Internet outage - Comm alternatives Emergency updates, FR contingency ham email & shortwave news

10/21/2016

[MarchonDC09122009]

In light of today's widespread Internet outages, we should discuss contingency plans for FR availability, news updates and emergency communications.

Please share what ham amateur radio shortwave frequencies to monitor for emergencies and news updates, as well as practical ham email on the HF and VHF bands.

[polly-put-the-kettle-on]

Can I get on a SW and/or ham radio ping list??

[NewHampshireDuo]

With handhelds terrain is an issue. Seems like everyone I know and trust is in a hole.

There are a couple of nice wifi mesh solutions out there that I am aware of that will work under part 15 unlicensed rules. One is the Mesh Potato made by Village Telco. These devices include both data and telephony capabilities and are quite simple to set up. Scatter them around the area. The other is a mesh application called Daihinia. This turns your computer’s wifi device into a mesh node. It has a fee but it’s not much. I think it’s like $25 for 5 licenses.

[texas booster]

BTTT

[Faith65]

bkmk

[TangoLimaSierra]

Support the Winlink system: Register Winlink Express to get a registration key. Go here.

Already done. Now getting my son set up.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Truckers have CBs. Are the frequencies compatible?

And is the range of a CB decent?

Note that truckers are also mobile, so they can loosely network.

A bearcat scanner is also a way to pick up radio frequencies affordable. Can only listen of course.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Police and firefighters also use CBs.

[DocRock]

I’ve never seen CB used by any emergency service. They use their cell phones as secondary comms and in an extended power outage when towers go down, they use the Ham emergency services known as ARES.

[DCBryan1]

Thx 73s Bookmark

[knarf]

Thank you ... your recommendation(s) will be appreciated.

[MarchonDC09122009]

Here’s a good link providing more info on CB use and limitations.
CB is noisy and limited in range.
However, something is better than nothing.

Some Emergency Services monitor CB channel 9.
However, police, fire and ambulance operate on frequencies specifically designated for their use.

This thread is for discussing alternate means of getting reliable news and communicating with fellow freepers.

CB does not fulfill those purposes.

[MarchonDC09122009]

http://www.wearecb.com/cb-radio-frequencies-channels.html

[mountainlion]

After running my regular anti-Virus software I ran MRT for kicks and came up wit 18 virus files. It occurred if they can get a phone to deny service they might also get a bunch of Trojans hidden in millions of computers to completely shut down the internet.

Run anti-virus every day till after the election.

[FreedomPoster]

94 people in my zip code, at least one of which I’m already friends with (haven’t looked at the complete list).

[DocRock]

As a side note on CB, I have found that stations running high power amps (illegal) usually are making DX contacts on channel 38 lower sideband (SSB). I personally have a general ham license and run an all band, all mode mobile unit with a screwdriver antenna on my vehicle. I also keep an old sideband CB with a separate 102” whip just to cover that band, too.

[danamco]

Tried to registered but got me repeating the code of submitting !!!

[MHGinTN]

A network of people (not radioa network) can be arranged using CB which can be amped up after WROL arrives. The key is to have a chart of when a one minute 'send' window will be operating and not using the CBs at other non-arranged times. During WWII the partisans would have a pre=arranged time to go 'on air' to send and or receive Code messages.

Of course the CBs and other essential electronic connections must be kept in a Faraday cage until the 'enemy' has finished their electronic attack ...

[lyby]

BFL

[MHGinTN]

A modified 10meter radio will get it done, after the WROL arrives of course.

[ResisTyr]

Bookmarked. Great topic. Thanks.