What is the best type of transceiver, mobile, handheld, etc. to use for
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications ?

Thanks

On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 23:28:31 -0400, "Jennie"
wrote:

What is the best type of transceiver, mobile, handheld, etc. to use for
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications ?

Thanks

Both. You will want one in your vehicle and one in your "go bag" that
is fully charged and hopefully has a battery pack that takes "AA"
cells of which you will also keep with the radio. Pre-program both
units to the frequencies you use in your area and also keep a 'cheat
sheet' with same just in case.

Also -and this is a BIG also - prior to the emergency you should
become a part of the organized response team whether ARES or RACES.
If you haven't trained with your peers and the agency(ies) you will be
serving your utility as a 'team member' will be little in terms of
on-air support. In fact, in regard to RACES if you are not already
part of the RACES organization you will not even be acknowledged once
RACES Rules are instituted during a disaster and your trying to
communicate with them will impair their ability to carry out their
mission. However, there are many 'off-air' things that need to be
tended to such as rounding up the trained members, handling logistics
(emergency responders need water, food, rest accomodations etc). You
also need to understand their organizational structure and emergency
call-up procedures, this is necessary to be effective for both on-air
and off-air support.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but emergency comm's is more than
just buying a radio and expecting it to be useful during "the big one"
(whatever your area's 'big one' may be).

Howard

There really is no "best"..... it all depends on the particular situation
and usage at the time. Generally mobile units have more power, better range
and longer lasting power sources (car battery).... but you are tied to a
vehicle or must lug a heavy high amp hour battery around...so they are not
nearly as mobile.

A portable has limited power but this often isn't a factor unless you are
far from a repeater. The beauty of a portable is it's ability to pretty
much go anywhere.

In short you can do things with a mobile you can't acccomplish as surely
with a portable.... but under certain circumstances the reverse is also
true. I'd have both.

Mike

Michael Melland wrote:
In short you can do things with a mobile you can't acccomplish as surely
with a portable.... but under certain circumstances the reverse is also
true. I'd have both.

Working "on a budget", I found it acceptable to use a portable and have
a linear amp and 5/8-wave antenna on the car.

--
Consider http://www.clifto.com/goodguys.html before you vote.