Bush radio Communications - Emergencies and others

[GPSGuided]

Not an HF, but Tx from the base model ICOM IC400-PRO can easily be increased up to 25W, so presumably this one can be upped a bit too?

Not sure how the mod is made on the IC400-Pro but In general HTs are not well suited to upping the power as they have limited power and heat dissipation reserve. Otherwise an external power amp is a more common solution to upping the power. In any case, at Foundation licence level, there's a cap on Tx power to 10W. Will see how the upcoming AR licensing review will change it.

[Strider]

Not an HF, but Tx from the base model ICOM IC400-PRO can easily be increased up to 25W, so presumably this one can be upped a bit too?

Not sure how the mod is made on the IC400-Pro

Very simply - connect the unit to a computer and select preferred Tx power (1, 5 or 25W) from a drop down menu.

Surely these commercial grade radios are capable of doing something similar? At least up to the license regulated limit.

[GPSGuided]

Don't know, but Zone-5 may tell us more about that specific unit. The issue is, once licensed as an amateur, there are various regulations that impart restrictions on us, in terms of HW modifications, operations as well as frequency bands. The upside is that we are allowed to use radio across more bands along with various associated activities.

[Zone-5]

Not an HF, but Tx from the base model ICOM IC400-PRO can easily be increased up to 25W, so presumably this one can be upped a bit too?

IC-7000 is adjustable up to 100W but the Foundation Lic limits me to only 10W max. Standard Lic ups this to 100W and the Advanced to 400W!

http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/foundation/about/

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IC-7000



http://www.icom-australia.com/products/ ... -7000.html
http://www.icom-australia.com/products/ ... ochure.pdf
http://www.icom-australia.com/products/ ... Manual.pdf

Last edited by Zone-5 on Wed 22 Oct, 2014 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Zone-5]

Not an HF, but Tx from the base model ICOM IC400-PRO can easily be increased up to 25W, so presumably this one can be upped a bit too?

Not sure how the mod is made on the IC400-Pro

Very simply - connect the unit to a computer and select preferred Tx power (1, 5 or 25W) from a drop down menu.

Surely these commercial grade radios are capable of doing something similar? At least up to the license regulated limit.

Yes, if you have the right software...

[Zone-5]

But it all depends on space weather data on how clear and far you get...

Banner below is dynamic and will update every 60 seconds




The Motorola TLKR T81 Walkies can't be modded to up their power and the 500mW is what I wanted for the application needed.

I wanted uninterrupted close in comms for two people within a <7 km range.

Standby battery life, simplicity of operation, shock/weather proof and small size were also critical factors in my choice.

[GPSGuided]

Lucky you are on relatively flat and unobstructed terrain.

[Zone-5]

I got the Florida station while back in Adelaide in the inner suburbs!

So it can be done with just 10W...

[GPSGuided]

I bet the other guy had a giant yagi.

[Zone-5]

A Stepp-ir with a trombone the width of my house!

If you want to listen to HF with a webSDR, then here it is: works best using a portable Firefox.

http://websdr.comms.net.au:8901/

[Zone-5]

My 12v base camp base station iCom IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF Transceiver with iCom AH4 auto tuner connected to a 1/2 wave on 80, 40m long-wire antenna...

... me catching up with Ben (JA2FDX) on 15m well after bed time at the bivouac...

[walkerchris77]

For those on a budget

Attachments

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[stry]

For those on a budget

Now that's cutting through the technology obsession. May even have more range than a 10Mw UHF Can you get it with titanium "tins" and dyneema string ?

I carry: 1/ PLB - Always
2/ Little Uniden UHF I or 3 watts or something. Carried sometimes. Only envisaged use is if the PLB is used, I can talk to anyone close who is looking for me, in the air or on the ground. I would have preferred the little ICOM, but 10 Mw ?? 10Mw seems like warehouse/restaurant use to me, but happy to be corrected. I have an ICOM 5W IC40 but it is bigger and heavier, and only taken if I am planning to use it.
3/ Mobile phone - Sometimes. In Vic Alpine areas, pretty much 100% of the time. Don't have a smart phone, so no apps or maps, just for talking/texting.

I feel somewhat comforted with that package and it isn't heavy or bulky.

[Zone-5]

IC-7000 HF/VHF/UHF 100W has a detachable front so the guts can be put else where while the head unit can sit up with the driver.

Makes for great on-comms during the journey when others are not on site or in convoy.