brighterisbetter
Member
Hello everyone. First post here after reading through the Scanning 101 FAQ and I'm impressed at the wealth of knowledge available. It's been a busy week at work so I haven't had time to read through everything yet but plan to tackle what I can in the weeks ahead. I'm completely new to handheld radios (I had a RadioShack scanner in high school but don't remember much from that time) but as far as hobbies go, I'm really into flashlights. That's how I stumbled upon this site actually. I was in the process of assembling a B.O.B (bug-out bag) or a emergency preparedness kit or whatever you want to call it. Got the first aid, knives, flashlights, spare clothes, H2O, food, lots of tools, etc. But I was missing a portable radio. I wasn't really sure what I was after at the time (and still am a bit lost) but I think I've got a better understanding of what I'm after to some extent now. First I sought out an Oregon Scientific weather radio with S.A.M.E. capabilitites but I wanted something with more features. So I posted a thread at candlepowerforums asking for handheld radio advice only to get very few replies; apparently the hobbies of flashlights and amateur radio don't intertwine too much.
Anyway, here's what I'm after and I appreciate any advice given. I'd like a small handheld radio to put in my B.O.B. with the following attributes:
- I'd like to be able to monitor emergency frequencies/channels for weather alerts (is this S.A.M.E. or NOAA??)
- I'd like to be able to run on primary cells and lithium-ion rechargeables both; AA's or CR123's are most preferable to me
- I'd like to be able to transmit as well as receive. For example, say I'm trapped in my attic among the flooded areas during Hurricane Katrina; it would be nice to transmit a signal to the proper authorities, either vocally or audible tone or whatever, to alert of my location so my family and myself can be more easily found.
- I'd like to be able to listen to police/fire conversations in my local area.
- I'd like some GPS capabilities to be built in if possible but this is not a necessity.
- Digital with Trunking would be nice, any thoughts on this?
That's about all I can think of at this time. Like I said, I'm completely new to the hobby and would like to purchase a device to start tinkering prior to taking my Amateur Radio Element 2 FCC License exam. I visited my local amateur radio retail store to ask a couple questions but they were closing in 5 minutes so I didn't want to be a nuissance. I was invited though to an APRA (??) seminar tomorrow evening, and purchased a license preparation book from the store.
I'd just like some honest feedback about what to buy; I'd rather hear your thoughts and spend more upfront to do it right than try to be cheap and regret it later. Would a Yaesu VX-8R perform the functions I'm seeking? I had originally inquired about a Uniden BCD396XT but obviously you can't transmit with it. Am I better off purchasing two separate devices; one for transceiving and one for scanning? I'd rather not spend more than $600 if possible.
Thanks for any help guys/gals, looking forward to becoming more involved in this hobby (time and budget permitting)!
Anyway, here's what I'm after and I appreciate any advice given. I'd like a small handheld radio to put in my B.O.B. with the following attributes:
- I'd like to be able to monitor emergency frequencies/channels for weather alerts (is this S.A.M.E. or NOAA??)
- I'd like to be able to run on primary cells and lithium-ion rechargeables both; AA's or CR123's are most preferable to me
- I'd like to be able to transmit as well as receive. For example, say I'm trapped in my attic among the flooded areas during Hurricane Katrina; it would be nice to transmit a signal to the proper authorities, either vocally or audible tone or whatever, to alert of my location so my family and myself can be more easily found.
- I'd like to be able to listen to police/fire conversations in my local area.
- I'd like some GPS capabilities to be built in if possible but this is not a necessity.
- Digital with Trunking would be nice, any thoughts on this?
That's about all I can think of at this time. Like I said, I'm completely new to the hobby and would like to purchase a device to start tinkering prior to taking my Amateur Radio Element 2 FCC License exam. I visited my local amateur radio retail store to ask a couple questions but they were closing in 5 minutes so I didn't want to be a nuissance. I was invited though to an APRA (??) seminar tomorrow evening, and purchased a license preparation book from the store.
I'd just like some honest feedback about what to buy; I'd rather hear your thoughts and spend more upfront to do it right than try to be cheap and regret it later. Would a Yaesu VX-8R perform the functions I'm seeking? I had originally inquired about a Uniden BCD396XT but obviously you can't transmit with it. Am I better off purchasing two separate devices; one for transceiving and one for scanning? I'd rather not spend more than $600 if possible.
Thanks for any help guys/gals, looking forward to becoming more involved in this hobby (time and budget permitting)!