Portable Communications Kit

Wow, nice setup! I have an old beater Pro-32 scanner, and use two Cobra FRS/GMRS radios that we use daily here at my homestead. All are fed by AA's which I rotate and recharge nightly. Looking to add a solar battery charger for the AA's, and 9v's for my metal detector. Also looking at SSB CB units to put in my truck as I'm in mountainous terrain and that seems a good option. I'm on a tight budget, so it's slowly coming together.

 

My portable communications kit is VERY portable... I have 1 ea. Baofeng UV-5R...and that is that. See REAL portable!

Tell me about the 'Goal Zero Solar panel kit': cost, durability, output...
I have saw the ENELOOP rechargeable batteries kit in COSTCO but was short on time and I have a full package of D's, AA's and AAA's so I passed.

 

I have Icom IC-2As that run from AA battery packs or 12vdc for short range, with backup.

Have two HF rigs, portable antennas, power supplies, solar etc. for long haul comms. If things really get that bad
1) You won't have anyone to talk to
2) You would want to go deep silent, no electronics...

Having worked for several years in military ELINT, if SAM wants you, you are not going to be able to hide and use RF emitters....

 

That's the truth, even the small handhelds will give you away...

 

Great topic!

I have a Yaesu FT-817 with antennas for 40, 20, 2, and 440. A Yaesu 2m/440 handheld, and a handheld scanner. For power besides internal batteries, I use a 25 watt folding solar panel similar to yours and a 5 amp hour SLA battery. Everything fits in a backpack and weighs less than 20 pounds.

I take it out in the field and practice several times a year and have had great success with the setup.

This article from my blog gives general advice on how to approach a go box. It is not a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a particular go box: Go Box Zen: Know Where You're Headed Before You Leave. - Off Grid Ham

This article details the SLA battery setup: DIY: The Off Grid Ham Portable DC Power Pack. - Off Grid Ham

 

YD have you come up with a solar charger setup for the i355, I think I have the 12VDC adapter for a car. but would prefer a direct connect to the plug.

Rancher

 

The MotoTalk phones use frequency hopping which makes DFing harder. Also if you program a 10 digit number and call that instead of just using the PTT it is virtually impossible for someone to listen in. I have 9 total - 6 of the i355's with upgraded antenna and 3 i650's. They all have the same 10 digit DN so everybody hears everybody else. I'm looking to add throat mikes and earbuds for each.

I also have 2 mobile HAM radios, one of which is submersible, a portable CB, and a police scanner.

A solar charging solution is my next focus.

 

I believe we have the same solar charger.
As for direct power, perhaps something like this would help. What is the charging voltage of the radios?
12V to 5V DC DC Buck Converter Module Power Supply Voltage Regulator | eBay
I use the baofeng uv-3r which will charge USB, so the solar panel will charge it directly.(as well as the back up battery pack.

 

For DFing, I don't need to hear what you're saying. You pop up on the Spectrum analyzer as soon as you key up, and I then input your frequency (or range of frequencies if using spread spectrum) into the doppler unit, and the next time you key I have your direction relevant to me. If I have two units deployed, I can pinpoint you within a quarter mile from two transmissions. Once I move and you key up again, I can have you pinpointed to within dozens of yards. The key is short transmissions and long periods between them. If you want to beat DF, work out a system of one sided transmissions of short duration. We have a permanent DF unit at 1500' on our transmission tower that gives 1 bearing, and if we're near enough to the signal with the mobile unit to get a bearing, we can be "in the neighborhood" in minutes. The big thing is, you have to be looking, and unless you are a really big problem, no one is.

 

I'm not sure how this topic moved from go boxes to radio signals being hunted down by the government in a Mad Max situation, but it's all very tin foil hat-ish.

Before anyone will trace your signal you first have to be saying or doing something worth paying attention to, which right out of the box eliminates myself and 99.9% of prepperhood. Secondly, in such a scenario, there will be tons and tons of signals but only a very small number of .gov monitoring stations available to evaluate, track, and take action on those signals. In other words, it's fairly easy to hide in plain sight.

Of more import will be local non-government civilians who can monitor your signals with ordinary, inexpensive off-the-shelf equipment. They won't necessarily "come after you" but they can glean information that can be used against you later.

My advice is not to be so full of yourself that you think .gov will be fascinated with listening to your every step (and by the way, the preceding comment is not aimed at any particular individual).

Worry more about the regular guy up the road with an $89.00 scanner.

 

Adding this very related link:
Gear Review - Complete Solar Kit (for hiking) | Survival Monkey Forums

 

Okay, I can update that I now have a pair of (2 ea.) Baofeng UV-5R. I still need to figure out a way to recharged in the bush and car. Going to look at @3M-TA3 Solar kit link now...

 

Is that green thing the Enloop recharging kit? I bought a solar recharging station and it is garbage. It was a waste of money and I need something that is solar and can recharge multiple batteries.

 

Have solved some of my solar battery recharging, and experimenting with running receivers directly from solar, also been pumping water from the spring to 55 gal drums for watering my garden and greenhouse by using solar. Nothing fancy, but am better positioned now than I was. Also upgraded my scanner to a Bearcat 235, which runs circles around the old Pro-32 that I had been using.

I put one of my YouTube Wildcat Creel Survival videos up on the media section in this forum showing my meager but working solar gear.