HT Considerations for ARES® Applications

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As hams, we are occasionally involved in acquiring new or used equipment for our hobby.  HTs are no exception.  As ARES® emergency communicators, the following qualities, features, and accessories are recommended when considering the purchase of a new or used HT.

The following list was compiled during a discussion involving a large number of experienced emergency communicators.  They were asked to indicate specific features that they look for when purchasing a handheld transceiver (HT). 

 

• Dual Band/Dual VFO
• The radio should have dual receive decks and be capable of operating VHF/UHF, UHF/VHF, VHF/VHF and UHF/UHF.
• Ability to monitor multiple frequencies during an event.  Emergency communication operations often require an operator to monitor an operations repeater and a tactical simplex frequency simultaneously; multiple repeaters; multiple simplex or a mixture of amateur frequencies and public safety and/or weather frequencies.
• Does the radio have extended receive range through 170 MHz?
• Ability to monitor operational frequency plus informational frequency during an event.
• NOAA weather broadcasts
• Public safety frequencies
• Some dual band/dual VFO HTs have crossband capability.  While most operators prefer to use their mobile rigs for this function, HT crossband repeat could possibly come in handy.
• The HT should have full-power output of 5-7 watts.
• The radio should be well built and sturdy, often indicated by the term "mil-spec" construction.
• Emergency situations can be especially hard on equipment.  A good HT must have rugged construction to withstand bumps, bangs and drops - they happen.
• The radio should be well sealed and able to withstand reasonable amounts of weather exposure.
• Check and compare the receiver specifications.  Radios with a "tight front end" are preferable as they reject interference in busy RF environments.
• The radio should have a full numeric keypad enabling the operator to direct enter frequencies when programming (very important!) and sent DTMF tones if needed.
• Radio should have both tone encode and tone decode capability.  Tone encode is required for access to many repeaters and tone decode enables a tone squelch to be set when working in busy RF environments helping reduce interference from other radio equipment in the immediate area.
• What type of antenna connector does the radio have?  Most have either BNC or SMA connectors.  My personal experience with both types is that the BNC connector is more sturdy, durable and reliable when repeatedly attaching the HT to external antennas.  A TNC (threaded version of the BNC) connector was also highly recommended but is generally no longer available.
• The controls should all be clearly labeled, including various sub-functions.
• The radio should be intuitive and easy to operate without having to constantly refer to the owner's manual.  Try operating the radio without reading the operator's manual - this gives you a good idea of operational complexity.
• Check out the operator's manual.  Try programming some functions while reading the manual - are the directions clear, concise and well written?  Very important!
• Some radios can be programmed and operated with one hand - others require two.  The simpler the better.
• The radio should be large enough that the controls and buttons can be easily operated with cold hands and fingers.  Most new radios are so small that this is a very serious problem.
• The display should be easy to read and understand.  The display should have a bright; good quality and easily accessible dial light for working in a dim or dark environment.
• The radio should have keypad tones which notify you if you accidentally bump something which might adversely affect your operation.
• The radio should have a keypad lock to prevent accidental changes in frequency or other settings.

 

Power Options:

• Avoid radios which will only operate off of manufacturer proprietary battery packs.
• Look for a radio with AA alkaline battery capability.  AA batteries are available almost anywhere if rechargeable packs go dead.  Carry spare AA batteries.
• Several companies make AA chargers that charge NiCad or NMh batteries from the cigarette lighter on a vehicle.  If you have an HT that can operate from AA batteries, and one of these chargers and a couple of sets of extra rechargeable batteries, you have a virtually inexhaustible supply of power for your HT by recharging one set of AA batteries while using another.

• Look for an HT which can be powered & charged directly from a 12/14 volt DC system (like a vehicle's cigarette lighter).  Many radios can operate directly from a 12 VDC system while others require a step-up or step-down transformer adapter to operate from 12 VDC.
• The radios that can be powered directly from 12 VDC are easier to hook to an external 12v battery pack than those which require a transformer in line.
• Does the radio have an AC adapter to run the radio and charge the battery?
• Are after-market battery packs available for the radio from other manufacturers?  Often when a radio manufacturer stops making a radio, they discontinue manufacturing the battery packs as well.

 

Accessories

 

• The radio should be set up to accept a speaker/mic.
• The speaker mic should have a jack for an earphone or headset so they can be used in conjunction with the speaker/mic.
• The radio itself should have a plug for an earphone or headset (external audio output).
• Make sure coax adapters are available to attach the radio to a PL-259 or SO-239.
• Is a carrying case available which will hold the radio securely and provide both shock and weather protection?  A case with a belt loop is a big asset.
• Tip:  A company named "The Pouch" makes some outstanding neoprene carrying cases that are weather resistant, made of thick padded material, and has a foam insert in the bottom to help prevent damage should the radio get dropped.  They also have a Velcro strap over the top to firmly secure the radio, yet allow quick removal if needed.

 

Note:  Currently the only radio on the market that meets virtually all of these criteria is the Icom IC-W32A.  Many of our Pikes Peak ARES® Staff Members own and highly recommend this radio.  Additional information on the Icom IC-W32A is available on the Icom website at http://www.icomamerica.com/ under the links to "Amateur" and "Dual Band/Multi-Band Handhelds."