Posted: 9/10/2009 11:28:55 AM EDT
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What would you get that can take abuse and has a good set of features?
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I prefer a "full-sized" talkie for SHTF - Small speakers produce weak audio in noisy areas, and a small package also often involves compromises in battery size and transmitter power.
The Icom IC-T7H-SPORT would be a dual-bander worth considering - It accepts standard NiMH AA cells, will also operate directly from a 12 volt car battery, has a beefy 6 watt transmit section and a 0.5 watt audio amp feeding a good-sized speaker. At $165, it's a good value. 
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Yaesus are good radios. Personally, I have an Alinco G5 that is built like a tank. If it had alphanumeric capability (i.e., you could program text into the screen instead of having to read the frequencies), it would be the perfect radio. I have an Alinco right now and that thing has been in the rain and mud and been good to me. Any shtf radio needs to be able to take some abuse. Too bad I dont see too many people doing a torture test on their com gear. |
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Quoted:
I prefer a "full-sized" talkie for SHTF - Small speakers produce weak audio in noisy areas, and a small package also often involves compromises in battery size and transmitter power. The Icom IC-T7H-SPORT would be a dual-bander worth considering - It accepts standard NiMH AA cells, will also operate directly from a 12 volt car battery, has a beefy 6 watt transmit section and a 0.5 watt audio amp feeding a good-sized speaker. At $165, it's a good value. http://www.hamradio.com/web/gif/t7hsm.jpg That does look good. I like the NiMH AA ability. |
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Yaesus are good radios. Personally, I have an Alinco G5 that is built like a tank. If it had alphanumeric capability (i.e., you could program text into the screen instead of having to read the frequencies), it would be the perfect radio. I have an Alinco right now and that thing has been in the rain and mud and been good to me. Any shtf radio needs to be able to take some abuse. Too bad I dont see too many people doing a torture test on their com gear. Well, the G5 has a metal case for one thing... ought to count for something. 4 VFOs for FM UHF/VHF It's a bit of a pain to program though, the layout of the front panel isn't easy to figure out. |
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Yaesus are good radios. Personally, I have an Alinco G5 that is built like a tank. If it had alphanumeric capability (i.e., you could program text into the screen instead of having to read the frequencies), it would be the perfect radio. I have an Alinco right now and that thing has been in the rain and mud and been good to me. Any shtf radio needs to be able to take some abuse. Too bad I dont see too many people doing a torture test on their com gear. Well, the G5 has a metal case for one thing... ought to count for something. 4 VFOs for FM UHF/VHF It's a bit of a pain to program though, the layout of the front panel isn't easy to figure out. That is good to know. I will check it out. |
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in true SHTF situations, no power, I wouldn't rely on repeaters being opertive. so no need to be able to load/switch repeater freqs while moving around..
with that said,, pick up a pair of used /\/\ oto's like the old HT-1000's 16 ch. scan, and plug a bunch of simplex freq's in. oh, untill the SHTF, put local repearters in, you'd be better off using simplex anyway, |
SHTF its coming with me.
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I have an Icom V82 with the MFJ 1717 antenna that is going to take some trips into the back country in the next several weeks. My regular radio is an Icom F30GS, but so far I am unable to scrounge an adapter to use an extended antenna with it. Both can use a 6 AA alkaline pack which I have about three of. The VX150 is a good radio from what I have heard from a local ham. The ability to read the op freq without removing it from the holster is a plus. One of the best 2 meter HT's that I have, is an Icom IC2GAT. Only 20 memories, but with a top display and an aluminum case, it is pretty tough. It is a brick from yesteryear for sure. The AA case on it holds "eight" AA cells!
RS |
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Have any of you guys actually used a HT for simplex work? I have. 5 watts may be cool for QRP work, but for simplex operations over wide area? Good luck.
Alll my HT's are great, but only when there's a repeater handy. For you SHTF types, there ain't gonna be no repeater, and if there is, it'll be crowded with the day-glo vest types... |
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Have any of you guys actually used a HT for simplex work? I have. 5 watts may be cool for QRP work, but for simplex operations over wide area? Good luck. Alll my HT's are great, but only when there's a repeater handy. For you SHTF types, there ain't gonna be no repeater, and if there is, it'll be crowded with the day-glo vest types... Yes, that's why we have mobile and HF rigs. Can't clip one of those to a belt, though. (Despite our very best efforts) |
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Have any of you guys actually used a HT for simplex work? I have. 5 watts may be cool for QRP work, but for simplex operations over wide area? Good luck. 5W combined with a roll-up J-pole work wonders. Quoted:
Alll my HT's are great, but only when there's a repeater handy. such as an FT8800 or other crossband-capable mobile radio? this is EXACTLY what we do on Field Day. Quoted:
For you SHTF types, there ain't gonna be no repeater, and if there is, it'll be crowded with the day-glo vest types... you know this is the case everywhere, because? example: a major SHTF occurred just 10 miles away from my AO exactly 8 years and 3 days ago, the result of which was the cellphone & POTS networks were completely saturated, and the repeaters weren't "crowded with the day-glo vest types". ar-jedi |