suggestions for first handheld

[Cognomen]

Welcome to the forum.
When doing your research, consider:
Who will you be communicating with?
What are they using for communications?
What sort of traffic do you expect to pass (what will you be talking about)?
How far away are the other communicators?
What type of terrain will you need to cover?
What type of environment (rain, heat, dust, vibration, impact, explosive atmosphere)?
Mobility/portability requirements?
Power availability?
You mentioned reliability... for your scenario, I would think that reliability trumps inexpensive.

 

[DeoVindice]

Welcome to the forum.
When doing your research, consider:
Who will you be communicating with?
What are they using for communications?
What sort of traffic do you expect to pass (what will you be talking about)?
How far away are the other communicators?
What type of terrain will you need to cover?
What type of environment (rain, heat, dust, vibration, impact, explosive atmosphere)?
Mobility/portability requirements?
Power availability?
You mentioned reliability... for your scenario, I would think that reliability trumps inexpensive.

These are all important questions to ask yourself. You may find that a commercial radio programmed for 2m or 70cm will meet your needs better than an amateur unit, provided you are willing to learn how to program radios.

 

[jwt873]

So many threads about "What ham radio for SHTF emergencies".

Ham radio is a hobby.. It's a community. Its about meeting people. Getting your license and mixing in will help considerably in figuring out what is going on in your area. Simply having access to a walkie talkie isn't going to help a lot in emergencies.

If you're REALLY serious about being properly prepared for an emergency and using ham radio... Rather than just having a handful of walkie talkies sitting in a drawer...... Get your tech license and join your local ARES group. See ---> ARES

Then you can take part in emergency drills and find out exactly who's going to be around on the radio when you need them as well as how to get in touch with them. You'll also be able to find out what equipment will best serve you in your local area.

 

[lbpd16]

Did a little more research and looks like I’ll be better off just getting 2 60-r’s. Are there any recommended additions I should get for it?

 

[hill]

Even with really liking the FT60 a lot something to consider is keeping the batteries charged. I know Yaesu sells a pack to put in regular AA batteries but don't think the radio will do full 5 watt output from this setup. Lower output power might be fine for your use.

Years ago Icom used to have sport versions of many of their HTs that didn't come with any type of rechargeable battery pack or charger and only used regular AA batteries. I don't know if they still sell any of these kind of versions of their current HTs. Going forward for long term storage to be used for only emergency use AA batteries make a lot sense, as they last a long time in storage and don't have to be recharged from time to time to be ready for use. In a disaster type event without a way to recharge the battery packs with the AC power being off, plus you many find them dead if not recharged in some time.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

Did a little more research and looks like I’ll be better off just getting 2 60-r’s. Are there any recommended additions I should get for it?

The radios come with everything you need to get started. I would highly recommend also buying a programming cable and software. It will make it much easier to enter frequencies, names, tones etc, save it to a file and program it into one or more radios.
RT Systems makes a reliable cable and software for around US$39.

YAESU ADMS-1J

Programming Software with USB Cable for FT-60R Windows or Mac OS

www.hamradio.com

There is free FT-60 Commander software but the USB programming cables can be hit or miss depending on which one you buy.

If you will be using one in a vehicle you should consider getting an external antenna. Even an inexpensive mag mount antenna will work much much better than the antenna on the handheld from inside the vehicle.

 

[merlin]

I have the UV5R, probably be my bugout bag stuffer. Not awful rugged so you may want to keep it in a small poly-carbon box with spare battery and the charging cable, and guide. What decent bugout bag doesnt have a solar charger, at least with USB and 12 volt. My Motorola MC-55 is in there, setup mostly for off road GPS.
A survival knife, AR-7 explorer, survival blanket, snare/fishing needs, water-pure and bottle, all in a smaller backpack,, Yea, I am good to go.

 

[merlin]

Very serious about coms in the field and the $$ you might consider the Harris RF-3200ET Transceiver HF/SSB/AM/CW. Military combat field radio. all in one box.

 

[k6cpo]

I looked at three FT-60s listed on Amazon. All three of them were offered by an Amazon seller who just happens to be one of the amateur radio dealers I listed in post #8. Worth noting that they charge reasonable prices on their own website, but when they sell on Amazon, they bundle the radio with low-cost accessories and jack up the price.

There's also a percentage they have to pay to Amazon figured into the price.

 

[k6cpo]

The radios come with everything you need to get started. I would highly recommend also buying a programming cable and software. It will make it much easier to enter frequencies, names, tones etc, save it to a file and program it into one or more radios.
RT Systems makes a reliable cable and software for around US$39.

YAESU ADMS-1J

Programming Software with USB Cable for FT-60R Windows or Mac OS

www.hamradio.com

There is free FT-60 Commander software but the USB programming cables can be hit or miss depending on which one you buy.

If you will be using one in a vehicle you should consider getting an external antenna. Even an inexpensive mag mount antenna will work much much better than the antenna on the handheld from inside the vehicle.

The RT Systems software and cable package is $49.

 

[SteveSimpkin]

The RT Systems software and cable package is $49.

It does when you buy it direct from RT Systems but it sells for $39 at at least two resellers.

Yaesu Programming Software and USB Cable for FT-60

SOFTWARE & CABLE FOR FT-60/USB

www.gigaparts.com

YAESU ADMS-1J

Programming Software with USB Cable for FT-60R Windows or Mac OS

www.hamradio.com

 

[Station51]

Or should I just get at least 2 yaeau’s?

Yaesu makes amateur radio equipment and will only communicate on those frequencies, unless it is modified (NOT advised)
Therefore.....BOTH ppl on the radios will be required to have a amateur radio license and identify with their call sign.
That's the way it's supposed to work. If you start talking without a license someone will call you out on it for sure.
With an amateur license you may access repeaters that are linked all over the world.

If you're interest is just yaking with a buddy within short range then FRS is probably a good option.
GMRS requires a license and FEE paid to the FCC, but no test while FRS is open unlicensed (used by ppl at campgrounds, neighborhood kids etc)
with either you can set up a PL (privacy tone) so that you don't hear all the hash and trash.

A amateur license requires you to pass a knowledge test and there's usually a small fee for the testing. At this time there isn't a fee for the license itself but that will be changing. But again, you may only communicate with other licensed HAMS.

 

[lbpd16]

So that brings me back to my original question?

I want something for longer distance communication, something for information, and something for at least 2 people to be able to communicate relatively reliably but without a huge hassle.

I was thinking the yaesu, I have a hand crank am/fm/noaa/sw radio, and a good frs or gmrs radio

But it seems most frs or gmrs radios are not that good. If someone could point me to a more commercial industrial version instead of the amazon type maybe that would work. So that’s my main issue I’m trying to resolve for now.

 

[k6cpo]

So that brings me back to my original question?

I want something for longer distance communication, something for information, and something for at least 2 people to be able to communicate relatively reliably but without a huge hassle.

I was thinking the yaesu, I have a hand crank am/fm/noaa/sw radio, and a good frs or gmrs radio

But it seems most frs or gmrs radios are not that good. If someone could point me to a more commercial industrial version instead of the amazon type maybe that would work. So that’s my main issue I’m trying to resolve for now.

You're not going to get reliable "long distance" communication out of a pair of 5 watt HTs except through a linked repeater system. In a SHTF situation it's likely the repater systems are going to be down. This is where HF communications comes into its own. A good HF radio, antenna and power supply is theoretically capable of communicating around the world. The problem is that the knowledge base required is higher and the hardware more expensive.

My suggestion if to go ahead with the two FT-60s for your short rang communication, but seriously look at obtaining your amateur radio license up to the General Class level. This will will give you the ability to work on your skills BEFORE they are needed.

 

[TailGator911]

My favorite bug out bag radio is my Yaesu VX7R. Dependable, submersible, quad band which gives you 4 options on transmitting, awesome extended receive capability FM broadcast, etc, small and lightweight, lots of custom touches, alpha-tagging, very extended menu, tough and solid, all in one nice little package. I carry two solar-powered (and usb) charging decks, both about the size of my iPhone. All in one pocket of my alice pack. I have field tested this radio and very satisfied with its performance. Nice little ht.

 

[bearcatrp]

+1 on tailgator911 about the Yaesu VX7R. I bought one many years ago for my bug out bag. May not be top of the line like the new HH radios but it serves a purpose. I bought the AA battery case. For a SHTF radio, can't beat it.