I am looking at picking up a VX-6R myself. I have a lead on a used one. I was doing some checking on them and found where some of them have a problem with a ceramic filter in the FM de-modulator. Where the radio will transmit, but will only receive FM radio stations.
The part is available from Yaesu and is around $3.00. Might not be a bad idea to have a extra one around just in case. This isn't going to stop me from buying one. Just wanted to pass it on. Link to the place I got the info from.

Part#CF2002 (Toko ALFYM450F=K) on page 29 of the service manual that you can download online

http://forums.radioreference.com/amateur-radio-general-discussion/222004-trouble-yaesu-vx-6-squelch.html

Has anyone used one of these kits. The reviews I have read seem split you either like it or hate it. The prices don't seem to bad for some one on a budget. Thinking of getting one and trying.

http://www.vectronics.com/Categories.php

I am looking at getting the VES-1340K a 40M QRP transceiver for $59.95. The case kit for the transceiver is $14.95.

I am wanting to add CW to my radio preps. I have a app on my phone I am using to learn the code.

If you know of a better kit along the same price range let me know.

Thanks.

So true White Tiger. I have planned for both to Bug in and out. No one knows what is ahead. We are looking to get a better bug out location than what we have. We have our supplies divided between the different location.

Geek it does sound we have followed the same path. I also was a Boy Scout. I was also a firefighter for some time. To get my bug out bags together i just merged the two, the survival of and prepardness of a boy scout and readness of a firefighter. In my area we have floods and fires. I have gone through both, I have seen where the stores have been shut down and flooded out or burnt out. gas stations closed. Power and communication lines out. Some for a couple of days and some for weeks. With these scenerios it made it a lot easier to get my family to prep. And it has helped to open the budget to allow for prepping.

I have basicaly the same catigories. When I first started prepping some 6 years ago, I had the help of some good friends who are Mormon. They showed my wife and I the basics of preping and how to do it on a shoe string budget. They suggested to start small, Start with getting a bug out bag together. Then move on to a weeks supply of food, water, hygiene, medical, and security measures. Then once you have a week supply move on to a month, than 2, and so on.

We where compairing notes and I asked about communications. I have always been around radios from CB's to fire service, and Sheriff's dept. They said at a miniumum to have a good AM radio with renewable power supply and a scanner, to stay informed as to what is going on. And once that was covered if we wanted more and a means of communication to get a HAM license.

With all these catigories it can become over whelming to say the least. What I have found is to always go back to basic survival needs and meet them first. When I am ready to move to the next step I start with water first and when that is met I move on to food and security. For me Food and security have the same priority. Than I move on from there. And before I move on I check over everthing to make sure all the bases are covered.

To help with the work required. We set down and figured out everyones strenghths. And assigned them that portion of the list to prep for to make it a family effert. Then we have a famly night and we pick someones house to have dinner at and teach each other on a topic. And go over where everyone is at. And by doing it this way we can buy in a larger quantity to get a cheaper price.

I took on the communications part. We already had the AM radio covered along with the scanner. I had a old CB laying around so I got that up and running. We wanted to be able to talk to each other. So I started small, started with the little GMRS/FRS radios they work great for around the house use. Then I got my ticket and moved on to 2m and 70cm. And know I want to expand to CW.

Jim
Thanks for the reply. I do have a scanner just didn't list it, it's a hand held Bearcat. I haven't used that much. I primarily listen to the fire channels on my BK handheld. In northern california we have 2 seasons flood and fire. And after being a firefighter for ten years its habbit to crab and turn on my portable. I have been looking at HF rigs but want to get my dual band rig for my truck first. Then I will get the HF rig. Depending on the circumstance will determine if we bug in or out. That is why I want to keep everything mobile. I have plans to set up emergency power at both places, and have antennas set in both places.

Gil
Thanks for the reply, and Thank You for starting this forum. I have started studing for my general ticket. I hope in by next VE sesion to take the test. I have looked at the Morse code and down loaded a study app for it.

Thank You for starting this forum. I just passed my Tech on saturday i have been looking for a forum that is based more for prepper comm's. I belong to other forums but none of them want to start a catagory just for comm's, or if they do its always x is better than y and if you dont have y you cant play.

I have always had some form of comes around from my fire service radio to my CB. But never stepped into HAM. After evaluating our current preps and exposing our weaknesses. I felt that we needed to expand our comm's. Currently I have a Cobra LTD 29 with a K40 antenna, 4 of the uniden GMRS/FRS radios, and my old Bendix King from my fire service days. My first prority was comm's within the family which I think I have covered. But being able to communicate and recieve info from farther out is where I was lacking. I plan to keep everything mobile based.

I look forward to reading and sharing what I can.
Thank You

Joe