Maybe I'm missing something here, but...

If the cell towers are damaged due to the storm, or inoperative because their backup batteries have died, a better antenna will be of no help to you.

If the cell system is overloaded because of call volume, a better antenna will be of no help to you.

The only conceivable scenario in which it would be a help is if the closest cell tower has been damaged, and there is another cell tower within your line-of-sight that is still usable but on the fringe of your range. Of course, with everyone else in the same position, and all of them now using that one tower, it puts you right back to the above scenarios: that site will likely be overloaded, or may quickly drain its backup batteries because of the increased use. Back to square one!

Fact is, you've been rather vague: what do you mean by "minimal cell service"? You state that it was "unreliable" - WHY was it unreliable? Only when you can answer those questions will you be able to logically prepare. Based on what you wrote, it sounds like your whole area was without power. Given that cell sites almost never have backup generators, relying instead on mains-charged batteries, the situation seems clear.

Thanks - I believe that describes the problem. I haven't yet opened the radio up, but looking at the service manual it does appear that the power trace goes up that side.

I'm not so much interested in using high power, because I almost always use a low setting as proper practice dictates. The problem is that the radio locks up regardless of the output setting, forcing me to use the smaller batteries. Since I have other Icoms that share batts, and I've standardized on the 12v, it means I need to acquire batteries just for this radio!

I'll probably be doing the mod suggested to keep the battery inventory down. Just so I'm clear - the cap is attached across the plus and minus lines, correct? (I've seen that done, and I've never understood the purpose.)

-=[ Grant ]=-

I've encountered a problem with a recently acquired Icom IC-2SAT. With a BP-85 battery attached (12v), if I push the PTT the radio will transmit and LOCK in transmit mode until I turn the power off. Once turned back on it's fine until I press PTT again, and it locks into transmit!

This happens both when using the side PTT and with a speaker mic attached, regardless of the power output setting. The problem doesn't seem to occur with a BP-84 (7.2v) battery, or the internal 7.2v battery.

I have done a CPU reset - a couple of times - and the problem persists.

Is this a known issue with this/these model(s)? Is there a fix?

Thanks!

-=[ Grant ]=-

While I've got The Expert's attention, I'd also like your suggestion for antennas in this unusual installation. My goal is to make the very best of what is a crappy mounting arrangement, both in VHF and UHF. Keeping in mind that I spend a lot of time out in the boonies, where repeater access is iffy but doable if one is well prepared.

For instance, what would work best in this situation: a 1/4, 1/2, or 5/8 wave?

(I generally favor Larsen, as they're just across the river from me and I've had exceptional luck with all their products, but I'd consider any quality brand that will get me to my goal.)

You know, I didn't even notice the antenna on the spare tire carrier! I wouldn't put one there in any case - might as well mount it to the bumper.

Back to my options: my thought is that getting the antenna closer to the center of the vehicle - in the basket - would be better than just above the windshield. Is that the case, or would it even make a difference on a vehicle this small? Would my idea of a mesh floor under the antenna be helpful, or is there enough metal in the rack?

(There are roof racks made of plastic??)

Environmental damage isn't really a concern (a lot of my driving is done out in the desert where there's nothing to hit; I'm not a rock crawler, just an adventurer.) I'm not fond of the hood mount, for several reasons,  and would much rather get them out of the way.

So, of the options described, which would be my best bet?

Here's one I haven't seen mentioned!

I have a Suzuki Samurai to which I want to mount separate UHF and VHF antennas. There aren't a lot of options, but I do have this roof rack attached:
http://www.puresuzuki.com/safarirack.htm
The rack is made of heavy steel tubing and hard mounted to the body, so electrically grounding it is not an issue at all. RF ground, though, is another matter.

Now, if you'll look closely at the illustration above, I've identified three possible ways to do this. First, I could put a mesh floor in the basket and weld in a couple of plates on which to mount the antennas. This would probably have the least ground loss, but would impact my ability to use the basket (which is why I bought the thing!)

Second, I could use the light mounting tabs at the front of the rack (note the light mounted in front of the basket.) There are 4 of those tabs, spaced 12" apart. To get proper separation, I'd need to mount them on the outermost tabs, which puts them essentially at the corner of the cab. I could weld a plate between the tabs and move the antennas in a little bit, giving me about 24" of separation. This would be preferable to putting them in the basket, as it wouldn't interfere with any cargo, but I believe the ground losses would increase substantially.

Finally, there is a light mounting tab down low (see the second light just above the hood? There's one on each side.) This would be the least desirable, I would think, because I'd have ground losses AND pattern distortion. I mention it only in case there's an advantage I've missed.

Thoughts? Recommendations? (Other than buying a new vehicle - I like this one!)

Warning: this is a topic designed to stimulate  debate!

I'm thinking of putting together another station, but it doesn't have to be as fancy as my primary one. The difficult part is that I love shortwave listening (SWL) as much as anything, but my budget for this station won't allow the purchase of a good SW receiver in addition to an HF transceiver.

So, the idea is this: get an HF transceiver with a superb receiver section, which can do dual-duty. Yeah, I know the IC-756 and competing rigs are great, but anyone can write a check - I want a challenge!

So, what's out there on the used HF transceiver market - for CHEAP - that has a superb receiver? That's right, it's "the best of the bargain rigs"!

Here are the only parameters:

1) Xcvr must cover down to 80m (160 would be nice, but 80 will do it.)
2) Must be solid state and have good frequency stability.
3) Must have a good record for repairs.

Please, when making your recommendations compare them to other rigs (both transceivers and SW receivers) that you have used so there is some way to benchmark them.

Let the debate begin!

The rules pertaining to operations in emergencies is Title 47 CFR Part  97, Subpart E, Sec. 97.401 through 97.407

"ARES stations can communicate with any stations except RACES"

Please provide a citation for this! I am aware of no ARRL rule to that effect. You may see such silly  restrictions in local areas where there is a p*ssing match between ARES and RACES leadership, but it has no basis in FCC rules or ARRL guidelines, to the very best of my knowledge.

> I'd be really interested in hearing from anyone
> who has actually use the SGC 2020 in the field in
> support of disaster recovery, ground SAR or
> wildfire supression. How did it work for you?

Sorry for coming late into this discussion, but you might find the following useful.

This summer I spent an entire month in the wilderness, moving frequently and with multiple setups, using only an SG-2020 for communications. Besides the primary purpose of the trip, I used the opportunity to intentionally test the 2020 under field and simulated emergency conditions. The area had absolutely no cel phone coverage, and no VHF/UHF repeaters within range.

I used the 2020 on 40m and 75m with a couple of antennas, but found myself using Bonnie Crystal's "MiniBac" antenna with an LDG Z-11 tuner most of the time. I communicated regularly with a friend near my home, which from this area was approximately 300 miles distant. NVIS techniques and equipment were chosen because many of our contacts would be from the bottom of very deep canyons.

I found that I used the 2020 on 5w or 20w output - never in between. (If 5w didn't cut it, then 20w would - but usually just barely.) Most of the time 5w   was sufficient, however, and at those times we had nearly perfect communications. There were instances where static crashes raised the noise floor considerably, and 20w would bring me just enough above the noise to be heard. I shudder just  thinking about relying on 5w for NVIS!

The 2020 ran from 7a/h SLA batteries. I've found that I can reliably run the radio on transmit down to 11.8v, and on receieve down to 11.0v. I found that even maintaining 4 skeds per week, one 7a/h battery was enough power for 3 of the 4 weeks (no solar or other charger was used.) I did keep the battery drain down by turning off the backlight and using earphones.

The radio survived several drops and impacts while carried on the front of my LBE in a nylon case, and sheathed only in thin closed-cell foam. Audio quality was good, and the SGC ADSP (which is much maligned by many people) was a great help.

Hope this answers some of your question. I realize that it's not an actual operational deployment, but I made the conditions as much like one as I could - I too wanted to know if it would work. It did, and since that trip I've grown to like the little SGC more and more. I would have no concerns relying on it in a disaster situation.

I'm looking for sources of RACES badges, pins, patches, and signs. I'm particularly interested in full-color lapel pins and larger metal/enamel badges suitable for pinning onto a jacket or hat.

Please send me any links to sources you may have!  (I already have The SignMan, so you can leave that out!)

Thanks to all.

> Why not just try the speakers and see how they sound?  If the > audio is distorted, then your receiver can't handle the
> mismatch well.  If the audio is clear, you've solved the
> problem!

How do you think I found the problem in the first place? <GRIN>

Thanks to all who responded.

A bit of info: I've tried tuning your basic 5/8-wave for the midpoint of the bands. However, I'm a bit worried about the ability of the old GE Phoenix SX radio to handle that much of a mismatch. Therefore, I want something a bit "flatter".

The Sirio and the "Railroad" antenna are interesting - basically, they appear to be nothing more than "fat" 1/4-wave verticals. It would appear from the responses that the fat vertical has the same wide freq range that the fat dipole does - and that's a concept I'm familiar with!

(Besides, I think I'd have no problem homebrewing one...)

Thanks to all!

I have, in addition to the normal complement of gear, a 2m commercial radio programmed for the local SAR and public service frequencies that our ARES/RACES group is authorized to use (when directed to, of course.)

To make this radio more usable (read: justify the investment) I also programmed in the ham band freqs that we use. However, the problem is that the 5/8 wave 2m antenna I have isn't broadband enough to use both the public service freqs (in the 151-155mhz range) and the 2m ham freqs and get acceptable SWR on both.

Is there an antenna solution out there? (I can live with 2 antennas and a switch if I have to, but would like to use a single antenna if at all possible.)

Homebrew is OK (and actually preferable...)

Nope, definitely 2ohms - I took them apart to check.