Posted: 6/30/2009 2:54:49 PM EDT
| I was thinking at work to day if TSHTF How would people communicate? I have 2 radios from work so I would plan on giving one to my friend or fiance, but regular walkie talkies are good for what 100-500 yards on a clear day? I have tried the ones that say they are good for 3 miles and they dont work within a half a mile. |
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This question comes up probably 1-2 times a month –– you're not alone and you're on the right track to realize we'll need to communicate in disasters. We have a Comms forum (see Ham Radios) with a great intro to 2-way radio technology called Ham 101. I know you're not asking for ham radio, but that's where you'll find the most comprehensive info. Ham 101 Thread Read the preamble and then scroll down to the heading "ham radios vs CB radios vs FRS/GMRS/MURS radios." I also like Vector_Joe's Survival Communications Primer ETA so recent threads: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=10&f=17&t=624263 And from the archives: midland has 2 way radios with 30 mile range !! SHTF Two-Way Radios How Useful are the Small GMRS Radios Looking for a decent set of basic 2 way radios for SHTF Midland Radios 26 mile For communications in SHTF or What do you have Couple FRS/GMRS Radio questions GMRS/FRS Radios GMRS Bubble Pack 2-Way Radios |
| Well I guess the only wat to communicate with people will be a ham radio. I guess I will be SOL I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space. I will just tell people that I trust to meet me at a certain place during a certain time and if they do not show up we will leave with out them. the Ham route seems to complicated. |
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Quoted:
Well I guess the only wat to communicate with people will be a ham radio. I guess I will be SOL I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space. I will just tell people that I trust to meet me at a certain place during a certain time and if they do not show up we will leave with out them. the Ham route seems to complicated. II have both HAM and FRS radios. There are a lot FRS radios in peoples hands right now and would work great for neighborhood patrols / communications. HAM is good for anything from next door to around the world. At least get a couple of 12 mile FRS radio. I see them all the time for $20 / $30. |
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I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space...the Ham route seems to complicated. Why don't you have the time? It's not that bad. If you have space for FRS radios you have space for a 2 meter handheld. As for being too complicated, I know several kids that have their license. It can't be that complicated. |
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Well I guess the only wat to communicate with people will be a ham radio. I guess I will be SOL I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space. I will just tell people that I trust to meet me at a certain place during a certain time and if they do not show up we will leave with out them. the Ham route seems to complicated. the icense is VERY easy to get and cheap. 15.00 for test license is free. renew for free every 10 years. i get 30+ miles out of my 2m hand held here. |
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I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space...the Ham route seems to complicated. Why don't you have the time? It's not that bad. If you have space for FRS radios you have space for a 2 meter handheld. As for being too complicated, I know several kids that have their license. It can't be that complicated. I got my tech with 2.5 hours cramming the 2006 question pool. Granted, I read the "Ham 101" thread a couple times. All told, it was not time consuming. As for space, my VHF mobile and handheld take up very little. The former is CB sized while the handheld will fit in a back pocket. |
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Quoted: Well I guess the only wat to communicate with people will be a ham radio. I guess I will be SOL I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space. I will just tell people that I trust to meet me at a certain place during a certain time and if they do not show up we will leave with out them. the Ham route seems to complicated. Dunno how long you've been around the SF here but if anything, this forum should teach a person: 1) "Get both" –– that means there's never a single solution for a problem. And usually no single, simple answer. You "went there" in the OP so we came back with info you might find useful to round out your preps in this area. 2) Stop looking for the quick fix, easy way out. This board is about preparedness. Actually preparing for something usually involves a little time up front. There's no quick fix in building a BOB or BOV or gardening or canning or investing or defensive training –– why must there be one for communications? You showed foresight by recognizing the need to communicate. Now that you have some direction on the subject, don't give up because you might have to invest some thought into it to achieve your objectives. We have an excellent learning environment for the topic of communications from a preps perspective –– don't shortchange us or yourself by throwing in the towel because you're intimidated by a topic that is new to you. |
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Quoted:
Well I guess the only wat to communicate with people will be a ham radio. I guess I will be SOL I dont have time to get a license or know a dam thing about brands of radios nor do I have the space. I will just tell people that I trust to meet me at a certain place during a certain time and if they do not show up we will leave with out them. the Ham route seems to complicated. Dunno how long you've been around the SF here but if anything, this forum should teach a person: 1) "Get both" –– that means there's never a single solution for a problem. And usually no single, simple answer. You "went there" in the OP so we came back with info you might find useful to round out your preps in this area. 2) Stop looking for the quick fix, easy way out. This board is about preparedness. Actually preparing for something usually involves a little time up front. There's no quick fix in building a BOB or BOV or gardening or canning or investing or defensive training –– why must there be one for communications? You showed foresight by recognizing the need to communicate. Now that you have some direction on the subject, don't give up because you might have to invest some thought into it to achieve your objectives. We have an excellent learning environment for the topic of communications from a preps perspective –– don't shortchange us or yourself by throwing in the towel because you're intimidated by a topic that is new to you. +1. they day o took my test there was an 8yr old kid taking the same test. he not only finished before i did he scored higher 
there i no morse code requirement anymore and test really isn't that hard. invest 10 hours studying and take the test. |
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The youngest person I've awarded a license to was 12 and the oldest close to 90. Since there is no code requirement and all the questions and answers are published it's no more difficult then passing your driver's license exam. It does take preparation but not a EE degree to pass.
You want the technicians class by the way. |
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2) Stop looking for the quick fix, easy way out. This board is about preparedness. Actually preparing for something usually involves a little time up front. There's no quick fix in building a BOB or BOV or gardening or canning or investing or defensive training –– why must there be one for communications? ^^^ this. /thread. ar-jedi |