HF ALE Radios on less than a military budget

[rural_radio]

Is anyone aware of a part 90 type accepted HF radio that will do ALE (MIL-STD 188-141B or C) without the pricetag of a Harris, Barrett or Thales radio? We'd love some of these, but our agency has a tiny budget and is staffed almost entirely by volunteers.

I've seen posts about the Kenwood TK-90, and it looks affordable, but it isn't certified for part 90, so it isn't available in the US. I know several marine SSB radios are part 90 type accepted, but I haven't see one with ALE. Does anyone know of something like this that we might be able to buy (even used) and add an option card for ALE?

When I spoke to our local radio shop, they had no idea about HF radios at all, and my my experience with ALE ends with my amateur radio use of PC-ALE, which isn't really practical in the field.

 

[w8red]

You might check the new updated Icom F8101e new enhanced model. Rumor has it is fixed a bunch of ALE issues with the previous generations. F8101 HF Transceiver - Features - Icom America. The Antenna Farm carries it. Runs in the less then $3k range with the fan kit.

 

[gesucks]

The Icom F8101 does all the current ALE and is accepted by DOD and DHS now

 

[TampaTyron]

I third the F8101....get the new version. I really like the tk-90, but if it is a no go, the the icom is a close second. Will these be used mobile or fixed? TT

 

[ko6jw_2]

Check out this link.

HFLINK - HF Automatic Link Establishment HF ALE HF Network Ham Radio Amateur Radio HF Emergency Disaster Relief Communications.

 

[rural_radio]

I third the F8101....get the new version. I really like the tk-90, but if it is a no go, the the icom is a close second. Will these be used mobile or fixed? TT

They'll be (trans)portable. Installed in a vehicle, but practically always used with a portable dipole for NVIS. We're considering installing the radio and tuner on some sort of sled that could be pulled out and left at a command post with a power supply or deep cycle battery.