Portable Radio Go Kit MK2 - March 2025

As a longtime radio enthusiast, I’ve explored countless ways to organize and transport my gear. Over the years, I’ve tried everything from camera bags to toolboxes, but this latest version of my Portable Radio Go Kit is my most refined yet. Designed for emergency communications, field monitoring, and general operations, it keeps my essential radios and accessories protected, organized, and ready for action. The goal was to transition seamlessly from storage to use with minimal setup.

The Case

At the core of the kit is a rugged, waterproof hard case, offering superior durability and protection. The lid features egg-crate foam for extra cushioning, while a custom internal mounting system keeps the radios securely in place. This layout ensures everything remains stable during transport while staying easily accessible when needed. The major change from my previous version is that the radios are now mounted sideways, this allows the aerials to stay attached, reducing the setup time and effort onsite. 

Primary Radios

Baofeng UV-5RM (Black)

A staple in my collection, the UV-5RM is valued for its versatility, affordability, and ease of programming. As a dual-band VHF/UHF radio, it’s perfect for monitoring local amateur repeaters and general communications.

Baofeng UV-17R (Orange)

This ruggedized variant adds water resistance, making it ideal for outdoor and emergency use. Its large screen and improved design enhance usability, while its dual-band capability ensures broad frequency coverage.

Accessories & Additions

• Antennas – Stock antennas are stored under the fold-up stand for the radios, with space for additional aerials as I acquire them.
• Programming Cable & Software – Allows for field reprogramming when needed.
• Speaker Mic & Headsets – Enables hands-free operation and improved performance in noisy environments.
• Multi-Tool & Screwdrivers – Handy for quick repairs and modifications.
• Documentation – Printed user manuals and frequency lists for quick reference.

Final Thoughts

This iteration of my go kit strikes a perfect balance between portability and functionality. The hard case provides solid protection against rough handling, while the internal mounting system keeps everything neatly organized. Whether I’m heading out for a field day, portable operations, or just a casual session of radio operating, this kit is always ready to go.

Link - Best Radios of 2025 on Amazon

Link - Hayden VK7HH Interview on Breaking 5.8GHZ Record

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJs55dJwDY

Head to Head - Baofeng UV17 and UV-5RM

The Baofeng UV-17 and UV-5RM are both popular dual-band handheld transceivers, each offering distinct features tailored to different user preferences. Below is a comparative overview to assist in determining which model aligns better with your needs.

Design and Display
UV-17: Features a modern design with a larger, more vibrant display, enhancing readability and user experience.
UV-5RM: Maintains the classic Baofeng aesthetic with a standard display, which may be less vivid compared to the UV-17.

Frequency Range and Bands
UV-17: Covers the standard VHF (136-174 MHz) and UHF (400-520 MHz) frequencies. Some users have reported that their units can transmit on the 1.25-meter band (220-225 MHz) at 2.5 watts, though this may vary by device. 
UV-5RM: Operates primarily on VHF and UHF bands. Users have noted the ability to receive airband frequencies; however, audio quality in AM airband mode is suboptimal, with me experiencing distortion on strong signals, to the point that listening to the airband is a painful experience.

Transmit Power
UV-17: Offers high transmit power, with some reports indicating up to 5 watts on certain bands.
UV-5RM: Marketed as delivering up to 5 watts of transmit power, with selectable low, medium, and high power.

Additional Features
UV-17: Equipped with dual alarm functions, including a local alarm through the speaker and a broadcast alarm with siren/coded signals over the air. 

UV-5RM: Includes standard features typical of Baofeng radios but lacks advanced functionalities like GPS.

User Feedback
UV-17: Generally receives positive feedback for its audio quality and feature set. Users appreciate its performance across various bands and the enhanced display.
UV-5RM: While appreciated for its reliability, some users have reported issues with audio quality, especially when receiving strong signals in AM airband mode. 

Conclusion
If you prioritize a modern interface, enhanced display, and additional features like dual alarms, the UV-17 may be the preferable choice. Conversely, if you value a classic design with standard functionalities and are primarily operating within VHF and UHF bands, the UV-5RM remains a solid option.

Link - IRLP Reflectors

VK7AAL - QSO Log

Last Updated: 27/02/2025

ID: 1

DateTime: 17/01/2025 09:00

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RA

Callsign: VK7AK

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Tony in Burnie. General chat about radio and his location.

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ID: 2

DateTime: 17/01/2025 17:45

Frequency: 146.525

Callsign: VK7HDX

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: Quick chat with Karl while driving.

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ID: 3

DateTime: 20/01/2025 10:15

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK3IH

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Paul. Located Walkerville VICTORIA, 3956. General chat about radio, SSB and his setup. 

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ID: 4

DateTime: 20/01/2025 13:15

Frequency: 438.050 - Vk7RBL

Callsign: VK3IH

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Paul. Lowerr signal levels, so switched back to VK7RAA. Two way signal reports exchanged.

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ID: 5

DateTime: 20/01/2025 13:20

Frequency: 438.550 - VK7RJG

Callsign: VK7OR

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Own, located in Yolla, near Burnie. Very noisy signal.

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ID: 6

DateTime: 20/01/2025 13:35

Frequency: 438.050 - Vk7RBL

Callsign: VK7ACE

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: Very weak signal. Unable to continue

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ID: 7

DateTime: 20/01/2025 17:10

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7VIP

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO while portable in Riverside.

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ID: 8

DateTime: 22/01/2025 10:05

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7ZPE

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: Peter. Mobile to activation, as part of Wednesday group. Had a chat about other repeaters and issues with RVP 6m being locked on transmit.

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ID: 9

DateTime: 23/01/2025 14:20

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK3TYG/7

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: Located in Low Head. On Portable. Working in VK7 for a few weeks. Traveling to different areas. Chat about repeaters and different areas they cover.

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ID: 10

DateTime: 26/01/2025 19:40

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7VIP

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: Quick QSO with Brendan, was driving home. Chat about HF, radios and aerials.

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ID: 11

DateTime: 29/01/2025 18:30

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7HAM

Location: Mobile, Invermay

Notes: QSO while both mobile. He was returning from a activation as a part of the Wednesday group. Located near Scottsdale. Signal was jumping a bit.

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ID: 13

DateTime: 12/02/225 16:15

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7VIP

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Brendan. Talk about IRLP

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ID: 14

DateTime: 12/02/2025 16:20

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7AA

Callsign: VK7AN

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Al. Welcome back to the bands.

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ID: 15

DateTime: 14/02/2025 13:17

Frequency: 147.00 - VK7RAA

Callsign: VK7ZPE

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Peter while he is mobile. Discussion about smoke, fires and weather.

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ID: 16

DateTime: 14/02/2025 14:58

Frequency: 147.000 - Vk7RAA - IRLP

Callsign: W6BJM

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO via IRLP reflector 9350. Located near LAX, has friends in Melbourne.

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ID: 17

DateTime: 20/02/2025 13:15

Frequency: VK7RAA - IRLP 9300

Callsign: VE5REG

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Reg via IRLP reflector 9300 - Saskatchewan. Chat about weather in Canada, was -40c overnight. Just returned from trip to Mexico, was a long drive. Has never been to Australia, has friends in Sydney.

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ID: 18

DateTime: 21/02/2025 13:30

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA - IRLP 9350

Callsign: W6BJM

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Brad via IRLP node9350. Located LA. Dropped after a few overs, due to poor signal.

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ID: 19

DateTime: 27/02/2025 11:09

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA - IRLP 9300

Callsign: VA5TM

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Tom in Hudson Bay via IRLP reflector 9300.

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ID: 20

DateTime: 27/02/2025 11:20

Frequency: 147.000 - VK7RAA - IRLP 9300

Callsign: VE5GTW

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO via IRLP reflector 9300 with George, retired elec eng. Just turned 102 years old.

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QSO - 17 - 20/02/2025

ID: 17

Date / Time: 20/02/2025 13:15

Frequency: VK7RAA - IRLP 9300

Callsign: VE5REG

Location: Home, Launceston Tasmania

Notes: QSO with Reg via IRLP reflector 9300 - Saskatchewan. Chat about weather in Canada, was -40c overnight. Just returned from trip to Mexico, was a long drive. Has never been to Australia, has friends in Sydney.

Radio Scanning Frequencies - February 2025

As well as amateur radio, I also spend a lot of time scanning and searching the VHF and UHF bands. Below is my latest frequency list.

29.6000	10M HAM SIMP
52.5250	6M HAM SIMP
53.7750	VK7RDR 6M
53.8750	VK7RAA 6M
72.1250	CONNORVILLE
72.2750	LES WALKDEN
73.1300	B W MANION
75.5900	BEAMS BROS
77.6500	TECS
78.0125	WTC WORKS
78.5500	GT COUNCIL
79.4250	TECS
118.1000	TOWER - HOBART
118.7000	TOWER - LTON
119.1000	CTAF
119.6000	LGH HELIPAD
121.5000	AIR EMERGENCY
123.4500	AIR SIMP
123.8000	ATC - LTON APPROACH
125.5500	ATC SOUTH
126.3500	AIR SIMP
126.4000	HELI RESOURCES
126.5000	ATC - NORTHERN TASMANIA
126.7000	CTAF
127.3000	CTAF-GT
127.4750	SHARP AIRLINES
129.5000	QANTAS
130.1250	JETSTAR-HOBART
130.2250	JETSTAR-LTON
130.3500	VELOCITY
135.3000	ATC
135.3500	AIR UNKNOWN
136.1250	JETSTAR
136.5500	VELOCITY
145.0250	2M HAM SIMP
146.4000	VK7RAA INPUT
146.4500	2H HAM SIMP
146.5000	2M HAM SIMP
146.5250	2M HAM SIMP
146.5750	2M IRLP
146.9000	VK7REC
147.0000	VK7RAA-MTARTHUR
156.3500	MARINE
156.3750	MARINE VHF 67
156.4000	MARINE VHF 8
156.4250	MARINE WEATHER
156.6000	MARINE VHF 12
156.7000	MARINE VHF 14
156.8000	MARINE VHF 16
157.5375	TASRAIL VHF SIMP
157.5750	TASRAIL SIMP VHF
157.6250	TASRAIL VHF SIMP
157.7750	TASRAIL VHF SIMP
158.0000	TASRAIL SIMP VHF
159.7900	LES WALKDEN
161.0750	ARTEC
162.3750	TASRAIL MILLERS
162.3875	TAS GAS
162.4750	BORAL-DAZZLER
162.5000	BORAL-MT ARTHUR
162.5250	TASRAIL
162.6000	TASRAIL-DAZZLER
162.6125	TASRAIL-MTARTHUR
162.7125	GRAHAM RAND
163.0250	LCC MT ARTHUR(D)
163.0750	LCC FREELANDS(D)
163.4250	TECS
163.4750	LCC FREELANDS(D)
163.5750	LCC MT ARTHUR(D)
163.8625	CSE CROSS COM
163.9125	CSE CROSS COM
166.2700	HANSON
410.7000	ESSENTIAL SECURITY
412.5500	LGH
412.7750	DEPT JUSTICE
413.1000	LC STAFF(D)
413.3500	LGH SECURITY(D)
415.4500	SILVERDOME
431.5500	VK7RJG INPUT
438.0500	VK7RBL-BENLOMOND
438.4125	VK7RJG-DMR
438.5000	VK7RIN
438.5500	VK7RJG-MTARTHUR
439.7750	VK7RDR-DAZZLER
439.9250	NTARC
450.2750	JB HIFI
450.3500	ANNANCONDA LTON
462.0125	MYER
462.0500	BUNNINGS
462.0500	HARRIS SCARFE
462.0750	TASPORTS
462.1000	OFFICEWORKS
462.1125	UHF SIMPLEX
462.1250	UHF SIMPLEX/CRANES COMBINED
462.1625	COLES RACECOURSE
462.1875	NEWSTEAD COLLEGE
462.2000	COLES SHARED
462.2250	OFFICEWORKS
462.2500	KMART LTON
462.2750	SUPERCHEAP LTON
462.2875	COLES NEWSTEAD
462.3250	SPOTLIGHT
462.3375	COLES WELLINGTON
462.3750	TASPORTS
462.3875	DAN MURPHYS
462.4125	BCF LAUNCESTON
462.4375	RADIO WAREHOUSE
462.4500	PETER ALEXANDER
462.4875	GOOD GUYS
462.5625	462.5625MHz
462.6125	462.6125MHz
462.8750	LAUNCESTON AP STAFF
463.0250	LCC QVMAG(D)
463.4000	TARGET LTON
463.5375	ST LUKES
463.9000	CASINO SECURITY
464.2750	METRO ABLES
464.3750	METRO FREELANDS
465.3125	TARGET MOWBRAY
465.4000	CSE CROSS COM
467.1750	TECS
467.4750	CASINO SECURITY(D)
467.5375	DEPT JUSTICE
469.5500	FEDERAL COURT
469.7000	UHF RENTAL
471.3000	BOAGS
471.5250	BASIN CHAIR LIFT
471.6250	HAYWARDS/CRANES COMBINED
471.6375	VIZPIX
471.7000	PFRIFER CRANES
471.9000	VIZPIX
472.2250	BOAGS
472.8250	MD DUNCAN(D)
473.4000	TASRAIL SIMP UHF
473.5000	TASRAIL SIMP UHF
474.1250	WARREN J SPEERS
474.2250	VEC CONSTRUCTION
474.3750	LCC PARKING(D)
474.4750	UNI SECURITY (D)
474.5750	ABC TV
474.7750	UNI SECURITY (D)
474.8500	TRANSPORT INSP
474.8750	LCC CARRVILLA(D)
474.9250	PFEIFFER CRANES
474.9500	JMC GROUP
475.0000	CHURCHILL PARTS
475.0500	MCDERMOTT BUSES
475.0562	TAS RACING
475.0625	ROWING TASMANIA
476.4250	UHF CB CH 1
476.4375	UHF CB CH 41
476.4500	UHF CB CH 2
476.4625	UHF CB CH 42
476.4750	UHF CB CH 3
476.4875	UHF CB CH 43
476.5000	UHF CB CH 4
476.5125	UHF CB CH 44
476.5250	UHF CB CH 5
476.5375	UHF CB CH 45
476.5500	UHF CB CH 6
476.5625	UHF CB CH 46
476.5750	UHF CB CH 7
476.5875	UHF CB CH 47
476.6000	UHF CB CH 8
476.6125	UHF CB CH 48
476.6250	UHF CB CH 9
476.6375	UHF CB CH 49
476.6500	UHF CB CH 10
476.6625	UHF CB CH 50
476.6750	UHF CB CH 11
476.6875	UHF CB CH 51
476.7000	UHF CB CH 12
476.7125	UHF CB CH 52
476.7250	UHF CB CH 13
476.7375	UHF CB CH 53
476.7500	UHF CB CH 14
476.7625	UHF CB CH 54
476.7750	UHF CB CH 15
476.7875	UHF CB CH 55
476.8000	UHF CB CH 16
476.8125	UHF CB CH 56
476.8250	UHF CB CH 17
476.8375	UHF CB CH 57
476.8500	UHF CB 18-TIP
476.8625	UHF CB CH 58
476.8750	UHF CB CH 19
476.8875	UHF CB CH 59
476.9000	UHF CB CH 20
476.9125	UHF CB CH 60
476.9250	UHF CB CH 21
476.9375	UHF CB CH 61
476.9500	UHF CB CH 22
476.9625	UHF CB CH 62
476.9750	UHF CB CH 23
476.9875	UHF CB CH 63
477.0000	UHF CB CH 24
477.0125	UHF CB CH 64
477.0250	UHF CB CH 25
477.0375	UHF CB CH 65
477.0500	UHF CB CH 26
477.0625	UHF CB CH 66
477.0750	UHF CB CH 27
477.0875	UHF CB CH 67
477.1000	UHF CB CH 28
477.1125	UHF CB CH 68
477.1250	UHF CB CH 29
477.1375	UHF CB CH 69
477.1500	UHF CB CH 30
477.1625	UHF CB CH 70
477.1750	UHF CB CH 31
477.1875	UHF CB CH 71
477.2000	UHF CB CH 32
477.2125	UHF CB CH 72
477.2250	UHF CB CH 33
477.2375	UHF CB CH 73
477.2500	UHF CB CH 34
477.2625	UHF CB CH 74
477.2750	UHF CB CH 35
477.2875	UHF CB CH 75
477.3000	UHF CB CH 36
477.3125	UHF CB CH 76
477.3250	UHF CB CH 37
477.3375	UHF CB CH 77
477.3500	UHF CB CH 38
477.3625	UHF CB CH 78
477.3750	UHF CB CH 39
477.3875	UHF CB CH 79
477.4000	UHF CB CH 40
477.4125	UHF CB CH 80
477.5000	UHF CHAT
484.5500	QANTAS UHF
484.8000	BOAGS
484.8250	HAYWARDS
485.1125	HAYWARDS
485.1125	ROWING TASMANIA
485.2500	CSE CROSS COM
488.5500	CSE CROSS COM
488.7000	TECS
490.1500	LAUNCESTON AP STAFF
493.2750	DOOR OF HOPE
494.8250	LAUNCESTON AP STAFF
494.9250	LCC SWIMMING
495.0000	BUCKBY MOTORS
495.0125	UHF SIMPLEX
495.0625	VIZPIX
495.1125	VIRGIN UHF
500.0500	AFRS
505.7750	JETSTAR UHF
506.8000	VIRGIN UHF
509.8750	OFFICE RACING
509.8875	GRAMMAR
509.9375	CSE CROSS COM
509.9875	ST VINCENTS