The following article by Gary Bishop, NQ0V, was published in the Cedar Valley Amateur Radio Club (CVARC) newsletter BANDSPREAD. Gary also gave a PowerPoint presentation (2MB with pictures of his Go Kit) at the 9 Feb. 2006 CVARC club meeting. Free distribution of either is granted as long as the author is credited.

Creation, care and feeding of a Ready bag/Go bag for emergency deployment

by Gary Bishop NQ0V

Purpose of a go bag: To permit a competent and knowledgeable operator to perform effective communications services. The bag(s) contain equipment, information and personal support articles ready to deploy at a moment's notice. Go bag contents should permit the operator to function without further straining the emergency environment.

If you have not done so yet, register and complete the ARRL Emergency Communications 001 class.

Creation: This starts with selection of the 'bag' itself. Sturdy nylon weave, splashproof/waterproof, proper size are the main requirements. Carrying cases, duffel bags, small carry-on type luggage will work; plastic bags, paper sacks won't. Maybe's are back packs, tote sacks, plastic container boxes. It doesn't need to be submersible or completely waterproof, but the bag should repel light rain, splashing, or sitting in the (usually unexpected) shallow puddle. You can enhance the water repellant character through treating seams, using sealing tape, waterproof coatings used for tents or canvas, or other means.

Put your name and call sign on everything. Put your name and call sign on every piece of anything that can be separated, i.e. battery covers, etc. Put your name and call sign on the outside of the bag. Put everything inside water-tight bags. This does two things: It keeps your stuff dry, and it aids in organizing like items together for easy handling and packing.

Consider that you may have to loan your go bag to some-one else to use. Make it easy, label stuff, include instructions as necessary, identify your equipment. Also, consider that you may be deployed well away from your home, consider what you might need if you don't have access to your vehicle.

You should prepare two bags: One for a 24 hour deploy- ment, and another for a day-2 to day-3 deployment. Note this terminology: A 24-hour go bag will get you through the first day. If your deployment is longer, you will need additional supplies from the day-2 to day-3 bag. Your go bags should have several cousins: Family evacuation supplies, camping equipment, field day equipment, hunting equipment, vehicle emergency supplies, etc. These may include your ARES go bag, or can be separate.

It is insufficient to simply throw some items you think you might need in a bag. Even selecting items from the checklist and putting them in a bag is insufficient. You must have training and preparation on what to do, not what you do it with.

Checklist: You do not want EVERYTHING on this list, because it would simply be too much. Select the items you believe you might need, or the items that will support you during a deployment. For items not chosen for the 24 hour bag, consider them for the day-2 to day-3 bag. Do not store batteries inside the devices that use them. They will outgas and corrode contacts.

24 hour go bag.

*Items recommended as a minimum.

Communications. Assumes an active or involved repeater is accessible, or short range simplex is desired. If not, see 'For longer ranges.

* 2 Meter handheld, with flexible antenna, rechargeable battery pack (one or more,) basic operating instructions.

Dual band HT optional

* Recharging cords for using 12 volts and 120 volts and cord for direct operation from 12 volts (usually permits higher power HT operations.) Make sure all power and 12 volt connections use the standard power pole connectors.

* Extra fuses for everything you bring. Identify each fused item externally with the size and rating of the fuse.

* 12 volt power extensions, splitters, fused links, etc. Make sure all use power pole connections. Extra fuses, general selection.

* Battery housing for HT that uses AA batteries

* External mag mount antenna, 1/4 wave

50 or 100 feet of low-loss coax, with adapters on each end for UHF, BNC

Large capacity 12 source, such as a gel cell.

Headphones that completely cover the ears to block out local noise. Adapters (as needed) to fit HT. Walkman-type ear buds or foam covered head sets are poor performers in a noisy situation.

External communications speaker.

External mount 5/8 wave or other gain antenna (J-pole, etc.)

External microphone for HT

Enough AA batteries to support high duty cycle usage. After your rechargeable pack is exhausted, two complete sets of AA batteries for HT are probably sufficient for 24 hours. If necessary, you can 'rob' batteries from your other go bag devices, while you try to locate a way to recharge your HT batteries.

Decide on a common RF connector for each service. I have chosen BNC for 2 meters, 220 and 440, and UHF connectors for HF work. Bring adapters between these and SMA style connectors. This means: Everything VHF/UHF I have will mate with or already be adapted to BNC connections. HTs, antennas, meters, etc.

* Repeater directory.

Cell phone, 12 volt charging capability, spare battery, external antenna.

* AM/FM/Weather portable radio, and spare batteries. TV reception is a plus. Should run on AA batteries so battery supply can be shared with other devices. 9 volt operation is acceptable back up. An external antenna connection is desirable. If you add a BNC, be aware many less expensive radios will overload and have many images. Performance may degrade rapidly.

A simple 164 MHz J-pole fed with RG-174U will drastically improve weather radio reception. Small rope or twine to suspend J-pole.

Maps and Supplies

Maps of your city, county, and state. (Hint: remove city map and index from last year's phone book. Cost: free.)
Flashlight with batteries. To share stock with other devices, select a device that uses AA batteries.
Evacuation plans for your region. For Duane Arnold, remove from telephone book, or print out from: http://www.nmcco.com/about_us/emergency/duane_arnold/daec_home.htm
Tools, screwdrivers, pliers, knife, cutters, adj. wrench, hex wrenches. Do not overlook the value of bringing a pair of tweezers or nail clippers. Multipurpose tools are compact and easy to carry and pack.
Electrical and duct tape, twine or light rope.
DVM, Soldering supplies, such as a small soldering pencil, solder, grippers, cleaning cloth or sponge, etc. If not in your 24 hour go bag, put in day-2 to day-3 go bag.
Extra wire, rag, hat.
Money: many quarters and some dollar bills. See how I have wrapped up $8 in quarters inside 4 dollar bills.
Telephone long distance/calling card.
Alarm clock.
Rain gear, such as a poncho.
ARES training card, copy of license
Water, about 1 gallon per day. It is awkward to pack a 1 gallon jug of water inside a go bag. Consider a gallon of distilled water to keep near your bag (not in it,) or bottled water.
plastic drinking glass or container.
Food. For 24 hours, you can survive on most anything. Dried foods, energy bars, canned meats, nuts and raisins, crackers, etc.
If you know you will have access to a kitchen or a microwave, bring frozen meals or soup. If you bring any canned item, remember to bring a can opener and a spoon. A frozen meal will thaw out in 24 hours. If not used in 24 hours, discard or determine safety of consumption. Simply wrapping a frozen meal in a towel or other insulating material will conserve the cold. This leads to the idea of having a small cooler or container for frozen food with ice, ice substitutes, etc. Could throw in pop and more water. May operate from 12 volts. However, this will add weight and the number of things to carry.
Don't consider bringing a cook stove or other facilities just for 24 hours. The number of additional items needed to support this gets heavy and awkward. Now if you are already set up for flea-weight backpacking, go ahead.
*Personal medications - prescriptions, supplements, sleep aid, etc.
First aid kit
Personal protection: sunblock, lip balm, eye drops, sun glasses, hat or head covering, insect repellant, small roll of toilet paper, binoculars
Candles, waterproof matches or lighter.
*Notepad with pencil or pen.
*Message blanks, instructions for use.
*Copy of ARES procedures and contacts
*Inventory of contents.

For longer ranges

Mobile radio. If you are separated from your vehicle, bringing an extra mobile radio will require a significant power source. Gel cells, deep discharge batteries, strong AC power supply, etc.
If you have access to your vehicle, another option may be to use your vehicle mobile as a cross-band repeater, if you are in range of your vehicle.
External mount 5/8 wave or other gain antenna (J-pole, etc.) Antenna pole or support. Extra coax.
Car? Weather? Shelter?

Day-2 to day-3 go bag.

The assumption here is you will have your 24-hour go bag with you, so many items you will already have.

mobile radio
Higher power 12 volt source
*More food
*more water
*clothes
*extra money
*personal supplies: wash rag, regular or camp towel, small bar of soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste,
minimum make-up, comb or brush. Trial sizes work here, along with left over quantities of household products.
*larger/longer running flashlight - may have to use D cells for this
*more batteries
*more supplies
universal battery eliminator
small battery tester
fuse assortments
wire nuts
mini stereo plug to phone plug adapter
shelter
water purification tables
FRS radios, using AA batteries
GPS receiver using AA batteries, instructions
spare 9 volt battery
Car? Weather?
Consider bringing a cook stove and other light weight utensils

Deployment longer than 3 days?

In this instance, you will need to borrow heavily from your camping and field day experience and equipment.

Tents or portable shelters,camp shovel, saw, axe, survival gear, cot, tarps, folding chairs and tables, heaters, extra clothing, much food, more money, rope, etc. This deployment would be difficult if separated from your vehicle due to the shear volume of equipment necessary. Generators, extra gas cans maybe with gas. HF equipment would require a whole new list of equipment. Temporary antennas, matching devices, SWR bridge, temporary supports and guying, stakes and ground spikes, lightning protection, extra lead-acid deep cycle batteries, power cables, extension cords, ground rods, ground fault interrupters, duplex outlets, garbage bags, solar panels, computer capable of running from 12 volts or 120 if a generator is available, packet gear, water purification tablets/ kits, fire extinguisher, expense log, the list could go on and on. These are just ideas to spark recognition of what you may need.

How much to prepare for?

Examples are:

Natural disasters: Localized flooding (Indian Creek, Jones Co.,) regional flooding (floods of 1993,) tornados, blizzards, widespread wind damage.
Man-made disasters: Local evacuation (Toxic Tuesday,) regional evacuation (Duane Arnold,) loss of 911 services, train derailments, plane accident, bus accident, highway closures, water contamination, wide area power outages/blackouts.
Others to consider: earthquake (check out the New Madrid Fault,) extensive drought, terrorist attack.

Care of the go bag

Store go bags in a secure location that won't freeze or see extreme temperatures. Outside on a porch or garage is bad (unless attached and heated;) trunks of cars and attics are bad (too hot.) Basement is OK, except watch for moisture/mildew. Closet in living quarters would be best.

Feeding of the go bag

A go bag needs maintenance and periodic attention. If you pack it away and forget about it, the bag will fail to serve you when needed. Here are some of the following items you must check and change:
Water: bottled water has between a 6 month to 2 year life span. It doesn't turn to poison the day after expiration, so remove the water, use it, and replace it with fresh water. Some distilled water is labeled more than two years.
Food: Check expiration dates of foods. If there is no expiration, label the product "Bought x/xx/xx" Research how long it may last, and then go back and put the expiration date on the item. As items approach expiration, remove and consume them, and replace with fresh.
Canned foods are usually good for at least 1 year, many are good for 2. Again, they don't turn to poison the next day after expiration unless damaged, they simply aren't as fresh or tasty as new products. Remember to have a can opener someplace.
Dried foods are usually good for 3-6 months, depending upon the type. If not marked, research the specific food and mark the expiration accordingly.
Batteries: Once per month, use the radio with the rechargeable batteries. Give the batteries a top-off charge.
Alkalines: Check the expiration dates. Good quality alkalines can be stored for 5 years or more. Rotate the batteries: As you need batteries around the house, take them from the go bag, and MAKE SURE YOUR REPLACE THEM with new ones. Check for corrosion and rust. There is no need to store extra batteries in the freezer or refrigerator.
Note: If others in your household are aware you have a cache of AA batteries in the bag, warn them that your batteries are for emergencies, and can't be used as the battery stockpile for the house without letting you know or your permission.
Check clock/alarm operation and batteries as you see fit.
Others: First aid kit supplies deteriorate: Aspirin and other packaged medications may last about a year, tape on bandages will turn gooey after 2 years, creams and salves may last a year, gauze may last forever. Toothpaste will last 1-2 years. Other toiletries: check.
Check the expiration or activation date of any phone card you may have. Some will not start to suffer monthly fees until the initial usage; others suffer monthly fees the day purchased or six months later. Know the terms on the card, and exchange it when near expiration. Or donate the card to a charity and purchase a replacement.
Make a list of everything that needs periodic attention, attach it to the outside of each bag, and check it at required intervals. Mark off when you checked each item.

During and after deployment

Write down things that are going right, and also things that went wrong. Suggest ways to improve the areas that went wrong, don't just complain about them.

Feed back any operational details and suggestions to your local ECs or similar responsible parties in your area of deployment. Keep the tone as positive feedback, a bitch list isn't going to be well received.

Check bag contents against your inventory, and procure replacement items.

Correct/add to your go bags as necessary. Share your experiences and improvements with your fellow hams, either via a newsletter such as this Bandspread, or on newsgroups and discussion groups.