The point I was trying to make previously, is: Especially for Emcomm teams that need to fly, boat, or walk into a disaster zone... or simply find themselves in one due to being at the wrong place at the right time...
It is so much better to have as few "external devices" and cabling attached to the radio as possible. Any digital mode for text and messaging that can be built into a radio, would be beneficial... less things to worry about maintaining in an Emcomm situation... We should be asking the manufacturers for these kinds of radios. Some hams have made boxes that contain all their portable station in one waterproof enclosure. This is in essence a good concept, but it falls short of what a good manpack radio would do that has a built-in digital mode. When faced with the weight and bulk minimization requirements to get into a helicopter, light plane, or small inflatable boat at a disaster scene... the bulky and heavy "portable radio boxes" may be rejected. In a disaster, you may be forced into a ONE BAG limit to enter these vehicles. You will need to carry everything in it that you need to communicate and survive and to benefit others in a positive way at your destination. Ask yourself if you can do that... and look at your gear load and your equipment with that viewpoint. A good strategy for Emcomm responders, is to be able to instantly pare down to minimum gear when forced to go lightweight. Everything in a single backpack. One that you are able to comfortably carry yourself for 2 miles. The main things that hams experience failure with in the field for portable and pedestrian mobile operation are the connectors and cables. Take a close look at the connectors on a notebook computer, netbook, or smart phone. These miniature connectors and cables are not rugged. They are a potential point of failure for Emcomm field work. Avoid them or find some way to set up your system so that they won't be damaged so easily when someone carrying a load at the disaster scene bumps into your setup. Bonnie KQ6XA
