Mobile Command Post Radio

[ky4oem]

I have been pondering as to what type and kind of HF radio would serve best in a local goverment mobile command post? Please post make and model and why you would reccomend it. Also any experiences you may have had if you have worked on a command post. I dont want to reinvent the wheel just dont want to make the same mistakes someone else has made. Thanks to all -- Mike KY4OEM

[KG4RUL]

First question is do want an HF only rig or an all-band rig?

For HF only, TS-480X/TS-480SAT seems to be a popular rig, with the "X" model offering 200W power with the cost of slightly more complicated wiring and the "SAT" having the built-in tuner. The Yaesu FT-450 can be had with an internal tuner upgrade. Alinco has the DX-70TH.

For all-band rigs, the iCom 7000 and 706 are candidates along with the Yaesu FT-857.

All of these radios are "mobile" class units with small footprints (got to conserve space when possible).

[k5okc]

I would call up the nearest Army National Guard or Reserve base, and ask to speak to someone in communications. Maybe they can give you a tour of a mobile command post.

I would get whatever they are using. These radios are very rugged, and have excellent filters in them. Some are small enough to put on a mans back, others can be put in a small vehicle, and then there's the big ones with lots of power that go into the big trucks.

I wouldn't use a rig designed for hobbyists.

[ne3r]

Before deciding on the radio, you will want to think about the antenna system and/or tuner.

I actually really like the Icom IC-718 for this task. Just about anyone capable of passing the tech exam can figure out how to operate it, and it is cheap. Depending on the antenna, you can add an LDG AT-100 Pro autotuner for even easier operation.

73 de Joe NE3R

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (KG4RUL @ Dec. 29 2007,12:37)]First question is do want an HF only rig or an all-band rig?

For HF only, TS-480X/TS-480SAT seems to be a popular rig, with the "X" model offering 200W power with the cost of slightly more complicated wiring and the "SAT" having the built-in tuner. The Yaesu FT-450 can be had with an internal tuner upgrade. Alinco has the DX-70TH.

For all-band rigs, the iCom 7000 and 706 are candidates along with the Yaesu FT-857.

All of these radios are "mobile" class units with small footprints (got to conserve space when possible).
...however, none of these rigs provide for PTT auxiliary switching of a (preferably yellow) lightbar setup.

[KU0DM]

Quote[/b] (ky4oem @ Dec. 29 2007,12:17)]I have been pondering as to what type and kind of HF radio would serve best in a local goverment mobile command post? Please post make and model and why you would reccomend it. Also any experiences you may have had if you have worked on a command post. I dont want to reinvent the wheel just dont want to make the same mistakes someone else has made. Thanks to all -- Mike KY4OEM
Yaesu FT-897D or FT-857D. HF/VHF/UHF All mode, 100 watts HF/50 mHz, 50 watts 144 mHz, 20 watts 440mHz.

Rugged little rigs, fit in small spaces which is key to many EmComm trailers because it frees up more space.
You also want to think about whether it would be more convenient to go with a seperation kit, and have the control head at the comms positions, with the radios in a cooled cabinet then have the whole enchilada sitting in front of you.

GL es 73

[k0dxc]

Quote[/b] (KU0DM @ Dec. 29 2007,15:03)]Quote[/b] (ky4oem @ Dec. 29 2007,12:17)]I have been pondering as to what type and kind of HF radio would serve best in a local goverment mobile command post? Please post make and model and why you would reccomend it. Also any experiences you may have had if you have worked on a command post. I dont want to reinvent the wheel just dont want to make the same mistakes someone else has made. Thanks to all -- Mike KY4OEM
Yaesu FT-897D or FT-857D. HF/VHF/UHF All mode, 100 watts HF/50 mHz, 50 watts 144 mHz, 20 watts 440mHz.

Rugged little rigs, fit in small spaces which is key to many EmComm trailers because it frees up more space.
You also want to think about whether it would be more convenient to go with a seperation kit, and have the control head at the comms positions, with the radios in a cooled cabinet then have the whole enchilada sitting in front of you.

GL es 73
You could just as well argue that the ic 706 mk2g is the best. It does better and is also cheaper

bye the way duncan I do not think your views are correct when you say that 15m is always open.

Not even close, especially at this spot in the sunspot cycle

[KU0DM]

Quote[/b] (k0dxc @ Dec. 29 2007,15:20)]bye the way duncan I do not think your views are correct when you say that 15m is always open.

Not even close, especially at this spot in the sunspot cycle
no its not...the IC-706MK2G is $950 and the FT-897D is $840 while the FT-857D is $740

www.hamradio.com

how well the radio does more depends on how you use it.
they have the same features, only the Yaesu are more portable, with built in trays for batteries and bolt on option for a tuner.
its all in what you want.


thank you

listen harder, play the time of day to your advantage, you'll see what im saying

[k0mb]

1. Keep operation of the gear simple. The operator "on the spot" will not have time to learn unfamiliar menu-driven functions.
2. Look for equipment that offers "redundancy", ie, HF and VHF/UHF capability. In this way, the failure of one piece of equipment can be compensated for by another.
3. I would want equipment with some size to it. Tired and with eye strain, I don't want to be staring at some tiny little display panel.
4. A built-in antenna tuner would allow some flexibility in substituting for a damaged antenna on the comm vehicle.

[WA0LYK]

Quote[/b] (ky4oem @ Dec. 29 2007,12:17)]I have been pondering as to what type and kind of HF radio would serve best in a local goverment mobile command post? Please post make and model and why you would reccomend it. Also any experiences you may have had if you have worked on a command post. I dont want to reinvent the wheel just dont want to make the same mistakes someone else has made. Thanks to all -- Mike KY4OEM
Forget the ham stuff. If it's going into a local government's mobile command post you will want to have a rig that's legal and capable of operating on the FEMA, commercial, and other HF bands. While you can open up some of the ham rigs for these frequencies they ARE NOT legal to transmit with.

Even if the plans are to use it only for amateur communications, you would be much better off installing a radio that can serve dual purposes. Murphy visits everywhere, even local government's mobile command centers.

Icom makes several certificated transceivers that meet all specs required to transmit on any of these bands. I suspect there are several other manufacturers, Rockwell comes to mind. They must be programmed and most of them are capable of also operating in the ham bands. Since they are also made to work in the channelized world they are pretty easy to operate. Just punch in the correct channel and start to talk.

These are the types of rigs you will want to look at. You do need to know what freqs and channels you will need to have available in order to make a real judgement on which model and accessories to purchase.

Jim
WA0LYK

[W7KI]

Check out the Micom radios. Many fed agencies use them with ALE.

http://www.royal-communications.com/pages/micom3.html

[k9kjm]

We installed an Icom 718 in our mobil command vehicle, Along with a Yaesu FT-8800 for VHF/UHF.
As already pointed out, Lower cost and simple to operate are real strong points for the 718.

[ab8ro]

It's not a command post, it's a basement!

[ka0gkt]

A Collins KWM-2 with an External VFO and the station control/phone patch console. Add to that a 30L-1 amplifier.

Why the boatanchor?

1) For whatever reason, the local folks look at anything with the name "Collins" on it with awe.

2) You probably won't impress the FEMA comms folks with anything less than a Harris rig (and if you thought the vintage Collins stuff was expensive)

3) Without any additional "Hardening", your Collins gear has a good chance of comingthrough an EMP episode operational.

4) Other than the necessary skill of learning to tune and load the transmitter and Amplifier, the old Collins gear is pretty intuitive to operate.

73 DE KAØGKT/7

--Steve

[KC2PBJ]

For the emergency operating center, we use ICOM 746 for hf for communication to the state net. County-wide operations is on our 440 repeater, and interlocal/local on 2 meter. 220 is used for state EOC backup and for county mobiles.

[KB5FSV]

KY4OEM, If you have government funds backing this I would strongly suggest looking at the Motorola MICOM 3. And of the various models will do. ALE built-in. The radio will be fully functional from 1mhz to 30mhz. Several emergency command posts use this radio.

Someone already posted the link to their page. If you search on youtube for WA6UBE she has an emergency mobile command post, and uses one of those MICOMS and demonstrates it on air. Check it out. Here is her webpage, might give you some good ideas.

http://www.tactical-link.com/wa6ube.htm

[WS2L]

I know that I'm a die hard Kenwood fan but I would suggest the TS2000X

Covers all bands from 160 meters to 1.2GHz (except 1.25 meters), dual band receive, built in packet terminal and a list of other features. It is kind of like having several radio's in one and if APRS is a part of your command post the rig is already set to do it.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (k5okc @ Dec. 29 2007,13:03)]I would call up the nearest Army National Guard or Reserve base, and ask to speak to someone in communications. Maybe they can give you a tour of a mobile command post.

I would get whatever they are using. These radios are very rugged, and have excellent filters in them. Some are small enough to put on a mans back, others can be put in a small vehicle, and then there's the big ones with lots of power that go into the big trucks.

I wouldn't use a rig designed for hobbyists.
Wouldn't they be using military issue radio equipment, not available to the general public? (Or affordable?)

[WA0LYK]

Quote[/b] (wa9svd @ Jan. 01 2008,07:19)]Quote[/b] (k5okc @ Dec. 29 2007,13:03)]I would call up the nearest Army National Guard or Reserve base, and ask to speak to someone in communications. Maybe they can give you a tour of a mobile command post.

I would get whatever they are using. These radios are very rugged, and have excellent filters in them. Some are small enough to put on a mans back, others can be put in a small vehicle, and then there's the big ones with lots of power that go into the big trucks.

I wouldn't use a rig designed for hobbyists.
Wouldn't they be using military issue radio equipment, not available to the general public? (Or affordable?)
"Affordable" is in the eye of the beholder. Let's not forget that the question was about a "mobile command post". That's one of the toughest environments for radios to survive in. Forget the ham stuff. It simply isn't designed to be as robust or survivable in multiple environments. Look at the thermal ratings, shock ratings, etc.

Seeing what the military uses WILL acquaint you with what the professionals use. And don't doubt for a minute that these are the pro's. This stuff is designed and used to PROTECT LIVES!

Get out of the "amateur radio can save the day" mentality. Do some research on the commercial/military transceivers. You have received some good guidance here, Harris, Rockwell, Micom, Icom, etc. If you don't feel comfortable dealing with these then own up to that and tell them to get some reliable guidance from the pros. Most state National Guards comm units would be more than glad to help them out.

Another point is, does the mobile unit already have an HF rig. If does, go with another unit just like it. If not, then act like a pro not an amateur (in the colloquial sense) and recommend the very best they can afford, even if they can't afford it right now. They should have a radio that can legally communicate, not some modified ham model radio, with FEMA, Coast Guard, ARC, etc. on the HF channels that the NTIA has specified for emergency situations.

A duplicate radio provides redundancy. There is a waaaay too much ego stroking going in amateur radio emcomms today. Sure you could put in a amateur model radio and stand up in front of the media and say "Ham radio saved the day" or you could stand up, move out of the way and let the pro use the duplicate rig to keep communications moving like they were before. Sure, no ego boosts but a whole lot more integrity!

These radios are programmable for all kinds of functions like power levels, filter widths, usb/lsb, modes, etc. so that users don't have to know what knobs to twist or menus to navigate to get the proper operation out of the radio. You just punch in a channel and go! You don't need licensed people who have passed a technical test showing they have the knowledge to use ham equipment.

If some of my words have been harsh I apologize. But, you asked about a serious issue that could affect people's lives and property and serious words need to be used in giving advice.

Jim
WA0LYK

[KS4VT]

Sinair is another manufacturer that is popular with the Fed's. #It's not small but it gets the job done..

Sunair HF Radios (http://www.sunairholdingsllc.com/snr/hfradio.html)

73

[WA7KKP]

The Motorola Micom would be at the top of the list -- and if you know where and when to pull strings, you might even get one through gov't channels for little or nothing.

Ex MIL gear is good -- as there are a smattering of former army/navy/air force/marines out there who can run them.

BIg rule is KISS -- keep it simple stupid. Basic radios are best, not something bleeding edge advanced that takes a Ph.D to decipher the menu setups in the instruction manual.

When in doubt, or in danger . . . Collins S/Line, Heathkits, Drake lines, etc. Most of these can be operated with very little training by experienced (albeit older) hams who know what the knobs all do, and why.

Gary WA7KKP

[KA4CKR]

Jim, with all due respect, I think you're thinking a little overboard when it comes to the term, "mobile command post". I don't think anyone is talking about an M577 tracked vehicle command post. I think he is talking about your everyday run-of-the-mill emergency management type command post. Most of these are either converted RV's or campers. Our "Mobile Command Post" happens to be an old FEMA trailer. It has three radio operator positions built into one of the bedrooms. the radios are no different than the mobile radios in our sheriff's cars and fire trucks. It has sat phone and sat internet capabilities, but other than that, and the lettering on the side, it is the same as it was when some storm victim lived in it.

We "loan" it to our ham club for Field Day. We use the Yaesu FT-1000MP Mark V Field that usually sits in our basement EOC. If we were going to mount a permanent ham rig in the trailer, it would be a Yaesu FT-897D so we could have HF/VHF/UHF capabilities.

So, let's try to remember that what you picture in your mind and what I picture in my mind when the term "Mobile Command Post" is used may be two different things. So our needs for what radios to put inside this picture may also be different.

73 and Have a Great Day in our state capital.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif