Greetings, i did some googling, but not sure if I am fully versed on this..my question is, I live 2.5 hrs NE of Dallas. I want a handheld device (not cellular based) that I could turn on and talk to someone in DFW with if they had the same type of radio??
I know my CB wont reach that far, But i dont want a dedicated HAM station at home, I want to be able to pack it and use it on the go??

any suggestions???

Probably some radio clubs with repeaters that are either linked or allow you access to the internet that might do the trick. I'm sure there are some hams on here that know much more about this than I do. I'm pretty confident you will be using VHF or UHF FM.

well it is a SHTF radio setup, I dont want to rely on the net, I was hoping for radio to radio comms

What is actual distance and what kind of topography from point “A” to point “B”?

Ham radio is probably best option, if line of sight without terrain obstruction, handheld 5 watt 2M radio might work.

Better option would be a portable radio with more power, say 25-50 watts running off of a 12v source, either battery pack or vehicle. Could easily be portable with an antenna mounted to a mast or tripod. Could use at home as well without having to commit to a “Dedicated” HAM station.

License requirement of course applies, but 2M access is granted at the starting “Technician” level.

Money wise, you are only looking at $200 bucks or so to get started for radio, battery, antenna.

Don’t necessarily have to dump big money on a name brand radio, lots of workable options such as this 25w VHF/UHF mobile from Amazon…


Here are shots of some of my portable/SHTF gear…


12v 20Ah power source. Charger fits in case, case exterior has two Anderson Power Pole connections along with USB and USB-C power ports and digital voltmeter to see charge level.

Case was $25 or so at Harbor Freight
Charger $35
Hardware/wire $30
LIFePO4 batteries highest cost ($100 each) but much less weight, longer life and can be cycled deeper. Can certainly use SLA batteries to save some money







Portable rig for Yaesu FTM 400 50w UHF/VHF portable/mobile radio. Everything (radio chassis, head, mic, cables, mounting, manual) fits in a small ammo box. Head uses a RAM mount attachment, wire feedthrough in the box for cables to radio chassis. Powered by any 12v source.

Box was $7, $2 for the wire pass through, $20 or so in RAM parts.







Portable kit for Icom-7100 100w VHF/UHF/HF. $30 case from Harbor Freight, scrap foam padding, AC to 12v power supply, or use portable 12v source. Everything except antenna fits in case.






Antenna can be as simple as a vehicle antenna on a magnetic mount, PVC mast, collapsible flag pole, camera tripod, etc. and a run of coax.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,

I am not sure about topo, I would assume not much between DFW and I , hills or whatever. I like the idea of a man packed PRC 77 style setup also If I could not have a hand held.. My cousin in DFW wants a dedicated comms setup to call me if it goes to crape up there, money is really no object for her, but it is for me.
and do i have to have a license to BUY it, or just operate it per say??

I have even seen some of these milsurp PRC 119 style radios for sale, would that work ??

VHF is only going to work 20 miles or so maximum and that assumes relatively flat terrain.

2.5 Hours NE of Dallas has got to be at least a hundred miles so VHF and UHF are out.

That leaves HF and even then you're going to have to use NVIS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...al_incidence_skywave

VHF is logistically line of sight so over moderate terrain 20 to 25 miles might work. However with access to VHF repeaters that may or may not be linked it might be possible to cover several states or a very large geographical region with a handheld.

But that involved getting a technician license grant and getting a good handheld

For larger area coverage, HF would be your next step

https://www.dxengineering.com/...yEAQYAiABEgIE5_D_BwE

something like this, in a backpack with a 12v cig plug power source?? not sure about FE antennas tho

A handheld is not going to get you into DFW; they are typically 5W devices (a few are up to 10W now) and are good for 5 to 7 miles, maybe.

A mobile VHF/UHF radio with 50 watts still won't get you into DFW proper from 2.5 hours NE of DFW. McKinney, Plano, and Richardson are going to be good alternatives but likely still out of range. Don't forget Paris, TX, depending on where you are or will be.

By the way, here is a link to the Dallas ham club, W5FC, with EMCOM info for reference:
https://w5fc.org/2020/02/10/em...teur-radio-resource/

There are a number of options depending on budget and interest. A few I like are:

1. Depending on where you are and the local repeaters' capabilities and distance from you, you will have to use either a hot spot (I use OpenSpot3 (has a battery)) or rely on local repeaters with either C4FM (think Yaesu) or D-Star (think ICOM) to get from repeater to repeater. All use the internet though, which isn't what you want. I travel with an OpenSpot3 and Yaesa FT3DR from NE OK to DFW, using my cell phone as my hotspot gateway onto the internet.
Note: with the OpenSpot3 you can get onto the Texas Nexus and America Link systems just to name a few reflectors you can get with digital comms and a hot spot.

2. Another alternative is the Oklahoma UHF SuperLink system (http://w5ias.com/tarc-wide-area-link-system/)that covers NE OK and down to Paris, TX (I think). If you can get into the Paris, TX repeater then you can probably get onto the SuperLink if it is up and running. I'd check with the Paris ham radio club.

3. A mobile HF radio with 10, 20, and 40 meter bands and an NVIS antenna (used for EMCOM in ham radio) is a good technical solution. But the EMCOM antenna isn't necessarily "mobile". There are some good battery options now too so you can operate away from you mobile if needed. (what I have: https://www.bioennopower.com/c...attery-pvc-blf-1220a)

4. I would also include a handheld receiver like a TECSUN PL-330 for receive only monitoring.

Ultimately, a good SHTF solution will require a layered approach, including handheld and mobile VHF/UHF radios, an HF band radio, and various antennas.

Going off grid and even mobile complicates the solution space somewhat.

I hope this helps. There are other options depending on your use case but none are necessarily simple.

yes sir, it does, I am right next to Paris. So i will look into that club, I know next to nothing about modern comms, I was a 2531 in the Marines (1989) and I thougth I was hi tech when we got PRC 119's LOL to replace our PRC 77s.
My family is looking for a small, packable, lightweight radio with comms that do NOT rely on cell/internet/repeaters. I basically want a plug and play radio that will talk over 200 miles, preferably 500 miles.

and not to be haughty, but money is not much of an issue, it just has to work when needed.

I have to log off, but will check back in a few hours
THANKS EVERYONE !

For HF/VHF/UHF Amateur Radio usage you will need a FCC Amateur license to legally operate. Technician class would cover most of the above bands, but bear in mind good equipment (Japanese) is costly.

You can Google for a list of repeaters in your area. There is an app with the info.

Any repeater usage (Duplex) will involve sending the communication around the world. Its called the Win System and any long time chatter on a frequency repeater (privately owned) is frowned upon.

Simplex, or one to one communication, frequencies are also listed and does not gather negative complaints from other Ham operators.

My advice to you and your friend: use cellphones or the Internet. Its less costly and easier to use.

KJ7FTH.

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
yes sir, it does, I am right next to Paris. So i will look into that club, I know next to nothing about modern comms, I was a 2531 in the Marines (1989) and I thougth I was hi tech when we got PRC 119's LOL to replace our PRC 77s.
My family is looking for a small, packable, lightweight radio with comms that do NOT rely on cell/internet/repeaters. I basically want a plug and play radio that will talk over 200 miles, preferably 500 miles.

The Icom 705 might just do it, coupled with the right antenna. They are very popular with the backpacking hams.

Can't you hook into a repeater and get that kind of range from even a handheld?

quote:

Originally posted by golddot:
… I basically want a plug and play radio that will talk over 200 miles, preferably 500 miles.

In that case, you need to be looking at HF and a “real” antenna. Something like Dipole antenna, 25-35 feet off the ground.

Will be more money for HF radio, figure $600+. Also need a General class license to use those bands. Not a hard license to get, $35 for 10 years. Antenna not too much $$$ though depending on design. How much space you have becomes a consideration though.

If you are near Paris TX, go visit the folks at Main Trading Company. They are super good people and will be glad to talk to you. Main Trading Company-Paris TX They are a kick ass Amateur Radio retailer, probably best in Texas and multiple States around. Go see them!

I'll just leave this comment here, here is the best advice you'll ever hear, I guarantee it:

It is far far so much better to have a $1,000 dollar antenna system and a $50 radio, than to have a $1,000 dollar radio and a $50 antenna.

Don't get hung up on what radio to get. Learn everything you can about antennas.

Learn. Get licensed. Join the best local club with an Elmer Program you can find. Spend more money on an antenna, forget about the super duper sophisticated doodad-ish gizmo-ish flashy-ish impressive radios.

Antenna system consists of really good coax, really good coax connectors, grounding and possibly radials. Do not skimp on this.

My buddy Mike owns Coaxman Link please feel free to call him for knowledge on antenna system components.

BTW just for the record, you can make really good performing antennas dirt cheap with wire that costs practically nothing.

Best wishes to you, I am N5USS.
.

quote:

Icom 705

thanks fellas, that is worth looking into. As they need it for the SHTF scenario, the web/cell based stuff is out of the question. I will go to Paris and check them out, I am 20 minutes from Paris.
This is not going to be a hobby per se, but part of an overall bug out solution.

I do have lots of experience in making field expedient antennae's in the Marines and feel comfortable with that. I still remember SOME theory on wave propagation and FE ant construction.

Another vote for the ICOM.

We used them in Africa on simplex mode and we’re able to talk to other members easily over 20 plus miles away.
When I came back stateside I bought one (with a really good antenna) and could hit 50 miles away usually without any issues. Of course all you have to do is to hit a repeater and you can reach anywhere…

I have an extra repeater book (from last year) that I would be glad to karma to you. My email is in my profile.