If there's no electricity from the outlets, I got a small solar charger it should work ok charging batteries for a handheld. Might take a while to charge but still doable.Depending on the disaster, you will need electricity for both...
If there's no electricity from the outlets, I got a small solar charger it should work ok charging batteries for a handheld. Might take a while to charge but still doable.Depending on the disaster, you will need electricity for both...
Linked through the internet. Which isn't going to be doing too well if lots of infrastructure dies.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
In a disaster, where the communication is related to preservation of life or property, all rules except not intentionally interfering with other communications are explicitly suspended. The problem is that you need to know your gear and practice with it before the emergency so you know how to use it in a pinch. But generally as long as you're not being a total jackass and blocking other people, nobody will notice or care if you break part 97 or part 15 and use a non-part-approved device for GMRS or FRS.It is technically illegal To do FRS on a handheld like a yaesu..
But in a disaster nobody would care
The NCTC repeaters are connected through RFLinked through the internet. Which isn't going to be doing too well if lots of infrastructure dies.
That is great. Most repeater systems I've seen/used just connect to each other over the internet though. NCTC is too far for me to each though.The NCTC repeaters are connected through RF
Although they do have an Echolink node that is online most of the time that is separate from the repeater connections
Not sure how many have green power though
Simplex will be the only sure way if there is no grid power
NCTC has a simplex net every week on Friday evenings to test the reach and relay abilities to get signals into Net Control
It's a good way to practice and test equipment and relay abilities
Wish I was closer and I'd holler, literally and figuratively haha. I just purchased a GMRS radio for me and my buddy got one too but we're total noobs. Reading a lot, taking notes, enjoying Notarubicon's videos (and some others) and will be getting my GMRS license so I can practice with my buddy.I have a little of both. Anyone around Houston feel like getting together and practicing?
How close are you? You can reach pretty far (legally!) if you're resourceful.Wish I was closer and I'd holler, literally and figuratively haha. I just purchased a GMRS radio for me and my buddy got one too but we're total noobs. Reading a lot, taking notes, enjoying Notarubicon's videos (and some others) and will be getting my GMRS license so I can practice with my buddy.
We're both keeping these in our get home bags, which are faraday bags and include a solar charger/battery, JIC.
How close are you? You can reach pretty far (legally!) if you're resourceful.
I live southwest of Fort Worth. Once I get my wits about repeaters, perhaps there's an opportunity to chat. Would be cool!How close are you? You can reach pretty far (legally!) if you're resourceful.
Well, in disasters, I wouldn't worry about communications to mark myself as safe. I'd be more interested in getting emergency services to me or my neighborhood. And a lot of ham radio operators are either part of ARES or MARS, so they cooperate with disaster communication. I would guess that CB or even GMRS or FRS could do something similar.In a disaster where normal communication means are disabled, doubt that any radio will be of use. Uprising? Doubt I would give my location or desire to talk to somebody. Natural event, anybody around to help? Atomic blast - forget about it.
Unless you are on 80m and 160m.I pick up CB from both coasts and Mexico... I'm not going to say whether and how far I reach out, but my doublet is a pretty good antenna.
The biggest problem I see with CB is that too many people on it are just loud mouths and idiots; something you rarely encounter on ham bands.