Portable Radio Options

[cgrutt]

Picked the kx3/pa3 up today totally psyched it seems to be in great shape. The guy threw in a ton of stuff that I wasn't expecting. He said it was built as a kit about two years ago. He's lost interest in HAM and sold off this and a few other radios. He gave me lots of extras. Now I need an antenna for it. Came with:

Kx3
PX3
Bluetooth keyboard
Mollie backpack
Kx3 has internal batteries and charger
Also has auto antenna tuner
Pelican 1200 case
Nifty stands and manuals
Heat sinks, covers and soft cases
Paracord, steaks, bungeies etc for antenna (Not supplied)
Bunch of elecraft cables USB/ photo/ audio etc
12v charger/cable
Elecraft Mike
Cool blanket/Portable seat
External LiFe 13.2v battery
100' portable tape measure
Roll of this cool 2 sided Velcro hook on one side loop on other
Roll of caution tape
Log book and lots of pens / sharpies
Original Elecraft manuals
Probably some stuff I forgot about lol

Really looking forward to getting antenna and trying to figure this out!!!

 

[nfernaays]

Comms prepping has consumed most of my 2017. Although i thought about getting my Ham license, i don't need my name on another list. I have gone with the 11 meter CB route and to be honest I am very surprised with how many people still use CB. My original thought was to have a solid none cell phone mode of communication between my truck and my home. This would allow me to venture out with clear lines of communication back home. Surprisingly enough I have talked to more than a dozen different people spread out though western NY that use the CB regularly either with a base station or in their trucks. On the highway i have been able to get traffic, weather and road condition reports from fellow drivers and has been very helpful. On one occasion I spotted a Semi truck who had his rear trailer doors wide open and could have potentially lost his load, or created and accident. I was able to get a hold of a different truck who was able to flag him down and avoid any disasters. The several base stations i talk to in the area are like minded individuals and I am sure their communications in a SHTF would be beneficial. These folks have years of radio experience and were more than willing to help me solve some of my newbie mistakes and give advise. Some of which are also hams but prefer the chatter/banter on CB over Ham talk. I would suggest if you are just getting into radio or are budget minded explore this route. Keep your expectations realistic and enjoy.

 

[Jackalope]

There's nothing wrong with CB's, they have their place in communications, but they also have profound limitations. Amateur radio is still the best for the extensive frequencies and modes that are available. It's also possible to program various amateur radio transceivers to use CB frequencies, though I don't know why anyone would want to do that. Think of CB's, FRS and MURS radios as kindergarten in the radio world, because of their limitations and capabilities. There are much better means of communications.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I just use Baofengs without a license. I don't transmit but listen once in a blue moon to my local public safety frequencies to keep up with the lingo used.

I also have a few frequencies and repeaters dialed in for personal use for SHTF to communicate with for family.

I have no interest in using it for communications now. I have my cellphone for that.

 

[nfernaays]

Don't get me wrong i have a Beofeng like everyone else, it actually always on my local fire ems dispatch frequency serving as a scanner. It has been programmed via CHIRP to all FRS GMRS MURS frequencies as well as NOAA stations. I also have a shortwave radio with mag loop antenna and have picked up news from around the world.
But as far as communicating CB hits the sweet spot for me. No license, no pretentious ham operators. You can make it as simple or as technical as your skill set allows. You can buy a cheap mobile rig ($10 at any flea market) and run if off a car battery or buy a new $600 base radio. You can run a car antenna or a 18ft omni antenna or beam. Options abound. It obviously has limitations but all radio comms do. For prepping it may just fit the bill.

 

[Acer-m14]

I think i still have a super penetrator 11m ground plane antenna in the shed .. i think .. its been years .. where in the shed is the question LOL ..
used to use 11m CB when i lived in SC .. i kinda kicked out the amps back then .. 50 watt modulator amp feeding a home made amp i built from TV tubes
pushing key up at 50 watts and when talking went up to 800 watts to a shakespear vertical ... SC to Cali talking all evening long ..

Hy-Gain

my other base was a Siltronix 1011D Tube radio ..

 

[cgrutt]

You guys have any opinion on a portable multi band field antenna for low watts? I know a length of wire in the trees may get the job done. I'm looking at Buddipole mini. Plan to use in field while hiking...

 

[Jackalope]

I use a Buddipole when on trips. They are expensive, they can be difficult to tune at times, but they do work. I've used mine a couple of times while operating as 4S7ASG in Sri Lanka, and I'll use it again when I go back next year. The PAR end fed antennas work too, but you need a tree or other support structure for one end of the antenna to be effective, and an end fed Zepp can be constructed for much less money. Wire antennas cost less and weigh less than the Buddipole, and I bring one of those wire antennas with me too, in addition to the Buddipole.

 

[nfernaays]

If you are working HF, might want to look at a mag loop antenna. I have one i use for short wave listening, is compact for traveling and works very well 25w transmit limit.

 

[laney50w]

GREAT information.

I might also suggest the lowly CB radio. Some of the older ones can be "tweaked", and have mods done to access other frequencies. I have one that was set up during the whole CB craze that can transmit and receive for miles. I also have a SSB mounted in the garage. If your group plans ahead, you can be pretty well prepared. Down here where I'm located the terrain lends itself well to CB communications with lots of open farmland.

Just thought I would toss this idea out there.

MO

CB radios are still a great option. My Father used to repair them back in the 70s and 80's. ..we still have a stockpile of them, along with a boatload of antennas! And their range is pretty awesome. In a shtf scenario, they will certainly be installed in my vehicles.

As for backup, we have a bunch of newer handheld units of various types, as well...including the Baefong units...regardless of whatever you choose, it's always good to have some type of communication unit.

 

[laney50w]

Can I pick up ch 19, CB band? This would be good for traveling.

The older Cobra, Midland, and Uniden units were awesome! Sturdy, built to last, and the ones I have still work great, to this day, and those were from the 80's! Get a good ol' K40 antenna, and you're golden!

 

[cgrutt]

Back in the day I had a k40 antenna and transceiver have no idea what happened to it lol. Good stuff along with their radar detectors...

 

[FrankenCub]

The older Cobra, Midland, and Uniden units were awesome! Sturdy, built to last, and the ones I have still work great, to this day, and those were from the 80's! Get a good ol' K40 antenna, and you're golden!

I still have a couple Cobra 29LTDs from when I drove a dumptruck and wrecker. They worked great. Going to add on to my M1008 once I find a used 101" whip, too cheap to buy a new one lol.

 

[laney50w]

I still have a couple Cobra 29LTDs from when I drove a dumptruck and wrecker. They worked great. Going to add on to my M1008 once I find a used 101" whip, too cheap to buy a new one lol.

Those LTD's were killer units! Think we still have a couple in the basement.

The "President" models were great, too. Even the older "Realistic" units were good. When Radio Shack actually sold real shit, instead of rc toys, and batteries.

Years ago Radio Shack had one of the best set of speakers...The Nimbus series. OMG, they rocked! Small box speakers that packed some serious punch. Can still get them on Ebay, as well as a bunch of older cb radios!

 

[FrankenCub]

Those LTD's were killer units! Think we still have a couple in the basement

One of mine is the SoundTracker and not positive but I think the other is a Classic, I'd have to look at them again.
I've been watching some videos on YT and seen some interesting ways to build a manpack. Might experiment and put one of the LTDs and a modded Yaesu 2m rig in one as a mobile (out of vehicle) comms set up.

Also been looking at used military antennas but they are getting crazy money for them and they still need to have the base modded to work with a CB so I pretty much gave up that idea.

 

[laney50w]

One of mine is the SoundTracker and not positive but I think the other is a Classic, I'd have to look at them again.
I've been watching some videos on YT and seen some interesting ways to build a manpack. Might experiment and put one of the LTDs and a modded Yaesu 2m rig in one as a mobile (out of vehicle) comms set up.

Also been looking at used military antennas but they are getting crazy money for them and they still need to have the base modded to work with a CB so I pretty much gave up that idea.

My Father still has his huge Yeasu base unit, and a big Cobra base unit. Both from late 70s, early 80's. Still remember the day he brought that big ass Yeasu unit home! When my cousin was in the Air Force (during that era) he was the Load master on the C5 Galaxy. There were days we could literally talk to him during his entire flight from NC to Germany! We spoke to people in France, Belgium, Japan, etc....and all this before cell phones...and NOT a HAM unit, just a big ass base unit, power amp, and a good house antenna! We had so much fun back then, talking to all these people from around the world!

 

[laney50w]

One of mine is the SoundTracker and not positive but I think the other is a Classic, I'd have to look at them again.
I've been watching some videos on YT and seen some interesting ways to build a manpack. Might experiment and put one of the LTDs and a modded Yaesu 2m rig in one as a mobile (out of vehicle) comms set up.

Also been looking at used military antennas but they are getting crazy money for them and they still need to have the base modded to work with a CB so I pretty much gave up that idea.

I think the Yeasu model we have is the FT101EE??? If memory serves. ..

 

[laney50w]

I think i still have a super penetrator 11m ground plane antenna in the shed .. i think .. its been years .. where in the shed is the question LOL ..
used to use 11m CB when i lived in SC .. i kinda kicked out the amps back then .. 50 watt modulator amp feeding a home made amp i built from TV tubes
pushing key up at 50 watts and when talking went up to 800 watts to a shakespear vertical ... SC to Cali talking all evening long ..

Hy-Gain

my other base was a Siltronix 1011D Tube radio ..

You Didn't take that picture at my Dad's house, did ya'??? LOL. DAMN! Looks somewhat idental to his gear, with slight variations.

 

[FrankenCub]

I think the Yeasu model we have is the FT101EE??? If memory serves. ..

My Yaesu is an FT2800M. Just a 2m mobile, I had it in my truck before I upgraded to the Icom 5100. The 2800 is fairly small so would make for a good manpack radio. I have yet to figure how I want to configure batteries though. That will add a ton of weight. I'm thinking some of those batteries used for emergency lighting light work well, a lot of them are pretty small and could recharge them with a small solar panel.