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BOB comms, what do you use?

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I just bought a Yeasu VX-2 from a friend and will be taking my Technician license in about 2 weeks. The test is seriously easy. Almost as easy as the written part of a driver's license test.

An inexpensive 2 band handheld can do more than transmit and receive in those two bands. You can also monitor a whole range of signals including AM, FM, UHF, VHF, police and fire dept frequencies, etc.
 
I just plan on using my cell phone.

I have thought about stashing a prepaid phone in my bag but I don't think it would be very usefull unless I was running from the authorities and that's not something I am planning on.

I don't believe handheld radios would be very usefull in a real SHTF emergency: They have very limited bandwidth and would likely be extremely crowded. Also, what would you talk about? You certainly wouldn't want to broadcast information over open airwaves that has anything to do with your location, what you are doing, or how well you are equipped. Many taliban have learned the hard way what happens when you tell your buddies over an open radio how 'close that last bomb came to your position...' Many handheld's give the illusion of an empty channel by using a personalized squelch tone but even though your radio won't break squelch when someone else with a different tone transmits, you still won't be able to get a message out while they are keying their mike.

HAM radio may be usefull long term, but if the government knows some disaster has occured and isn't able to fix the problem (if they could it wouldn't be SHTF) then what can some ham three states away do for you?


I know I have been very critical, but I think it is best to plan on simplicity if something goes really wrong. Feel free to let me know where my reasoning goes awry.

Orville
 
The thing with the nextel or talkabout 2 ways, is that they give off that betraying beep whenever you use them.I'm afraid that sound could get someone killed.I own both of these items,and I'd refrain from using them anywhere near possible unfriendlies.
 
I would never rely on Sat Comms for a worst case scenario. Those sattelites can be turned off at the whim of whoever has the proper know how. It happened in the Iraq area during the initial invasion, they shut down all commerical sattelites that could cover that area. That meant no commerical GPS units or phones.
Click to expand...

Striker 3, have you got a source on this? I only ask because I moved into Iraq from Kuwait on March 26, 2003 "during the initial invasion" and we were using civie GPS units and one member of our unit who invested in a sat phone was using it within a week. None of our equipment had the problems that would be implied by 'turning off the satellites.'

I'm not saying you're wrong since I'm completely inept at understanding how this equipment works or what it needs to function, but if what you say is true why did we not have any problems?

_____

As far as coms during SHTF, I'm relying first on a cell phone, then text messaging, then motorolas, then (and most importantly) on pre-planning. Where to go and how to get there regardless of communication or lack thereof can trump the the most reliable commo.
 
The Satcomm blackout lasted just a few days, I do not remember the exact amount. None of the civilian GPS systems that my unit took over there worked for that first push. I do not have any solid sources for that other than the experience of the people in my unit, as well as what was passed down to us.

What I meant by "initial invasion" was when the first conventional troops crossed the border on March 20, 2003.

Here is an article that I just googled from right before the invasion. The government states that it has the power to jam GPS signals both globally and regionally. This was in regards to questions about GPS blocks in conjunction with the Iraqi invasion.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3474
 
1. Cell phones
2. 2xGMRS 7-mile (yeah, right) radios

I think I'd like to get a CB, sometime.
 
+1 on ham radio. Yaesu VX-7.

+ on CB, just to have one.

Michael B
N2AWX/0 strangely enough...
 
I use a Yaesu VX-5R radio capable of doing 2m, 70cm, and even 6m. With software it'll do "out of band" and that allows you to do FRS/GMRS from the same radio.

Get a ham license, in the process you'll learn all about emergency comms...google "ARES HAM" and "RACES HAM"
 
Does anyone know a good place to shop for satellite phones?
Click to expand...

I have one that I keep service on. I travel to areas with no service now and then in Alaska as well as Central/South America and the middle of the ocean. I bought the phone used on EBay and I buy my service contract through roadpost.com but there are lots of service providers.

The service is a bit odd in the way it works. Service Providers buy bulk minutes from Iridium and they can resell those any way they want to.

Most sell them in similar packages though so the prices are pretty much the same with anyone you use.

PM me if you want more info, I'm a long time user of Iridium.

You don't actually have direct service through Iridium.

As for the cutoff of services in Iraq by Iridium, that would certainly possible by the location of the phone, but I have never seen proof that it actually happened even though the story persists. The GPS system and Iridium are 2 entirely different systems.
 
now assuming this is a very severe SHTF situation, as in no power, how exactly do you plan on charging a cell phone?
 
This discussion would benefit from a clear statement of what communication devices would be used for. And also address the power issue.

May I suggest:

i1. FRS/GMRS/CB; For short range communications between members of one's own or allied parties (all require line of sight between communicators.) A good antenna can be deployed at Base to improve communication. Utility hampered by mountainous country. GMRS requires license, but who cares in the circumstances? NOTE: Many units sold do not put out the maximum 5 watts permitted, and probably don't disclose that.

Cherokee in Canada used to and presumably still does make exceptional and powerful CBs with SSB for extra range.

2. Ham: I have no experience wth it, and I don't know if it has advantages for local communication over short distances. It would keep one in touch with the World (so would a short-wave radio). It might enable development of coordinated groups withinin effective travel distance of one another. When there is safety in numbers, and/or commodities to trade, this might be useful.

3. Cell phone: the pros and cons have already been discussed, but as they are light, it would be harmless to carry one as an alternative means of communication not requiring line-of-sight within one's own party and with distant correspondents as long as the suport infrastructure continues to function. Iridium might well go down with everything else, especially when they don't get you high monthly payment! You need to know multiple useful numbers to call nationwide: many may not be working. Most cell phones do not have international reach, unlike Ham. Many bug out locations will not have cell phone reception.

Cell phones should not be the primary system because of possible system failure and out-of-service areas. Also be aware they can be used by the Govt. to triangulate your position and the forthhcoming GPS-enabled ones, to fix your position. Not good if occupying a fixed base, perhaps.

4. Land lines: I don't know the power requirement of land lines, but there used to be hand-cranked military units. Useful for communication between base and fixed outposts, perhaps.
Problem: bulk/weight of units and wire.

Both Ham and Cell phone could be used to call in help if order/services were resored but one's party was isolated (Trucks out of gas in remote location, for instance).

It seems logical that a party should have both a self-contained GMRS/FRS/CB system and at least one long-range unit (Cell of Ham).

POWER: Since all these units require power, you must have a suitable and sufficient power source after the gasoline has run out. That means removable, rechargable batteries are a must, and a solar or hand cranked battery charging system with sufficient output is also essential. I don't know what voltage battery-operated Ham uses, but if Ham is selected, the power source must be adequate for that.

Spare batteries are important: at east 2 sets/unit (one set charging, one in use) plus 2 in case of failure. The output of such chargers is low - I think one would need 1 charger for each unit, or maybe one for for two units, depending on usage. AA flashlights would work well in this system.

I think it would be helpful if others could specify some devices that are field proven, and that offer exceptional qualities: especially power sources. What is the best hand-cranked, multipurpose unit out there which can recharge batteries and be used as a mutliwavelength receiver, for example?

There are some web sites for solar chargers, just to get started (I have no experience with the products):
http://www.cetsolar.com/solarbatchargers.htm?gclid=CIuEtom1nocCFQZpGAodhgIYtw
http://www.siliconsolar.com/shop/catalog/AA-Solar-Battery-Charger-p-135.html
http://www.batterystuff.com/solar-chargers/
http://www.batteries.com/solar-charger/index.html
http://store.sundancesolar.com/meacbachfora.html

One could power a recharger with a bicycle, given a little ingenuity. One would need an externally-driven 12v generator: anyone know of one? What voltage are bicycle generators; not 12v, I fear?

One could run everything through a lead-acid battery, (and use a big solar panel). Because they are susceptible to failure, I prefer multiple small units (especially if bugging on foot!)

I hope this analysis will be torn apart for weaknesses and omissions.

C.
 
Dukes

I hope to have what ever Bo and Luke Duke had, they seldom had a problem with comms.

"Got your ears on Uncle Jesse?!"
 
The problem I see with FRS is that EVERYONE would be on it, including absolute idiots who think it's funny to shout profanity and laugh on channels people are talking on.

Plus they sell Hello Kitty and GI Joe and other toy FRS radios.

Do you really want to be using the same bands that kids could be playing on at the time?
 
now assuming this is a very severe SHTF situation, as in no power, how exactly do you plan on charging a cell phone?
Click to expand...

My Eton Grundig windup emergency radio also has a cellphone charger. It came with tips for most major brands. Just plug in and crank for a while.

713651_lg.jpg


Grundig Hand Crank Emergency Radio with Weather Alert
 
For short distances (up to five miles), I have a pair of Motorola HT1000 "walkie-talkies", one for the 2-m amateur band and one for the amateur 70-cm band. I have a 2-m Motorola 600XLS radio. The Motorola radios are public safety robust, and the 600XLS allows me to scan lots of frequencies.

For longer distances, I use an older Motorola mobile HF rig. I also have a pair of Sony ICF-2001 shortware radios and a very small ICF-SW07 shortwave pocket receiver to keep up with news.

Power for the mobile is car batteries, and I have battery chargers for the portables that accept 12V on the primary side.
 
Nice Grundig - let's see more quality multipurpose equipment!
I'd like to see a crank 12v DC generator; most battery chargers use 12v with a car adaptor.

Here is a neat gaget: Human Powerer 120v gererator: ($875, human not included).
http://www.windstreampower.com/humanpower/hpgmk3.html

Your find is a little more economical, TexasSIGman; cool! It leaves your hands free for other tasks, too.

QUOTE:

Manedwolf: "The problem I see with FRS is that EVERYONE would be on it, including absolute idiots"

I am not so pessemistic. First, in a real SHTF situation, I don't think kids will be playing with radios. There might be heavy urban adult usage, but I doubt it. People won't be able to find them, won't have batteries, and may be busy with emergecy chores. I don't remember hearing of FRS overuse as an issue during Katrina.

Second, if you bugged out, there probably won't be aynone nearby. But it would be good to scan and perhaps find out that there is (for good or for bad).

C
 
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