Building a Ham Radio Go-Kit
A go-kit is a self-contained portable amateur radio station that can be deployed rapidly to any location without depending on local infrastructure. A well-designed go-kit is the cornerstone of personal EmComm preparedness and a key deliverable that most ARES groups expect from active members. The name says it all — grab it and go on short notice, set up in the field, and operate independently for hours or days.
Start with the mission
Before buying anything, define what your go-kit needs to do. Supporting local VHF/UHF nets looks very different from a 72-hour HF deployment to a rural EOC without grid power. Talk to your EC about what your group needs. Aim for the smallest, lightest kit that meets your mission requirements — you can always add capability later. The most common mistake is building a kit too large and heavy to deploy quickly.
The four core components
Every go-kit has four core components: radio (the communications capability), power (how long you can operate without the grid), antenna (your range and effectiveness), and accessories (coax, connectors, logging materials, headset). Each component must be self-contained — do not assume access to mains power, existing antenna infrastructure, or a table to work from.
Tier 1 — Basic HT kit
Entry level: a dual-band HT, spare batteries, a roll-up J-pole, a programming cable, and a notepad. Total weight under 2kg, fits in a small backpack, operational in under 5 minutes. Gets you participating immediately — sufficient for local nets, public service events, and SKYWARN.
Tier 2 — Mobile VHF/UHF kit
A 25–50W mobile transceiver in a portable case with a 20–40Ah LiFePO4 battery, a multi-band VHF/UHF antenna on a portable mast, and a power distribution panel. Appropriate for EOC deployment and public service events. Setup time 10–15 minutes, weight 10–20kg.
Tier 3 — Full HF/VHF kit
Adds HF capability — a 100W transceiver (Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FT-991A, or similar), portable HF antenna (linked dipole or EFHW), a 100Ah+ LiFePO4 battery bank, and solar charging for extended operations. Handles Winlink, NVIS regional nets, and full EOC communications. Setup 20–30 minutes, weight 25–40kg.
Tier 4 — Digital/specialty kit
Specialised kits for specific digital modes — a dedicated Winlink station with Raspberry Pi running RMS Packet, an APRS fill-in digipeater, or an AREDN mesh node. These are add-ons to a base capability, not standalone go-kits, but provide significant value in activations where digital traffic or mesh networking is a priority.
| Source | Capacity | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) | 20–100Ah | Heavy (6–30kg) | Vehicle transport, stationary deployment |
| LiFePO4 | 20–100Ah | Light (2–10kg) | Portable deployment, long autonomy |
| AA/D batteries | Limited | Very light | HT backup power only |
| Solar panel | Unlimited (daylight) | Moderate | Extended field operations |
| Generator | Unlimited | Heavy | High-power, long-duration base stations |
How much should I spend on a go-kit?
A Tier 1 kit can be assembled for under $150. A solid Tier 2 VHF/UHF kit runs $400–800. A full Tier 3 HF/VHF kit with quality components typically costs $1,500–3,000. Build incrementally — start with what you need to participate and add capability as your involvement and budget grow.
What is the best battery for a go-kit?
LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries are now the standard recommendation. They are significantly lighter than sealed lead acid batteries of the same capacity, handle more charge/discharge cycles, and maintain better voltage under load. A 30Ah LiFePO4 runs around $150–200 and is a good starting point.
Hard case or soft bag?
Hard cases protect equipment better and project a professional appearance at an EOC. Soft bags are lighter and easier to carry distances. Many operators use a hard case for radio and power components and a soft bag for antennas and accessories.
What antenna should I include?
For VHF/UHF, a roll-up J-pole or slim-jim is lightweight and significantly outperforms a rubber duck. For HF, an end-fed half-wave (EFHW) is popular — lightweight, easy to deploy with one support point, and excellent for NVIS on 40m and 80m. Bring at least 10–15 metres of coax and paracord for supports.