Portable Radio Kits

I would recommend taking a look at the go-kits the Beaverton CERT Radio Team put together.

I really like that they have separate Pelican cases, one for the battery kit, and one for the transceiver.

The battery cases use two 28 Ah batteries, for about a total of about 40 lbs. If my memory serves me correct, the transceiver cases are Icom IC-2820 units with a single 28 Ah battery internal to them. All the ports are on the exterior of the case, so that everything can be securely mounted and easily accessible.

http://beavertoncertradio.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112:weatherproof-portable-battery-project&catid=51:solar-power&Itemid=62

Lynn mentioned at the Station Meeting on Saturday that we’re looking for portable systems that take up a very minimal amount of space (and weight) so we can “grab & go” into SUVs or fire trucks when we need to ride along with for something like a windshield survey.

For starters, I would probably use a small netbook, hopefully something 12v compatible. Windows 7 or Windows 8. If needed, a 12v to 18v boost converter could be built.

A Kenwood TH-D72A handheld radio: This has a built-in TNC and a 12v jack.

Some type of external 2m/70cm mag-mount antenna.

For power, I would suggest the Hardened Power Systems BatPac MK1. This uses a standard 15 Ah battery and has a fused (for regular use) and unfused (for charging) PowerPole connections.

And finally, for charging, I recommend the Battery Tender 800.

I’d put everything in a tough backpack so it could easily be carried into action.