Montana
"The Treasure State"
Jim Edlin, WT5C Writes:
The
Montana communications unit (W7SBC) is a converted Ford ambulance with a 460
cubic inch engine. It has a 200-amp alternator that charges the two vehicle
batteries as well as four deep cycle batteries in the back. All of the batteries
can be switched together to run the radios. We have a Yaesu 857D for HF and two
Yaesu VHF/UHF (FT-7800 and a dual band FT-8800). We have a Tarheel 1200
screwdriver antenna for the HF and Larson whips for the VHF/UHF. We also have a
Motorola Mocom 70 FM rig on the Red Cross frequency of 47.42. And we have a CB
as well as a weather radio, HT’s, cell phone, and the usual compliment of FRS
hand-helds.
All
of the radios are 12 volt and can be run from our battery pack. We also have
onboard a small, very quiet generator to charge the batteries while we are
stopped as well as a diesel generator that we pull in a trailer behind the van.
We have a 90-foot B&W doublet as well as dipoles for 80, 40, and 20 meters.
Here in
Two laptop computers are used with GPS, Microsoft Office Professional, and Microsoft Streets and Trips as well as a portable printer and scanner. A converter is used to give us 120 AC for the computers while we are on the road.
Click
Thumbnail for Larger View
Thanks Jim for sharing the photos & info. We look forward to seeing photos from inside the unit.