My Travel Go-Kit for VHF & UHF

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Keep in mind that the antenna being stored in that coiled position for a long time will let it take a set on it. I know it isn't supposed to but I have two of them that have done that.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Yeah, I’ve got one like that in my 705 bag, LOL. The nice ones stay in the radio or the Quirky QRP Antenna Trolly.

[@scarlettprepper8080]

Ham and GMRS op. Thanks for the video. I've started carrying a HT and accessories in my slingbag. I have a mobile unit but I never know if I May have to hoof it due to car trouble. No cell service in parts of my county. NE Texas

[@MikeN2MAK]

Next on my list is to make a smaller kit I can keep in my wife's car. Plus I want to incorporate GMRS, since my oldest son and I are hams, but my wife and younger son are at least covered by my GMRS license.

[@scarlettprepper8080]

My radio is open and setup for Ham, GMRS and weather channels. I carry an extra ladder line antenna that I can throw up in a tree for emergencies or griddown.

[@potababe]

Thanks for sharing this information. I haven't much of anything with UHF/VHF and looking to get better set up on those bands. Thanks!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Glad to help! While I try to find time on trips for POTA, it doesn’t always work out. But I can easily try some VHF/UHF, whether it’s packet data or just calling out on a repeater in a new town.

[@kidbach]

Nice kit. I have the FT-65(Which I use as my daily driver paired with a Diamond MRH77 in my work vehicle). When I travel I have 3 hi-cap batteries, speaker mic(the Motorola M-1 will also work) lapel mic/earpiece set, the window clip on antenna(I use a Diamond SRH77) and a N9TAX roll up J-Pole. A question, where did you get the battery eliminator from? Thanks for sharing. 73 KC3UEE

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks! I just got the N9TAX antenna this week and I’m looking forward to using it. I got the battery eliminator from eBay, since I couldn’t find anything similar on Amazon, HRO, DXE, etc. (at the time). Here’s the link www.ebay.com/itm/284578400083?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=EH5ZrizKQL-&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=iiN5zrQBTMS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@TrenchKraft]

I’ve been pretty lucky on .520

[@MikeN2MAK]

We don’t know unless we try! Thanks for checking out the video.

[@pnowikow]

Good little go kit. I like that

[@MikeN2MAK]

It really is super convenient having pretty much everything in there I need, except the Mobilinkd TNC. It makes it really easy to pack up and head out.

[@spexmaniacuk]

Should you not cover the battery terminals on the spare battery, just to protect against shorts?

[@MikeN2MAK]

I never thought about that. I'll put some electrical tape on them or see if I've got something better.

[@spexmaniacuk]

@MikeN2MAK if you are handy or know someone with a 3D printer you could probably make a nice end cap.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@spexmaniacuk good thinking, I'll have to look into that!

[@TomPatten-bb5kp]

Suggest not using headphones/earbuds, illegal in some states. Prefer a speaker mounted on the seat headrest. A clip or cord will hold the speaker. Or perhaps leave the mount and transfer the speaker. What happens if emergency vehicles are behind you or the vehicle begins making noise? A parked vehicle no problem with earbuds. Even the police will mount a speaker on the A pillar to listen to the radio.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I don’t use the earbuds for driving. They’re only there if I was traveling with my wife or someone else driving and I didn’t want to bother them with the radio noise. I’ve also used the radio for public service events and the ear buds can help in a loud environment. There’s probably better options but I rarely use the ear buds-they’re just there in case they’re needed.

[@timholtzclaw8930]

@@MikeN2MAK So your wife don't like radio noise, huh ? 😂 I know what you mean.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@timholtzclaw8930 Yup. LOL

[@DellFargus]

Nice kit.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks! It’s worked out well for me.

[@jeffst.ongephotography1239]

Good job with the video. Just found your channel. I was surprised when you mentioned Rochester and Syracuse. I'm like an hour away from you. Keep up the great work. 73 WB2ABB

[@MikeN2MAK]

Thanks! I’m from Utica and travel out Albany for work a lot in the winter/spring, so I’ll be passing thru quite a bit. When I was on my way to Utica last month, I had a nice QSO with N2FRY who turned his antenna to follow me for several miles. That was the picture I showed on screen in the video, LOL.

[@KustomRadioFrequency]

Appreciate the video, always trying to minimize the gear.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Same here! I just minimized my Icom 705 bag and will do a video on that very soon. Unloading this kit already got me thinking how i might be able to minimize it, LOL.

[@KustomRadioFrequency]

@ look forward to it

[@RadioExpeditionProject]

Thank you. 🤝

[@MikeN2MAK]

You're welcome!

[@n8jsn]

Love my 24OBW

[@MikeN2MAK]

Not gonna lie, I had no idea what you meant at first and Googled “24OBW,” LOL. Then it dawned on me: ‘24 Outback Wilderness. It’s my first Subaru, so I get a pass this time, LOL.

[@n8jsn]

@ same, It's been a learning curve going from a full sized truck to the Outback. But loving it so far. Figured out where to mount my radios. Now to just finish the install.

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@n8jsn Where are you doing the mount? I've been thinking of a Diamond K214S on the bottom of the gate, where it's metal. I've heard mixed things about antennas on the hood with the Outbacks and antennas picking up a lot of RFI/noise from the all the sensors and tech up front.

[@joelaut12]

Thanks for sharing your experience! 73,KC2GRN

[@MikeN2MAK]

No problem. It's fun and helpful to practice some of these things on the go, like Winlink.

[@schwobamichl]

For a real prepper, the iodine tablets, the silicone doll and paper tissues are still missing in the gift bag...

[@MikeN2MAK]

LOL, I’m pretty much using this to grab and go when I travel for work or vacation. But I do have large and small emergency kits in the car. A modest get-home-bag will be in the works though. I’m trying to find that balance of having what I need but also preserving space. It used to drive me nuts having to take out and put in my gear all the time for running errands or going on trips.