Excellent choice of topic this week, Kart!
I am enjoying the suggestions for new stuff, as well as reaffirming things I already knew.
The deal about text-vs-voice on cel phones I had learned. I also learned about finding out how robust your cel grid is. Here in FL, for instance, all cel towers are required to have a 24-hour UPS backup; in case of storms and a drop off of the grid, the cel network will still function, at a low level, until power can be restored.
LOVE the comments about radios! We have identified this as a weak spot in our current preps. We have monitoring capability for SW, HAM, weather, and some emergency channels. Transmitting is another story. We are electing to go the poor man’s route, with CB (already have the rig), and FRS radios for local comms.
Most of the Ham operators I have had the misfortune to meet have been arrogant, snotty, and condescending. “What, you don’t have $5K to spend? Shoot, son, don’ wanna talk to ya!” Those comments are usually followed by threats to send radiation over the airwaves that will fry your radio, cook your eardrums, make you have three-headed kids, and help keep America from winning the war.
That being said, there are alternatives all over the place. And keeping in mind that, post-event, the last thing on Fedzilla’s mind is beating someone up for misuse of the airwaves.
I have nothing for outside communication if my old plug in the wall phone stops working due to a catastrophe. Right now, it works when power is down and I use it after every hurricane when power is out.
I looked on the internet and will try the cheap way to see if Motorola units that transmit 35 miles will work to call my friend who is ten miles away. I realize the limitation of this method, that construction can interfere with getting the signal to the other person. We have no hills here, are fairly flat, but there are many buildings between us.
I'll just give her the other unit with some extra batteries. I will also work up code words with what they mean and give her a copy. She is a brilliant woman and I would trust her with my life. She is a problem solver as I am.
What did you ask them to evoke such a response?
My experience with licensed Amateur radio operators is that they are eager to explain their hobby,help interested newcomers pass their licensing test(s), help the newly licensed amateur with technical issues as they advance in the hobby, do things as frugally as possible, volunteer their time during emergencies or disasters, volunteer their time to prepare for communications support for disasters, enjoy making a DX contact with New Zealand using 5 watts of RF on the 10 meter band,chat with fellow Hams via the local repeater,make a contact with the international space station, build antennas from wire or copper tubing that work as well or better than commercial models, and act with the utmost courtesy when talking to people with inquiries about any aspect of the hobby.
Are you sure that these were licensed HAMs?
The hobby can be very inexpensive or outrageously expensive. That depends on you and how you apply the knowledge you acquire about amateur radio.
What do you want to accomplish with your radio communications? The answer or answers will determine the equipment you will need and what you can build and what you must buy. There are solutions for literally any pocketbook.
Keep in mind that CB,FRS,GMRS are not Amateur radio.
So, what would you like to know about Amateur radio? I would be happy to help you out with any knowledge that I can share.
73,
Cal