Incentive for getting into radio comms

[pick_six]

Reading the stories from upstate North Carolina, the main communications currently working there now are reported to be ham and other radio comms

Pretty serious damage to infrastructure

For example here is a link for those interesting in monitoring . From Asheville NC

Some stuff locally available from Starlink and some service from sat based system. I think these are currently not as widely available as standard comms, cell or land line, or radio

https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/43107

https://wlos.com/

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

The Hurricane net has been up and running since last Thursday on 14.325 MHz USB, you can hear (or talk, if you have a General Class or higher license) to folks who are in the thick of it down there, this is frequently the frequency used for hurricane nets.

 

[Bonez]

Bumping up an older thread after watching this video. This guy lays out some really good thoughts in a quick (less than 7 minute) video so I figured it would be worth sharing.

 

[NYECOGunsmith]

For over a century, the Amateur Radio Operators motto has been : "When all else fails, we communicate".
CB and GMRS are a start, no license required for the former, $35 fee but no test for the latter which is good for 10 years, but both are short range communications bands, the CB very short range, as you can not count on or predict skip for it.
GMRS with the use of repeaters can go a bit further, the GMRS repeaters on top of Hi Potosi can be worked from Hurricane Utah and Mesquite NV with a 5 watt hand held repeater capable GMRS radio, from most locations there, and easily with a 50 watt mobile GMRS repeater capable radio.

But the real distance winner is in the Amateur radio bands, where it is possible to work stations around the world on very low power.
One of my brothers works the world on the 160 meter band with a home brewed radio putting out just 1/10 of a watt, using Morse Code because he likes it, but you can work the world with voice at very low power settings on that band as well.

If you are interested in getting your GMRS license, or your Amateur Radio license ($35 for 10 years but requires a fairly simple test) send an email to W7NYE@Yahoo.com and I can provide all the details, such as where to take the real exam, where to take free online practice exams, the study questions for all three classes (Technician, General, and Extra) of Amateur license, how to get your FCC Registration Number (FRN), all that, and it's all................wait for it.............................................................................................................................................................FREE!!.................................................

 

[MET45]

I saw that video as well and it reinforced some of my own choices.

I have always used CB as a component of my go to for SHTF kits for specific reasons. I am not looking for long range coms or casual conversation in these situations.

CB is the lowest common denominator for operation. Anyone can be trained to use in a few minutes, with no license requirement.

AM CB is widely proliferated across the USA, and is still used by cross country truckers.

CB is good for short range communications or mobile to base for general in-house family or neighborhood coms. I have digital low power FM radios for short range private use.

CB is not dependent on any outside network or infrastructure, and is highly portable and easy to set up. Multiple power source options are readily available or easily improvised. There are still a good number of hobbyists and technicians around with the knowledge and skills to perform repairs if needed.

CB is one of the best ways to obtain or pass on local sit rep intel in real time or offer/seek local items or services to buy, sell, or trade.

CB is also capable of providing regional or long range intel by receiving transmissions from distant high power or skip shooters. They love to hear themselves talk.

Like in the wagon train and pony express days, absent a functional utility or internet system (or Nevada Shooters), CB travelers or truckers will bring news of other areas they have passed through or picked up from other travelers.