Survival Communications, The Basics.

[qrprat77]

And we're talking REAL BASIC here folks.
This will be a multipart thread discussing:
1. Why communcations matter in the PAW.
2. How to get set up now so you can have communication later.
3. Strategies for keeping your kit unobtrusive (visually and radiologically)
4. Developing a communication network with preppers and non-preppers to improve your situation.

Useful background information:
So you will understand why I suggest the things I suggest I want to give you some basic understanding of why I make the communication choices I make.
Here's a short list of my values:
1. pragmatism over theory. I will try something out before believing my numbers.
2. Cost and availability over effeciency and purpose. I will strive to make sure that whatever I suggest can be replicated anywhere in the country regardless of the availibilty of specialty parts and products. Somethings like radios and amplifiers, coax, and coax switches have to be aquired from a specialty dealer, but other things can be repurposed for use in radio applications, like TV antennas, speakerwire, slinkies, PVC pipe, etc.
3. Durability and quality over specialized stuff that breaks easy. I do a lot of portable work.
4. Simplicity over complexity. There's usually a good way to do something, and a better way to do it, if doing it the better way means I loose flexibility, or I need a specialized part that limits the use of the object to a particular purpose, then it is FAIL.

Please feel free to ask questions, I will aswer them to the best of my ability.
As we go along, I may reference:
https://www.survivalandpreparednessf...-or-To-Go-quot this thread for theory and background information.
I may also reference other sites, articles, etc.
I may also reference the two blog entries I've written on this site about stealth antennas. You may want to check them out.

[qrprat77]

Why Do Communications Matter in the PAW?

People need to communicate. Even if you want to just be left alone, sooner or later you are going to have to communicate that to the people you want to leave you alone.

Communication is unavoidable. I doubt that any one of us is so fully prepared that we've got everything we are going to need forever. I'm willing to bet that most of us are preparing to barter some of the things we've stored, skills we have, or things we can make to get something we don't have. Sometimes, we are going to have to get outside of our local area of operations to get things. We will need to be able to communicate to the people that have those things.

I think we instinctively know that we will need some means of reliable communications. What we really want to know is what do I need to communicate?
Before you get the gear, the antennas, the handy talkies, the amplifiers, the coax, the switches, the powersupplies, the etc, you will NEED a basic knowledge of what a radio is, then you will need to decide what gear to get.
Another thing that will help you is a local resource for communication information.

[qrprat77]

RADIO! (think Cuba Gooding Junior)

Radio is not Communication.
Radio is a means for communication.
This is the beginning of wisdom.

Ok,
so, you want to communicate with somebody using a radio.
If radio is your chosen method of communication, the first question becomes:
To whom do you wish to communicate? Different gear and conditions are needed to communicate with someone far away as opposed to nearby. Also, the nature of the world around you may dictate different means as well.
Is it safe to communicate?
Will I be able to continue using my radio?

The basic things that a prepper will need for communications will be a way to communicate locally (If you have a MAG, with those in your MAG), and a way to monitor global communications.
Listening will always be more important than talking back.
That is the second key to wisdom.

[qrprat77]

It's Electric! (boogie woogie oogie)

Radio is electricity.
If you don't have electricity, you can't have radio. So once you've learned something about what radio is you will need to make sure you have a way to power that radio.
Ever cranked that hand crank radio?
Do you know how long batteries last in it?
How many batteries do you store?
How long can you use the CB in your car if your car isn't running?
Does your radio need special powersupplies, or strange voltages?
How obvious is it you have some form of electricity?
Keeping my radio properly fed with electricity has always been a challenge, you just don't realize how many challenges you will face until you deal with power supply issues.
So figure out how to keep that power hungry beast fed!

[qrprat77]

Down to the Nitty Gritty.

Once you know who you are going to talk to, and you have a reliable power source, it's time to start considering various
1. Radios
2. Antennas
3. Modes
4. Other Means
for sustaining communication.

These will be talking points for later.

Remember the first pillar of wisdom:
Radio is not communication, radio is a means to communication.
The deeper and more esoteric aspects of that assertion will be explored in point 4.

Radios:
have you learned anything about what a radio does, and what a radio signal is yet? The better you understand what a radio signal does the more informed decision you can make with regards to what radio to purchase. In my post about "Antennas for here or to go" I explore a little bit about what it takes for a radio signal to get from one radio to the next, so I'm not going to talk about that here. Instead I want to suggest that there are two types of 'emergency' that preppers need to consider when making radio preparations. A prepper needs to be aware of local disasters that will impact the communications and logistics infrastructure, and they will need to be aware of how a partial/total collapse of society will impact their communication needs.

When local disasters affect the communication and logistics infrastructure generally speaking, it is my goal to aid and assist in the restoration of infrastructure and provide for the humanitarian relief of people affected by the disaster. One of the traditional roles of amateur radio operators (hams) is to provide health and welfare traffic and support communication for emergency relief in disaster affected areas. The best kind of gear for this type of operation is the best antenna you can get, the highest power you can safely transmit, and the best radio you can buy. In this situation you are worried more about communicating and less about OPSEC.

In the PAW, OPSEC rules your communication needs, you don't need the big tower, the big amplifier, the most important tool in your communication armory is your receiver. For transmitting, making sure you can communicate with you mag, or small unit element is the most important thing to consider. To do this you need gear that is good for local communications (VHF/UHF), stealth or portable antennas, and just enough power to get the job done.

ponder these truths, and feel free to ask questions!

[Klayton]

I would like you radio experts, if you will, to perhaps post a "suggestion".
An example may be: (plz note my radio lingo and knowledge is limited, hate it when I was passed the PRC-77 in the military, passed it off as soon as I could to the next schmuck-LOL)

step 1: buy a good quality ?
step 2: buy a good quality ?

Should us non-knowings buy a walkie-talkie from walmart to start, or actually buy a scanner first or perhaps just a portable radio that receives emergency bandwidths?

Does that make sense? Help US understand at the lowest level what to buy and what is a waste of money (walmart walkie talkies for example)....
***
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC!

[qrprat77]

Hey Klayton, as I meander along here, we'll get to some of that.
If you have a compound with patrols, having some walmart grade walkie talkies could be beneficial. My question is, what do you expect them to do, and how will you power them? I'd say they would be a great choice when you are going from a base to an OP, but you can go through a set of batteries in fairly short order. Having a way to continuously power your radio is more important than having the radio.
another thing: From an opsec standpoint any small talkie programmed for FRS/GMRS "channelized" frequencies stinks. Doesn't matter if they have gobjillions of 'privacy codes' or super-whiz bang voice obscuring technologies, if you buy it over the counter, and weren't issued it as part of the military, anybody can crack your signal and listen in on you. YOU ARE ALWAYS BEING MONITORED!!! so you are your only OPSEC.

Step one: buy a good quality reference for radios and antennas, my two favorite being any edition of the ARRL handbook: http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-...3717286&sr=8-2 and any edition of the ARRL Antenna handbook: http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Antenna-B...3717374&sr=1-1
Notice they are a little pricey, but they are nice thick souptonuts references for a lot of things radio and antenna. Usually you can find a used one of the older editions somewhere. The basic information in them is priceless, and they will help you learn something.
step 2. Plan on getting a ham radio license and a good quality transceiver, with a good general coverage receiver built into it. Brands here include Yaesu, Kenwood and Icom. Each of them have several models that are good in different roles, and as I go along, I'll highlight some pitfalls to avoid when making a ham radio purchase.

unless you are buying a backup radio to your backup radio for general coverage of short wave signals, DON'T GET A CRANKUP RADIO THAT COSTS <=$50!! Basically all these kinds of radios are good for is checking for EMP, ie, leave something up and on so you can see if that particular balloon has gone up.

Listening will always be more important than talking, so make sure listening is your priority.

[610Alpha]

I got the ARRL Handbook on my christmas list and looking at getting a handheld 2M radio from MURS-RADIO...then work up to something larger.

Is this a bad plan?

What about getting a HAM radio at a pawn shop?

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

[qrprat77]

I got the ARRL Handbook on my christmas list and looking at getting a handheld 2M radio from MURS-RADIO...then work up to something larger.

Is this a bad plan?

What about getting a HAM radio at a pawn shop?

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

I think you've got a good idea in mind, especially for the first scenario I outlined, one where you are working in more of a natural disaster type setting.
As far as getting a radio from a pawn shop, I got not problem with that as long as I know something about the model of radio it is, and I can verify that the radio ain't "hot", because that could draw some unwanted attention to me.

[Klayton]

Thanks, added those two books to my wish list on amazon to keep them on file.

My communication goal would be listening as primary. Gotta know what other people are chatting about.
Second would be short range walkie talkie between mrs, daughter, and me when each of us are in separate parts of the compound (constant ability to talk to one another would be vital in SHTF, imho)
Third ability to talk to mrs and daughter when I was out "reconning" after SHTF...

[qrprat77]

Thanks, added those two books to my wish list on amazon to keep them on file.

My communication goal would be listening as primary. Gotta know what other people are chatting about.
Second would be short range walkie talkie between mrs, daughter, and me when each of us are in separate parts of the compound (constant ability to talk to one another would be vital in SHTF, imho)
Third ability to talk to mrs and daughter when I was out "reconning" after SHTF...

Even if/when you get a ham radio license, the most important thing you will do is listen. I can't emphasis that enough. Listen, listen listen.
There's a lot of information available to you just by listening.
I would experiment with walkie talkies before deciding on one versus another. Pretty soon, I'm going to make a recommendation that every prepper needs to have the knowledge necessary to pass the Technician Class amateur radio license, and that they should acquire that license... I know there is controversy there, and if anybody wants to give me grief, just look at the title under my name and above my avatar, I am the "radio jerk" :) nobody has to like my opinion on the matter, but I do think I can make a strong case for it. Hear me out! if you disagree, you can always call me a jerk, it's okay, I'm not going to argue something that I've thought about, reasoned out , and argued with myself over the last 11 years with just anybody. I do request that if anyone has serious disagreements on this matter with me, even after I post my polemic, please respond to me via PM. I'll discuss my points in finer detail if you want, and if there's still disagreement, I can garauntee there will not be discord. I'm not a fan of disunity. I hope everyone can appreciate the difference between disagreement and disunity/discord.

One reason why you might want you and your family to get a Tech ticket is because it will give you access to gear and frequencies right now. You'll have a reason to set up a "Cross band Repeater" which will extend the range of your compound's communications to include all the dips and valleys, and perhaps some area beyond just your front door step. I am a big advocate of "just enough" though, and if all you need is small walkie talkies, then that's all you need.
For communicating back to a base from a mobile at ranges from <10 - 500 miles, check out Near Vertical Incident Skywave (NVIS) communications. To do that legally today, you and your base station operator will need a General Class amateur radio license, and you will need two HF radios capable of operating below 10MHz. I broadly cover NVIS in "Antennas: for Here or To Go" in the hypothetical situation I describe.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

qrprat77 and i have discussed this in length and he has very graciously agreed to do this post because of my skeptisim of HAMS and justifying the cost and additional weight and time. I've been at this stuff many years and was never convinced of the value. Every yr we have disasters and not once have I said "wow, that made a difference".

Ok Brother, so what if I just want to monitor, why mess with the high dollar and high maintanace HAM rather than just get a shortwave radio to monitor? Somewhere I have a radio that listens to that noise that I gotta go get from a storage place. Why do I need more?

I know you did a large post on antennae but I gotta be honest, i dunno if you were even speakin english there. All I know about them is everyone i know or listen to is constantly talking about it breaking or burning up. It sounds complicated and like a royal pain. Is there a simple route or is this something I gotta get chest deep in because my time is real limited?

Also you and I chatted about a "group" that got some kind of radios and cant talk to each other to save their lives. Now they want/need a repeater as they are spread around oh lets say 50+ miles. Next week they will "need" something else i'm sure. So real simple if I wanted a weapon to shoot 200yd i would get an XYZ caliber with an XYZ weapon and if I wanted it to shoot 300+ I would get an XYZ caliber in an XYZ weapon. So translate that to radios. If I want to chat 10miles or less for me when i'm longhunting I need an .... and if I chat 50+ for gathering information beyond my sight I need an .....
Yes I'm putting you on the spot and i know someone will debate your choice as always but i am asking YOU.

Also since i'm gathering info how can i trust the source because it's no where near PAW and we cant even have folks post good info here this last week without the rumor mill/personal agendas taking over. i can only imagine what it will be like after PAW. What do i do to counter this?

Oh and Thanks for doing this!!

[qrprat77]

qrprat77 and i have discussed this in length and he has very graciously agreed to do this post because of my skeptisim of HAMS and justifying the cost and additional weight and time. I've been at this stuff many years and was never convinced of the value. Every yr we have disasters and not once have I said "wow, that made a difference".

Speaking for myself, I've only ever actually saved someone's life with ham radio once, and it was more of a "Get the help where it needed to be bc the EMT's were out of bounds" situation. I'll tell that story sometime.


Ok Brother, so what if I just want to monitor, why mess with the high dollar and high maintanace HAM rather than just get a shortwave radio to monitor? Somewhere I have a radio that listens to that noise that I gotta go get from a storage place. Why do I need more?

Short answer, because the only thing more frustrating than wanting to talk to someone and not being able to is needing to be able to talk to someone and not being able to. Long answer: the gear itself isn't so much high maintenance as is thee powersupply, and antenna. As long as you keep your radio fed (batteries/power supply), and give it a proper place to play (antenna system that doesn't kill your radio), your radio will give you years of enjoyment! Another thing is that I think your point is spot on if you are an individual taking the solo route. Being able to listen will always be more important than being able to transmit, so having a good quality Short Wave radio is a valuable asset. One thing the Transciever has to it's advantage is the ability to fine tune a particular signal/mode, ie one of my solutions to the "opsec" question is using digital modes with encrypted messages. more on that later, but it is sufficient to say for now that an amateur radio's ability to zero in on a particular mode at a particular frequency makes it stand above a good quality Short Wave radio, which even with the bells and whistles will have a hard time tuning and decoding some of the digital modes hams use all the time.

I know you did a large post on antennae but I gotta be honest, i dunno if you were even speakin english there. All I know about them is everyone i know or listen to is constantly talking about it breaking or burning up. It sounds complicated and like a royal pain. Is there a simple route or is this something I gotta get chest deep in because my time is real limited?

There's a few simple principles, and I'll try to demystify some of it. There is not a need for everyone to be uber ham nerds. I do think everyone needs some basic knowledge about using radios though. I enjoy it. I have found that there are a couple of things people do to stick their foot in "it" so to speak when it comes to antennas:
1. Spending too much money on specialized stuff all in an effort to make something called "SWR" = 1.
2. Creating systems that are designed to work well in the short run, but make poor long term choices. Like using Coax instead of ladder line, or not putting a halyard on a line just in case the main support breaks, or needs to be stress relieved in high winds. We'll go over some more over time.

...Slight Deletion... If I want to chat 10miles or less for me when i'm longhunting I need an .... and if I chat 50+ for gathering information beyond my sight I need an .....
Yes I'm putting you on the spot and i know someone will debate your choice as always but i am asking YOU.

For ranges <10Miles I would use VHF radios in the 5-50 watt range. 5 watts is the max power on most Handie talkies, and at 10 miles, without a repeater, in rough terrain, they probably won't cut it without using some sort of repeater system, or directional antenna. If I'm within 500 miles of my desired point of contact NVIS (see earlier post about NVIS) rules the day. I'll need 100 watts and an HF radio to do that reliably. That's something that can go in your truck, and even the antenna can stay on your truck. 102" steel CB whips radiate Ham radio frequencies too! Just need to tune it, and bend it, and BAM! Instant portable NVIS antenna.

Also since i'm gathering info how can i trust the source because it's no where near PAW and we cant even have folks post good info here this last week without the rumor mill/personal agendas taking over. i can only imagine what it will be like after PAW. What do i do to counter this?

Network now, and use discernment. Somethings are obvious. "The golden hoard is attacking me!" is better information than "The golden hoard attacked Bobby's Camp" unless Bobby is absent from a previously established engagement, and the person making the assertion verified with eyes on the ground. Listening will be your friend. Remember to listen listen listen!

Oh and Thanks for doing this!!

I hope it helps!
PS, I really like your sig line, don't know if I've told you or not!
:)

[610Alpha]

I think you've got a good idea in mind, especially for the first scenario I outlined, one where you are working in more of a natural disaster type setting.
As far as getting a radio from a pawn shop, I got not problem with that as long as I know something about the model of radio it is, and I can verify that the radio ain't "hot", because that could draw some unwanted attention to me.

Not 100% sure but I believe pawns shops take a photo copy of your license when you come in to sell something just in case what you are selling them is hot. When I get to that point I will send you a PM with make/model and price. Thanks for sharing all of this knowledge.

[LizardKing]

Great thread so far, just what I've been hoping to find, Radio for Dummies. I've been looking at HAM equipment on the net, but have no idea what I'm really looking at or what it would take to talk to someone 1000 miles away. I think there's a radio show here in Feb and I'm hoping to know enough by then to at least ask some intelligent qustions.