A good go bag radio that kills the Baofeng for around $35 is the TYT TH-UV88. Dual band, splash and dust resistant, tough case (dropped twice on concrete looks new), and great TX/RX. Stock antenna works great. Uses Kenwood pin pattern mics and programming cable. It does take SMA Male antennas though. 3200mAh battery. I have the higher power, crossband capable, more expensive, TYT UV8000E, but this little TYT UV88 has been such a solid running radio and easy to carry that I keep it on hand round the clock. I've run our weekly net with strong signal reports each time I've been NC. When I'm done spending money on different gear, I'll add a few more to the pile for emergency bags in the cars and extra to hand off if needed. Not connected or get anything from TYT or anyone. Well, except a small SSI for retirement. ;) It's just been a really impressive radio. At twice + the price, and a even more so for $35. 73, K2WLF/WQZW588
This is like the upgraded version of what I would bring with me. Baofeng UV-5r, KPC3, Raspberry Pi with a GPS on the GPIO header and Direwolf. Whatever giant battery I can find with a buck converter to adjust output voltage and a random assortment of antennas. I conducted a little portable experiment this morning and Realized the diplexer on my homebrew Yagi is messed up. I couldn't pull up a distant repeater with it that I was able to pull up with the stock rubber duck..
Great video Jason. One thing to keep in mind about the batteries is that you need to check the Lithium packs as much as the AAs. I had the same USB battery pack that you showed, and it failed on me, even when kept indoors. The way to test them is to discharge them completely and recharge them completely. Ideally you'd use something that can measure the energy, either going in or going out. Also, when you calculate the number of charges you get out of it, you should remember to account for the voltage boost and the efficiency of the converter.
It is a great place to start. Much cheaper that a full blown HF go kit. For many local events using repeaters, this is 95% of what you need. I recommend these to all new hams as well. 73, de KM4ACK
Nice set up. I upgraded from the Baofeng F8, to the TYT UV8000E, which is a "10" watt radio, but it is better then my old Baofeng. I've also added to the radio an Abbree 18.8 inch tactical folding antenna,and I can hit with my HT, a repeater that is 35 miles away. I very good antenna. Abbree also makes a 13 inch long antenna.
Thanks for the go bag update. Nice upgrades especially with the radio, I've been looking at the FT-65R since they lowered the price. I'm still playing around with my kit but I've temporarily settled on an HT for my bag and will live with it for awhile . Thanks again for getting my wheels turning and giving me some more ideas!
I’ve been super pleased with the FT65. It’s a great little basic radio. And the mobilinkd gives me APRS when needed. Can’t go wrong with the FT65 for the money. 73, de KM4ACK
@@CWB-RF You and me both. I decided to quit counting the HT's I own. hihi. I do enjoy loaning out a few to new hams. Good for them and keeps the dust from collecting. 73, de KM4ACK
KM4ACK loaning them out is a great idea, might do that myself actually. If you like that FR-65R enough to pick up a spare, this weekend might be the time to do it. HRO is running a nice weekend sale because of Pacificon. Cheers!
Thanks for the nice video Jason! I have a Go-Bag in my car too. The Yaesu FT-65 and the newer ones FT-4X are much better quality than the Baofengs (which I own a few also) for only a few bucks more. It is a good idea to put a powerbank into the Go-Bag. I'll update my Go-Bag soon :-) 73 Stephan, DF6PA
The old phone may not have acellular account, but it's law that carriers in the US have to allow for ALL cell phones to make 911 calls. So, yet another purpose for it. Rob
Might not be a bad idea but would have to include the cradle. I think having the spare battery will cover me the majority of the time. One downside to the FT65 is that it doesn’t have a charge port on the radio. 73, de KM4ACK
Enjoyed your video. I am taking my technician exam soon. Searched many radios of many price ranges..several appeared interesting like the Yaesu models including the FT3DR. I was getting confused since i do not know enough ...yet...So i will probably get the Baofeng FB-8HP with the 3800 mAh battery. Hoping it is a good learning tool and i don't regret not getting a different HT. My prime reason for getting a ham is for emergencies...of all kinds. I would like to know where you got or where i can get the magnetic mount that you have. Thank you
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE! I have much of the things you show. Working on getting that and more. I am looking for away to use a Pi to turn my HT into Packet. New ham and only have UHF VHF. Anytone AT D878UV Plus, has Bluetooth, GPS, APRS, DMR. Also have Anytone AT D578UV Pro, 144, 222, 440, GPS, APRS, APRS, DMR, BLUETOOTH. Do you know a way to get one both to use a pi to do Packet. Working on expanding my things but like most have very limited money. 73. W4DES
$13 SMA female mag mount here: amazon.com/Bingfu-Magnetic-Connector-Wireless-Amplifier/dp/B07MG3C79H/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=sma+antenna+mount&qid=1571213613&sr=8-5 Edit: This would work for my Yaesu radios, but I did not realize that the FT65 uses a reverse SMA connector as does the BaoFeng and so this would not work.
Very timely, as our radio team of our CERT group met last night & was discussing trying to have a simple kit to put in each GoBag. PS: did you get a loaner MobileLinkd TNC3 yet?
Here, people think they can save their lives by simply carrying a gun. You can't eat a gun, or use it for a radio. You will be able to send the sound of a gunshot for a ways, but it won't have much info . SOS with a gun shot ? I've thought about the ft-65 . There are many advantages over cheap baofengs. That said, I have one of the Baofengs right now, VX5 was stolen. So, one thing I have is the extended life battery from them.VERY long lasting. Wonder if FT65 has one available ?
Three shots fired in secession is a pretty universal SOS. Most hunters are taught this during hunter education. www.hunter-ed.com/arizona/studyGuide/Signaling-for-Help/20100401_700065488/ Your right though, can't eat the gun but can eat what you hunt with it. I would add the radio as just another tool. Not sure if they offer an extended battery for the FT65. I have looked for an AA battery pack but haven't found one yet. 73, de KM4ACK
A good go bag radio that kills the Baofeng for around $35 is the TYT TH-UV88. Dual band, splash and dust resistant, tough case (dropped twice on concrete looks new), and great TX/RX. Stock antenna works great. Uses Kenwood pin pattern mics and programming cable. It does take SMA Male antennas though. 3200mAh battery. I have the higher power, crossband capable, more expensive, TYT UV8000E, but this little TYT UV88 has been such a solid running radio and easy to carry that I keep it on hand round the clock. I've run our weekly net with strong signal reports each time I've been NC. When I'm done spending money on different gear, I'll add a few more to the pile for emergency bags in the cars and extra to hand off if needed. Not connected or get anything from TYT or anyone. Well, except a small SSI for retirement. ;) It's just been a really impressive radio. At twice + the price, and a even more so for $35. 73, K2WLF/WQZW588
Great video, as always! Your work and OH8STN's work have been my inspiration for my ham radio setup.
Thanks Kevin! That’s why we do what we do. Not only does it inspire you, it pushes us to constantly explore and experiment. 😀73, de KM4ACK
This is like the upgraded version of what I would bring with me. Baofeng UV-5r, KPC3, Raspberry Pi with a GPS on the GPIO header and Direwolf. Whatever giant battery I can find with a buck converter to adjust output voltage and a random assortment of antennas. I conducted a little portable experiment this morning and Realized the diplexer on my homebrew Yagi is messed up. I couldn't pull up a distant repeater with it that I was able to pull up with the stock rubber duck..
Many thanks great info and enjoy your comments
Great video Jason. One thing to keep in mind about the batteries is that you need to check the Lithium packs as much as the AAs. I had the same USB battery pack that you showed, and it failed on me, even when kept indoors. The way to test them is to discharge them completely and recharge them completely. Ideally you'd use something that can measure the energy, either going in or going out.
Also, when you calculate the number of charges you get out of it, you should remember to account for the voltage boost and the efficiency of the converter.
MFJ sells mag mounts with bnc connector on both ends. Excellent video. I'm a little late to the viewing.
I have a very very similar go-bag. I tell new hams interested in go-kits. It surprising to me when people show up volunteer at events unprepared.
It is a great place to start. Much cheaper that a full blown HF go kit. For many local events using repeaters, this is 95% of what you need. I recommend these to all new hams as well. 73, de KM4ACK
Nice set up. I upgraded from the Baofeng F8, to the TYT UV8000E, which is a "10" watt radio, but it is better then my old Baofeng. I've also added to the radio an Abbree 18.8 inch tactical folding antenna,and I can hit with my HT, a repeater that is 35 miles away. I very good antenna. Abbree also makes a 13 inch long antenna.
Thanks for the go bag update. Nice upgrades especially with the radio, I've been looking at the FT-65R since they lowered the price. I'm still playing around with my kit but I've temporarily settled on an HT for my bag and will live with it for awhile . Thanks again for getting my wheels turning and giving me some more ideas!
I’ve been super pleased with the FT65. It’s a great little basic radio. And the mobilinkd gives me APRS when needed. Can’t go wrong with the FT65 for the money. 73, de KM4ACK
KM4ACK Just what I need another HT! Well I’ll probably pick one up anyway just to play around with for fun. Thanks!
@@CWB-RF You and me both. I decided to quit counting the HT's I own. hihi. I do enjoy loaning out a few to new hams. Good for them and keeps the dust from collecting. 73, de KM4ACK
KM4ACK loaning them out is a great idea, might do that myself actually. If you like that FR-65R enough to pick up a spare, this weekend might be the time to do it. HRO is running a nice weekend sale because of Pacificon. Cheers!
@@CWB-RF Thanks for the heads up about the sale! 73, de KM4ACK
Thanks for the nice video Jason! I have a Go-Bag in my car too. The Yaesu FT-65 and the newer ones FT-4X are much better quality than the Baofengs (which I own a few also) for only a few bucks more. It is a good idea to put a powerbank into the Go-Bag. I'll update my Go-Bag soon :-) 73 Stephan, DF6PA
The power bank and USB cables are probably the most used items in my kit. 73, de KM4ACK
The old phone may not have acellular account, but it's law that carriers in the US have to allow for ALL cell phones to make 911 calls. So, yet another purpose for it.
Rob
Absolutely correct. Didn’t think to mention that. Thanks for the reminder. 73, de KM4ACK
Same for the UK (999)
Surprised that that there was no charger for the Yaesu in the bag.
Might not be a bad idea but would have to include the cradle. I think having the spare battery will cover me the majority of the time. One downside to the FT65 is that it doesn’t have a charge port on the radio. 73, de KM4ACK
Enjoyed your video. I am taking my technician exam soon. Searched many radios of many price ranges..several appeared interesting like the Yaesu models including the FT3DR. I was getting confused since i do not know enough ...yet...So i will probably get the Baofeng FB-8HP with the 3800 mAh battery. Hoping it is a good learning tool and i don't regret not getting a different HT. My prime reason for getting a ham is for emergencies...of all kinds.
I would like to know where you got or where i can get the magnetic mount that you have. Thank you
THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE! I have much of the things you show. Working on getting that and more. I am looking for away to use a Pi to turn my HT into Packet. New ham and only have UHF VHF. Anytone AT D878UV Plus, has Bluetooth, GPS, APRS, DMR. Also have Anytone AT D578UV Pro, 144, 222, 440, GPS, APRS, APRS, DMR, BLUETOOTH. Do you know a way to get one both to use a pi to do Packet. Working on expanding my things but like most have very limited money. 73. W4DES
$13 SMA female mag mount here: amazon.com/Bingfu-Magnetic-Connector-Wireless-Amplifier/dp/B07MG3C79H/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=sma+antenna+mount&qid=1571213613&sr=8-5
Edit: This would work for my Yaesu radios, but I did not realize that the FT65 uses a reverse SMA connector as does the BaoFeng and so this would not work.
Nice find! Thanks for sharing. 73, de KM4ACK
I believe another one at Ham Radio Outlet: MFJ-332S
www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008979
This one looks like it would work with Baofeng, et al.
Very timely, as our radio team of our CERT group met last night & was discussing trying to have a simple kit to put in each GoBag.
PS: did you get a loaner MobileLinkd TNC3 yet?
This is probably my most used kit. Mainly for cell phone stuff but also radio at times. Loaner is suppose to be here this week. 73, de KM4ACK
Here, people think they can save their lives by simply carrying a gun. You can't eat a gun, or use it for a radio. You will be able to send the sound of a gunshot for a ways, but it won't have much info . SOS with a gun shot ? I've thought about the ft-65 . There are many advantages over cheap baofengs. That said, I have one of the Baofengs right now, VX5 was stolen. So, one thing I have is the extended life battery from them.VERY long lasting. Wonder if FT65 has one available ?
Three shots fired in secession is a pretty universal SOS. Most hunters are taught this during hunter education. www.hunter-ed.com/arizona/studyGuide/Signaling-for-Help/20100401_700065488/ Your right though, can't eat the gun but can eat what you hunt with it. I would add the radio as just another tool. Not sure if they offer an extended battery for the FT65. I have looked for an AA battery pack but haven't found one yet. 73, de KM4ACK
Jason 4yrs later. Do you still EDC this?
I do still EDC a bag but have changed it up a bit. It's about 80% the same.