Disaster Radio

Using Amateur Radio during Disasters and Emergencies in Hawaii


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Choosing a radio for emergency communications

This article offers criteria for reasonable choices for an emergency communications radio.

The most likely scenario for emergency communications is a ham radio operator stationed at a fixed site, such as a supply point or community shelter.

You will be inside a building, possibly surrounded by other buildings, with or without commercial power.

You will be in contact with a net control station, with luck via a repeater, otherwise via simplex.

So, what do you need?

  • a radio
  • with a band to match net control; better yet a dual-bander
  • enough power to communicate simplex, if need be
  • a low power setting to conserve electrical power, such as a battery
  • CTCSS capability to match the repeater, if need be
  • small enough to be easily transported by hand
  • reasonable choice is a dual band mobile 2M / 440 radio
  • see below for HT considerations

    •  

  • a power source
  • if commercial power is available
  • an AC power supply
  • preferably a switching power supply for light weight
  • a 25 or 50 feet extension cord (the outlet is always across the room)
  • a power strip (someone will always want the outlet and unplug you)
  • if no commercial power
  • one or more batteries
  • gel-cell batteries preferred to prevent spillage
  • deep cycle batteries preferred to provide extended power
  • enough amp-hour capacity to last several days
  • a power cord with connector to match the radio

    •  

  • an antenna
  • quarter-wave or larger
  • vertical with minimum radials
  • a good choice is a 1/2 or 5/8 wave mobile dual band vertical with a UHF connector base
  • one or more mounts
  • magnetic mount - attach to any steel surface, car, refrigerator top, file cabinet, steel beam, baking pan, etc.
  • L-shaped clamp - attach to railing or improvised mast (stick, light pole, etc)
  • coax - at least 50 feet, 100 feet better, RG8 for low loss, RG8X as best compromise for weight and bulk
  • PL259 / SO238 (UHF) connectors on coax
  • UHF barrels to interconnect coaxes

    •  

  • Miscellaneous
  • Headphones with full ear muffs - it can get extremely noisy in an operational area.
  • Other usual supplies for operations, from your 72-hour kit (you DO have one, don't you?)

    •  

  • Notes and suggestions:
  • Standardize all power connectors on your equipment to either Molex or Anderson Powerpoles ( links in Disaster Radio site)
  • Standardize on UHF connections for radio, antennas and antenna mounts
  • If you use an NMO mount on your car, get an NMO-UHF adapter so you can replace the car antenna with the one described above.
  • Make a 10 feet power cord with a standard power connector on one end and big clips on the other, in case you need to draw power from a "commandeered" car battery.

    •  

  • Notes on HandiTalkies:
  • Get an alkaline cell adapter for your HT - and lots of AA cells
  • Make / buy a power cord for the HT with a standard power connector at least 6 feet long (12 feet better) for battery use.
  • Get an adapter for your HT antenna connection - from BNC or SMA to UHF.
  • Get an amplifier (called a "brick") to boost the 3-5 watts of the HT to 35-50 watts
  • Ensure the amplifier has standard power connectors
  • Ensure you have a cable to connect the HT to the amplifier
  • A dual band amplifier has obvious advantages, but it costs more.

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    Final comment for mobile radio users

    In an emergency, can you detach your mobile radio from your car and move it into a building is a reasonably short time?

    Do it and time yourself. Especially if you have a remote head mount in the car. Can you re-assemble the radio quickly in the building ready for operation? This is the time to find out, not during the real emergency.

     

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