SHTF Communications

[FrankenCub]

Got our tech licenses, bought a couple of handhelds, and found out they're useless when you live in a valley.
In order to get a repeater, I have to drive up to the top of the mountain.
If I need to do that, I might as well drive a little further to the Fire Dept, have a cup of coffee and say "hey, what's the word".
When/if things get that bad that we're counting on digital smoke signals to survive, family and friends know the plan and how to get here.
Those that don't know, weren't invited

What did you expect out of a handheld? Didnt you do any research to begin with? Really no different than a cellphone outside of cell service.
Having ham equipment when shtf will allow to still communicate with others. Most repeaters have battery backup, solar, or generators.
Building an outdoor antenna to hook to your handheld may help tremendously.

 

[fnfalguy]

The cost to get into HF doesn’t have to be huge, but I understand that money is relative. I just picked up a used HF radio w/ power supply for $300. The antenna will maybe be $50 more. Not a huge investment In my eyes, just an extravagant dinner. granted if I wanted the latest WizBang 4000, then yeah, I’d be dropping a few k. Everyone’s situation is different. I played around to see what repeaters I could hear in my area and along my typical travel routes and my better half took the exams along with me so the handhelds added an additional layer onto our comms. But again, i also enjoy just rag chewing on the local nets.

only my life experience. YMMV.

 

[Jsmegs77]

It's a tool, it has varied applications, and you're free to use or not use it. If you're going to avail yourself of it, at least learn about the tools you're using and get any needed licenses, just as you would expect from a firearms user. Keep in mind that access to radio spectrum is not a right, like the 2A.

If you don't feel like licensing, there are options for you, but don't expect a warm welcome from those who have studied their hobby, tested out and gotten the license, if you insist on using licensed spectrum illegally. Just as you don't look kindly on illegal carry of a firearm when you've taken the time and expense to get your CCW...

Mine might be an unpopular opinion, and in the total collapse of society nobody may care, but we aren't there yet and popularity is overrated anyway.

 

[GOPerfect]

As I'm sure you know guys are out there doing more than voice...

I'll just use the internet and my computer/phone to send an email.

 

[cgrutt]

I'll just use the internet and my computer/phone to send an email.

Ah, got it. Me too.

I still use the stairs and front door but invested in an escape ladder and taught my family how to use it in the unlikely event there was ever a fire...

 

[Fenucho]

What did you expect out of a handheld? Didnt you do any research to begin with? Really no different than a cellphone outside of cell service.
Having ham equipment when shtf will allow to still communicate with others. Most repeaters have battery backup, solar, or generators.
Building an outdoor antenna to hook to your handheld may help tremendously.

I was expecting to get at least the same range and coverage as my handheld VHF radio. Not so. When I'm fishing on the lake, I can talk to my house 1 mile away. I can not do that with the HAM handheld, and you're not supposed to use the VHF unless you are on the water. I was looking for an alternative, and I was hoping to be able to use it to keep in contact with base since I hike alone and cell service is sporadic. I'm not down playing HAM's need or use, just that it doesn't suit my needs.

 

[FrankenCub]

I was expecting to get at least the same range and coverage as my handheld VHF radio. Not so. When I'm fishing on the lake, I can talk to my house 1 mile away. I can not do that with the HAM handheld, and you're not supposed to use the VHF unless you are on the water. I was looking for an alternative, and I was hoping to be able to use it to keep in contact with base since I hike alone and cell service is sporadic. I'm not down playing HAM's need or use, just that it doesn't suit my needs.

What VHF handheld did you have? VHF isn't for marine only, if you didnt know, 2m is VHF. Even with handheld radios, antennas very greatly. Even a nice Yaesu or Icom can do better with an aftermarket antenna in many cases. You can try one of the antennas I linked somewhere here. They're inexpensive and guaranteed for life.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

Ah, got it. Me too.

I still use the stairs and front door but invested in an escape ladder and taught my family how to use it in the unlikely event there was ever a fire...

Is that 3rd story? I fucking hate ladders...

 

[cgrutt]

Is that 3rd story? I fucking hate ladders...

Second story with walkout basement/garage.

 

[Fenucho]

I have a couple of Standard Horizon HX270S radios. They normally get me 2-3 miles.

 

[Acer-m14]

LMAO .. now this is a HAM ..

 

[SomeSoldier]

Okay, fair enough, good thing I have never cared about pissing anyone off.

I never really though too much about getting into this form of communication; maybe I'll look a bit into it.

I am looking at getting into radios. With the shit going on lately and with WEF claiming that Cyber attack will be next thing. Communication would be very important.

So I am thinking about starting with a couple of handhelds. Not sure which ones yet, I know uv-5r is popular. Honestly I am looking at stepping it up those with DMR radio that can run both ham and gmsr and possibly encryption.

So far I have been looking around at Motorola P25 FFP XTS2500/Military radios. Though I have much more to learn. I have read about Motorola not offering firmware updates for these anymore and that makes it hard to get firmware of past, the software and whatnot.

 

[GOPerfect]

I am looking at getting into radios. With the shit going on lately and with WEF claiming that Cyber attack will be next thing. Communication would be very important.

So I am thinking about starting with a couple of handhelds. Not sure which ones yet, I know uv-5r is popular. Honestly I am looking at stepping it up those with something that can do work on ham, gmsr, and run digital and analog and possibly encryption.

So far I have been looking around at Motorola P25 FFP XTS2500/Military radios. Though I have much more to learn. I have read about Motorola not offering firmware updates for these anymore and that makes it hard to get firmware of past, the software and whatnot.

Comms can be easy, and simple. Or, they can be complicated.

I have done some research, not as much as I should be doing

I do not want to make comms a hobby, nor do I want to waste money on equipment that is lacking, or, not needed.

 

[SomeSoldier]

Comms can be easy, and simple. Or, they can be complicated.

I have done some research, not as much as I should be doing

I do not want to make comms a hobby, nor do I want to waste money on equipment that is lacking, or, not needed.

I am that kinda person. I don't like to start with this and then upgrade in a year or two. I like to buy it once and be done with it. So I am looking for something that can do it all.

 

[meketrefe]

my question is who do we communicate with and why? Is that person or group also equipped and do we need to keep messages private?
Then we can talk how do we do it given those requirements.
I would hate to buy a corvette only to returned next day because I found out the hard way that it is a horrible family car.

 

[SomeSoldier]

my question is who do we communicate to and why? Is that person or group also equipped and do we need to keep messages private?
Then we can talk how do we do it given those requirements.
I would hate to buy a corvette only to returned next day because I found out the hard way that it is a horrible family car.

Starting with one radio but will end up with two min. One for the house and one for the truck.

SHTF it moves to myself and my wife.

No guarantee that I'll need encryption but it's a nice to have option.

The ham and GMRS is just for me to be able to listen to as much as possible.

Digital is cleaner and clearer than analog. If I can do both why not?

 

[GOPerfect]

my question is who do we communicate to and why? Is that person or group also equipped and do we need to keep messages private?
Then we can talk how do we do it given those requirements.
I would hate to buy a corvette only to returned next day because I found out the hard way that it is a horrible family car.

So, I am not huge into the comms being secured, who will be listening and why would they care.

The Comms would be more so within a small group of people, I would imagine. Or, have the ability to hear others to get information or news.

Nothing too advanced for me.

 

[meketrefe]

I wouldn't know who to talk to.
based on your comments I am guessing one would have to build a network and then agree on how to communicate and what is needed... did I understand correctly?

 

[Acer-m14]

i just started looking into SDR ( Software Defined Radio) .. its just for listing

 

[SomeSoldier]

i just started looking into SDR ( Software Defined Radio) .. its just for listing

I just booked marked that video today.

 

[GOPerfect]

I wouldn't know who to talk to.
based on your comments I am guessing one would have to build a network and then agree on how to communicate and what is needed... did I understand correctly?

Not necessarily. I am talking that if all forms of normal communications are down, I would want to have the means to speak with others, both in my area as well as those in far reaching places. More for updates and possible meet ups if things go really bad.,

 

[SomeSoldier]

Not necessarily. I am talking that if all forms of normal communications are down, I would want to have the means to speak with others, both in my area as well as those in far reaching places. More for updates and possible meet ups if things go really bad.,

You would probably want a base version with an external antenna. Maybe a handheld.

 

[meketrefe]

Not necessarily. I am talking that if all forms of normal communications are down, I would want to have the means to speak with others, both in my area as well as those in far reaching places. More for updates and possible meet ups if things go really bad.,

what about getting a simple mesh with lora/meshtastic?

 

[GOPerfect]

You would probably want a base version with an external antenna. Maybe a handheld.

I think so. I am not even at Novice status on this stuff.

 

[GOPerfect]

what about getting a simple mesh with lora/meshtastic?

Not even sure what that is. Again, i know very little about this topic.

 

[spat]

I am that kinda person. I don't like to start with this and then upgrade in a year or two. I like to buy it once and be done with it. So I am looking for something that can do it all.

Sometimes when you're starting a completely new skillset it's best to buy some cheap entry level gear just so that you can learn enough to even know what you want in the good stuff.

Used equipment can be good for that because you can likely sell it and recoup much of the cost.

 

[SomeSoldier]

Sometimes when you're starting a completely new skillset it's best to buy some cheap entry level gear just so that you can learn enough to even know what you want in the good stuff.

Used equipment can be good for that because you can likely sell it and recoup much of the cost.

Used is what I was looking at and the xts2500 military version seems to be pretty popular.

 

[ManualF150]

Folks will be looking for folks like me to fix rigs and make antennas and feed lines... that is when I'll barter for some food or services.

 

[Jsmegs77]

I am looking at getting into radios. With the shit going on lately and with WEF claiming that Cyber attack will be next thing. Communication would be very important.

So I am thinking about starting with a couple of handhelds. Not sure which ones yet, I know uv-5r is popular. Honestly I am looking at stepping it up those with DMR radio that can run both ham and gmsr and possibly encryption.

So far I have been looking around at Motorola P25 FFP XTS2500/Military radios. Though I have much more to learn. I have read about Motorola not offering firmware updates for these anymore and that makes it hard to get firmware of past, the software and whatnot.

The XTS is a P25 radio, different digital protocol than DMR. I wouldn’t worry about firmware updates… if it works and functions as you need they’re a set and forget kind of thing. I’ve got the cousin to the XTS, EF Johnson 5100’s. They’re my grab a radio and go solution, I have encryption enabled and keys loaded so if we need to not be overheard by anyone who can’t crack AES in real-time…

I’d recommend the EFJ over the XTS for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re battery and attachment compatible with the XTS. Secondly, the software to program them is easier to acquire as are programming cables. And, last but not least, the radios themselves are often much less expensive on the used market, given the same frequency range and feature set.

 

[SomeSoldier]

The XTS is a P25 radio, different digital protocol than DMR. I wouldn’t worry about firmware updates… if it works and functions as you need they’re a set and forget kind of thing. I’ve got the cousin to the XTS, EF Johnson 5100’s. They’re my grab a radio and go solution, I have encryption enabled and keys loaded so if we need to not be overheard by anyone who can’t crack AES in real-time…

I’d recommend the EFJ over the XTS for a few reasons. Firstly, they’re battery and attachment compatible with the XTS. Secondly, the software to program them is easier to acquire as are programming cables. And, last but not least, the radios themselves are often much less expensive on the used market, given the same frequency range and feature set.

What EFJ model would be similar to the xts2500?