Remote, Handheld
- Thread starter shogun
- Start date
My concerns are hardware related, not legal. Those issues will be dealt with elsewhere. I have no experience with mid-range civilian comms, so I dont know expected ranges of ground-based uhf/vhf.
I have been retained to evaluate necessary gear to provide support to ground teams in the area, comms being one issue. I didnt care for the standard answers I was given during a recent evaluation and am exploring other possibilities.
I have been retained to evaluate necessary gear to provide support to ground teams in the area, comms being one issue. I didnt care for the standard answers I was given during a recent evaluation and am exploring other possibilities.
xtatik
Explorer
Hmmm,
-Repeaters....nix.
-No line of sight......VHF/UHF FM....nix.
-Cell phone...nix.
-Sat phones (scheduled?)....I guess...nix.
-Handheld anything @ 50 miles.....nix.
Although still line-of-sight, on windless days in Baja (as if), you could try smoke signals.:coffeedrink:
Seriously, the only remaining option I can think of (if all persons are licensed for it) could be NVIS. Armed Services have been using it for years. It doesn't work at all above 7mhz (40m) and would be spotty at times. It would also require proper antenna setup (critical) taking about 15 minutes each time you attempt a transmission. But, there are xceivers (5w) that run on internal batteries and can be easily carried (Yaesu FT-817, and the like). Downside is....if your group isn't licensed and RF/antenna savvy, it'd be a waste of time.
Here's more....
http://www.qsl.net/wb5ude/nvis/
Read the portion below "Advantages and Disadvantages" especially.
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Jerry
Adventurer
I recently purchased an Elk dual band log periodic beam antenna. Terrific reviews on eHam, the best I have ever seen. I plan on storing it along with a multi-section fiberglass pole in the Flip-Pac and mount it on the bull bar for portable and emergency use (the pole will also support an inverted-v HF dipole for portable operation).
Hooked up the Elk on our deck for the first time today so no detailed reports as of yet. It was connected to a 50w Yaesu FT-7900R. At first I held it away from my body with the handle that comes with the antenna. It worked, but was too low to the ground, very stressful on my shoulder and outstretched arm and too close to my body considering possible EMF. Later put it in the air atop the 21' 6 section fiberglass flagpole. Pretty wobbly at the top, but with no wind it worked fine. Actually I got reports from repeaters over 100 miles distant and they said it sounded as good as my permanently mounted Cushcraft 5 element 2M/440 beam. I live in Yakima, WA and we are surrounded by mountains. The repeater I hit was 130 away near Tollgate, OR. Obviously my signal reflects off one or more mountains to make the trip (RF gremlin good guys at work), but it goes to show the capabilities of 2-meter communication.
As long as I am playing with the Elk antenna, and before I put it back in the carrying case, I plan on trying 2-meter sideband. The Elk easily twists to horizontal allowing SSB communication. Can't do that with my permanent beam antenna so might find a whole new world...who knows?
I am impressed with the Elk. The boom length is only 24" so very compact. The radials screw onto machine screws secured to the boom and have a tendency to come loose with just a little vibration. Instructions say to use LocTite and I plan on so doing. Also, when the beam is in vertical position the coax must extend straight away from the connector for at least 8" otherwise high SWR will result. Not too much to ask for such a great little portable antenna.
I do not own a handheld so have no personal experience with an HT and an Elk. I did, however, lower the wattage of the 7900 to 10w and could still be heard 130 miles distant. One of the guys I talked with asked whether I planned on using the Elk with an HT, something he witnessed at a field day. He said he has been thinking of buying one for his HT.
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Local comms between mobile units. Thus there will not be ability to setup antennae and search for signals.
Other research indicates sat phones can run continuously and work inside a vehicle, so this may be the best solution. I was told that they would have to run on a comm schedule (turn on for use, then off), wrong.
Other possibility mentioned was vhf ht running the power up to 25w. Dont know if thats available, I think most are 5w, but was told 25w is limit.
xtatik
Explorer
Given the specific limitations you've mentioned, I think SatPhones are the way to go.
rusty_tlc
Explorer
Do you need to use HT's? It's pretty easy to set up a mobile rig in a temporary configuration on a truck.
Not an absolute must. However, installation would have to be parking lot style and removable after the job, unless the owner wanted to keep/purchase it (not likely).
Would a mobile unit provide the needed range/power? Or would linear amps be needed (more install work)? I think the costs would exceed satphone rental significantly. HTs would be easier to resell than a mobile I would think, especially if they had better than 5w PEP.
rusty_tlc
Explorer
Ft-2900 75W should be able to do the job without any additional amplifier. Operation on 2M does require a license though. A reciprocal licenses for Mexico would also be required.
Antenna options;
Comet M-24M Mag Mount Mid way down the page. This antenna needs a ground plane, about a 19" square of metal connected to ground under it. Great for roof top
Lip Mount might also be an option. Larsen makes a couple of antennas that do not require a ground plane.
A couple of rolls of 12AWG wire and some crimp connectors for power, those radios will fry a cigarette lighter circuit, they need to be connected directly to the battery.
Antenna options;
Comet M-24M Mag Mount Mid way down the page. This antenna needs a ground plane, about a 19" square of metal connected to ground under it. Great for roof top
Lip Mount might also be an option. Larsen makes a couple of antennas that do not require a ground plane.
A couple of rolls of 12AWG wire and some crimp connectors for power, those radios will fry a cigarette lighter circuit, they need to be connected directly to the battery.
Mash5
Adventurer
You seem to be being a criptic about what you are doing and that is making hard to understand your needs... at least for me. But from what I understand you have two options.
SAT phones are easily deployed and I have rented them for trips into MX. They work great because everyone basically knows how to use a phone, and while somewhat different they are much like a cell phone. You will need an antenna outside the vehicle and dont work in trees or deep canyons. The ones I have rented come with mag mounts, extra batteries and a dc power cord... easy. I have had good luck with Road Post for rental. The only down side is cost, but if it's for one trip for folks where the alternative is buying Ham gear and selling it after, I would think it would be cheaper, but your not going to be chatting on them because of cost per min. Also they are point to point so they suck when you want to talk to everyone at once. You end up making multiple short calls. In a big group this would really suck. We had 5 last time and it was a pain at times.
2 meter or better yet 6 meter (way better at penetrating hills and trees) would theoretically work great for "tactical comm" except for the fact that for the purpose of a single trip to MX you are not going to be able to get a license. A US one is no good down there and getting a MX one requires being there, and a huge hassle. The other thing is if you just hand one to a newby (particularly a mobile) you will risk having loss of comms due to operator error. You could go pirate and I'm not sure anyone would care out in the wilderness but I hear the MX prisons can wreck a vacation. If this was a US trip and it was a group committed to the issue enough to learn and get a license and permanently install gear I would have no hesitation recommending 6 meter. You can use all the power that will do you any good and I would expect 100% connection with in a 20 mile radius in all but the steepest terrain and up to 200 mile out in the open with favorable winds
. I love radios in trucks but in MX I roll with SAT phones and FSR.
SAT phones are easily deployed and I have rented them for trips into MX. They work great because everyone basically knows how to use a phone, and while somewhat different they are much like a cell phone. You will need an antenna outside the vehicle and dont work in trees or deep canyons. The ones I have rented come with mag mounts, extra batteries and a dc power cord... easy. I have had good luck with Road Post for rental. The only down side is cost, but if it's for one trip for folks where the alternative is buying Ham gear and selling it after, I would think it would be cheaper, but your not going to be chatting on them because of cost per min. Also they are point to point so they suck when you want to talk to everyone at once. You end up making multiple short calls. In a big group this would really suck. We had 5 last time and it was a pain at times.
2 meter or better yet 6 meter (way better at penetrating hills and trees) would theoretically work great for "tactical comm" except for the fact that for the purpose of a single trip to MX you are not going to be able to get a license. A US one is no good down there and getting a MX one requires being there, and a huge hassle. The other thing is if you just hand one to a newby (particularly a mobile) you will risk having loss of comms due to operator error. You could go pirate and I'm not sure anyone would care out in the wilderness but I hear the MX prisons can wreck a vacation. If this was a US trip and it was a group committed to the issue enough to learn and get a license and permanently install gear I would have no hesitation recommending 6 meter. You can use all the power that will do you any good and I would expect 100% connection with in a 20 mile radius in all but the steepest terrain and up to 200 mile out in the open with favorable winds
. I love radios in trucks but in MX I roll with SAT phones and FSR.