(10 November 2012, 10:06)Mandlaka Wrote: Hello Gents,
This sounds a like a really great radio but as a complete newbie could you please tell me how I could use this radio for my comms along with the UV-5r+. I am thinking along the lines of local comms with the UV-5R and trans-atlantic and longer distance comms with this one. I have family in the US (California, New York and well inland). I also have family in Africa. Would this do or am I asking for too much from a radio?
Ta much, Gents.
OK this radio fits into prepping coms in a number of ways and is supplementary to the UH5r type hand held devices
1. First difference is that its a lot more powerful and a good deal larger than the UV5R. Its portable in a rucksack ( that's how I use it) but is not a hand held self contained device. It requires external 12v power and an external antenna
2. It will interact with any other stations using CB Frequencies including:
- UK Standard CB27/81 FM Channels
- All European CEPT CB FM and AM Channels
- All USA CB AM Channels
- All European CB SSB channels
- All USA CB SSB channels
3. It will interact with Ham radios operating on the 28Mhz and 29Mhz amateur bands ( in all modes AM FM and SSB)
4. It will interact with what are known as Freeband frequencies. these are a set of pirate frequencies operated primarily CB enthisiasts worldwide.
5. Primary prepper use is as an FM CB radio (lots written by Paul in the communications section) Well sited and with good antenna CB will achieve greater range than the UV5r handhelds. In dead flat east anglia I can achieve up to 18 miles range with this radio.
Sometimes in Survival comms planning we need to consider coms just with a very local station, running very low power so that the whole world does not hear our comms. This radio has a control knob that will adjust power output from 1/4 w all the way up to 25w max
6. Staying with CB frequencies, this summer reliable pretty much daily communications from East Anglia to Scotland and sometimes to Devon have been possible both on FM and SSB
7. USA: Look at the full article on prepping coms on the main site.
USA and pan European comms, primarily using SSB are possible using this type of radio to exploit "skip" conditions. This is not regular day to day sort of reloiability, you have to wait for nature to provide the right conditions. When conditions are right very long distance communications are supported.
Hope thsi helps?
(11 November 2012, 08:17)BrixhamBadger Wrote: 
My "baby" is on a 50w variable power board that will come down to 1w..... but obviously I would NEVER dream of going over this countries power limit 
as I am a law-abiding citizen. 
It is in the "land based" shack down the garden, where H.W.M.B.O. banishes me to when I get "under her feet" lmao 
Have a butchers here:
I know the mod you have on your radio. Its based on the same model as mine.
I Imagine that the big heat sink would getting quite warm if you were ever to use it on 50w...... Doubles up as a good heater for the shack though eh?
(10 November 2012, 10:28)Mandlaka Wrote: The whole frequency thing is a totally new language for me, BB.
I suppose that it would transmit into West Africa where some of my family are if it works to the US.
Looks like I need to get moving on looking for one of these after I get my UV-5R+.
So I would need to budget for about £250 for both radio and antenna?
Also just realised that the antenna looks like a roof-mount type.
I live in a block of flats that is not a tower block so Could I maybe stick it out my window when I want to use it?
Thanks much
Sorry, missed your comment about w.africa. I've worked S. Africa and N. Africa on the frequencies this radio supports, but never W Africa. I'm guessing that is more to do with few stations operating in that region rather than the radio conditions being wrong.
Aparment block antennas: BB's antenna will be a brute to manage unless you could get it on the roof and feed coax down to your flat ( and then it'd be excellent). Which floor are you on and how many floors in the block?
Search
Calendar
Help
