Paul Kelly, WB1ANJ

Portable/Emergency Base

Rally Battery Pack, 17 A.H. for jumpstarting cars.

Left: Radio Shack PRO-76 Scanner. Middle: Radio Shack HTY-252 10/25W 2M Rig. Right: Radio Shack CB H.T.

Antenna: For CB/10M = Radio Shack “no signal” RV antenna (Radio Shack)

Radio Shack VHF/UHF ground plane scanner antenna modified (for 2M) into vehicle dipole for smaller foot-print inside the house (I later mounted both antennas on the same floor microphone stand 3" apart with no ill effects at 10W power levels).

Portable 23lb. Station makes everyday Field Day when the WX is nice enough to be out in the yard. I use the CB to monitor CH 9-19 for road emergencies, the scanner for local public safety, 2M for fun, ARES, and Skywarn. It’s nice to be independent of commercial power during T-storms. The 2M rig runs 4-6 hours depending on xmit time.

Not shown: An DC-to-AC inverter that came with the battery pack plugs into the cigarette lighter on the front panel. A triple adapter (from Radio Shack. Where else!) allows multiple DC appliances to plug-in to battery pack. Three FRS Radios to keep in touch with family or neighbors or helpers during emergencies.

I found the battery pack at local department stores in the automotive section.