Ham Radio vs CB for disaster communication

[caliburn]

As I was going through some old boxes and found my Yaesu handheld. Been keeping my license up, but haven't used it since I lived in Oregon.

So I wonder, in Texas, is Ham Radio or CB more common? Which would you recommend or use for disaster communication?

After I get new batteries, I'll probably CQ and see who's around or see what repeaters are nearby.

 

[SA_Steve]

I've recently found on youtube lots of folks claiming gmrs is the way to go. License required $35 / 10 years. 50 watts

 

[Grumps21]

I've recently found on youtube lots of folks claiming gmrs is the way to go. License required $35 / 10 years. 50 watts

I got the GMRS license in 2021 or 2022. Still need to get a radio though. I also have a couple of MURS radios just to have.

This guy does a lot of videos about the different radios types and does a lot of product reviews.

https://www.notarubicon.com/choosing-the-right-radio-ham-gmrs-cb-frs-or-murs/

 

[SARGE67]

Depending on the disaster, you will need electricity for both...

 

[Grumps21]

Channeling my inner AOC here…. I’ll just plug them Into the wall outlet

 

[Tnhawk]

As I was going through some old boxes and found my Yaesu handheld. Been keeping my license up, but haven't used it since I lived in Oregon.

So I wonder, in Texas, is Ham Radio or CB more common? Which would you recommend or use for disaster communication?

After I get new batteries, I'll probably CQ and see who's around or see what repeaters are nearby.

Repeaterbook.com will provide you a list of repeaters in your area.

 

[baboon]

Depending on the disaster, you will need electricity for both...

That's if uncle sugar doesn't jam the frequencies to keep you white terrorist uninformed.

 

[SURVIVOR619]

Notaribicon's channel is awesome: informative and hilariously sarcastic towards the communication space's version of fudds.

 

[Byrd666]

- .- --.

 

[vmax]

Why not do all three?
I've got my HAM license and I talk on repeaters and DMR
There is a linked repeater network that runs from Albany up thru DFW and into Oklahoma thats handy to use
Me and my son can talk with him being in Ft Worth and me being out near Abilene

The inexpensive Baeofangs can talk on the GMRS frequencies and HAM 2M/440 bands.

Choose a band that others are likely to be on after a disaster
I'm not sure who even talks on CB anymore besides off roaders and a few old school truckers

 

[Tnhawk]

....So I wonder, in Texas, is Ham Radio or CB more common? Which would you recommend or use for disaster communication?....

That's if uncle sugar doesn't jam the frequencies to keep you white terrorist uninformed.

I would not expect frequency jamming during a disaster. I've worked communications during several disasters and didn't encounter interference with emergency comms.

 

[Axxe55]

CB'S ARE PRETTY INEXPENSIVE WHY NOT HAVE BOTH?

 

[TheDan]

As I was going through some old boxes and found my Yaesu handheld. Been keeping my license up, but haven't used it since I lived in Oregon.

So I wonder, in Texas, is Ham Radio or CB more common? Which would you recommend or use for disaster communication?

After I get new batteries, I'll probably CQ and see who's around or see what repeaters are nearby.

Mod your Yaesu to be able to use FRS/GRMS, too. Way more people on that.

 

[vmax]

It is technically illegal To do FRS on a handheld like a yaesu..
But in a disaster nobody would care

 

[Ozzman]

I have neither, but if I had to choose I would elect CB radio.
Lots of people have them in their vehicles, and they work on 12V.

A few years ago I did invest in hand crank emergency radio/flashlight/phone charger devices.
One at home, and one in the RV. They provide weather information and EMS news bulletins.

 

[TheDan]

It is technically illegal To do FRS on a handheld like a yaesu..
But in a disaster nobody would care

It's technically not illegal in an emergency situation, but nobody really cares in a day to day scenario either.

IMO it's prudent to enable your primary radio to make the most contacts possible with it's hardware for emergency situations.

 

[vmax]

Right..how is anyone going to know if you are using 5 or 8 watts on FRS?
Nonetheless I wanted to point it out. There are some old HAM guys that will get riled up over it..lol

 

[TheDan]

Right..how is anyone going to know if you are using 5 or 8 watts on FRS?
Nonetheless I wanted to point it out. There are some old HAM guys that will get riled up over it..lol

 

[Lonesome Dove]

Smoke signals.

 

[Axxe55]

Smoke signals.

TIN CANS AND LOTS OSTRING!