What kind of radio / communication device would you pack?

Rumble

Rumble

Joined
May 10, 2001
Messages
853
Like the subject line says:

What kind of radio would you pack on your excursions?
I'm thinking along the lines of just keeping up with the rest
of the world; AM/FM/Multi-band.

As well, what kind of two-way radio would you bring along if you could? I've been thinking of getting some sort of FRS/GMRS set, maybe 3 or 4 of them. Tell me if you've had good or bad experience with particular makes and models.

Cheers!

Burton
 
Around here, I usually carry an Icom M1-V marine-band VHF transceiver. It picks up the weather band, too.

As far as AM/FM/SW, I don't usually bother, but when I do, I have a teeny Grundig travel radio/clock/alarm that I bring along.
 
My experience is that FM is just about worthless if you are in the wilderness - too far from civilization to pick up the signal. AM is OK but only at night. That's usually OK since I'm on the move during the day and only listening at night while camping.

What I would like to find is a shortwave radio that is like those featherweight headset radios that joggers wear. I think that they only make them in AM/FM. If anyone knows of a SW version, please let me know.

One use for an AM/FM during the day: Turn it on during the day and listen to the static for a few minutes. Sometimes you can hear the static distortions caused by a heat-generated shower that is heading your way long before you can see it. Especially if you are in a forest and you can not see the horizion.
 
Good thread! I'm looking forward to hearing what other folks think is appropriate.

Since I'm usually within the confines of the suburbs, I carry a cell phone (useless during a real emergency, but handy when the car stalls) and and AM/FM/Weatherband walkman. Work is to far from home (30 miles) to make FRS or CB usable.

I'll probably get a marine radio if I do any extended paddling trips.

Patrick
 
I carry 2

a Broadcast band radio (aka, a small AM/FM)

and my Icom T7H dual band Handheld - yeah, you need your ham ticket. It has a built in scanner that covers a lot of the bands that I want to hear in receive only mode (But JUST misses my local PD)

If I was worried about that, there are rigs with wider receive

Charlie
KC2IXE
 
What is my goal with this radio device? To listen to the news/weather/my favorite country station? To keep in touch with my compadres, or to contact emergency rescue forces?

If the goal is the news/WX/music, then I won't comment... too many options that work differently in too many places.

Keeping in touch with my compadres, that depends on the range ya'll plan on wandering apart. The little motorola-type radios do a fantastic short-range job. Beyond that, you need one of the commercial band radios, and they'll go out to a few miles, but with limited batteries.

If you are looking for an emergency rescue-type radio, and cost is not a factor, buy a handheld two-way aviation radio. Several exist out there, but will cost a pretty penny. But a quick call pver 121.5 will contact every plane in the sky above you. Life and death only, several federal organizations would be unhappy with you clogging that freq for anything else, but if my life depended on it, I wouldna mind every airliner, and every Jack and Jill cruising in a cessna hearing about my dilemma...

And it's good worldwide...

Stryver
 
I have a Yaesu VX-5, Tri Band ham radio. 2 meter, 440 and 6 meter. 5 watt output, about the size of a pack if cigs. Has wideband scanner and alphanumeric display. Can listen to just about anything, also has weather channels already programmed in. Communicate long range with repeaters.
 
Originally posted by Oni
I have a Yaesu VX-5, Tri Band ham radio. ...snip
Click to expand...

Oni,
That was my "Other" choice - I heard some bad things about intermod in VERY bad RF locations, and I work in an area that is about as bad as they get, so I went with the ICOM, but as they say, "you pays your money, you makes your choices" (sic). I like the VX-5 too - nice rig
 
I've got one of the Radio Shack hand cranks radios. I'm no radio officianado, but I absolutely love it. It picks up stations like nothing I've ever carried before. The battery time is also much better than specified.
 
The Radio Shack Multiband Self-Powered Radio
Model Number 12-803

I like what I've read about it. Has everything I would need in an emergency. Thanks Ray!

But, Radio Shack doesn't sell it online anymore.
Anyone got anything else that is comparable?
Anyone wanna sell me one? :)

Burton
 
Yes, I do get some intermod with the VX-5. I also have an Icom IC-Q7A as a back-up (runs off AA) and it gets some intermod also. In fact, a majority of my radios get some intermod, some a little better than others. I guess it's a trade off for the size/features/price.

If the interference gets too bad, I can switch radios as they seem to be affected at different frequencies. Since both are about the size of a pack of cigs or playing cards, they both fit in the bag I tote to work without taking up too much room.

I really like the alpha-numeric display of the VX-5 though. Most of my other radios just have a channel number and frequency. I always forget what I programmed into what channel, and only remember so many frequencies. Not familiar with your radio...how do you like it? How's the intermod?

Rumble, I have seen some wind-up radios at Sports Chalet, or you might check a surplus type store. Not sure, but they may have been made by Free Play?
 
One of the reasons that I own the 12-803 radio from Radio Shack, is because of it's performance! My main short-wave radio is a Grundig Satellit 800. It's a top of the line radio. However, the 12-803 is comperable in terms of sensitivity, particularly when there is a randowm hunk of wire attached to the antenna. This is an amazing little radio - especially for the price. It also receives NOAA weather radio in the USA.

I owned a BayGen/Freeplay for years, but it's lower performance and LARGE size made it not suitable for my use. There were many "birdies" (interference generated within the radio itself) and out of band "image" interference which I found to be intolerable. The grinding sound of the clockwork generator in the FreePlay is "cute" but distracting. The RS radio's generator is not a clock work, but an actual generator which charges inter batteries, so there is not noise when it's running on stored power.

The FreePlay's tuning was very sloppy and far too quick to easily tune in even moderately strong stations - though it could be done, the Radio Shack radio is much easier to use. The RadioShack radio had little or none of these problems and fits into a coat pocket, costs less than the FreePlay and performs better is actual side-by-side testing.
Other than that - it doesn't have much going for it. :lol !! ha ha I operate mine using a tiny solar charger for the "AA" batteries and save the hand crank/recharger for when I need it.

>RadioRay ..._ ._
 
Originally posted by Oni
...snip... I always forget what I programmed into what channel, and only remember so many frequencies. Not familiar with your radio...how do you like it? How's the intermod?

...snip
Click to expand...

I haven't had a probelm with intermod with the T7H - part of the tradeoff being it's only dual band

No Alphanumeric, which I wish it had. I printed out all the local ARES/RACES freqs and the rest of the repeaters I use in about 4 point type, and have it taped to the back of the rig. That, and I carry the repeater directory - then again, I carry about 20 lbs of gear in my backpack every day
 
I have a Yaesu VX-5, Tri Band ham radio.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about that model. How is it on 6 meters? Seems like the little antenna would be pretty inefficient in that band... Also, is there an AA battery pack for it yet? Last time I checked, it was "pending".

I guess I could answer the second question for myself with a visit to the HRO or other ham web site, but I am curious about your experience with 6 meter performance...

Thanks
KD6KVH
 
Matthew

Tell you the truth...I haven't really played with it on 6 meters.

I think there is a AA battery pack as an option, but it drops the transmit power to ~3-400 milliamps? Good option to have for monitoring purposes though.

It comes with an extension for the antennae for the 6 meter band. Leave that at home usually. Works well on 2 meter/440.

Has SMA connector for antennae, but have seen BNC adapters for more aftermarket antennae choices.

I chose it more for the size, power output on 2 meter/440 and alpha-numeric display than for 6 meter performance. I should try and hit some of the local 6 meter repeaters to see how it works.

I have been happy with the radio and would recommend it overall.
 
What I would like to find is a shortwave radio that is like those featherweight headset radios that joggers wear. I think that they only make them in AM/FM. If anyone knows of a SW version, please let me know.
Click to expand...

Grundig makes one shirt pocket sized, at 4.5" x 2.5" x 7/8". Not a head set radio, but pretty small and light (5oz). Has speaker and comes with headphones.
 
I picked one up....some of the best bang for the buck that I have found lately.
Thanks RadioRay,
Jim
 
Matthew - thanks for the recommendation on the shirt pocket sized Grundig. I'll check into it. I've had a regular sized Grundig for several years and it's been a great radio.
 
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