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Here is my thinking:
- Unit should be self contained, and capable of operation for a prolonged period of time if needed.
- Unit should be maneuverable and small enough so it can get in and out of any area.
- Because the unit will sit for long periods of time, it should NOT include a motor or drive train.
- When I operate radios for prolonged periods of time, THERE MUST BE COFFEE!! Likewise, when consuming large quantities of coffee, there should be a place to deposit used coffee, if you get my drift.
- There must be a dedicated position for several radio operators.
- There should be capabilities of operating on every band.
- There should be an area for operations to take place- that is, people checking in and out, decisions being made, and conversations held.
- There might need to be a place for operators to sleep during prolonged disaster operation. Other such amenities are appreciated.
- It should likewise be easy and convenient to be used at such small events as the parade and safety town, typical for ARES service.
These factors taken together point distinctly to one type of vehicle – the travel trailer.
I don’t have a budget for this, so the $20,000 Airstream is out of the question. I do have a few hundred to paste together- and that with an intense search and wait for just the right unit might just pay off.
Consider the Holiday Rambler. The old Holiday Rambler. I found this old girl in Toledo. It’s old. It’s been very well cared for. The best part- I paid $700 for the thing! It’s 23 feet long- long enough that there is room inside for two general areas of operation- plus the kitchen/bath area in between. It’s short enough to be brought into almost any location without a fuss, and it can be towed by any pickup truck.
How she’s equipped:
Icom D-Star dual band
Kenwood 7850 2-meter
Motorola Spectra 100-watt VHF
Ritron Patriot VHF
Uniden / TNC dedicated packet station
Motorola Radius 440
GE Master II 444.05 repeater/duplexer
laptops, desktop computing
Laser printer
Network hub / WIFI
Icom 706 MkIIG HF-VHF-UHF
LDG autotuner
2 military masts, attached
3 military masts, portable
So here’s where you all come in. I put this together with the sole purpose of A.R.E.S. and Ham Radio public service / emergency communication. If you have an emergency or public service event- that’s what she’s here for.
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