Emergency Radios

Due to world events and cell network failures that seem to happen more often these days, I decided to create a back up communications capability and ensure that each vehicle we own had a back up radio on board, fully programmed and ready to operate. I researched various radios and because this radio would be basically put in a waterproof box and left in a vehicle for months on end, I decided a used radio would be sufficient. After looking around on eBay, I decided to use the Yaesu Vertex VX-150.

The radios are 5 Watt, 2 meter radios that I have been able to obtain for a reasonable price. Why 2 meter? Because nearly every single Ham Radio Operator has a 2 meter radio and are active on the band. These radios have an AA battery compartment available that are very inexpensive. The radio will operate on full power with AA batteries as well. Antennas and some parts are also available. The display is on the top of the radio and not subject to getting scratched up while sitting in a waterproof box under the seat of one of my vehicles. I have left them outside in freezing temps in the vehicles and after years of use in this role, they have had no issues and work very well.

Each Radio is kept in each of my several vehicles in a padded, waterproof box. Inside the box is the radio, detached antenna and an instruction sheet on how to set up and use the radio as well as the list of frequencies pre-programmed into the radio. Each radio has an attached AA battery pack with batteries checked yearly. This allows me to leave the radio in place and not worry about it being charged. I have a battery checker, if the batteries fall below solid green when checked, they are replaced. The above example is located in one of my off road vehicles.

The instructions are the essential instructions I believe will allow either myself or my wife to use the radio in a pinch. They are taken from the Operators Manual. The frequencies I selected are repeaters that cover the area I live in and surrounding areas including the area around my cabin in the Boise National Forest. Below are some other examples of Emergency Radio Boxes. The blue one is one I keep in the house with the other Go Boxes. The black one is kept in one of my vehicles. Because they are intended for potential out-of-the-Treasure-Valley use, I included a weather alert radio in the package that also has FM and AM listening capability. The instructions and a map with selected 2 meter repeaters for Idaho are kept under the foam pad in the lid.

Emergency Radio Cache

Because recent world events have gotten a little nuts and to further ensure I have a local area communications capability that I might need to share (there are 9 licensed Hams near me but most do not possess any kind of emergency capability), I put together sets of emergency radios both at my home and at my cabin. These radio caches are made up of six radios, all VX-150 Radios. All are programmed with the same frequencies used in the vehicle emergency radios noted above. All have an attached AA battery pack, however, none have batteries installed. These radios will be "sitting on a shelf" until needed. I have enough batteries in storage to activate these radios with spares. The radios are kept in an ammo can that has its seals intact so that the radios remain moisture free and dust free. Each radio cache has a set of instructions with frequencies for each radio and a single, more detailed, quick reference guide from a commercial source written specifically for these radios.