As a new Ham Operator, it took me some time to figuring out what items were going to be part of my ‘communications arsenal’. I recently became an AmRRON Operator and started participating in the Scheduled Nets in my area. I was trying to find a way to keep all my comms equipment handy and also have it ready in a Go-Bag. I headed over to YouTube and found a video posted by an experienced Ham Operator and found my answer!
Check out this this video by USNERDOC showing a very cool Comms Go-Bag. The video has some great tips including what he has in the bag and ways to stay organized. I really like the idea of having my equipment all in one bag and ready as a Go-Kit.
Here is my comms bag and the items I have included in mine:
- Molle Utility SHOULDER BAG Multi-Purpose
- BaoFeng UV-5R Dual-Band Ham Radio
with Nagoya NA-771 15.6-Inch Whip VHF/UHF Antenna
- Husky Organizer Pouches (3 pack)
- ARRL Repeater Directory Pocket sized
- Baofeng / Wouxun / Kenwood Clone and Copy Cable
- BaoFeng BF-S112 Two Way Radio Speaker
- Baofeng Vehicle Power Supply Battery Eliminator Baofeng UV-5R/UV-5R+ Plus/ UV-5RA
- BaoFeng BL-5 Two Way Radio Back up Battery
- Genuine FTDI BaoFeng Programming Cable for UV-5R Models
- Roll Up JPole-2m/70cm w/sma female connector for (Baofeng Radio) Highly Recommended (Not pictured)
If you are ordering a BaoFeng radio, there is now a BaoFeng BF-F8+ (2nd Gen UV-5R) and also the upgraded Tri-Power model, the BF-F8HP (was not available at the time of this posting).
Thanks, USNERDOC for the great video!
Will that cable work with the Baofeng UV-3R
The Cloning cable says “Works with any two-pin style radio with a Kenwood plug”. The Baofeng’s have the two-pin style and I KNOW it fits my UV-5R. The cloning cable plug is the same as the speaker mic, so I assume if the speaker mic plug works for you so will the cloning cable. It is a newly added Amazon item so, there aren’t any reviews to go by. The cloning cables are amazing though and worth every penny. It is so easy to clone radio to radio.
Commo go bag in practice.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/673626_Guerilla_portable__Afghan_style.html&page=1
Thanks for the posting of this information. I have the UV-5R radio, and the antenna and two alkaline battery packs (1-AA and 1-AAA) but with the alkaline packs you have to have dummy batteries of each type for them to work. I like the bag idea greatly and will be doing the same thing. I also have a roll up J-Pole antenna made from old ladderline TV antenna wire and coax along with the proper adapter to fit the radio.
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I just ordered a book off Amazon called Ham Radio Go Bag by Max Cooper. It looks like a useful book. I’ve read a couple of this authors other books and they were great. I’m looking forward to this one. Just wanted to pass this along.
http://amzn.to/1RVbHp9
Baofeng has been busy. In addition to the newer BF-F8HP radio (which is 8 watts on VHF only, 6 watts on UHF), they also are shipping two more tri-power UV-5R like radios, the BF-F9V2+ and the UV-5RTP. All three of these use all of the original UV-5R accessories.
For those that want “max power” in a handheld radio, you might also consider the new TYT TH-UV8000D, which does 10 watts on both VHF and UHF, plus it comes with an extended battery (3600 mAh) and an extended 15″ antenna (and a normal 7″ antenna as well) – all in one box.
All of these radios are supported by the excellent RT Systems software/cable kits, which can be found on Amazon (highly recommended if you want a easy, painless way to program your Chinese radios without the hassles of fake cables, old drivers, etc.).
Almost ordered the BF-F9 V2+, but that “only buy through Baofengtech, so you get the U.S. warranty” kept me looking and I found where someone said the F9 V2+ is a clone with old firmware. BaofengTech does not carry it, but they do carry the BF-F8HP, so that was my choice.
I like the go bag idea. But, why have a programming cable if you don’t have a computer?
Can you use a ftprogramming cable with an android-driven tablet?
Made a similar vhf/uhf go bag to keep at the ready. Using what I have on hand. UV-5R, programming cable, extra battery, sholder mic. I had to update the handle with 550 cord for durability.
You might want to get a copy of the DHS NIFOG to throw in it. They came out with a new edition last year so you may have to print it off.
Can you recommend a satellite phone to buy, please?