Survival Radio, Really?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- My $0.02 on survival radios, especially small Morse code CW rigs. Please see: / radioprepper DISCLAIMER: The Radio Prepper logo (depicting a microphone) is indeed inspired from a famous flag created in 1775. It is NOTHING BUT a symbol of freedom and independence. It does NOT imply support to any political group. It does NOT imply, represent nor support any ideology with an intent on harming anyone. Freedom means freedom from persecution based on any human trait or belief such as, non exhaustively, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. The Radio Prepper channel is a technology and science channel with a focus on preparedness and use of radio technology for disaster relief and small group communications in times of need. It is apolitical and open to anyone sharing the same interests. .
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Outstanding.
We've been discussing this for years. Ham radio manufacturers make rigs for a casual operator, who worst case, sits on a sunny beach operating for a few hours. Military radios are bullet proof but completely impractical when carrying everything else. My wish (like yours) a rugged kx2 or 817 style, all mode, hf radio.
Yep, I would even say simpler than a KX2 or FT-817nd. A dual-band rig would be plenty, one band for day operations and one for night/NVIS use. I would add a message memory for both voice and CW with repeat mode. We can even imagine a built-in GPS that sends coordinates in Morse code when you press a button..
Actually, I've worked with a CODAN NGT (HF) that uses ALE and can send coordinates, and information regarding the distant radio. One can even "retrieve that data from the distant radio without the operator performing any function and display it on the handset screen. Granted, the radios need to programmed as such, nets, etc. that was over 10 years ago, not sure of the capabilities of the latest. They also make a militarized version. (Enjoy your channel BTW, awful story about Dagny..) DE K4SFC
+Ron C Thanks Ron. Yes, I'd love to own a Codan 2110 manpack, unfortunately far out of my financial reach. ALE would be excellent for prepping, but the cost is still prohibitive. Who knows however, with cheap processors and clever programming we could soon see the scheme appear on amateur products, even kits. Same goes for Winlink and emails via radio.
We have one here at the office on loan for some power supply options....won't get to play with it, but it is a nice, rugged, unit. I'll see if I can get some pix if you want to see it.-EDIT-Sorry, it's actually the 2310!
+Ron C I don't know the 2310, but I sure would get a 2110M if I could...
I agree, a small rugged radio would be great. I can't Cary my PRC-104 very far. I am thinking of building a bitx and put it into a waterproof case aluminum from digikey. Or maybe a just an amplified CW rig. When manufacturers don't build what you want, build it yourself.
The trail friendly 10/20/40 is a great antenna! No magic persay, but 3 resonant HW bands in your hand? Awesome.
Agreed!
Downside maybe for the military surplus stuff is if you need certain replacement parts, they'll be unobtainable. Something relatively simple and repairable might be a bit better. Maybe it's unrealistic to expect a robust radio and user friendly unit in the same package.
+loctite222ms Definitely, they are old... I have a pair of each for that reason...
you do not even need to have a old school WW2 style radio to have a parts problem. just a lot of 10 year old radios have parts no longer available.
its called planed obsolescence. the manf want you to drop a grand (in US dollars) every five to 10 years. just to keep a working radio in your shack. but lucky for many some radios last much longer.
.
Checkout the Discovery TX500 from Lab599. It is a weather resistant QRP radio
Thanks, I saw it... Wish I was a bit richer...
I like Peters qrp channel a lot, but felt he was confused that prepper communications means emergency Communications Your explanation of your boat and GPS device is an example of application of the right equipment at the right time. Most preepers i know have multiple communication devices, and each serves a particular goal. I hope Peter watches the video and develops a better understanding, that we are also experimenters in the hobby, and a part of the radio culture and one that is important to the radio hobby, and is helping keep the hobby alive. I dont think i was scammed, and i dont see anyone claiming to be scammed, and I do recall that in his videos he has great luck in getting contacts quickly, and every time. I think if anything that might give someone a false sense of reliability, that qrp does not have. 5 watts versus 500 watts is just a few db's on the scale, but when the bands are dead, they are dead for most all equipment.
+Henry Devilliers Thanks Henry. I really like his channel too. It is easy to post just the successes ant not the failures, but I think they are important too. Those tiny QRP radios could save your life if that's all you have, but 5W and frequency agility are the minimum. I am quite happy with my 5W MTR CW radio as my emergency rig.
Enjoy your channel, I carry a youkits HB-1b everywhere I go. Its my backpack travel radio, for planes, trains, buses, etc,, it's what i have, and the best radio is the one you have and can use. 73 wd5iah
Well said. Sadly the warranty expires as soon as the grid goes down. If the stuff hits the fan I'll be a SWL.
Another very nice and informative video. Thanks for sharing 👍
Excellent discussion. Many thanks, Greg
The worst case scenario, I imagine, is a nuclear incident. In which case the electromagnetic pulse would knock out silicon PN junctions (in other words all modern day electronics). How many inches of lead shielding would need to protect from the gamma rays of an EMP? So for the ultimate prepping wouldn't we want to have the old valve (tube) based transceivers?
We're not talking about ionizing radiation here but electromagnetic radiation. Lead would be no better. Thickness does not matter. A tube rig would definitely be much better off, but powering it might be a challenge...
I love your videos. I just got my license and am researching what direction I would like to go. I like your philosophy and something you said in another video and in a comment below really helped: the fact that Emergency Radio is not the same as Survival Radio. I've been connecting with my local emergency groups and they really aren't my "tribe." I would like to keep connected with them, but my interest is tending more toward your philosophy. I just registered in your forum, so hope to learn more in the future. Sorry to hear about your boat. That must have been an intense experience. -73 and thanks.
Thanks, and welcome aboard :-)
Gil, the QCX-Mini could be a competitive choice to the MTR-3B, either the 20m or 40m spec. While the trusdx also comes to mind as it has SSB, the QCX-mini comes with a more rugged case. Which of these would you prefer?
Well, the case on the uSDX could always be changed. I would opt for the uSDX even if I own and love the QCX mini. Of course I want both 😉
A nice description of various radio's.
I had a Pixie but put it on 5.262 MHz. 350 mW out, a dipole with it's centre at 20 feet and ends dropping to 4 feet a.g.l., and contacted a few stations, one 180 miles away and a SWL report from Holland, 220 miles away. Unfortunately an electrolytic capacitor failed and took out a transistor, or the other way round. For emergencies more power is desirable to make sure you get heard.
I have an FT817ND for portable use and my larger homebrew 6 Watt all H.F. radio using Plessey i.c.'s.
Posted by Bill, G4GHB.
Impressive. I need to try my Pixie again...
Late to the table but as well as the LNR I would also pack the mini "shack in a box" FT818nd.
The 818 is great but not good on current draw and you can't listen to HF and VHF at the same time. It also does not come with a CW filter and outputs only 3W using internal batteries.
A FT-817 like radio with 10 watts in a military grade enclosure would be my favorite. Even better with a small antenna tuner like the Elecraft T1 built in. CW is a good choice, but not everybody who might be on the other side might know it. So a good survival radio should have CW and SSB (and digimodes?) 73 de DF6PA
Look for the QSX kit coming out in November from qrp-labs.com
I should have bought an 818, not too late I guess, used.
I found that most emergency situations are local in nature (flood, tornado, hurricane) so short-range (fm) communications are of vital importance. HF communications at the time of Hurricane Katrina were done mostly by Amateur operators in the 20 and 40 meter Bands., this was for long-range communications for communications out of the danger areas. I recall that those HF communications at the time were in (ssb) voice mode.
Absolutely. Emergency radio however is not the same as survival radio. The equipment is very different as well as the mission.
Take a look at the SW 2010-2019 line of kit radios by UR3LMZ. They are not well known outside the post-soviet region (Russia and Ukraine, mostly) but very popular among those who've seen them in action. These really do it all, CW, SSB, digital modes, builtin iambic keyer, builtin tuner (in some variants), continuous 1-30MHz coverage. Some variants have UHF capability as well.
The real gem is the Mini version (capable of up to 10-15W TX power), which weighs 600g and consumes around 200mA in rx, and is really tiny for what it can do. There's also the original "non-mini", ~50W version (actually also quite compact) which is functionally the same, just has more front-panel buttons and a stock CAT interface. Also consumes twice as much current (300-450 mA) in RX and weighs a kilo.
The guts are reported to be very reliable, too. And while physically these are obviously nowhere as rugged as a true milspec radio, with the plastic case and exposed connectors and whatnot, they're *rugged enough*, I'd say. I'd be comfortable having it bump around my backpack with random metal stuff, and it'll probably survive being stepped on just fine, too. Besides, it's a kit, so the case on yours can be solid aluminum if you find one that fits, and all of the connectors can be swapped for weatherproof ones.
Thank you, I will check them out!
I’ve been asking for a waterproof rugged manpack portable radio for the amateur radio enthusiast for the past 10 years and the best they have is the ic705
I know, me too...
Nice presentation, thank you. What I have yet to see is a survival radio presenter play out a scenario where a radio would be used in a survival situation. CW communication with someone hundreds of KM away would be useful for what exactly? In the US learning Morse is no longer part of Ham radio licensing requirements, so you're going to have a limited number of people who can understand it, much less use it. But if you do contact a person who can deal with CW, then what?
I see that a lot of the focus on survival radio is to maintain portability as a goal in gathering and using equipment, but again, hearing of a survival scenario example carried out that would actually be useful when SHTF would be nice because that's what I wonder about most.
th-cam.com/video/aQUFW7Zlg_E/w-d-xo.html
You would be amazed at the number of people listening to CW and able to understand and reply!
@@RadioPrepper Yes, but I think I was probably not clear in my comment. I was not talking about the number of hams around the world that converse with CW, but rather how exactly is this going to help you in a SHTF situation? In tne US, the popularity of prepping has been growing and this has drawn a number of people to Ham radio for prepping, most of the new comers by far and away don't use CW.
One thing which preppers, particularly Americans, forget, when advocating small handhelds like the Baofeng UV5-R, is the use of CTCSS & DCS tones. If one is in a difficult situation, shouting "help" and everyone around is using those codes, and you aren't, they simply will not hear you! The only solution is (as you say) HF or even CB, which (as far as I am aware) has never used privacy tones.
And of course, I DO mean Emergency, which would be the case if the Balloon goes up. 😕
Sure, but you don't have to use them. They are only programmed for repeaters. Nobody puts those in on simplex frequencies.
Radio Prepper Anyone who uses EU-wide PMR 446 ( short range) will find both CTCSS & DCS already programmed into those radios. To be frank, those PMR 16 channels ( and the US FR) are used the most, so it seems logical to programme them into a Retevis or Baofeng radio. If the codes are knocked off, they will not be heard by a user with those codes programmed in. Most Chinese radios have far higher power than the permitted 0.5 ERP.
I take the point about repeaters.
It might seem logical, but I doubt it is done often... I never program tones in my radios. One problem is also that each tones takes a separate channel. They are only useful in RF crowded environments.
I see very little discussion related to EMP damage. Electronic circuits not properly protected may be rendered useless.
th-cam.com/video/dcwHm5GcOKc/w-d-xo.html
It doesn't matter. The EMP will kill off the electronics. Perhaps a 'hardened' radio. Some tube type radios might survive. Or if you could seal your rig up in a emp proof enclosure. If it's a solar event emp, it could last years.
The Faraday cage is the way to go, definitely.
Only good as long as you know that others out there have EMP proofed their radios too.
Of course. I believe some will. A few others might be lucky..
Radio Prepper BTW: great video! Your videos inspire me to learn Morse code :-)
Really enjoyed this video.👍
Why not put the kx2 into a weather proof tuff plastic case with water proof openings surrounded by gaskets? It could be a clear plastic to see the screen.
I thought about that but then I sold it, which was a mistake.
@@RadioPrepper Ah well, so it goes. I very much liked your discussion of the end-fed antenna. Really great review for me. I am running a dublet at about 12 feet. really works well. Keep on Keeping on. Pk
Thanks, will do!
Watching this in 2021, seems like the Russian Lab599 answered your request for a truly rugged , weather resistant HF cw/voice radio.
I'd love to test one of those!
Hi Gil
The new µBITX is probably something you are looking for. Full HF range CW and SSB. Available soon as a very cheap kit.
In a pelicase or DIY alu box it will be very neat.
Hi Tim, I have a BitX40 in the mail right now! I might get the uBitX too, just for the fun of building. The difficulty is in encapsulating it in a rugged enough enclosure. Here is my BitX40 project: radiopreppers.com/index.php/topic,1277.0.html
The uBITx is not a bullet proof radio sitting inside a 3D PLA plastic box. maybe installed into a Pelican box with the correct design intent. The need for a micro board doesnt make it rugged enef
I was about to suggest the uBITX too, comes prebuilt mostly so not that long to get up and running. Even seem mods for touch screen colour displays (that can be simply swapped out) but would use more power. Since it uses a raduino having memory buttons isn't that hard to add. Current draw is quite low too I think. I guess for the ultimate toughness you could pot it in epoxy resin and that would protect against water and physical knocks...
I thought about the uBitX... So many radios, so little money...
LOL, I know what you mean. I'm faiirly knew to HAM radio so it will be my first HF radio and as money is tight at $129 its quite a good price even when you add a case, knobs etc it will still probably be under $200 I guess.
I see you used goal zero and eneloop batteries. No issues with mixing battery brands?
I try to avoid that, but equal capacities shouldn't be too bad.
Super comme toujours, Gil. Tes vidéos sont vraiment de qualité.
Merci!
I tend to agree with you on this also
...not saying it would not work but poor band conditions and qrp may not even get a signal out...the 5 watt ht are ok w a slim Jim antenna gets out pretty far and w a good directional antenna if sats are still up and u can get into one will work very well...but a good hf rig like an 857 all band all mode 100 watt rig would prob be your best bet..I have a pixi it us fun but would not want to trust my life w it....great vid btw!!!
Hello, thank you! I would not use the Pixie either as I mention ;-) How big a battery do you need to power up the 857 for a week, say two hours a day? That is the only gripe I have with it, if you have to carry and recharge that battery. 1A on receive is 30 times more than my MTR and 5W CW goes through as well as 100W SSB. Now of course 100W CW is another story... A friend and I had a daily sked for two years, 820 miles, which got through 80% of the time, and when it didn't the band was totally dead. We tried more than once going down to 100mW, no problem. That said my lower limit for a survival radio is 5W CW.
Hello, a linear amplifier I would have to carry, which negates the size of the MTR. I would still need a bigger battery, which I would have to carry too, and it would not make much of a difference at all, only 2 s-units. 5W works great and it's all I need. Even if my life depended on it, 5W would get me somewhere, guaranteed.
Thanks. I am not stuck on Morse mind you, and I wasn't quite sure where my quest for an adventure type radio would take me. I do use SSB regularly. CW though is one of the most efficient modes out there, does not require a computer and the radios are tiny!
Yep. Morse isn't a dying art at all though. Even though it isn't required in most countries anymore, more and more operators choose it because of its performance. That will never change.
Very down to earth assessment. . The Dinghy compatibility test was good. One guy ended up in a Dingy in the Indian Ocean and was there for far too long, didn't have even a qrp method for communication. I've seen the movie and would recommend it. Staring Robert Redford, All is lost : th-cam.com/video/no1rl9Gvx-s/w-d-xo.html If we could concentrate on JS8 for things like this, he might have been received with 5 watts and a lat long.
Gil. TX-500 maybe someone was listening?
Who knows..
Some good and some not so good comments gil!.. just a little comment here, most of the low end market cw qrp transceivers, of reasonable design, don't function well mainly because of very poor quality components, Chinese crap, but some of the design work is good, so gil why don't you design or maybe 🤔 build one yourself, I have built many cw qrp low power transceivers and work the world on less than 20 watts!!!
Building a kit is no problem. I am just not knowledgeable enough to design one myself..
I've never understood this concept of a "radio prepper". Who in the world are you going to contact that can help you with a 5W cw signal on 40M after the world falls apart in a "prepper" scenario? Essentially no one will be listening to you, less than 1% of the population is fluent in CW even if they can hear you; and even that's dubious as maybe 1/20 people own a ham radio. Its just dumb to wast your money like this. Your emergency radio should be an cheap (
Who's going to listen? Guys like me of course, and there are plenty. Don't you think we haven't all thought about this? A small 5W CW radio has a global range. It's not necessarily something that will save your ass in an end-of-the-world situation, we all know that. It is however something that could give you vital information as to where to or not to go, whether leave or stay, etc. An AM/FM receiver is not going to do that because it will most likely not be working, the transmitter being in your disaster area. The best in this case would be a short wave receiver with AM and SSB. Many preppers are also in contact with each other and have regular "skeds." That is who you would be talking to. A small CW radio is the size of a pack of cigarettes, it doesn't hurt to carry one. I enjoy using one while camping and I enjoy the social side of radio. My $100 have already paid off, in happiness. It's called a hobby, one with an extra practical purpose, just in case... If one day the SHTF and it helps me, so much the better. If not, no big deal, I'll have other problems to solve anyway. Now excuse me, I need to go spend another $50 on radio stuff on Ebay... I just love receiving parcels...
There are plenty now. Most will be dead, should things get bad enough to actually need you. I don't carry anything like this while camping. I go camping to get away from things like this. If I take a CW radio into the woods, I may as well just stay home and be comfortable while I'm talking.
For me, its all about context. Taking a small radio and trying to make portable contacts from a remote location and minimal gear is challenging; the plus side is that you get outdoors and some exercise. It also dovetails nicely with camping if you're into that.
This prepper stuff for me is just too dark. A lot of these guys seemingly staking their paycheck on the day almost everybody dies and the world is in chaos. I just cant get into that line of thinking. The irrational obsession with qrp, crystal controlled, $20 40-meter cw transceivers is another odd fetish. These are horrible radios; neat for a project or if you want to put some add-ons like VFO's, digital displays and bandpass filters and the like, but awful gear. Having said that, a lot of preppers go to remote locations and set up QRP equipment and make contacts; not unlike what I've done and like to do.
To each his own I guess, but this hobby wasn't built on preparing for the zombie apocalypse; it was built on hope, ingenuity, and the belief that with better knowledge of radio and communications the world would be a better place.
I mostly agree with you here. You can either consider it something positive and fun, or not. I'm not in the "glass half empty" category. Indeed a radio that isn't frequency-agile isn't desirable as a survival radio. They do work however and fit in your shirt pocket... For me prepping and radio are hobbies I do for fun. If it helps me one day, so much the better.
Depends on the scenarios. Preppers prep for a wide variety of reasons, from the plausible to frankly outlandish. Some expect a disaster to be recovered in a matter of weeks or months at most, but others have visions of a post-apocalyptic future only a few lucky survivors enduring in the ruins of a once-great civilisation. How useful it would be depends on what sort of scenario motivates the prepping.
you lost your boat on a sandbar and you give advise to others?
Not on a sandbar, no. the anchor dragged and it drifted away. So I give radio advice, not boating advice ;-)
Think Rocna anchor not cheap
KC1HOX Glenn seems like a snarky comment to me. Sandbars happen. Unfortunately.