Emergency Radio Equipment
Tips to prepare for emergency and public service communications.

Thanks to the Hawaii Disaster Radio web site for the following article which has been modified for NCCRA use
This article offers criteria for reasonable selection of emergency communications radio equipment.  The most likely scenario for emergency or public service communications is a ham radio operator stationed at a fixed site, such as a community shelter or event check point.  You will be inside a building, possibly surrounded by other buildings, with or without commercial power.

Radio Equipment

A Radio

  • NCCRA repeaters are available via UHF but a dual band radio covering both 2 meters and UHF is desirable. 
  • Handhelds are great for portability, but a small mobile radio will offer much greater power and performance.
  • Make sure you can run enough power to communicate simplex, if necessary.
  • A low power setting to conserve electrical power, such as a battery.
  • CTCSS capability to match the repeater.
  • Small and light weight enough to be easily transported by hand.
    •

    Power Source - if commercial power is available

    Power Source - if NO commercial power is available

  • One or more batteries
  • Gel-cell batteries preferred to prevent spillage
  • Deep cycle batteries preferred to provide extended power but are big and heavy
  • Enough amp-hour capacity to last for the event.
  • a power cord with connector to match the radio

    • 12 DC Power Connectors

    Make sure you can plug into standard DC power sources using the most common connectors.  The Anderson Power Pole connector is the most widely used connector used for emergency station equipment.

    Antenna

  • Quarter-wave or larger
  • Vertical with minimum radials
  • A good choice is a dual band colinear (gain) antenna for 2m and UHF
  • 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 2 pieces of 25 feet each.  More is better.  RG8X as best compromise for weight and bulk.
  • PL259 Male (UHF) connectors on each end of the coax
  • UHF barrels (double UHF female) to interconnect coax pieces
    •

    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 Molex DC power connectors (see above).
  • Standardize on UHF connections for radio, antennas and antenna mounts.
  • 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 battery pack
  • Pack a bunch of AA alkaline batteries in your "Go Bag" - rotate in new fresh batteries at least every year.  Better yet, at every event.
  • 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 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 2' to 3' long.
  • A dual band amplifier has obvious advantages, but it costs more.

    • Notes on Mobile Radios

    Radio Operating Prep

    "72 Hour Kit"

    What do you need when an emergency happens and you need supplies quickly? You prepare a 72-hour kit ahead of time and take it with you. It will keep you alive and in relative comfort for three days of operations. Keep this in mind when you assemble your kit.

    This list of recommended items is not necessarily comprehensive or required. Use it as a guideline to create your own kit. You might add items you feel important and / or delete items you feel are of no use to you. Please feel free to do so.

    For yourself

    Tools

    Operating Station

    Optional items

    HF Special Equipment

    For Public Service Events