Posted on 03/22/2013 12:36:02 PM PDT by Kartographer
Being able to effectively communicate with family and friends during an emergency is critical. In the past we’ve seen disasters quickly take down the infrastructure needed for cell phones to operate as well as situations where cell towers were undamaged but overloaded. When too many people try to use the same means of communication the cellular networks can quickly become overloaded and calls simply will not go through.
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HAM Radio
As a commenter points out, a 3-band “handy talky” HAM radio (I have a Yaesu) that’s perfect for communication both point-to-point and relay. During an emergency or even a SHTF situation, you’re not likely to take grief from the FCC for using the HAM bands to communicate. If they find you, they might fine you, but in my experience, they’ve not been big on enforcement.
A real HAM will broadcast his call sign every 10 minutes and at the beginning and end of all communications per regulation. A non-HAM is easy to spot. Emergency comms are acceptable, but keep it short. Others might be trying to use the band.
HAM is best, but not everyone can afford to do it. More affordable however, is a CB (Citizen’s Band) radio. Some here at FR laugh at suggesting CB during SHTF times, but CB WORKS even if everything goes down. If there’s an EMP attack, the CB itself could become disabled but otherwise is a cheap way to ensure some communication ability with the outside world.
My suggestion - smoke signals: When the nearest big city goes up in smoke, that’s a communication that it’s time to lock and load.
Alternate suggestion - the Baghdad Bob sign: When the Community-Organizer-in-Chief comes on the news to announce that there is nothing to worry about and everything is or shortly will be under control . . .
The walkie-talkie range is under the best of possible conditions - regardless of what they say. Practical range is likely to be not much more than 5 miles.
Re: cell phones, switch to text messages. they are smaller in size and more likely to get through an overloaded system than trying to contact by voice.
I’m studying for my Technician license and am looking to use ham radio to assist my communications to home as well as to be able to communicate farther.
CB and walkie-talkies have utility, just got to recognize the range requirements/limitations.
And if you boast it sufficiently, you can speak to folks inside a house via the speakers on their turned off electronic equipment!
Two cans and a string.
An 8 year old girl can pass the Amateur Radio license examination. Why not you?
I plan to use two cans and a long piece of string.
BUT, only if my two sets of good quality walkie talkies and the 40 channel CB Radio fail. I can monitor SW, but not xmit.
I have a solar powered charging system to charge any battery from AAA size through 24 Volt industrial batteries. I can also us an inverter to power other essentials.
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When tornadoes knocked out power, we kept up to date on where gas, ice, food, etc were on Facebook. A local radio station kept us informed. The site even had a page for recovered pictures and animals. I don’t know what people would have done without it. I kept my phone charged by my car battery.
I tell everyone about how great my radio is but that doesn't seem to increase its range.
We used a hand crank radio during that time. I really want one that is multi-band.
It worked very well in testing and has good range. It has three power options including crank.
Second layer..high power/long range capabilities from 10 meter ham to 11 meter CB.
CB for vehicles...working on getting handhelds for that.
Redundancy is key.
It's also a good idea to install a base station at a central high ground point for relaying messages if not everyone is within range. If SHTF, I don't think anyone will care if you "boost" it a little...
The best mode out there for marginal comms, and they got rid of it.
I passed my 13 WPM even though I could have gotten a hearing waiver.
Not too much respect for those that don't know CW.
/johnny
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