EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION OPTIONS - HAM/CB/WALKIE TALKIE/ETC [Prepping 365: #242]

In today's video, it's a much longer video than I normally put out, but it's because there's a lot of information about a variety of communication options that we could consider for emergency and disaster purposes. Take our personal experience as you will and do the best research that you absolutely can when deciding on communication options for you and your family.

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[RoguePreparedness]

I know we talk real heavy about HAM, but it's because we truly believe it's one of the best methods of communication out there. We've experienced a life without HAM and know the huge differences and nothing really truly compares to HAM. BUT...that doesn't mean that HAM is the best option for everyone. There are some options outside of HAM that could be perfectly suited to you and your needs.

[stevenfournier]

Don't forget GMR license allows your family to use it as well. So wife and kids could use it with little training. Ease of use.

[glenarthur]

There are apps that will change your cellphones into walkie-talkies. I don’t know much more about then just been looking today.
I remember reading a Hardly Boy Book where the bothers got a message for neighbour who was a members the ?Civil Defence? The book was early 1950s I believe.
If you have a large enough group you can pass on important information even if you shared weather so you could make predictions for your area. Maybe important to know if a -40 is heading you way.

[albertlevy]

I have a UV 5 R. I listen to local pd no one else to listen to. Not licensed yet the cost is a factor.

[thomasbrandon]

Have a pair of hand held HAM but no license yet. Trying to get in position with time to take class and then test. Thx for another good info point. Interesting bit of info, I learned around here hunters have quit using walkie for most part relying on phones. Prep on. T

[robertvondarth]

Apparently CB SSB can do atmospheric bounce and can talk across continents.
Had any experience with SSB?

[EvanBlack]

Tech class is so easy to get these days. There are videos to walk you through it, and apps for android and ios that will help you study and practice test.
Another option is GRMS. The license is more expensive. It was $14 for my ham test and you get to take all three if you like! GRMS is about $70 last I saw, but it covers everyone your household. There is no test and you are allowed up to 80 watts on a few channels and the use of GRMS repeaters. HOWEVER, ham is tech is so easy and cheap, and you get so many options including some HF for serious range. Not to mention digital modes and just a ridiculous amount of usage. GET YOUR HAM! 73!

[JayWandersOut]

Great thorough overview and summary of your real world results

[PrepperPotpourri]

Good discussion. I have a couple o the hand helds but I still haven't taken the Technician test.

[ThePNWRiderWA]

In disasters / emergency sometimes they allow only emergency services on cell towers. That was the case in the Seattle earthquake and WTO Riots. What do you see the role of shortwave ( if any) for information gathering?

I was able to get training from CERT in communications. I was able to be emergency situations. It’s really a good way to see what works what does not in real world situations. I only had one opportunity to get involved in the PNW once for a lost hiker but there was no cell service and mobile radios were critical

I think communications are extremely important. Most would be better getting that com system started vs another AR for the zombie apocalypse

[SDMountainMan]

Awesome info encouraging me to get a license back in the day I know you had to remember Morris code and always sounded like a pain to try and get a license Saw a YouTube video about handheld radio about$20 and thought about it but you have encouraged me to try and get a license Guy I used to work with had one I will check with him how to go about it thanks for the videos

[jjsifo]

Well, great info as always, one thing about cell towers or buildings used as cellphone antenna stations, they do have batteries that normally last for a couple days or so, maybe less due to high demand on a real scenario like the one I went through for four months, so ham ultimately is the best, CW like I used 50+ years ago when I was a kid has the longest range, I was technician rated and enjoyed cw a lot, range is unreal, but we have to be practical and voice is best.Also after a month or less people start to get impatient and unpleasant but that is to be expected so careful with the info you provide.Back to cellular, main airports and federal facilities tend to fix their equipment fast, just get on a road where there are about 50 cars parked and there's bound to be a good signal there.Keep up the good info coming, we never know when we are going to need it, thanks, JJ

[OldPackMule]

“Only obstructions were trees”. Sorry but that’s not line of sight. Trees obstruct radio even for satellite communications and their attenuation depends on frequency. So the Beartooth was not accurate. True line of sight I have gotten GMRS handheld 6+ miles hilltop to hilltop and as little as 1 mile over a hill.

[Drbethturtlewoman]

I really found this Vlog very informative

[JenniferinIllinois]

Back in the old days land lines would work despite power outages. However, nowadays even those land lines remaining are at the mercy of power outages due to switching equipment needing electricity.
OMG, I was just about to say I was going to communicate via smoke signals when husband said it. Hehehe...

[Iridium]

Excellent info. BTW we have a new inet linked repeater in town, I need to talk to the owner to figure out if we can use it to talk to one another for a video. Might make for an interesting video to show people that using ham tech we can talk thousands of miles with hand held radios :)

[resmeduser]

I met this old man with his DIY qrp radio he made with a altoids tin who got me interested and i started studying for my tech. When i worked for an armed alarm response company i used vhf on commerical freqs i got some experience. Eventually ill get my tech and general license to play with sota, pota, qrp and cw. I like watching jerry kg6hqd on youtube another good youtuber is k6uda.

[resmeduser]

I rather be well verse on uhf/vhf and hf including psk, morse code and winlink. When 5G happens Im going to not use the service and dedicate to learning more about amateur radio and building homebrew massive antennas. Dstar and internet based amateur seems lame to me.

[mayrarodriguez]

Lots of good information
I know I have always wondered about ham radios


Lol smoke signals are good

[bradmann]

im a huge fan of radio. Anything from local am fm broadcast, shortwave, ham, cb, and anything walkie talkie. I have a few low power transmitters for broadcasting 200ft to up to 5 miles. Ive gotten over 7 miles on my cb through average terrain. My radio i had was a sear road talker with a 4ft steel magnet mount antenna. I dont have too much trouble with static. It can be noisy around powerlines and traffic signals. Cb radio uses am reason why its staticy in certain areas. That baofeng radio uses fm to help block most of the electrical noise. I keep a cobra 19 in the van with a 4ft adjustable steel whip with magnet mount on the roof. I can hear truck drivers over 5 miles on a normal day. During skip i can hear many people around the nation like motor mouth maul. You can get a cb radio with side band now. Just like the hf ham radio you can easily contact some one over a 20 mile range to across the nation if the conditions are right with the right antenna. When it come to an emergency. This beofeng, hf rig, or a cb are a good idea to have.