A lot of folks in ths NG seam to think that military radios are somehow woderfull.  I have played with many different military radios and must say that the typical military backpack or mobile is not suited for most communication needs. The PRC-77 is a common wide FM unit that at least will run from normal power. 12V instead of 24V.  The frequency range is from [about] 30Mc to 75Mc. These frequencies require a pretty long antenna to be effective.  My wife an I feild tested a set of 3 (one for each car and one at home] for 3 months. At no time was the pefromance equal to, and never better, than our Icom IC-2AT HTs, with the stock ruber ducky antenna on the 2AT!. The older GRC-64 covers the same frequency range but requires either 24V(to operate the vibrator power supply...vacume tubes you see) or design and build your own transistorized power supply.  There was the grc-90[used 6v tubes with a 90V plate voltage so I did build a specail power supply to convert automotive 12V to the +6 and +90V).  All these radio are really crap when compared to even a CB.  The only advantage is the wider frequency range [25Mc Vs around .5Mc] over CB.  They will also transimit on USA TV chan 2,3,4 so you could at least play DJ to the world[till the FCC shuts you down]. Even the PRC-177 a nifty radio with built in scrambling, di not have the range of a 2AT. Plus, these beasts are heavy, awkward to use and carry, and next to imposible to service. No older military recievers [like the R390 and R293..smaller brother 24V version]where great deals in their day.  I still have my R392, and at 24V at 4amps is makes a nice radio room heater.  My R5000 [12V at 100mA] runs much cooler, wastes less than 100th the power and is slightly more sensitive. Now the R5000 will not survive being dunked in water, but at 4lbs is much easier to carry[and use] than the R392[close to 40lbs]. So unless you know exacltly what you are doing, stay away from military electronics.  Stick with the more common and in my opinion, better civilian radios. I like the 2mtr ham band but friends are using the VHF marine radios. Similar performance, antenna and power requirements.  Get something like the Icom 28A or H, clip the right diode and it will not only cover 2mtr ham, VHF public service but the VHF marine band as well. Of course it is illegal to us marine radios for land_base_d operations.  The FRS is also a good choice. And lets not forget CB. Yes I do ralize that every fool and idiot in the country will be listening, but with a litle care you can mantanin some level of radio security.  And if you happen to have some older rock bound [crystal for each rec and tran chan][ then you can reverse the rec and trans crystals and really cut down on the evesdroppers.  My kids did this back in the 70s and never had any problems.  And yes this is illegal, isn't everything fun?  To hams who are heaving a stroke over the ileegal parts, if the SHTF do any of you think the FCC will really care what we do?  While I strongly suggest to all my friends that they get a ham license, get good [even used is ok]gear, learn how to use it, what types antennas, etc before they need it. As an fast example, we where just finishing the packing for our move I had a killer pain in my side.  The type that puts you on the ground, water pudle or not.  The type that robs you of bladder control.  My wife realised that it was no joke and got on HER ht, did a phone patch 911 call and had an ambulance rolling in about 90seconds.  Since our telephone [all utilities] had been turned off, and the rest of our party was already on the road, this saved a lot of time.  I tried to get into the car, but could not bend. IF she had had to leave me and go get help I would have most likley died. As it was my appendix had started to leak/vent or whatever the medical types call it.  The ambulance crew took one look at me, loaded me into their ambulance and drove like maniacs to Lexington.  Save for such speedy action I have no doubt that I would either still be under their tender car, or dead. My wife was then able to reach our daughter [she had negleted to turn on her radio] and clue them in to current events. The marine corp says the most dangerous thing in the world is a man on the ground with a radio.  I would like to add and some one at the other end to comunicate with. It is YOUR life.  You will prosper or suffer by your choices. Plan accoardingly.  Please put you limited resources towrd reall solutions, not snake oil.  If you still want to go the military route, try Fair Radio Sales, Lima Ohio . The are honest folks with a good selection of gear. The original -Me-

on 24V power supplies. 2 Car batteries.... (series circuits for dummies 101) 12V +12V = 24V.   not really hard, no transistors required.. just a couple of battery cables and a couple of farm surplus batteries.  about $50 bucks in materials.  charge via a normal battery charger (12V. one battery at a time.)

Of course it is illegal to us marine radios for land_base_d operations.   acutually the fcc eased regulation on the marine band as long as it is used outside a 111 mile radius from any shoreline or navagatable  waterway Marc Adkins BS in biology, minor in chemistry Ham call KC5YWM Research Technician OU College of Medicine VP University of Oklahoma REACT team Red Cross DAT/commo team member

acutually the fcc eased regulation on the marine band as long as it is used outside a 111 mile radius from any shoreline or navagatable  waterway Which would exclude most (if not all) of the eastern half of the country! Regards, Bill

acutually the fcc eased regulation on the marine band as long as it is used outside a 111 mile radius from any shoreline or navagatable  waterway Which would exclude most (if not all) of the eastern half of the country! And that's a _bad_ idea?

A lot of folks in ths NG seam to think that military radios are somehow woderfull.  I have played with many different military radios and must say that the typical military backpack or mobile is not suited for most communication needs. The PRC-77 is a common wide FM unit that at least will run from normal power. 12V instead of 24V.  The frequency range is from [about] 30Mc to 75Mc. These frequencies require a pretty long antenna to be effective.  My wife an I feild tested a set of 3 (one for each car and one at home] for 3 months. At no time was the pefromance equal to, and never better, than our Icom IC-2AT HTs, with the stock ruber ducky antenna on the 2AT!. The older GRC-64 covers the same frequency range but requires either 24V(to operate the vibrator power supply...vacume tubes you see) or design and build your own transistorized power supply.  There was the grc-90[used 6v tubes with a 90V plate voltage so I did build a specail power supply to convert automotive 12V to the +6 and +90V).  All these radio are really crap when compared to even a CB.  The only advantage is the wider frequency range [25Mc Vs around .5Mc] over CB.  They will also transimit on USA TV chan 2,3,4 so you could at least play DJ to the world[till the FCC shuts you down]. Even the PRC-177 a nifty radio with built in scrambling, di not have the range of a 2AT. Plus, these beasts are heavy, awkward to use and carry, and next to imposible to service. No older military recievers [like the R390 and R293..smaller brother 24V version]where great deals in their day.  I still have my R392, and at 24V at 4amps is makes a nice radio room heater.  My R5000 [12V at 100mA] runs much cooler, wastes less than 100th the power and is slightly more sensitive. Now the R5000 will not survive being dunked in water, but at 4lbs is much easier to carry[and use] than the R392[close to 40lbs]. So unless you know exacltly what you are doing, stay away from military electronics.  Stick with the more common and in my opinion, better civilian radios. I like the 2mtr ham band but friends are using the VHF marine radios. Similar performance, antenna and power requirements.  Get something like the Icom 28A or H, clip the right diode and it will not only cover 2mtr ham, VHF public service but the VHF marine band as well. Of course it is illegal to us marine radios for land_base_d operations.  The FRS is also a good choice. And lets not forget CB. Yes I do ralize that every fool and idiot in the country will be listening, but with a litle care you can mantanin some level of radio security.  And if you happen to have some older rock bound [crystal for each rec and tran chan][ then you can reverse the rec and trans crystals and really cut down on the evesdroppers.  My kids did this back in the 70s and never had any problems.  And yes this is illegal, isn't everything fun?  To hams who are heaving a stroke over the ileegal parts, if the SHTF do any of you think the FCC will really care what we do?  While I strongly suggest to all my friends that they get a ham license, get good [even used is ok]gear, learn how to use it, what types antennas, etc before they need it. As an fast example, we where just finishing the packing for our move I had a killer pain in my side.  The type that puts you on the ground, water pudle or not.  The type that robs you of bladder control.  My wife realised that it was no joke and got on HER ht, did a phone patch 911 call and had an ambulance rolling in about 90seconds.  Since our telephone [all utilities] had been turned off, and the rest of our party was already on the road, this saved a lot of time.  I tried to get into the car, but could not bend. IF she had had to leave me and go get help I would have most likley died. As it was my appendix had started to leak/vent or whatever the medical types call it.  The ambulance crew took one look at me, loaded me into their ambulance and drove like maniacs to Lexington.  Save for such speedy action I have no doubt that I would either still be under their tender car, or dead. My wife was then able to reach our daughter [she had negleted to turn on her radio] and clue them in to current events. The marine corp says the most dangerous thing in the world is a man on the ground with a radio.  I would like to add and some one at the other end to comunicate with. It is YOUR life.  You will prosper or suffer by your choices. Plan accoardingly.  Please put you limited resources towrd reall solutions, not snake oil.  If you still want to go the military route, try Fair Radio Sales, Lima Ohio . The are honest folks with a good selection of gear. The original -Me-  You make many valid points regarding military gear, I suspect the reason so many want it is that it is what they know from there time in the service. There several pluses though, for one a PRC 68, 77, or 177 will survive a 20 ft drop on concreat, try that with most 2mtr rigs and you'll have to sweep up the peices, another plus is the wide range tuning, how many 6 mtr rigs will tune 30-88 MHz on recieve much less transmit on all of it ? I suggest that having one  (a PRC type) for monitering the other guys would be the ideal and use other amature and commercial gear for your own net. dr.d Kiss Technologys The more complicated the plumbing the easer it is to stop up the pipes M. Scott