I sacrificed dual band on the HT and went with an Icom V80 sport, but that's because I don't
consider the HT to be a primary SHTF radio, but a mobile dual-band rig instead.

All that said, having had a VX8, it's a solid radio and I don't think there's a lot from
Icom or Kenwood that are directly competitive, and it's got some nice features like HF reception.
Not a bad radio at all, just not sure it's the right fit for the role you're describing.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 1:37:27 AM EDT
[#2]
VX7 and its VHF AM air band sister the  VXA710.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 2:31:11 AM EDT
[#3]
No high dollar HT here.  I would not get anything more expensive than a FT-60.  Anymore money than that and you can get much more watts and better gain antenna options for real distances.  That said I have had some impressive distance conversations using cheap radios and a hand held Yagi.

For SHTF a $400 HT = (13) $30 radios.  Assuming you have thought ahead and have methods to recharge radios with no grid power.
For SHTF, 12 manned radios among the trusted folk spread out over an expanded perimeter is better than just one HT in your hand.  GPS, just get a good compass and a topo map of your area if it's about SHTF.
Just one opinion.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 2:41:27 AM EDT
[#4]
Lots of good radios in between the price of a VX8 and Baofengs and Wouxans.

I'd suggest any dual band from the big 3, a hand held scanner and a separate GPS.  Probably half the price of the VX8.

I've had a VX5 for almost 15 years.  Still going.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 7:16:10 AM EDT
[#5]
I have an IC70 in my GHB....so maybe FPNI.
My kids have been trying to destroy some Baofeng UV3R+ for a year with no success.. and they can charge with a USB...
I have a handful of older scanners to boot....
One
Is
None
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 7:26:51 AM EDT
[#6]
I really like my TH-72d. Built in APRS and GPS are awesome, and the ability to do skycommand is cool. The receiver is heads and tails above any Chinese radio, but so is the cost.

Then again the TH-f6a has a wideband rx and does full 5w on 2/1.25/70

However if this purchase were going to be for SHTF I would look for an XTS-2500 in VHF
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 8:38:58 AM EDT
[#7]
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

 

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 8:48:49 AM EDT
[#8]
Oddly enough, the Alinco DJ-V57T. It's discontinued, but a reasonably weatherproof dual bander with AA clamshells and a great RF deck.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 9:24:33 AM EDT
[#9]
Depends on what version of SHTF situation your preparing for. If you're planning on taking to the hills on foot with no support infrastructure something waterproof and can take AA batteries would be nice. If you have access to solar or generator for charging or don't expect major power outages AA batteries aren't all that necessary. If your sticking around your house and have lots of friends and family nearby, you probably don't need anything fancy and should go for cheap radios in volume. I will say that the extra functions on the VX-8 like spectrum monitor and GPS for the most part go unused and shouldn't really be considered selling points. Stand alone GPS units etc. will do a much better job with much less battery drain.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 11:15:33 AM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
No high dollar HT here.  I would not get anything more expensive than a FT-60.  Anymore money than that and you can get much more watts and better gain antenna options for real distances.  That said I have had some impressive distance conversations using cheap radios and a hand held Yagi.

For SHTF a $400 HT = (13) $30 radios.  Assuming you have thought ahead and have methods to recharge radios with no grid power.
For SHTF, 12 manned radios among the trusted folk spread out over an expanded perimeter is better than just one HT in your hand.  GPS, just get a good compass and a topo map of your area if it's about SHTF.
Just one opinion.
View Quote


I hope i've got the cheap radios and power covered.
So far, 4 wouxan uv2d(to go to family) 8 baofengs, 2 anytones dual band 50watt rigs, adding a 857 and a high end HT. to power it all 2500watt solar array, 2200Amp Hour battery array, two iota dsl 45's for top off, 2500 and 600 watt pure sine invertes,  another 100 watts in portable solar panels and chargers. honda 2000eu tri fuel and 5600 watt tri fuel gas generators - homemade gasifier which runs a old lawn mower engine and a 145 amp diesel engine altenator. I dont like not having lights and a working frig.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 11:17:38 AM EDT
[#11]
Thank guys, the responses have been not what I had expected, thank you for sharing your experiences and insights.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 11:19:45 AM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
VX7 and its VHF AM air band sister the  VXA710.
View Quote



Aren't they hard to come by, I thought they're not being made any longer.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 12:44:42 PM EDT
[#13]
Let me start by saying that I'm not a snob. I don't hate the Chinese.....only their cheap radios. ?

My first two HTs were a Yaesu FT60r & VX6R. Wonderful radios. Easy to work. Easy to program. Built like tanks.  Then I found a good deal on some Chinese radios. Tried a number of them. Couldn't get past how cheap they were. And, they had plenty of problems.  Decided that I didn't want to have to trust my family's lives to something so crappy. I gave them away.

So, I now have only Yaesu radios. Couldn't be happier.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 2:17:33 PM EDT
[#14]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.
View Quote



Green with envy
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 3:27:58 PM EDT
[#15]
Kenwood TH-F6A. I really like it's Li-Ion battery life and capacity. Having 220 MHz band is important to me because there is very little activity on the band. Yaesu FT-60 would be my first choice if I did not need a tri-band HT.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 3:51:54 PM EDT
[#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.
View Quote


Or one of these...




Link Posted: 10/18/2014 3:54:07 PM EDT
[#17]
Johnson 5100. It's essentially a Motorola XTS with different firmware. It's keypad programmable and nearly indestructible.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 4:31:01 PM EDT
[#18]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.


Or one of these...

http://images.whoppo.net/forum.images/Gonset.6m.01.800x600jpg.jpg



gnarly
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 8:52:57 PM EDT
[#19]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.


Or one of these...

http://images.whoppo.net/forum.images/Gonset.6m.01.800x600jpg.jpg



Goonybird! Or Goony Box, depending on your location.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 9:10:10 PM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Goonybird! Or Goony Box, depending on your location.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.


Or one of these...

http://images.whoppo.net/forum.images/Gonset.6m.01.800x600jpg.jpg



Goonybird! Or Goony Box, depending on your location.


nah it's obviously called yelloww radio
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 9:12:03 PM EDT
[#21]
The VX8 is not a rugged radio. It is easily broken thin plastic case will be easily damaged. Look at a FT-60 or vx7 or vx5 from the used market. I have dropped my vx5 from about 35' up on a tower and it survived fine.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 9:29:56 PM EDT
[#22]
I would skip the high end HT and put the money in solid antenna systems for  your upcoming FT-857.  

Good base and portable HF, Signalink, and laptop, or droid connection for psk,  tuner etc.

Unless you have engineering skills or a lot of time, get the Tac Comm carriers for your 857, battery and power supply.   Easy way to make them portable for those of us with the time or skills to make a sweet radio go box.  Mine goes from Alice pack to Hardig rolling case to base in mancave as base.
Link Posted: 10/18/2014 10:15:22 PM EDT
[#23]
I have three (yeah, I know...) VX-7Rs and have yet to see another HT I would have the hots to replace them with.

Very wide band RX, dual band monitoring, TX on several bands, ruggedly built, said to be submersible too, but if they are half of all that they're better than most commercial HTs out there for playing rough. I have them set up to work with an FT-8900 in a vehicle to crossband repeat back to the house, or they can be quickly reset to select another memory and simplex with each other. They will also software-enable to use the MARS/CAP freqs, etc..

I like the idea of having a group of identical HTs for logistical reasons. I found the service menu and opened up the deviation a little to overcome chronic mic attenuation by the waterproof membrane. I use CHIRP, VX-7 Commander and ADMS software/cable to program all three to run alike and to compliment each others frequency pairs. I have adapters with twin-lead J-poles on about 10' of feedline for each HT and a bunch of batteries, wall/vehicle/pigtail chargers and hand mics that are common to all. Two is one and all that....

I cannot bring myself to treat cheap crap as anything but a toy, and the Chinese 'bargain radios' offend my sensibilities. One would have to realize they only got what they deserved, and paid for, if they had to use one in a clutch and it was DOA. As more or less posted above, if I really really NEED a radio, I don't want anything but 100% out of it. At this point, I'd have to think some more, but would probably get VX-6s or FT60s if I had to get another herd of HTs together.

Having fooled with these VX-7s and a few others, I'm not excited to have an HT as my primary radio, but I don't know what else I could actually carry if I wanted to take a walk around the farm carrying a rifle and ammo and my lunch and flashlight and helmet and all.
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 10:03:31 AM EDT
[#24]
vx7 is also my choice
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 10:56:30 AM EDT
[#25]
FT1DR cause I can have what I want.
FTM400 is in the Jeep.
G35 for inside the home; G23 on the hip.
POF P415 if I knew there was going to be a gunfight and couldn't avoid it.

I could imagine that my KX3 and 817 would be part of my go kit. In the jeep to another location that is...not too fond of packing everything but I wont be working alone on this part.
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 11:43:46 AM EDT
[#26]
I have an FT-60 that collects dust.

I have a few baofengs, 2 outa 3 broken

HT's are a toy.

Get your self a real radio that will be usefull in an emergency.





Link Posted: 10/19/2014 11:54:35 AM EDT
[#27]
Assuming you have the infrastructure (and backup infrastructure) to support it, I'll just leave my opinion here…(they also make my favorite HF rig).
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 12:47:26 PM EDT
[#28]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
A really, really SHTF scenario? An Elmac AF-67 transmitter and PMR-7 receiver, operating CW, vacuum tube rigs from the 1950s. Virtually EMP-proof.

http://www.parelectronics.com/images/vintage/af672-lg.jpg  http://www.eham.net/data/classifieds/images/387637.jpg

For local work, an Icom 2 Meter mobile rig and IC-V80 HT. The HT accepts AA batteries.


Or one of these...

http://images.whoppo.net/forum.images/Gonset.6m.01.800x600jpg.jpg




Wow. A communicator with a tuning eye. This must have been a prototype for Eye-Phone (i-phone)  Apple products.
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 2:21:42 PM EDT
[#29]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Assuming you have the infrastructure (and backup infrastructure) to support it, I'll just leave my opinion here…(they also make my favorite HF rig).
http://www.repeater-builder.com/pix/motorola.gif
View Quote





yeah.. I was just on their free market page and was ready to get... "nothing."    I assume I wouldn't use a damn  thing from them.
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 4:12:43 PM EDT
[#30]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:





yeah.. I was just on their free market page and was ready to get... "nothing."    I assume I wouldn't use a damn  thing from them.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Assuming you have the infrastructure (and backup infrastructure) to support it, I'll just leave my opinion here…(they also make my favorite HF rig).
http://www.repeater-builder.com/pix/motorola.gif





yeah.. I was just on their free market page and was ready to get... "nothing."    I assume I wouldn't use a damn  thing from them.

Go with the Johnson.
Link Posted: 10/19/2014 4:30:44 PM EDT
[#31]
I FEEL YOUR PAIN
Link Posted: 10/21/2014 6:49:47 PM EDT
[#32]
Kinda depends on the emergency... For the run of the mil infrastructure up emergency I have some  Racal P25's for emergency 2m use, along with some VX5R's for multiband. I have some old school 6m VHF military rigs for TSHTF comms when there is no infrastructure along with their HF brothers....
Close Join Our Mail List to Stay Up To Date! Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.


By signing up you agree to our User Agreement. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win.
Top Top