Fatboy and Yaesu VX-5R

S

SMcGill

Joined
Feb 6, 2003
Messages
120
I am interested in getting one of the Fatboy packs from Maxpedition. During our HAM radio club's field days, I would like to be able to carry my Yaesu VX-5R HT functionally in one of the pockets with the small rubber duck antenna. Does anyone know if this is possible, or is there a cell phone carrier or scanner carrier from Maxpedition that will clip on and enable this. I know I saw a picture of K. Collucci's with an M-2 pouch attached. The HT measures about 4" H, 2.5" W, and 1.25" D with its slip-on leather case around it. Any input would be appreciated on the pack, and which online dealer would have it in stock. Thanks in advance.
-Scott
KC8ZCT
 
I've also got a VX-5, and what an awesome radio it is! I've carried mine in a regular backpack for at least a couple of years, and it still looks brand new. Sorry I can't provide my call sign; I rather cherish what little privacy I can manage. Take care!

Paul
 
One of these should fit the radio you have. They are fully adjustable and attach to the Fatboy in the same manner as the M-2 Waistpack.


cpsm.jpg
 
I have a VX7R and it wouldn't fit in the CP-M. My friend has a couple of VX7R's and said that the CP-L fits it perfectly.

Personally, I've been carrying my VX2R daily in a Timbuk2 pouch on my belt and it fits perfectly, and is totally discrete, riding horizontally on my belt under my shirt. Very nice, and I can do any repeater work I need to with the power of the VX2. I carry the VX7 in the car though with a long whip just in case I need more :)

Great little radios for sure.
 
Thanks everyone. The dimensions of the VX-7 and VX-5 are very close, so it sounds like the CP-L would make a good fit. I sure appreciate the feedback. Yes, the VX-5 is a great little radio. I am going to be making a J-Pole antenna for the VX-5 for the first time at field day out of a Radio Shack 12 ft. RG-58 coax cable assembly with a BNC connector at each end. I am going to cut the wire in half and solder in a piece of ladder wire at the cut end, which will give me 2 antennas with clean factory BNC connectors at the ends. I found a great SMA to BNC antenna adapter here: http://home.comcast.net/~sllewd/store.html
Adapter features:
Gold contacts with a teflon insulator. A low profile design with a rubber covering for a factory antenna look. The rubber base seals to the top of the radio with NO SPACERS needed for moisture and dirt protection. The base also provides an excellent support for any length of antenna or application.
No need to remove adapter to make a quick and safe antenna change.
I haven't received it yet, but it sounds nice, and will hopefully allow for some greater variety in antennas for the VX-5.
I can hit the local repeater about 10 miles from here, but I can't hit the repeater about 20 miles away with my HT, that I use to report weather conditions for our local NOAA SKYWARN.

Anyway, thanks for the Maxpedition info, and keep it coming if you've got more.

73's
-Scott
 
This may be one of the all time stupid questions but, what do you guys use this radio for?
 
I am new to HAM, but I will try and answer your question. These HAM radios are handheld transceivers, and require an amateur radio license to operate. Some people use HAM radios to simply talk to other people through a repeater. A repeater is basically a large antenna serving as a "hub" for transmitting and receiving signals on a selected frequency. When you tune into the frequency you can converse with others. You can also talk directly to another person if your radios are tuned into the same frequency, example: 146.820. The repeater allows your signal to be transmitted further. HAM radios and operators are used in emergency situations and for disaster relief. When they had really bad storms here in Ohio and telephone lines were out, HAM operators provided communication into and out of the disaster area. I am a SKYWARN storm spotter, and if certain criteria is met during a storm (ex: hail 1/2" in diameter, windspeeds of 60 mph or more, funnel clouds, heavy rain and flooding), I can use my HAM radio to call into a repeater and report my severe weather description. HAM radios were used extensively during 9/11. Others use HAM radios to see how many others they can make contact with around the world. This is called DX'ing and you primarily use CW (morse code) to make the contact. During our field day, we have a contest to see how many contacts we can make. HAM radio is a hobby to many people who are interested in electronics and like to build or modify their own radios (some base station radios are very large, with tons of different function). I've even heard that you can make contact with space stations using a HAM radio. Here's a couple links:
http://www.qrz.com/
http://www.marcradio.org/ <- my radio club's website
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top