Here is my thinking:

• · Unit should be self contained, and capable of operation for a prolonged period of time if needed.
• · Unit should be maneuverable and small enough so it can get in and out of any area.
• · Because the unit will sit for long periods of time, it should NOT include a motor or drive train.
• · When I operate radios for prolonged periods of time, THERE MUST BE COFFEE!! Likewise, when consuming large quantities of coffee, there should be a place to deposit used coffee, if you get my drift.
• · There must be a dedicated position for several radio operators.
• · There should be capabilities of operating on every band.
• · There should be an area for operations to take place- that is, people checking in and out, decisions being made, and conversations held.
• · There might need to be a place for operators to sleep during prolonged disaster operation. Other such amenities are appreciated.
• · It should likewise be easy and convenient to be used at such small events as the parade and safety town, typical for ARES service.

These factors taken together point distinctly to one type of vehicle – the travel trailer.

I don’t have a budget for this, so the $20,000 Airstream is out of the question. I do have a few hundred to paste together- and that with an intense search and wait for just the right unit might just pay off.

Consider the Holiday Rambler. The old Holiday Rambler. I found this lady in Toledo. It’s been very well cared for. The best part- I paid $700 for the thing! It’s 23 feet long- long enough that there is room inside for two general areas of operation- plus the kitchen/bath area in between. It’s short enough to be brought into almost any location without a fuss, and it can be towed by any pickup truck. It was a great, fun project and engineer Tim Smith, K8TBN, put it together well. I hope you enjoy the pictures! It’s available for an emergency near you!

Here she is as delivered- a 1973 Holiday Vacationer, in fairly decent condition.

I decided to leave the rear intact- giving us a sleeping couch, cooking and fridge, bathroom and possibly even a shower. All the amenities that might be needed for a long-term deployment.

The front area was in great shape- but this is going to be our focus during the remodel.

First step was to remove the water tank and pump, to clear the front area. We left the furnace.

We relocated the tank vertically into a part of the shower.

Chief Engineer Tim Smith, K8TBN, adds electric to the new front wall.

And in goes the new counter / operating desk!

Absolutely critical! Tim replaces a small window with my used A/C

Tim at the operating position. He custom built the cabinet around the furnace.

Add to my $35 A/C the $20 used carpet, some donated cabinets, and the place looks pretty nice!

We’re carrying base antennas on the side of Canned Ham, ready for deployment.

Tim custom made clamps for the 2 military masts. They swivel down from the existing awning mounts. There are three 1/4-wave two-meter antennas, a 5/8-wave dual-band antenna, and a Hustler HF stick on the rear.

Our shakedown was at the “Ohio State Parks on the Air” operating event. We ran a third HF station in the “overflow” position. This is more than we’d expect in a normal deployment, but it assures that we’re capable for “The Big One.”

Here she is in full deployment- 3 HF wires,  a 6 and 2 meter beam on generator power. The internal battery was tested with lights and one radio running for over 8 hours, so it’s comfortable running the short-term event like a parade without external support.