I have decided to start a project that is along the “Go Box” “Bug Out Set” ect…
Now, I’m not a Prepper/Survivalist to the extreme some are, however, I do like having good Communications setups in a mobile package.
I’m looking at building a radio setup that will fit in a 50 Cal (M2A1) Ammo Can, on a budget… and I do not care about the CB vs HAM vs MURS vs GRMS vs FRS debate… I have a HAM license, and I am a CB Operator, But if gets bad enough to deploy with this thing, licenses and “Legal Power limits/radio configurations” are not going to matter much anymore…
I know FRS radios are Piss Weak at 0.5 Watts and can not have a detachable antenna, I know you are supposed to have a license for GRMS (Pay a fee, get a license… sounds like a way to supplement cash flow for a over budget, bloated Government entity…
The inside of the M2A1 50 Cal Ammo can is 11″ long x 5.5″ wide x 6.5″ Deep
The paln for the the can? 2 radios, 3 bands of coverage for 11 M AM/FM, and VHF/UHF. My formerly reviewed Anytone Smart CB will get me 11 and 10 meters AM/FM and a QYT KT-8900 will cover 2M, 70cm, MURS, FRS, and GRMS.
As I said in my review, the Anytone Smart CB is a Great little radio, SMALL 4” Wide x 4.25” Deep x 7/8” tall, and full legal 11 meter power, that being said I would like SSB, but no one makes a small form factor SSB rig… YET… I did a review of the radio here: https://reverendbow.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/122/
Although I do have a Yeticom Optima that is 1 DIN size and will give me all modes on 12, 11, and 10…. so that is a contender as well, but that setup wouldn’t be nearly as budget minded, the Optima is no longer in production, but could be substituted with a Magnum 257, which is easier to find, but at 6″ W x 2″ H x 9.5″, it is too big for the target M2A1 Can…
but I digress…
I just ordered the QYT KT-8900 and am waiting for it to arrive. It is also a compact setup at 3 7/8″ Wide x 4 5/8″ Deep x 1 3/8″ Tall .
I figure for the VHF/UHF modes, that will cover it. I purchased it from here: http://www.radioddity.com/us/two-way…ing-cable.html
But I hear the Baofeng UV-2501 (Gen 3) is a better version of the same rig… so I also have a UV-2501 and the USB power cord for the Baofeng UV-5R charger coming, as I have a UV-5RV+ as well…
I am planing to run it from an external 12V power source using Anderson Power Pole connections in the face plate.
I would love to do a setup like the Operator G1, but at a more affordable price, and more bands of coverage.
http://www.portableuniversalpower.co…s/operator-g1/
I envision a “Face Plate” when the lid is open with the radios recessed. Antenna connections on the face plate (to keep it water tight), and the power connection on the face plate with an external speaker also in the face plate. I drew up this tonight, still need to find a spot for an exhaust fan…
As a side note, I do have ICOM HF (x2), VHF, UHF/VHF, a stack of 11M (or wider) radios and a wide band receiver, but consider this a backup in a small package.
My intent is to build a setup that is inexpensive, offers a few bands, and may help a person that is a prepper, that may be a bit overwhelmed with the Comms Aspect of being prepared. It seems the electronics freak people out.
Has anyone else built anything similar?
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