Tank Needs Radio

[Astrogoth]

My good friend, just back from fighting in Iraq, decided to get a Ferret Armored Scout Car. Don't ask. I know. Me too.

So my contribution to the project is the radio. It must be tough, simple to use and Marine proof. Since the Ferret will spend most of its life in the back yard being worked on I wanted to get something to listen to and for convoy duty on the rare times when it's going somewhere. Since we live in Los Angeles I'm thinking a UHF ASTRO Spectra. That way we can all listen to the public safety folks and still be able to talk on GMRS/FRS. Then I checked prices on eBay. With the cables, speaker, mic, and RIB cable this is not going to be cheap. Not to mention the fun out-of-band mods and CPS joy. Now I'm rethinking my ASTRO Spectra choice. The problem is there's not much worth listening to in that freq' range that isn't digital, hence the ASTRO. We need to use UHF because GMRS/FRS has become the defacto CB radio these days. Very useful on the road.

I know there's a large number of radio model choices out there. Anyone know of a good fit or sale?

Thanks guys.

Matthew D.

[motorola_otaku]

To get LAPD, you are going to need the high (S) split UHF Astro Spectra. Not only are they slim to nonexistent on the used market (I don't even see too many UHF high-split analog Spectras popping up, for that matter), but their factory range is I think 485-512. You are not going to get 462 MHz out of that, even with RSS/CPS bandsplit hacks and VCO modding.. it's just too far. Standard warnings about having the required levels of firmware and IMBE-capable flash also apply.

LASO, otoh, you can easily get out of a Range 3 450-482 Astro Spectra, and that will also give you 462 MHz. Ditto for LA County Fire, which falls in the factory range. Of course, they're analog, so you don't even really need an Astro radio for them.

If you absolutely want LAPD and GMRS in the same Motorola radio, your options are thus: a S-split Astro Saber or XTS in the appropriate Convertacom, or a S-split XTL mobile. S-split XTLs are hanging in there at around $1,000-2,000 used, so the cost-effective option is going to be an Astro Saber and an AVA.. however, said AVA might not meet your requirements for "ruggedness", whatever they may be. They're not water-resistant in the least, for starters.

Also, fair warning: the kilocycle cops are going to jump your over using FRS in a commercial radio. GMRS, however, is fair game.

[Astrogoth]

Domo Otaku-San,

The AVA idea is a good one. True they're a bit more delicate than I'd like but the price's right. It'd mean I'd have to donate my ASTRO Saber to the cause. Grrr.. Do AVA's have an external antenna connector and do they charge the radio battery? The inside of an armored vehicle is an RF black hole. Must use the (Racal!) external antenna mount.

Or I could just forget the digital issue entirely and get a tough, cheep, little 460Mhz mobile and declare victory.

Pondering,

Thanks for the ideas.

[motorola_otaku]

Do AVA's have an external antenna connector and do they charge the radio battery?

Yes and yes, along with a 12W amplified speaker.

[Tom in D.C.]

If it's any help to you with regard to authenticity, most of the USA's armored
vehicles (Bradleys, etc.) today use external very wideband active antennas that are designed
and manufactured in Beltsville MD by a company called Antenna Research.
Just don't ask me how they manage to do 30-300 mHz with near-flat SWR;
it has to be some kind of black magic. The appearance would remind you of
those vertical can-type RR antennas you see from time to time.

Have you checked the Ferret to see if it already has an antenna(s) installed?

[Astrogoth]

In fact the Ferret has two Racal mounts. One for the turret and one for the drivers compartment. Neither has an antenna on them at this time. I'm just happy they don't seem to have an internal coil. They're made to clamp a whip the thickness of a Bic pen. If I draw power off of only one of the two batteries I'll get 12 Volts. Finding ground won't be an issue! Finding a place to put the radio will be more fun. Space is very limited.

[Will]

There are a bunch of Astro Saber III high split UHF loose in LA County now that everyone seems to want XTS5000 radios.
Maratrac or analog Spectra for the GMRS, and a Astro for the listen radio.

[d119]

Thats really wierd the guy would buy something like that, especially after just returning from a war zone. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but perhaps he needs some PTSD debriefing... Or maybe he's just a die-hard hobbyist!

Since he's spending so much dough on the thing, tell him to save his money and get an XTL 5000. It'll cover 450-520 and be good to go.

If you've got two antenna mounts, why not just put a standard 450-470 Analog Spectra in there (a tank for the tank) and a digital scanner?

[Astrogoth]

He's a good friend. It is a cool vehicle. It could be resold for what he paid for it. If he tried to buy a B-52 I'd speak up. Hell, I want an Atlas missile base myself. Sometimes you just nod, you know?


Space is limited. The ride is very rough. A scanner wouldn't be such a good idea. Not a complex, delicate, digital one anyhow. That Spectra = tank comment is so true! I think I can fit one on top of the driver side battery box. Have to use a remote head in that case. One problem with that idea: Who gets the controls? Driver, who has his hands full or Commander/Gunner who sits way up in the turret and has no stable place to mount the head. (The turret rotates)

These are the kind of questions that make this a hobby.

Thankls for the input guys

[motorola_otaku]

One problem with that idea: Who gets the controls? Driver, who has his hands full or Commander/Gunner who sits way up in the turret and has no stable place to mount the head. (The turret rotates)

Dual control-head setup. It would require both heads to be remote-mounted, though.

Spectra "front" and "rear" heads use different cables and contain different firmware, to boot. That is one upside of the XTL line: you can program the O5 heads to be "front" or "rear" through the keypad.

[Tom in D.C.]

There is a ton or more of Ferret data at this site, including sub-sites
that cover the truck's history, development, versions, radios, intercom system, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret_armoured_car

Regards,

[d119]

Dumb question, but is that tank even street legal? I certainly hope so, because it would be most bitchen to drive on public streets. I'd imagine if it's got appropriate lighting, etc. it would be OK.

What speed can it get up to? Would it go on the freeway?

Sorry for the OT questions.

You might also have a look at the Kenwood 90 series radios, you can put together a dual-band dual-head setup and get 136-174 and 450-480 out of one radio, and they stretch out of band quite a bit... And they are unquestionably durable enough for the tank...

There, not so off topic now.

[Astrogoth]

It will be street legal. Soon I'm told. Just a few more hoops.

Top speed is 50Mph. I know I wouldn't ride in it on the freeway!


I've been looking at the Icoms. Saw one on eBay for $150 range.
Only problem is they require a kit to program them. Cable/software
set that runs near $100 alone. Otherwise I like the looks and build.

I'll look up the Kenwoods today. Thanks.