Mobile Radios

Mobile VHF/UHF radios provide higher power and more features than handheld radios and are the foundation of most fixed, field, and vehicle emergency communications stations.

Transmitter Power

A 50 watt radio is recommended for simplex and packet operations, to avoid being a hidden node.

Frequency Bands

The 2m (144–148 MHz) and 70cm (420–450 MHz) amateur radio bands are used for both simplex and repeater operations. Most stations use a dual-band radio that handles both of these bands.

The 1.25m (222–225 MHz) band is also used by a few stations. A common configuration for these is a dual-band radio for 2m and 70cm and a single band radio for 1.25m operation.

Dual VFO

Prefer a radio with Dual VFO (variable frequency oscillator), so you can tune two different frequencies at the same time. It should allow tuning both VFOs to the same band. It should allow receiving on one VFO while transmitting on the other, if they are on separate bands.

Stereo Output

Prefer a radio with a stereo headphone jack, or two mono jacks, so that the two frequencies can be heard in separate ears.

Front Panel Configuration

Avoid radios that cannot be configured from the front panel (e.g., commercial radios that have to be programmed through software). The flexibility of front panel configuration is valuable. Keep a copy of the radio’s manual in your Go Kit just in case (or make or buy a cheat sheet for it).

Attached Control Head

Avoid installations that put the control head and radio body in separate rooms. It is hard to swap out such radios in case of failure. However, for mobile operation, having the radio and control head in different locations is useful.