Comms: Need to Know what you Know

[cofi]

Given this is the S&P forum I am assuming this is the purpose you are looking to use these for? You can also consider the Baofeng UV-5R+ for this type of purpose. They are not Part 95 Certified by the FCC and you are not supposed to use them on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies, but pretty much everyone does. These are dual band VHF/UHF radios that are dirt cheap and work pretty well. Very easy to program. You still will not get the range you want, but that type of range in the city is pretty tough with low power radios with no access to a repeater.

the baofengs are the way to go 40 bucks shipped!

[rbeau30]

the baofengs are the way to go 40 bucks shipped!

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

[cofi]

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

mylar works as a faraday cage??

[rbeau30]

mylar works as a faraday cage??

The ESD bags you get with electronic components? Those are Mylar. If you think about it... Mylar is metallized plastic bags. That is why they are air tight, because just plastic alone is not. In theory, any electro-static discharge would travel along the bag protecting any electronics inside if sealed properly.

I was planning on putting them in sealed mylar ESD bags with a layer of foam protecting them from touching the inside of something like an ammo can that has been properly sealed (metal tape and grounded. Should be sufficient to protect them from any solar produced EMP. EMP in Denver area means I am already dead as I am sure most of the first-strike targets are all within 100 miles of here.

[streetglideok]

The ESD bags you get with electronic components? Those are Mylar. If you think about it... Mylar is metallized plastic bags. That is why they are air tight, because just plastic alone is not. In theory, any electro-static discharge would travel along the bag protecting any electronics inside if sealed properly.

I was planning on putting them in sealed mylar ESD bags with a layer of foam protecting them from touching the inside of something like an ammo can that has been properly sealed (metal tape and grounded. Should be sufficient to protect them from any solar produced EMP. EMP in Denver area means I am already dead as I am sure most of the first-strike targets are all within 100 miles of here.

Not necessarily. EMP devices can be detonated, and have the effect of the emp of a nuke. They can be made with crude materials as well, something terrorists could make. We are also vulnerable from the sun. In fact we just missed a major EME that crossed our orbit that was comparable to the Carrington event. Look that up if you are unfamiliar with the Carrington event, and keep that in mind.

[Singlestack]

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

I agree with this. Given a little bit if study time and passing the technician ham exam for $15, this is the way to go for "cheap and effective" comms that are a step up from FRS/GMRS/MURS. The big advantage is really all of the repeaters that enable comms over a much broader area - especially near the population centers. Also, if you choose to go with a UV-5R variant, there is a very helpful Yahoo group specifically for the UV-5R. This is especially helpful for new users and can help get you going in no time. I have the basic UV-5R, which works with all of the accessories. Some of the variants, for example, won't work with the AA/AAA battery cases that are available - since the main difference between models is the case size and arrangement.

[hatidua]

Well, I broke down and bought the study flashcards for the technicians test along with a Yaesu ft-60R. This should prove interesting....I've not studied for a test since college and that was a LONG time ago!

[bogie]

Well, I broke down and bought the study flashcards for the technicians test along with a Yaesu ft-60R. This should prove interesting....I've not studied for a test since college and that was a LONG time ago!

Hey hatidua, I've been running through the flashcards on the site linked below. You can get free flashcards for all the tests in case you want to study for general or amateur extra.

https://hamstudy.org/

[hatidua]

Hey hatidua, I've been running through the flashcards on the site linked below. You can get free flashcards for all the tests in case you want to study for general or amateur extra.

https://hamstudy.org/

Thanks, I've just spent the last 20 minutes on that site......wish I'd seen that before buying the cards