Gary S. wrote:

On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 15:07:49 -0700, Tim Wescott
wrote:


Did you ever get an adequate answer to your original question, before we
got distracted by world politics? My newest radio is nearly 20 years
old, or I'd have helped you out myself.


The problem is that what he had asked for, continuous tx coverage for
"approximately 60 MHZ thru 500 MHZ", would be technically difficult,
and thoroughly illegal for amateurs.

That would cover from (almost) the 6 meter band, through all of VHF
and all of UHF, including a variety of licensed services, public
service, business bands, marine bands, , aircraft bands, amateur
bands, restricted military bands, etc.

Not sure whether FM is sufficient for what he wants either, or if he
needs multiple modes, making for more complexity and $$.

No company is going to make a radio which is illegal to own or use for
most of the country.

There are a few handheld models, such as the Yaesu VX-7, which are
capable of RX on most of the bands and modes he wants, and TX on 3 or
4 amateur bands (plus the MARS/CAP frequencies next to them).

Looking at getting his people licensed as amateur operators, then
MARS/CAP certified to mod their radios, might meet most of his
requirements.

He would still need to check legalities with the FCC on using amateur
bands for this purpose. Not clear to me either way.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Please check your rule book.

There's nothing wrong with an amateur _owning_ a piece of equipment
capable of transmitting on all those frequencies, it's just not OK for
us to actually do it.

I read a QST article recently (I think in the July issue). Civilians
must be amateur radio operators to use the MARS frequencies, but
military operators need only the approval of their CO.

But you're right in that there isn't a continuous coverage transceiver.
There are both base and handheld units that will cover the various
bands (probably with separate final amps in the transmitters).

--

Tim Wescott, KG7LI