Communication Breakdown

I'm so confused! As a prepper newbie, I thought that communications would be relatively easy after my initial (and so far, very basic) purchases regarding food, water, firearms, gold/silver, and other survival categories. But not so...

I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences regarding electronic communications, keeping in mind initial, must have, purchases and costs.

My only previous purchase is a CC Observer wind-up emergency radio with which I am quite happy. But it only carries the AM/FM and Weather bands.

There is an *excellent* Survival Monkey essay on basic communications by 308_Scout. But what should my first (and follow-up) investments be as cash allows?

I see multiple options for FRS/GMRS, scanners, short wave, and CB radios. And perhaps the most important part of the equation is power!... What kind of batteries and rechargers have you found to be the best?

I would appreciate brand/model experiences along with any links you can supply. Thank you so much!

 

As you say, how far away are my needs? I live in north-western NJ, a "relatively" rural area that's fairly close to NYC (1.5 hours, or so.) But if I travel west less than one hour, I'm in contact with family and am one step closer to being "home free."

Actually, I'm not sure.

And that's why I posted my question. Still looking for the best basic options for FRS/GMRS, scanners, short wave, and CB radios. Just getting started here and looking for the entre into communications.

 

You should also consider that the people with whom you wish to communicate will have to have a similar capacity and radios that can be tuned to the frequency you decide to use.

As was stated, if you can explain in more detail what you would like to accomplish the information can be provided.

How far do you want to be able to talk
What type of power systems will you have available
Are you and those with whom you wish to talk willing to get Ham Licenses
How much money do you want to spend
How long will you be using the radios
Do you plan on bugging out to family or bugging in

Questions like that are helpful for giving correct information back to you.

 

Many of the "FRS/GMRS, scanners, short wave, and CB radios" are as far apart as cell phones and land lines or cassette and CDs.

 

I want to piggy back this question if you don't mind. I'm wondering if a scanner of some sort would be something helpful in "bad" times? If so, what type, brand, and price do you recommend? I'm sure there is a lot out there, and I know absolutely nothing about them. Also, would a CB radio be good investiment? If so, same question...type, brand and about what should one expect to pay for a good one???

 

as far as local coms go...
the old desktop phones will work quite nicely with a 9v battery
you can set them up in places within a mile in series and talk like youre on a phone
if you need a ringer, just add another battery and a push button

 

Ask your local radio shack. Seriously. How nice of a scanner you need depends on what your local emergency services uses. My county doesn't do digital or trunking or 800 Mhz, so I can use any old scanner, to pick up all local public safety, state troopers, highway dept, game wardens, Marine Police, Forestry Service, EMA, etc. But because I spend a lot of time in a neighboring county, and they are digital and 800 Mhz I need a trunking scanner for them, so that what I bought- A RS/GRE digital scanner.

Yes, i think a CB is a good investiment, given the number out there and the range. I have banks in my scanner for CB and FRS/GMRS, and local Ham repeaters. That way, the scanner finds the channel and I can turn on the 2m/440 or CB if I wish to talk back. I also have a bank for the local FAA enroute (RCAG) and flight Service Freqs, as well as the TRACON 60 miles away. While I can't hear the radio site (it's in another county), I would hear the planes overhead, and these frequencies are never changed on the fly. If things got really bad, It would be of some interest to know who is still flying. I also program banks with any local business, there might be some interesting conversations on the local concrete plant';s radios if the owner were to distribute them to friends. Obviously if there's a lot of traffic, I'd not monitor these blocks. I think the CB and FRS/GMRS may be the most valuable as the users are in my local area, if not on my property.

Other freqs of particular interest may be the base station network of the highway departiment, law enforcement agencies, and hospitals. These don't have a lot of traffic on them today, but if the phone lines went down, this could pickup.

 

When I first started getting interested in radio communications, I told my dad about the kind of stuff to look out for. He's a yard sale nut from way back and loves the local goodwill stores. He's found me several CB's from the '70's to present usually for less than $5 each, and three handheld scanners for $2.99 each. At that price, it doesn't really matter if they work. They're worth more in parts!

And yes, scanners are VERY handy to have around, even in "peacetime".

I'd be interested in seeing a wiring diagram for this.

 

i found several online, under how a phone works
kinda shocked me how simple it actually is

 

Thanks. I'll do some poking around and see what I can find.

 

This is about the only part of this conversation I know anything about and it still isn't much. I drive truck and I know people that have Stryker (sp) 440 radios can really over power you and reach out there. I think the radio sells in $275 price range.

BWM

 

Brokor,

I've been looking for serviceable TA-1s or EE-8s all over, and haven't found any yet. Bits and pieces for collectors on ebay and such, but no working sets.

Any suggestions ? Interested in intra-retreat comm that can't be intercepted or pegged by direction finding equipment.

Thanks -

 

comm on the cheap

keep it simple........The most will be on the CB network. You can but an in-expensive mobile from 10 to 30, ad a small mag mt antenna for about 25 and plug it in your car battery, put batteery in the house. I ahve been radioing for along time...Ham call sign W5FJ.

 

You are right, most will be on CB, which is why you want to go ham.. The CB's would be a nightmare in the event of a situation. Ham will be much better organized, at least you should get a scanner so you can listen to the ham frequencies.