For "within groups" communications, where the group has thoughtfully put together a comms plan, I think digital makes sense. For "between groups" communications I think analog is tops. And basically for the reasons you stated. For similar reasons, I like having the ability to monitor and transmit on buisness band frequencies and GMRS and MURS. If I was in the Virginia traffic jam and experiencing an emergency I would want to be able to be heard by people near by, which will likely be contractors and public/state/city service vehicles using buisness bands. It doesn't do much good to have access to Hams 15 miles away from a life/death emergency situation.
SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP & BCD536HP will all decode DMR, NXDN and ProVoice with an upgrade for each of these modes. And, yes, they each cost some $$$. I don’t know of a receive only scanner that can monitor D-Star or C4FM.
you can do dstar with a rtlsdr dongle and DSD software the aor-dv1 decodes dstar and c4fm, dmr, apco 25, tetra, mototrbo, dpmr, nxdn, and more. Also AR-DV10
Excellent video Brother. I think the content of your videos is excellent and well thought out. I'm so tired of the channels that pimp ham gear nonstop. Get what works. Get what makes sense and will hold up in the field. Get the tools that will enable you to do the things you need to do. OPSEC is something everyone needs to be thinking about. Digital is an excellent option for EMCOM. If Opsec is a concern in your operations, you will not ever get 100% OPSEC, someone can or will be listening. Using what you have in a smart way will vastly cut down on who hears your transmissions. Tightly focused beams using the lowest power possible is also another way to keep others from hearing your transmissions. Also remember, they may not be able to decode your transmission, but as long as your radio is putting out RF, they can direction find you. In most Emcom operations, Opsec may not be a big concern. That said, you may have sensitive info or things may change if things get out of control. Sorry for the Opsec rant but I always look at where things may go. Me, Retired Kali LEO and Correctional Counselor. You have got to move yourself and company out of Kalifornia. Come join us in Idaho ! P.S. FT-60 was my first radio. Still my favorite. If you can't CCW, carry a FT-60. The thing is a brick and will put a canoe in a DB's head....lol
It appears you've been reading my notes for the next couple of videos. I really liked the FT-60 as an impact weapon comment. Brings back memories of using my Motorola HT-90 in stun mode when I first started working jails in the 80's. Fond memories.
Oh yes....The alternate use of issued and non issued equipment. Feel sorry for the guys today. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The 80's was a great decade for L.E. With the exception of vehicles that wouldn't out run a fat girl on a bicycle. When I first started, we had "Voice Inversion" as our way of keeping most people with scanners from hearing voice in the clear. Easy to get around, but we thought it was cool at the time.
Bob K6UDA is a friend of mine; he was in the same club as me until he moved to Idaho last year. His channel is a wealth of knowledge. Good video, as usual.
Hey just wanted to say I love the videos and thank you. They have been very helpful as I start out on my journey for my technician license. Keep the content coming!
Do any of these digital radios have the ability to charge from USB, either directly from a standard USB cable of some flavor or a specific adapter cable? What about from 12v DC? I have the AnyTone and one of the things that I haven't liked about it is that I haven't found a good way to recharge it in the field.
One thing this could be good with, especially now with Starlink going mobile, could be to pass messages outside of a widespread disaster area (blizzards, hurricanes) as we do with HF now.
Sir, thank you for all that you do to get us caught up on the need-to-know. Do you know anything about the Yaesu FT5DR handheld radio? It's IPX7 water/dust/shockproof and has a touch screen. Also has GPS. Please advise, and thanks in advance.
In particular, I want to know how it compares to the venerable Yaesu VX-6R, especially for newbies like myself who need a bugout/SHTF radio we can learn to use and depend on when things get weird.
One comment....I've read that some DMR radios have very low audio in analog mode. I don't know this to be the case as I just use Fusion in digital. Maybe you could comment on this if in fact there is any truth to what I've been told.
you can do dstar dmr apco25 and more with a rtlsdr dongle and DSD software the aor-dv1 decodes dstar and c4fm, dmr, apco 25, tetra, mototrbo, dpmr, nxdn, and more. Also AR-DV10
All of our ARES RACES AUXCOM are all going to digital modes. When I say digital modes i dont mean like you are saying dstar yaseu fusion etcetc. We use fldigi modes, winlink, packet, aredn, etcetc. VHF and HF
Yes. That's actually happening here too on the strategic message passing side of the shop. My focus tends to be on the "in the field" worker bee part of the equation. But it's important that it be mentioned that there are many layers, involving many different types of comm platforms in the overall package. Thanks for reminding me of this.
For "within groups" communications, where the group has thoughtfully put together a comms plan, I think digital makes sense.
For "between groups" communications I think analog is tops. And basically for the reasons you stated.
For similar reasons, I like having the ability to monitor and transmit on buisness band frequencies and GMRS and MURS. If I was in the Virginia traffic jam and experiencing an emergency I would want to be able to be heard by people near by, which will likely be contractors and public/state/city service vehicles using buisness bands. It doesn't do much good to have access to Hams 15 miles away from a life/death emergency situation.
Digital for group comms is definitely the next video up on deck.
SDS100, SDS200, BCD436HP & BCD536HP will all decode DMR, NXDN and ProVoice with an upgrade for each of these modes. And, yes, they each cost some $$$. I don’t know of a receive only scanner that can monitor D-Star or C4FM.
you can do dstar with a rtlsdr dongle and DSD software the aor-dv1 decodes dstar and c4fm, dmr, apco 25, tetra, mototrbo, dpmr, nxdn, and more. Also AR-DV10
Excellent video Brother. I think the content of your videos is excellent and well thought out. I'm so tired of the channels that pimp ham gear nonstop. Get what works. Get what makes sense and will hold up in the field. Get the tools that will enable you to do the things you need to do. OPSEC is something everyone needs to be thinking about. Digital is an excellent option for EMCOM. If Opsec is a concern in your operations, you will not ever get 100% OPSEC, someone can or will be listening. Using what you have in a smart way will vastly cut down on who hears your transmissions. Tightly focused beams using the lowest power possible is also another way to keep others from hearing your transmissions. Also remember, they may not be able to decode your transmission, but as long as your radio is putting out RF, they can direction find you. In most Emcom operations, Opsec may not be a big concern. That said, you may have sensitive info or things may change if things get out of control. Sorry for the Opsec rant but I always look at where things may go. Me, Retired Kali LEO and Correctional Counselor. You have got to move yourself and company out of Kalifornia. Come join us in Idaho ! P.S. FT-60 was my first radio. Still my favorite. If you can't CCW, carry a FT-60. The thing is a brick and will put a canoe in a DB's head....lol
It appears you've been reading my notes for the next couple of videos. I really liked the FT-60 as an impact weapon comment. Brings back memories of using my Motorola HT-90 in stun mode when I first started working jails in the 80's. Fond memories.
Oh yes....The alternate use of issued and non issued equipment. Feel sorry for the guys today. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. The 80's was a great decade for L.E. With the exception of vehicles that wouldn't out run a fat girl on a bicycle. When I first started, we had "Voice Inversion" as our way of keeping most people with scanners from hearing voice in the clear. Easy to get around, but we thought it was cool at the time.
Bob K6UDA is a friend of mine; he was in the same club as me until he moved to Idaho last year. His channel is a wealth of knowledge. Good video, as usual.
Small world. I've never met Bob but I've been watching his channel for a couple years now. It's an excellent channel.
@@KS6DAY true. He taught me a lot as I was beginning in the hobby. And he’s a hell of a nice guy.
Hi, I love your channel and am often nodding my head in agreement most of the time. As for decoding digital signals, AOR receivers will decode
Maybe take a closer look into “promiscuous mode” in DMR?
Hey just wanted to say I love the videos and thank you. They have been very helpful as I start out on my journey for my technician license. Keep the content coming!
A Uniden Bearcat SDS 100 and SDS 200 will decode DMR but it cost extra to activate it in the scanner.
Do any of these digital radios have the ability to charge from USB, either directly from a standard USB cable of some flavor or a specific adapter cable? What about from 12v DC? I have the AnyTone and one of the things that I haven't liked about it is that I haven't found a good way to recharge it in the field.
One thing this could be good with, especially now with Starlink going mobile, could be to pass messages outside of a widespread disaster area (blizzards, hurricanes) as we do with HF now.
Enjoyed the vid.
Sir, thank you for all that you do to get us caught up on the need-to-know. Do you know anything about the Yaesu FT5DR handheld radio? It's IPX7 water/dust/shockproof and has a touch screen. Also has GPS. Please advise, and thanks in advance.
In particular, I want to know how it compares to the venerable Yaesu VX-6R, especially for newbies like myself who need a bugout/SHTF radio we can learn to use and depend on when things get weird.
YT chopped my message...don't know why, perhaps because I mentioned specific models, abilities and prices? Anyway, check out AOR and the IC-R30.
One comment....I've read that some DMR radios have very low audio in analog mode. I don't know this to be the case as I just use Fusion in digital. Maybe you could comment on this if in fact there is any truth to what I've been told.
you can do dstar dmr apco25 and more with a rtlsdr dongle and DSD software the aor-dv1 decodes dstar and c4fm, dmr, apco 25, tetra, mototrbo, dpmr, nxdn, and more. Also AR-DV10
Any chance there are valid coupon codes for Specter pouches? I’m on a tight budget. Thanks
On a side note, I have noticed some radios will broadcast your gps position. That seems like a bad idea if you dont want to be found.
@@anonymous_friend That's why I'm not a huge fan of APRS. It has a role if you're a hiker, but not so good if you value privacy.
@@KS6DAY that seems like a great feature for coordinating something like a search party but definitely not something I would want on all of the time!
Wish I could have kept my VX-8
All of our ARES RACES AUXCOM are all going to digital modes. When I say digital modes i dont mean like you are saying dstar yaseu fusion etcetc. We use fldigi modes, winlink, packet, aredn, etcetc. VHF and HF
Yes. That's actually happening here too on the strategic message passing side of the shop. My focus tends to be on the "in the field" worker bee part of the equation. But it's important that it be mentioned that there are many layers, involving many different types of comm platforms in the overall package. Thanks for reminding me of this.
CW most hams don't know it or use it
CERT