Radio Equipment Resources

Fire Station Orange Go Kits

Each Portland Fire & Rescue fire station has an "orange go-kit": a 55-watt Icom IC-2100H and a roof-mounted antenna. NET volunteers are permitted to use this equipment if they have a valid FCC amateur radio license. The kit CANNOT leave the fire station, and so cannot be checked out; but, a volunteer can visit a fire station and use the radio there. To schedule a time to do this, please contact the NET Coordinator.

 Orange Kits include the following equipment:

• VHF radio (Icom IC-2100H/IC-2200H)
• Notebook with: radio box inventory,
  basic radio operation instructions, activation procedures
  and frequency list, forms, city map, and blank paper
• Microphone
• J-pole roll-up VHF antenna
• AC power supply (Astron SS-25M)
• AC ground adapter plug
• Coax cable, 25'
• Extension cord, 50' (qty 2)
• Coax cable, 100'
• Zippered pouch
  (container for small items)
• Pencils
• Small screwdrivers (1 flat, 1 Phillips)
• SO-239 female-to-female barrel adapter
  (for combining coax cables)
• Pencil sharpener
• AC power cable (black)
• BNC-to-SO-239 adapter
  (for J-pole roll-up antenna)
• DC power cable
  (links power supply to radio)
• 20 amp fuse
  (for radio power cables)
• Car battery power cable
  (links power supply to radio)
• Radio operation manual
• Cigarette lighter adapter
  (to install radio into a car)
• Magnetic mount whip antenna
• Handheld UHF BEECN radio(in most, but not all, Orange Kits)

Borrow an Amateur Radio Set 

PBEM has eleven Yaesu VX-170 VHF transceivers available for NET volunteers to check out if they cannot afford their own radio (or if they want to try the radio out). Radios are checked out over three months; at the end of the three month period, the borrower must return the radio (if there is a waitlist for borrowing) or renew the check out.

Checking out a radio is free, but you must arrange pick up from PBEM and be ready to show your FCC Technician (or higher) Amateur Radio License when you pick it up. Each radio includes a charger and instruction booklet. The instruction booklet is also downloadable.

The table below indicates which radios are available and when they are due for return to PBEM. If you would like to check one out, please email the NET Coordinator to arrange pick up.