Found my HAM rig.

Yaesu FT-817

Going to meet the guy tomorrow.

Yaesu site

 

LOL, been looking for something like this for around 8 months now.

 

Whats the range on it? Could it be adapted to the ECN system? We need to find a long distance comm system for post SHTF.

 

World wide on HF. HF bounces off the Ionoshpere and keeps on going. SHould be able to get around the world. All on 5 watts. CONUS comms would be a breeze.

It has SSB capabilities. Not sure about CB though. It is an 'all band' transceiver with a built in Morse keyer.

 

MSRP is 699. I'm giving $400 for it with accessories.

 

Can you get more than one? If not who carries them? I'd take one if you can get another. I have been looking for a good CONUS capable system.
I think that is one area where survivalists are severely lacking in. At least many that I have known. Isolation is a recipe for disaster. A means to communicate with others in a TEOTWAWKI world will be invaluable.

 

THis is being sold by a guy who needs cash. My HAM buddy asked me if I was interested. Otherwise, He'd want it himself. There is a Yaesu FT-747 for sale around here for $325 IIRC.

747 reviews: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2246
You need HF for CONUS

One added benefit is that most HAMs say that these are super for listening as well and run circles around Shortwave portables.

 

The ones I'm looking at are mobile units that can also be used as a base station. Most HAM rigs are set up to run 12 volt anyway. The one I'm getting is a Backpack model that can do what most larger console units can do.

 

Yeah. I pick it up tomorrow. Studing for my test now inbetween Gulps of Whiskey and Survivalmonkying...

 

Exactly MM. Thats what I'm looking for. A portable 12v compatible ham rig. I have a unit now that is basically an amped up C.B. that can be set up in the house with an inverter and used as a base unit.But the range is limited.
I'll check into these. Give us a review when you get it Melbo.

 

here is something you might want to read melbo

http://www.ussc.com/~turner/ft817pg.shtml

 

Great link CLyde!

I'm scanning with it right now. Not being a comms guy, I have a lot to learn about it's features. Taking the test next month, with code. Then take the General trest the month after that. I want to test this thing out pre-SHTF and having the license is about the only way of really learning the radio.

 

Yeah, used to run with a 100 watt foot warmer in the mobile during the heavy CB days. Uncle Charlie never could catch up. Opened up the President Washington at home, put out 20 watts on the antenna when I finally got the SWR sorted out. SSB of course, never topped 8 w on full wave. We filtered it rather well, not a lot of bleeding unless very close by. (Still blew out a buddy's finals when I keyed up with not enough distance between us.)

 

The FCC lets HAMs regulate HAMS so its a bit of a gentlemens agreement. If I were to fire this thing up right now, some of the locals would be upset. I don't mind getting the license.

I know that come SHTF, there is no more rules and HAM is always open to anyone for emergencies, but this type radio is a little more complex than a CB radio. If I want to count on it post S--F, I need to work with it now and talk to the other radio guys to fine tune what I want to do.

Eventually, I need to be able to talk to the 5 regions of CONUS that we talked about in another thread... not sure where that is now, might have been called "the group"

mm, I have no problems violating stupid laws. This one is different thoiugh as it is enforced by the same guys that sold me the radio.