Compared to a real manpack the VX1210 is cheaper.
I have a PRC1099 manpack. With lion battery its still over 20 pounds, though the whip and auto-tuner combo is
very good it's still pretty tepid at 20W and a 10FT whip at 40M without a 33ft wire trailing. But it is a complete
and self contained station in a box.
But the idea is right. Enough power 5/20W, SSB either sideband available, full tuning 1.6 to 29.9999,
BNC output without tuner for resonant antennas and rugged. The downside is 1980s tech when repairs
are needed, heavy, no speaker (uses handset) and mil style circular connectors. They are available new but
the price makes the VXlook cheap.
Considering what the VX goes for and current mid range radios thats decent for something in the class.
What the PRC1099 did for me is allow me to know from use what bands and items
are _must_ have for a self contained portable station.
My must have list for a self contained portable field radio is:
-80-20M bands (80, 40 and 20) full tuning flexibility on those bands.
-5W with 10 or 20 Watts for high power variable from 1 W up is best)
-Antenna auto-tuner and a rugged case to mount and support a large (3 M) whip (at271 or similar)
- additional connections for external resonant antenna, Audio IO for soundcard based
digital modes.
-mic connection (kenwood 8pin is rugged enough)
-speaker not in handset.
-headset jack
- All controls and connections are the front panel.
-SSB and CW capability.
-Enough battery to run a good while on RX/TX and a many days RX only.
- battery charge or run from 12V source (auto or solar) plus AC adaptor.
-waterproof or water resistant or able to survive rain or puddles.
(water resistant caps on every IO).
-Light, under 20 pounds complete and i'd expect the battery to be most of it!
Complete means whip, battery and mic and radio.
Note variable selectivity, mic gain, passband tuning, RF gain, are not on the list
and not required and in most cases undesirable. Receiver controls should be
band, tuning, volume, and mode (sideband select/CW) as more controls are
not needed. Tuning control should be something not easily bumped. TX controls
are a tune button and maybe a button to use as makeshift CW key. A spartan panel
and minimal or no menus. Must be usable when your in the dark, cold, wet, and
tired without a 50 page manual.
What you leave out is handy for smaller lighter radios. Though complete is nice.
The idea is complete, carried, and not required to be a contest or main radio.
For short range work HTs in the VHF/UHF range are a a good fill. There are
many cheap and tiny 5 W HTs.
Good HF radios aren't cheap, unfortunately. Many include things really not useful
though desirable for home or other uses.
Allison
