Comms Accessories & Interoperability - PARTISAN COMMS GROUP, LLC

Depending on your comms goals and needs, there are a lot of ways one can setup a comms kit or go bag. If you spend enough time focusing on the accessories that make sense for your specific needs, then you’ll eventually increase the efficiency in how you use your equipment, as well as the overall interoperability.

Communications Interoperability

Implementing a system that allows systems to have some level of compatibility is something that many entities from cities forming emergency preparedness plans to the military take into consideration. For example, interoperability to first responders may view interoperability as the ability for their teams to work effortlessly with other teams and systems.

Communications interoperability planning allows first responders like police, fire, and medical personnel to boost their resources when aiding in accidents, natural disaster relief, recovery efforts, mutual aid, etc.

Militaries around the world put special attention to interoperability, as types of communications equipment varies among military forces. Communications interoperability for militaries is essential during joint operations, operating multi-national efforts, or other large-scale efforts.

As radio enthusiasts, we’re typically not concerned with managing large-scale operations like the military. But, if you’re using radio as part of your personal emergency preparedness, that doesn’t mean you can apply the same concepts and philosophies on a small-scale.

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is leveraging adapters on your radios that allow you to easily change antennas, and other comms systems.

Below are some adapters and couplers I use on a regular basis on my handheld transceivers, mobile units, and high frequency rigs.

For example, for my handheld transceivers, I have two of them setup with adapters so I can easily change from the stock antenna to other antennas like the small magnetic mount, as well as the Slim-Jim antennas below.

Another area to consider is how you will power your comms in the field. If you are primarily using handheld transceivers as your communication method, then consider having extra batteries, as well as some form of portable power to keep your equipment charged.

One of the portable power systems I use is the ReVolt G2 from Hardened Power Systems.

This particular power system has a LifePo4 lithium battery, an internal solar charge controller, two USB ports, and two Anderson Powerpole connectors. This is a very compact system that I keep in my comms go bag, and I can easily deploy a portable solar panel to recharge the unit.

I use this system to keep my handheld transceivers charged via the USB ports, and I use the Anderson Powerpole connectors to power my high frequency rig.

For all of my mobile units, I have set them up to use the Anderson connectors, and that is the primary power connector I use across all my other equipment. Using the Anderson Power poles enables me to standardize all of my systems, and reduces the number of other connectors and wires needed for my kits.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to brainstorm ways to increase the ability of your systems to operate in conjunction with each other. Sometimes doing the small things and having attention to detail like equipping your radios with adapters, and using the same type of connectors for your power supplies will set you up for success when it matters most.

Links: