Steve Bonine wrote:
As the time of year approaches to begin thinking about hurricanes and
disaster communications, I'm going to upgrade my 2-meter rig with one
that is capable of crossband repeat. I would like for this same radio
to double as my in-shack equipment during normal times.

I'm looking for something with enough power to handle marginal
conditions, rugged and able to handle high temperatures and long duty
cycles, and reasonably easy to operate in the field. (I don't mind
needing a computer and software to set up lots of memories, but I need
to be able to program in an unknown repeater in the field when the
computer isn't available.) Naturally the vendors assure me that all
their new gear can do this, but somehow I'd rather hear it from people
who have actually done it in the heat of battle.

73, Steve KB9X

Steve,

It's always a good idea to have a rig with good capabilities, and any of
the commercial units that advertise cross-band repeat will fill that need.

I feel compelled, however, to sound a note of caution: I've been
involved with disaster preparedness for many years, and was even on the
Boston Esplanade helping to manage the medical responses and lost
children during the July 4, 1976 Pops concert that drew the largest
crowd ever recorded in Boston's history.

The long and short of it is that _WE_ are the most important asset in an
emergency and that _WE_ are most in need of preparation. If we're going
to represent ourselves as being ready to help during times of crisis,
then the practical knowledge and preparedness we bring with us will
outweigh any single radio.

A cross-band repeater might, or might not, be the "Deus ex machina" that
solves all your team's problems - but don't count on it, because
technology is the least important weapon in a ham's arsenal when the
chips are down. I once owned a fancy and delicate radio that I hesitated
to take out in the rain or loan to another ham: now, I have three basic
HT's and I invest in myself and my capabilities instead.

Having regular exercise, which is free, has better prepared me for an
emergency than any amount of money could have. Knowing the capabilities,
limitations, and advantages of RG-8 has made it possible to connect
thirty-year-old ground planes cut for 46 MHz to two-meter radios and
have them in service in minutes instead of hours. Participating in
regular drills, although inconvenient, has been twice as valuable as any
piece of hardware could have been when I was tired, hungry, irritated,
wet, and constipated.

The most important asset we can bring to any deployment, no matter what
the situation or the location, is _adaptability_. Although having good
technology is helpful, having good practice and common sense and a "can
do" attitude will always get you through when technology lets you down.

HTH. YMMV.

73, Bill W1AC

P.S. Whatever you do, don't forget extra batteries, duct tape, and
toilet paper. You can use the bag the duct tape came in to wrap the
toilet paper, and trust me on this - wet duct tape is a lot easier to
use than wet toilet paper. ;-)

(Remove "73" and change the top level domain for direct replies)