Backpacking Radio

[Rick]

I've been giving the whole communications thing some thought. I have a com plan set up for my family and that will work (fingers crossed) well should something happen. But maybe it's not enough. Maybe I need to put together a backpack radio that can be used if the group has to move. That is, one person is radioman for the group.

I admit to knowing little or nothing about radios. Electronics and electrical I'm okay with. Here's the idea:

An Alice Pack frame with shelves
a 12V 12AH gel rechargeable battery
2 radios - 1 CB and 1 Shortwave

Antenna - Here's my problem. I know enough about antennas to be dangerous. I think I know they have to be turned to the frequency you want to use and I think that has to do with length or configuration of whatever.

I know range is going to be impacted because of height and the way it's configured but any listen is better than no listen is sort of how I'm thinking. I'd really like to know what's going on if something is going on.

Can someone suggest an antenna that can be used on a backpack for either of the radios above? Can one antenna be used for both? Is this just one poor old guy's pipe dream?

[Pal334]

This is way over my head, but like the idea. Will sit back with notebook and see how this goes

[Rick]

I wanted to bump this thread back up. I see a couple of folks working on or wanting to work on their ham license. I've been really looking into this. As the title implies, I'm looking at a backpack rig but I'll offer up what I've found out so far.

Handhelds (Referred to as Handy Talkie or HT): The best seems to be the Yaesu VX-6R. Not that I'm an expert but it gets good reviews and is in the $250 range.

Mobil: Alinco DR-135T/EMKIII $200 +/-

Base: I haven't look at these yet.

Mobil Antenna: Wilson 1000 antenna.

If you have information that can add to this by all means jump in!!!

[crashdive123]

I know that some of these have been posted before, but here are a few web sites that may be useful. The bottom two are for testing and practice tests for your exams.

http://www.arrl.org/

http://www.hello-radio.org/

http://www.hello-radio.org/wedothat/

http://www.qrz.com/ham/

http://www.eham.net/exams/

[oldsoldier]

Rick sorry but no to my knowledge you can't use the same antenna for both shortwave and CB due to the different "wavelengths" each use. the only possible exception is to use a 102" steel "whip" antenna with 2 different coaxial lengths but thats a BIG maybe.

[Rick]

Thanks to both of you. I sort of figured that was the case. I know the antenna is sort of the bible when it comes to radio.

Anywho, I'm looking hard at the Yaesu VX-6R. As I said in my original post, I know handhelds don't have anywhere near the range but if I can hear anything during a crisis that's better than not hearing anything. IMHO.

[SARKY]

here is a web site I found
www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0777.html

[Rick]

Yeah, that crazy thing can display barometric pressure, altitude and temperature. It's an option but it's available.