I have Baofeng and Wouxun portable radios that are capable of transmitting and receiving UHF, VHF, FRS, MURS, GMRS, 2 Meter, and a variety of other bands. I would like to do something similar in my vehicle as well. I have been on runs with CB, FRS, MuRS, and 2 meter, the later needing a liscense. Also the other bands would be very handy in any disaster type situation or as use as a base station when out and about with portables and someone at base camp. It woukd allow me to also talk with ships and aircraft if needbe. I am by far not an expert on setting up these communications as I am limited to some 2 meter, Cb, frs, murs, and VHF.

As far as a unit I was looking at the AnyTone AT-5888UV. From here. At right under $300 it looks as if the radio will do everything that Iw ould like and more. Again someone more savvy please chime in and let me know if I am seeing things right side up. The face is removable allowing the station to be remotely installed.



Now again most use will be MURS and CB, but again I want to be able to use the gambient of channels available if needed. This will be replacing my portables in the truck and a CB Radio the portable Cobra 75WX that I was originally planning on installing. I am looking at using the Diamond 400 as a base for the antenna.

Here are where I start to rin into issues with my inexperience, antennas. Of course a one antenna do it all would be the call of the day. I know that it would not do everything perfectly some better than others etc. But what options do I have without looking like a transmittng station. Do I have any fiberglass type antenna options similar to the firesticks? Can I use there Murs antenna and it woukd transmit and receive in the other bands? Please chime in. I hope I am going down the right path here.

Again, please dont lecture me on restricted bands and liscensing. I a fully aware and wouldnt use any band not liscensed unless an emergency. Thanks.. Doc

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Moved to OT.

Hi Doc,
Thank You for your service to our country, I really appreciate the many things our military does for us in both peace and war.

I do not think that radio has the capability of transmitting on CB/aircraft frequencies as they are AM and if it is like most dual band radios it is FM only. Also no lecture here as it is legal to transmit on any frequency in the event of an actual emergency, but you might want to look into obtaining a Tech amateur license as it would allow you to use it for things other than just emergency. The test is pretty much common sense and about a week or two of reviewing the questions online will get you through the test successfully. Truthfully if you have a good memory you will be able to remember almost all of the answers and not actually have to learn any radio theory.

If you want/need CB you will have to put in a dedicated radio for it as the frequencies and modulation form are different and the antenna would not be compatible with the one required for the dual band. Fortunately the Cobra does not take a lot of real estate. It is what I will be installing along with a dual band in the near future. Good luck on your project and enjoy your 4R.

Dave

All the legalities of licensing and FCC type acceptance, and antenna restrictions aside, a dual band amateur antenna would be the best choice.
As far as the radio itself, you already have 2 cheap Chinese radios, so you know the sacrifices of RF sensitivity, selectively, and rejection that are made to make the radio so inexpensive.

What is a good radio?

The one linked is $300 and still from China. Everything is from China ahhhhhhhh!

Yaesu, iCom, and Kenwood are all generally considered to be "good". Never bothered checking where they were made.

I have the AnyTone AT-5888 and while it has been a decent system, If I had to start over, I would probably go towards a Yaesu model of similar capabilities, such as:

FT-7900

FT-8800

I have Kenwood, Yaseu, and ICOM covering HF/VHF/UHF bands.
All are good, but I prefer Kenwood.

A radio comparibale to the one in the pic is going to cost 2-3 times as much. But you get what you pay for.

I did have a tech license so no issue there just need to get it reinstated. KF4LZL.

I know that the radio is quite cheap but for what I am wanting it to do. I think that it is a good sacrifice between usability and value. I have had Icom and Kenwood in the past. using Yasua and others. I mostly use the radios around the homestead so my wife can check on me.

No it is understandable that they might not transmit on the AM but they can monitor it. but there are mods out there that allow other radios such as the Wouxun or Baofeng to operate outside of there intended frequencies using chirp to program. I would also like the capability of monitoring local police, fire and ems. Again can this chipset be moded such as the other radios to be programmed such as the other radios. I hope to be under $400 for the complete setup.

This reminded me of:




Op - also check out this thread, lots of good info on radios and bands for HAM
Ham & off road

If you think you can use software to make it transmit in AM on the aircraft band or transmit on 220 forget about it.
Just because it will receive there doesn't mean it will transmit.
The circuitry to do so isn't there. It doesn't take much to receive.
You might be able to get the display to say it is , but it won't actually do anything.
But for $300 it could be a nice toy.

@DannyLlama

not exactly what I meant lol

Thi is on hold for now due to current mods and picking up a G43

Just get a Yaseu, best radios ive ever owned and go get your license. It took me a total of 4 hours of studying to get it and the test was free.