Stop Building Ham Radio Go Bags
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- Stop building ham radio go bags! There's a better way.
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I can't seem to make the 'download' for checklists and whatnot work...
Jason, your videos always make me think and are entertaining to be sure. I think that the reason that you can't find the perfect go bag is that you're often changing your mission objectives. For me, the objective is always SSB on 80/40/20 on a QRP rig. It doesn't matter if it's POTA, Field Day, local nets, etc. It's *always* about using the lowest power possible to make the contact. If that means that I score no points on Field Day then I don't care. In fact, what got me into QRP in the first place was being the club generator guy on Field Day. We'd run a 10KW genset next to our BBQ grills. In a real emergency that stuff won't be there, so I made the mental switch to batteries. It took me 10+ years to figure it out. Now my TX-500 makes your IC-705 look like a power hog. I can operate for days on just a few Ah of battery. And that's all I care about. One mission objective everywhere. So if you want simplicity then pick one thing and do just that every time. If it's QRO, be the biggest and baddest that you can be. If it's microwave then make that happen. But if you want to do everything then prepare to be disappointed because no single kit will ever make you happy.
That sounds like a great setup! And yes, guilty as charged. There's just too many things that I enjoy exploring in this hobby :-)
I really do enjoy my qrp contacts. Not much struggle on cw. I don’t get everything on digital that I would like. SSB is no fun at all. Now I’m thinking maybe 20 watts. Why let classifications decide? QRP vs QRO. So now I’m looking for rigs that do 20 watts. Although, my kx2 was really a “shack in a box”. I’ve been using it since it came out. But when it comes to State QSO contests, I find its lacking and I missed out. And that’s not ‘fine’.
I had this thought as well. 👍
I love this, this is actually what I started thinking a month ago when I saw I have two go boxes and two bags that I’ve spent more money than I have building and I was still having to by more things so I would not have to swap things out between setups to do things. Now I’m looking for one of those bags like you have for your 705 so I can lighten my load some too. Thank you for everything thing you do for ham radio.
I've had to stop trying to find the perfect kit as well, it becomes quite a chore when you've got tripods,large masts, guy lines and then packing everything you think you'll need and that is just for the antenna. Whew! My group we've started using roll away tool boxes, but even with that it's cumbersome. My V/UHF kit is still my favorite and easiest kit to haul along. My FT-818 is still my go to rig for HF and V/UHF only need to worry about antennas and battery plus I can tag on my V/UHF kit. Forget the portable mast. Unless camping for a long time. But I feel your pain. I've been chasing my tail far too long, and getting older, it's supposed to be fun. An EMComms kit should stay together and just checked or maintained on every month or so, but never borrowed from. That's my take on it all.
Thanks Jason for this video.
Glad to see I’m not the only one with this perfect go bag, manpack, portable radio rack problem! I recently put my money down for a Icom LC-192 bag. My IC-705, ID-52 and 4 battery packs all fit in there. I also added a SG-211 tuner and some wire for HF. All accessories are in little zip bags like the one you are using. If i need more portable DC power i take my Ecoflow Delta mini with me. That portable battery system together with a foldable solar panel gives me plenty of juice to keep going. Nice bonus is that the barrel connector output on the Ecoflow Delta mini fits the ic 705 input connector!
Thank you Jason for another great video. My Go Bag is very simple. Back pack with G90, Wolf River mini coil, coax plus connectors, FT-60R w/better antenna and a LiFePO4 battery. I have not ventured into the digital world as of yet.
Jason, this is something I've been thinking about quite a lot myself. A favorite aphorism of mine is that "the mission determines the loadout." I've downloaded your checklist and will enjoy looking through it.
I also don't care for the "go-box" concept. One cannot build a do-everything kit without taking everything. For an ARES outing to support a local event, an HT, spare battery, headset/speaker-mike, and the list of local repeaters is sufficient. You know the gig.
My SOTA/POTA outings often involve different approaches, depending on the particular setting. Some locations are not amenable to large antennas. So I generally take the time to assess what I can do at the location and then choose what to deploy. (SOTA is a little more challenging because of the need to carry gear.)
Again, this is good stuff to think about and practice with.
I have been starting to try to get better equipped for portable ops lately. This video seems to highlight where I have been striving to go! My checklists have been developing, and I have assembled some redundancy of equipment, thinking I want to keep my home station intact and not plundered each time I go portable. Still not sure of all the details, for what I will end up with, but surely this video helps me to think more of the process and results and the need for keeping order! Thank you.
I’ve had my VHF/UHF go bag for several years and other than updating/upgrading a few pieces of equipment it remains the same. I did recently add a FT5D to replace my old VX8. I added a couple Signal sticks a while back and added a larger power bank to charge both HT’s I carry in the bag via USB. Other than this bag I gave up trying to maintain others as you have learned it just got to cumbersome. 73 AC9DJ.
Mission specific / operating conditions based packing lists are an awesome tool to help get out the door and into the field site (be it for fun or emergency comms) without forgetting something.
it's addicting. I started with a 72 hour go bag. Then the med bag, then the range bag, then the water filtration case, the HAM Radio Case.
I think I have been down all of those rabbit holes :-)
@@KM4ACK Now I have all of the above in the 4x4. I rebuilt my 72 hour go bag to have a more portable version of what is in the truck. In a rush, the go bag will have almost everything I need but its being kept at 55lbs. I dropped a lot of mass from the radio case by going with those dakota batteries.
Thanks for your thoughts aloud which are relevant for many of us portable operators! After my first ten or so park activations some years ago, I found myself just tired of packing/unpacking my so called "go bags and boxes" with all the gear in it before leaving and in activation place also connecting/disconnecting numerous cables, wiresand connectors. So I decided to make a real go box as I wanted it to be: not just a carrying box with neatly packed bits, but it's when you arrive in place, open the lid up of the box, switch the power on , connect the antenna and here you are, everything is working and ready for QSO in a few minutes! So I have this dream-box ( dream for me :)) for more than 2 years now and it runs just great after some 40 or so activations, field days etc. It's built in alu case, weighs some 10kg , it's got a 100W radio, 20Ah battery , voltage booster, windows tablet computer, ATU in it with some storage space for another mini PC , CW paddle and a lightweight wire antenna left. All permanently connected, I never need to rob anything from this box for another outing project since I have other radios for my other needs, put, if necessary into other functional go-bags :). Thanks again for raising this interesting topic! 73! Linas LY2H
If a bag/box is built for the specific purpose (ie POTA, SOTA) and that is all it is used for then it makes sense. I rarely add or subtract from my 2M EDC bag because I have the same goal for it each time I leave the house.
You hit it on the head saying there is no perfect go-bag because every situation is different. I recently built a vhf/uhf go-bag (inspired by your video). As for a regular go-bag for POTA or something like that, I find that I carry too much extra “stuff” and need to revisit it. I don’t have any interest in building a go-box for the reasons you mentioned. Thanks Jason! 73 de Chris K2CJB
I have been analyzing my bag each time I return home. If an item didn't get used on the trip, it gets added to a list and I remove as much as I can within limits. It doesn't mean is definitely getting removed but it will at least get a second look. Some things (ie first aid kit) are seldom used but still go on every trip. After a bit of time, I have been able to trim a lot of fat from my kit using this system.
I feel my 705 is about as perfect as I need. With the right antenna and amp it hangs all day at field day and still comes in under 10lbs.
Excellent video. I’ve found modular system works best for me. I know what is in each bag, first aid, hf, vhf, defense, survival gear, and can quickly assemble a specific go bag out of my trunk. Thank you for the video! 73 de KLØT
Great video. It’s easy to overthink this stuff, especially being new to the hobby. Thanks for putting this out there. Definitely going to add the checklist to help keep things straight.
Try the Icom Ic 705 as your backpack go bag for all band, all mode, all in one radio.
You are definitely on the right track! I learned about the modular system when I was active duty in the Air Force. I have adapted it so that each radio I have has its own bag with all its accessories and instruction manuals. The only one I have a checklist for is my 7100. It is my main radio, and I will have to pack it according to the checklist when I take it out. Great job!
I’ve come to the same conclusion regarding go kits. I do have several assortments of connectors and adaptors; I keep one in the car all the time and have a couple in various bags and boxes I take into the field. Also, I use checklists for everything, not just radio. I’m in my seventies, and let me tell you, your memory doesn’t get better! Thanks for the video and the useful information, 73, George N2YTA
You're smarter than I am. I keep things simple with a uhf/vhf/GMRS go-box, and I can't be bothered with digital modes or CW. I may get into QRP in the future, but that's not in my immediate plan.
He has never had to bug out.
currently on my 32nd go bag guess I can stop now.
Great video! The comment about not having duplicates (except for handhelds) hits the nail on the head for me. I like the mission-specific, modular approach. I'll definitely be following this one!
I've always found some people's obsession with go bags a little confusing, especially those whose goal is to be able to reach anywhere on the planet. You can fall over and break a leg five miles from home, being able to contact people on the other side of the wold is pointless, you only need to reach someone who is close enough to help. I have a Xiegu X5105 that fits in my Jacket pocket and an EFHW that fits in my jeans pocket and that's it. I put both in my backpack and they take up hardly any room and weight isn't an issue, I can walk all day. I've never needed more than the internal battery on any day out so far and I've watched friends struggle with masses of gear and never use 95% of it. I can't tell you how much fun I've had sitting on top of a hill with my Xiegu and EFHW and for that's what it's all about. Each to their own and we're all different, it's like people who buy a motorcycle then spend more on polish than petrol. Great video
You bring up a great point. First we need to establish "who" we want to communicate with. Then figure out the best means to accomplish that. Sometimes it might be as simple as an FRS radio if you just need to talk with the neighbor across the street.
I'm in the process of designing and building a Go Box that sounds like your first one. 2m + HF, along with digital and a battery in a suitcase sized hard case.
I have a 'Field Box' much like your first forty pounder. I do not use it except for field day and other big ham events. I found long time ago that a 'To Go Bag' is not a single item, but a type of bag that has what i need for the event I am going out to. So My solution was the 'ToGo List'. Much like you I have smaller bags that contain what is required for each rig, and then the 'common' things that over the years have be duplicated. This makes than ability to grab the required smaller bags to make the to go bag for that trip. I also have a 2M everready bag that is always there with me. Keep thing simple and fun.
73
One thing to note: The overall weight of equipment, and ancillary equipment like boxen, (especially) batteries, solar cells, etc., has come way down over the past 5-10 years. Size of capable radios also has been reduced significantly by SDR technology (both full radios and USB and HAT dongles). The only thing you need to go from QRP to full 1500W is the Finals Amplifier. Need a good antenna, whether for 1000 miles, or satellite and Lunar comms. And all of it can be under 10 lbs. Portability is no longer the issue. It's about how much money you don't need and how many duplicates you want.
The Ham Radio pelican case went from 70lbs to 55lbs by switching to Dakota Lithium Ion Batteries.
I have found that soft bags are a great way to damage a transceiver...bags are only for those who are hiking long distances and need the absolute minimal weight (at the cost of protection). A hard case provides much better protection. Many of these "go box" setups waste tons of space or are way too heavy. There is a compromise....not too heavy and not too minimal. Everyone needs to decide this for themselves, and just because someone makes a youtube video doesn't mean we need to do what they do (or buy what they are trying to sell to us). Many of these elaborate systems are more about LARP rather than based on a real quantifiable needs risk/benefits analysis and critical thinking. The best exanples are go-boxes or battery boxes with a whole array of every conceivable connector, binding posts, and separate switches for everything...so many points of potential failure. The KISS principle definitely applies to amateur radio portable operations. Those who show up with everything and the kitchen sink are usually relatively new operators who don't know what they will need, and don't really know how to improvise or do without a given piece of "essential" equipment.
Spot On! Field expedient equipment is portable, organized, tested, modular, and understood.
And one neat gotcha I have realized after building The Perfect Radio Backpack -- that I need to put a raincoat, snack, bottle of water etc. somewhere... And where if the backpack is full of radios...?
Great video! Most of my inspiration for portable ops and go kits comes from SOTA people. Lots of great ultra-light/man-portable innovations from the community including digital modes.
I'm a complete idiot ... interesting video, i never thought a go bag was to be packed and never used until you needed it. I always thought it was plan with specific equipment, gear and containers to use for an event. The only go bag I have built is the 2m one which is very similar to yours. BUT it's a plan of materials I want to bring with me ... i use those HT's all the time .. I don't want them bottled up into a bag (or crate). As a new ham I was having a hard time inventorying my crap for each radio so I started using sandwich and gallon bags for each radio,. Looks like we think alike. Check lists, yeah, that's key. My wife pointed me in the right direction for that. Every event we do she has a check list and damn, they work! But you have to start early and look it over, cause you may have forgotten to put something on the list. Thanks Jason1
Great job. I have often wondered, "What is up with everyone's obsession with go-boxes?" My shack is a backpack, 8.5 lbs built around my KX2. 5w into a wire reaches Alaska consistently. #CW4Life
Some people like building out kits because they love buying gear (don't we all? lol), others dream of being a comms hero in an SHTF scenario. A lot of people will be ditching half their gear from their "go bags" after the first 2 miles of walking with it. The POTA/SOTA hams have much smaller kits than the preppers because they actually use their gear out in the field and know what they need, what they don't, and where they can cut corners for weight.
I believe the advantage of a box is everything is permanently connected. You open it, attach your antenna, flip your power switch and you're up and running. The more bits and bobs you have that need to be connected together, the more a box makes sense. The simpler your kit the less a box makes sense.
Hey Jason - I agree, those Go Boxes design were big and heavy ( 1:10 ). Hence I made my Go Box within two Ridgid Pro Gen 2.0 small tool box's, One box contains the radios and the other box contains the solar panel kit. Each box < 15 pounds and easy to carry about. Cheers - James
Lol I love the intro. I came to a similar conclusion.
I'm also moving towards a modular system. I already have a permanently installed HF / VHF-UHF mobile station in my truck with a 20 and 40 Hustler antenna's mounted on the back of the bed and a mobile dual band VHF-UHF antenna on the roof. It is more or less a go bag with wheels. It is powered by an auxiliary deep cycle 12V 40Ah wheel chair battery which is charged by a Red Arc charge controller, which also allows for solar. When stationary I unfold a 100 watt solar panel to keep things charged when sun is available. I have other antenna options with this truck including a 17 foot 10-80 Chameleon whip and companion radials. I can also deploy various wire antenna's off a mast attached to a small utility trailer. It is a pretty flexible mobile station. However going man portable does require the kind of light weight modular system you've mentioned. The check list and keeping gear in small labeled bags should make it much easier to keep organized and get all the gear you need packed in a basic bag without having dedicated bags for each setup.
Enjoyed your video. I NEVER wanted to build a big all radio go box, like the one you built that comes in at 40 lbs. No Way !
But, at one point I did use a little hand truck to haul my gear from the car to a picnic table. That got old fast! Like you, enter
QRP. Best way to scale down. I ordered 20 each of those little zipper pouches off of ebay. They are great and I have found so many uses for them, even using them around the shack.
As far as a VHF/UHF go kit? Mine consists of a simple Kenwood TH F6A and nothing else. No bag...no nothing. I just hang it on my belt until I am finished setting up.
I am in the KISS mode when I set up at a picnic table. I only use RG 174 for coax and #22 teflon wire for my simple antennas.
My KX2 has everything I need for a radio. Next is the coax, antenna and rope to tie off wires. Add a table, pen and my station is complete. Don't forget some snacks and water.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
You beat me to it I was going to plan a video like this soon. As I've acquired more gear I have trended towards a lot of these principles on my own. Pencil bags work excellent and can be had for cheap in bulk (20 bags for less than 20 bucks). I have my main pack and 100 ah LiFePO4 that are a standard if I'm taking my car as backup gear, but definitely have a "grab base standard pack, choose radio, choose antenna and go" setup. It allows us as emcomm or portable operators in general to be much more adaptable and flexible for a given deployment.
I encourage you to make the video. Everyone has a bit of a different take and things that suit my loadout, may not suit yours.
Great video. I am glad you are finally going modular. Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL has blogged a lot about modular components and I have based my approach off of his work. It will be good to see how you progress and how I can benefit from your ideas.
Haven't heard of Thomas before. I'll look him up. Thanks for the heads up.
Wait.....I do know who he is. I follow his channel but haven't seen the blog.
Good video! I'm just getting into the hobbie and thinking about what gear I might want and how I'll set it up. My sole interest at the moment is emcomm so that makes it easier. I need HF voice/digital for around 300km range using NVIS, and V/UHF for local comms. I also want a range of charging abilities - 12V, 120V, USB-C, and solar. I also want it portable. I'm still in the planning stage, but at the moment I'm thinking a go box with an IC-705, a handheld, a tablet, a Bioenno battery, and a solar charger, plus a folding solar panel. Where I live has lots of little mountains, so I want to be able to hike the nearest one to be able to communicate more widely around my area (only takes 30 min) so this would be a light set up. I would have a separate power box with the converters for 12V, 120V, USB-C, and another solar charger and extra folding solar panels with an extra battery so if I'm at home, or going to help out at the fire hall where there might be generators or a car I can plug into I would bring the power box along. If I get there and nothing is working I have extra solar. Conversely, one of my kids can take the power box, find a power source, charge the extra battery and bring it to me when I need to swap it out if I'm up on a mountain and there's no sun. I would also have a separate tool go box which I could leave at home but come back for if I need it or send one of my kids. No where I would go would be further than 30 min from home biking or walking.
Min 1:20 Not a bad and maybe more a good solution for a comm shack-in-a-box to support comms for a disaster relief agency where one doesn’t know what the needs will be at the assignment. Yup, weight’s an issue. Mine weighs around 45 pounds and like yours, add in the power source (mine’s a 30Ah LiFePO4 plus solar controller plus connection cables, plus antenna and several lengths of RG-8x). As I get old and cranky, that’s too much to schlepp around. No longer deploying with a disaster relief organization, so I’ve lightened my load - a lot!
n6med
Good thoughts...I also use a module system, mainly b/c my radio gear is an out crop of my desert trek gear which has to be light weight. I avoid back packs as much as possible and use belts but pack is a very flexible piece of kit.
Nice work. Keep iterating, Jason. It’s the only way to refine your technique.
I tend to suffer from "grab a bunch of stuff and improvise." It can be challenging, but I almost always prevail.
One memorable victory came after I pulled apart my only antenna that was stuck in a tree. I ended up loading the gutter of a park pavillion and feeding it against a cast iron bbq grill next to the pavillion. I fairly quickly made a 40m NVIS contact from Merritt Island, Fl to Clearwater, FL. Then shortly I made a 20m contact to Oklahoma. It was a successful QRP outting. As a bonus stopped to drink my coffee while it was still hot and weighed my options. The option I rejected was a hamstick on a magmount from a QRP buddy. Had taken the hamstick I wouldn't have remembered the outting near as fondly.
I am working on my first go-bag based on a FT-857d, LDG z11proii tuner, EFHW antenna, and 12Ah lithium battery.
So far, so good.
Nicely done! Being able to problem solve and overcome is a valuable asset.
I like the code talk on radio
Looks like the pond is full = looks like a full platoon
We're cutting wheat = retreating
Crazy stuff
Jason that is right along NASAR ( Search and Rescue ) packs setup that are required for every member ( and they checked onsite before you are even deployed =) I was thinking for several years about that as well and came to that same setup too =) I have a main pack and sub packs as specialty packs ( for comms and planning ) my part ) of the team ...... but still required to have the other items as well as other members of a team if the team needs additional items in a search. We make a printed checklist of each item inside the pack and mark off items used or missing to when you get home replacing the items missing or needed =) then print out another check list .... empty pack and start filling the list items in the pack and mark the checklist and when finished place the checklist inside the ready pack =)
Heh, I have also ended up with several bags/boxes and I adjust the content according to particular needs of every trip, in a modular way, as you say... I don't have any checklist, but I usually go from mike/CW key all the way to antenna, checking if everything is there, including coax pigtails, BNC reductions, various cables, etc. I f I go for an important contest, I check it twice and also double the gear usually -- having two radios, a back-up ANT, back-up coax, etc. And it helped me many times when something failed.
Bingo. I have one go bag that is non-radio related. It has extra clothes, cook stuff, food, etc that I never touch. For radio go-bags, it's spot on what you described, I was robbing peter to pay paul for different bags. Now I just throw all my crap in a home depot tub and pick stuff out of it I need. Love your check lists. I'm going to integrate them into my "tub". 73 Kyle AA0Z
My bag with clothes, food, etc is what I call my "hospital bag". Always packed and will get me through 48 hours or so. It was built several years ago after a couple of unexpected trips to the hospital to support loved ones. Thankfully I haven't had to use that one in a couple of years now. I think I did a video on it once upon a time.
I think that it is important to actually use the go-kit equipment to make sure there are no problems. The list means that you can keep your portable radios "installed" in the station the n pick what you want for a particular outing. Good video. 73
Modular is definitely the way to go, with a core bag whose components are needed for every situation, and sub-bags that get added/subtracted based on the specific situation. Mission drives the gear.
Another great video, thank you, 73
Module set up. Labels set in rack like folders in a rack. Ohh yes. Color code. One color for each radio. Color mark gear each color for each radio it works on. Yeah checklist for each radio.
Color codes? GREAT IDEA! Why didn't I think of that?
Sounds like you need more than a checklist. You need a flowchart.
Good video, stay organized and grab whatever you think you may need at the time, the realities are we can never have enough and most adapt and improvise.
It kinda reminds me of the guys that 100k's ammunition, when the rubber meets the road your gonna do what you gotta do...
I use a spreadsheet for my lists. The first column is the asset list. Each row is for the event. As events are added, it keeps a record of the build out.
I started this for camping. I have a lot of assets but not all pertain to an event (style). I am not going to carry my full size axe in a backpack or even when kayak camping. When I take the camp trailer, I take the axe.
Thanks!
Great analogy!
I have a more modular system using metal padded brief cases from HFT. One for 703, one for Amp and LDG tuner, one for tuner and Digirig.
Sometimes I need lots. Sometimes I need a few items.
I will be getting the FTM-6000. Seems the idea rig for ecomm. Why? Dual band with good power levels and a data port in the back for packet/WinLink.
SOTA,POTA and field days need a different kit requirement. I’ve standardised my antennas to EFHW and a very lite weight UNUN for SOTA. I don’t run QRO when out and about,my KX3 and HT have to suffice and accept what I get because I’m having fun. When using the car as a base I take a lot more kit to experiment with trying to optimise the best antenna I can for my ops. It’s the additional kit you take with you for the “just in case” that weighs you down. Great sensible vid thanks for posting 73 de M0AZE MIke
I love the idea of a "just in case" additional kit. I have several components that could fit in that category :-)
A go box as opposed to a go bag affords quicker set up time and more air time as well as less wear and tear and better reliabability. Also - as much as I hate to say it- you may need to beat a hasty retreat from a bad situation, whether it’s a storm, or certain individuals up to no good.
G4BTI.
As a child I learned to make a packing list. Look through the list, bring what you need. Adjust the list. Be happy with what you have, learn to make due.
I feel personally attacked :D
😂😂😂
Your video made me laugh. I do grocery shopping on a push bike & backpack, I can identify with the weight issue:)
I am not going, I am staying, and fighting right here, you do not have to live like a refugee.
The key is the Mobile, that's where all the different things and support you need are carried. If you leave it you have to hump everything. Back in the tube days, SOTA or mountain topping with no road took a team to pack the radio, generator or car battery and a yagi antenna up and down.
If you don't mind staying under 20 watts, you can't get much simpler than a g90, a small solar generator, small solar panel, Windows tablet, and a ziplock bag of appropriate cables. If you want to do digital throw in a digimod 4 or one of the West mountain radio digital interface systems.
If you don't mind working with 5 Watts you can just get a 705 and a Windows tablet.
Throw in a 80 meter off centerfit dipole or endfed halfwave and 25 ft of rg8x and you can do pretty much everything. 🤷🏻♂️
I haven't looked at the specs myself, but I'm pretty sure you could run a solar panel into a buck converter and run that directly into a 705 to recharge its internal battery.
Personally I run my g90 with an omnicharge 20 plus which is a handheld 20,000 milliamp hour solar battery Bank. If I need more run time I'll switch to the Omni charge ultimate. That's about the only thing that changes in my kit.
Somebody in NW Harris County(on H-Town is in) has this for a go kit:
1. BF Tech 25w mini mobile.
2. Portable battery jump start bat from HFT .
3. Pizza Pan
4. Mag mount bottom
5. 1/4 to 1/2 L 2m antenna.
George Jeston Simple!
Great video Jason. I wanted to make a go bag but found out I needed something different each time depending on the location and what I’m doing. Each deployment is different. Pack what you need for each one differently. I’m curious Jason, what bag did you use for the the 891 with the rails? Looks nicely snug in and protected there. Looking for a bag like that.
It is a larger backpack style camera bag made by think tank photo. Very well protected and each compartment can be customized for your needs. I have been a huge fan of their bags for a long time now and have used one of their bags as my main camera bag for over a decade.
Thx!
Finally a useful ham video
oh no, now you have to pick up those bags
Downloaded the checklist - very good ! I take a modular approach as well. I have a Falcon backpack that’s big enough to carry other bags. Each of my other smaller bags are like Sharpa shoulder bags and are easy to throw into the Falcon. The Falcon bag keeps things that are common to ALL bags so I don’t have to be too redundant. It’s always a project in the works ! WB4YDL
I am using this for my checklist now - ruclips.net/video/W9PHA8zi2GY/видео.html It's a bit easier once it is setup to spit out a nice clean pack list. Glad you are liking the modular approach. Sounds like your system is similar to mine :-)
Honestly, ditch the Raspberry Pi (you can now sell the $30 Pi's for $80 or $90 USED on eBay) and move to just a single Microsoft Surface Go 3. It will do EVERYTHING ... logging software, digital modes, radio programming, you name it. It's also thin and light and with the ability to charge and run off a single USB-C port, if you have a battery or even a solar panel, you are good to go for power even after you exhaust the built in battery which lasts for hours. Then when you are don't playing radio for long trips, you can fire up Netflix or what ever and watch a movie or play a video game.
We could debate this topic for hours but I'd rather agree that we disagree.
Nice video ACK 👍
Thanks Ape!
Very interesting video. And a great green screen I think.
There was no green screen used at all in this video
What about antennas? Not mentioned.
There were a lot of components not mentioned in the video but are on the checklist. Like the radios, pick the one that best suits your outing. Personally I am a huge fan of the 49:1 EFHW for HF work.
My day to day stuff is what I use . A couple of watt,s of power will send a message around the world in the right conditions . 2 Meter is a get high as you can and you're good . Work with what you got and are familiar with and stock up on some ammo ! 73 N9RWJ
great advice
Love the checklist idea
Great video production, sir.
Thanks Dude!
Good thinking.
Been using ck lists for a long time...camping, radio, photo, rc-airplanes.
Through my evolution of go bags, I realized you can never have enough, and you cannot carry everything. So I have one big bag full of everything, that weighs 45 to 50 lbs. I can carry it if I had to, but I don't want to, so, what's the solution? I carry two empty backpacks with my big go bag, and will load only what I need for the situation I'm in.
My bug out bag is a string to put UN soldier ears on.
Great Ideas, thanks for sahring!
That scene of all your old packs piled in a heap was funny. As long as your gear is within reach you will have Com Gear, God forbid. Let not the practice eclipse the point.
If you have an 857, why would you need another radio? Honest question.
The 857 is a great radio and one I still use on a regular basis. That said, it is 20 year old tech and you will certainly notice a difference in filtering compared to newer rigs like the Yaesu 891 or Icom 705. While I used the 705 the most in 2023, the 857 still has a prominent spot on the desk.
I know you understand that the radio set up has to fit the mission. I have a trailer, Go box, a back pack radio and the home station. I pick what I need based on the mission. I think you are on the right track and check lists are the key to ANY communication mission. Keep in mind that you may make successive approximations until you get to the right solution for you. My solution may not be right for you but look at what is in the field there may be a new idea out there
Glenn N6JAI
Good points you raise.👍
I take two HT's cause that's all I have atm, very light. lol
It won't be long before you have more radios than you know what to do with :-)
@@KM4ACK haha, I hope so! 😄🤞📻
Buddy I just found your channel. I have a question- can a person take a Ham radio ( like the 70’s CB mobile radio) and use like a lithium battery (for power) to wear it on your back making it man portable???? I just don’t know. Input from anyone is requested 😉😉🔱
With the right radio, battery, and antenna it's possible. The question is how effective the antenna will be. You will make some contacts for sure but the antenna won't be as effective as setting up a portable antenna with more wire in the air.
@@KM4ACK My son, grandsons and I play Airsoft. I’m retired/disabled vet that’s in my mid sixties now. With the way the world is today, it has my attention. I’m looking for 2 man portable ( field) GMRS radios and (1) TOC type radios. I understand that the HAM has a few dedicated GMRS frequencies. That my friend is my goal. Do you think you could possibly help me get there from here?
Thank you for such a quick response sir
Stop building "Go Bags" and START LEARING ABOUT RADIO and HOW TO OPERATE. Its easy to buy a lot of stuff with ebay and Amazon and swapfest tables. But honestly there is more to it and you guys will have 100x the fun doing field and home operations :) I am not one of those "I HATE THESE NEW GUYS" people we are finding out there. Welcome to the hobby!! Now lets head out and have some real fun!!
who makes your call sign patches with towers?
Me 😀 Get yours at Km4ack.com
Another issue. I prefer to have the ham stuff in rolling bags. I am 65. Have bad knees......
NO !!
Stahp iht
There is a great book - "The Checklist Manifesto" - changed my whole way of approaching how I pack things.
Great book. Applies to almost any topic or career.
Good deal! For a second I thought you were having an identity crisis. After all, we all know as the go-bag and pi-to-go king KM4ACK.
No identity crisis here. Just always reevaluating to see if I can find a better way to accomplish the task.
I tend to suffer from "grab a bunch of stuff and improvise." It can be challenging, but I almost always prevail.
One memorable victory came after I pulled apart my only antenna that was stuck in a tree. I ended up loading the gutter of a park pavillion and feeding it against a cast iron bbq grill next to the pavillion. I fairly quickly made a 40m NVIS contact from Merritt Island, Fl to Clearwater, FL. Then shortly I made a 20m contact to Oklahoma. It was a successful QRP outting. As a bonus stopped to drink my coffee while it was still hot and weighed my options. The option I rejected was a hamstick on a magmount from a QRP buddy. Had taken the hamstick I wouldn't have remembered the outting near as fondly.
Great video Jason. Thank you for sharing... KN6PWH... 73
“Go bags” aren’t meant to be used for “outings”. No wonder you got frustrated. I’d go with a 25-30 lb box that can hold what you need for your play time, and make a REAL go bag that has everything you need for emergency comms away from a vehicle. A small battery, solar panel, lightweight HF+ radio, and EFHW or preferred antenna are all you should have in there.
You have an FT3dr you should check out my video on modifying a battery pack to accept 18650 battery's and run or charge on a 9 volt.
You hit the nail on the head. Feel your pain and thanks for sharing your information. Taking some great ideas from this video
KX4XT
A good clip, but PLEASE lose the sunnies..
Dude how do you have two commercials just a minute and a half into your video? That is a bit much.
Apologizes. I allowed RUclips to auto place the ads. Most of the time it does ok but I don't like ads in the first 3 minutes either.
Bananas!