Posted on 12/03/2020 2:35:31 PM PST by ransomnote
We have no idea what kind of disruption might be headed our way.
Is it possible to share shortwave websites here or would that just point disrupters to locations to "take down."
A FReeper recently posted wishing to line up short-wave radio resources ahead of time.
FReepers/radioheads - can you offer advice, links? :)
I don’t think power shortages will be the issue. I think major disruption to the internet and phone systems.
Areas knocked out by EMPs.
AM bands from 2 to 30 MHz have propagation characteristics over sizable geographic areas. FM aka 175 MHz and higher are local only type systems.
A global or nationwide info blockage will be overcome mostly with 7 or 14 MHz bands.
I am terrible, there are meter names for all these that I know not. What 40 and 20 meter I think.
All kidding aside. We need a select number of ham operators, one for each geographic area of the country. And a frequency that lay folk can tune in to at regular times. I think this was done in WW2. One-way transmission of news at top of the hour, certain times a day.
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That’s an important idea. I hope you post a thread worded in a way that potential participants would recognize. Or if you’re too busy to post, post to me on this thread the text that I could post as a standalone thread.
I don’t have any background to request the network operators you propose so I rely on you.
Hmm. EWTN has some shortwave programming. Just learning about that should give us some ideas as to what can be accomplished over 100s of miles range.
I have a ham license, and technical skills, but it ends there. I am not versed in frequency allocation or what power is allowed where. I don’t think I am the best guy to super organize this kind of effort. I will participate and contribute but would rather not take the lead.
Even QRP works. I think we had better plan on outages on comms.
Bump for later - shortwave
In times of great emergency I as an Amateur Radio Operator and Mrs. teletech who is also a licensed Amateur Radio Operator have handled emergency traffic via networks we have to handle such traffic. This traffic is usually”health and welfare” type traffic. In the ‘days gone by’ we handled traffic via “phone patch’ where we actually patched our phones into our radio equipment. We are licensed and governed by the FCC so during an emergency we CAN be called upon to help provide emergency communications unless the US government takes us off the air. (I’ve been in the hobby 64 years this January and to my knowledge, the US government only did this once in WW 2)
What is QRP ?
Ham includes some shortwave frequency bands, but not all shortwave transmissions are ham.
Low power, like 5 watts.
Most people do not know that you do not need to know Morse Code nowadays to get a license and the test is not difficult because there are sample tests from which to study. I just need to get off my behind, take the test, get a radio and get set up. It’s a damn good thing to have when the lights and telephones go black. I knew a retired military neighbor who maintained a ham radio net when I was young and I was mystified by his radio and antennas. Then there was Art Bell who had his rig in the ‘High Desert of Pahrump, Nevada.
“The chair is against the wall.”
“John has a long mustache.”
2 watts or 5. I have some Baofeng walkie talkie in the 450 band that span into ham bands at that power level. Good for up to 5 miles.
I tested them with this antenna and confirmed that, in a built-up flat urban area, you can converse with ease over 2.5 miles, and around 3 miles if you get some elevation like an upstairs room.
Legally, you need a ham license to transmit, but no licenese is required for listening. In a grid-down SHTF scenario, no one will care about licensing.
Are you able to organize freepers to resources available in a blackout situation?
Either in a thread or content you post to me here to put in a thread. My title shows my inexperience. I’d like you to be able to meet ‘n greet others with experience and organize information for FReepers.
Alot to ask, I know.
In the event of national emergency NOONE will need a stinging license
bookmark
Those radios are VHF or UHF and won’t go far. The QRP are HF and can travel the planet.
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