I forgot the HAM frequencies

[Squirtgunsquirter]

But that was useful because it was a disaster in a tiny slice of an otherwise fully functioning system. Ham would be useful for exactly what you describe, no doubt.

But if its not going to get better in a week? A month? I imagine it would be something nice, to hear a different human voice, but I just cant parse how its any use if there's no gas at the gas station, and it's a bad idea to go across town, and the National Guard is out and about, or even abandoning their posts to take care of their own...

What do you say? "Yeah, abc123, things look like **** here too." Or is to be able to find out if things are great somewhere else? "Ok, abc123, I'm on my way".

Could you find out in advance that a bridge was out? A roving gang was in a certain area? People are getting rounded up and housed for their own safety?

I'm not saying Ham isn't useful now, it is, it is the fallback communication for exactly the situation you describe.

Hey, I could be totally wrong on my attitude toward Ham. Comms are important.

 

[Brent S]

I think comma are very important, especially after any emergency

 

[Brent S]

Being able to hear news will be both a morale and security booster. I was supposed to take the test last month but got busy with work and missed it that day, but will take it before long. Studying for the test questions wasn’t hard either. The main reason I want to get licensed pre shtf is to learn how to use the radios a little better. I’d rather not try learning how to communicate when I really need to.

 

[DrHenley]

What do you say? "Yeah, abc123, things look like **** here too."

You are obviously not planning on having friends or relatives you need to communicate with.

Sure, if you don't have anyone you need to talk to, then no point in talking.

Even at the BOL now, cell reception is so spotty we have to communicate by text message, and hope it eventually goes through. If the cell service goes down, radio is the only way. And it's too many trees to use CB or even FRS.

How about

"Arthur, poachers coming in on the northwest side headed your way."

"Danny, I fell and broke my leg at the Big Cypress"

"Paul, a tree fell across the sign-in board road about a quarter mile in, can you come help me move it?"

"J.P. I got stuck on the south side near the east end - need help."

"Glenn, I ran into some marauders at the catfish tower, I'm holding them off for now, but I need backup."

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

Friends, either with me or too far away, although I suppose you could get a message across country through repeaters.

My mind can be changed on this. I'm not taking some sort of principled stance against Ham. I just try to imagine how it work post SHTF, and its not easy. I have zero experience with it.

I guess its the nuts and bolts of what you would use it for that I don't get. Human contact sure, but is that it?

 

[user 7704]

I got mine because I would freak not being able to contact my daughter and she's only 15 or so miles away. Yep, I'm one of those moms.

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

so, handhelds, with a base?

Ok, I will look at some stuff.

 

[user 7704]

so, handhelds, with a base?

Ok, I will look at some stuff.

Yes. 8 watt. I think. I'll check when I go upstairs

 

[Squirtgunsquirter]

well, after very little research, looks like the way to go for me personally, if I were going to do it, would be a mobile base, with a handheld. The mobile I could bring inside and use on my 12V power supply (probably, but a different power supply would be no big deal), I could run 1/4 wave antennae pretty stealthy, and now I just need to figure out the range I could get. Guys talking about 100 miles by driving to a hilltop, but If I could get 30 or 40 I would be happy. Now I need to find out the range on the handhelds.

Robin, I will move this to another thread, I didn't mean to hijack yours. Sorry.

 

[user 7704]

well, after very little research, looks like the way to go for me personally, if I were going to do it, would be a mobile base, with a handheld. The mobile I could bring inside and use on my 12V power supply (probably, but a different power supply would be no big deal), I could run 1/4 wave antennae pretty stealthy, and now I just need to figure out the range I could get. Guys talking about 100 miles by driving to a hilltop, but If I could get 30 or 40 I would be happy. Now I need to find out the range on the handhelds.

Robin, I will move this to another thread, I didn't mean to hijack yours. Sorry.

Don't have to move it. This thread has been dead for a long time.

 

[user 7704]

Don't have to move it. This thread has been dead for a long time.

Mine is a BF-F8HP. Baufeng Tech Poring
8 watt, narrow and wide band coverage
Fm radio and built in flashlight
ANI Code
Emergency Tone Burst

I have no idea what all that means.

 

[user 6789]

Having tools and not knowing how to use them is useless. You must know how to use your tool and practice with it to be proficient with said tool. Its not just a turn it on and scan around radio. You need to know much more than this. Get at least a general class license and take classes, join clubs that do things, have meetings, presentations, field day, etc etc. LEARN to use what you have otherwise its useless.

 

[user 7704]

I'm not interested enough to go to a meeting or join a club (which are unavailable here). I have it for emergencies only and if I must, I'll refer to my "HAM radios for Dummies".

 

[user 6789]

I'm not interested enough to go to a meeting or join a club (which are unavailable here). I have it for emergencies only and if I must, I'll refer to my "HAM radios for Dummies".

good luck

 

[DrHenley]

You need to know much more than this. Get at least a general class license and take classes, join clubs that do things, have meetings, presentations, field day, etc etc.

You could make the same argument for many different activities. Defensive shooting, hunting, fitness, cooking, first aid, woodcraft, you name it. And if you applied that argument to everything worthwhile, there would not be enough hours in the day to do all of it, nor time for anything else.

 

[user 6789]

Yep tha was kinda the point. You should do this in everything you do in life. Learn how to be the best you can be at whatever it is you do. As for some of the things you listed lets take a look at one thing that really should involve many. Lets look at cooking. I want to know how to cook and cook better. So I learn how to shoot. In learning how to shoot better I become a better hunter so I can kill a deer for food to cook. I also become more fit because I am hiking in the woods and eating leaner meat healthier without all the bad fillers and junk they inject in cows for commercial beef. I should know some first aid and woodcraft too if Im going to go hunting in the woods in case I get a tick on me, snake bit, twisted ankle, etc. Knowing how to woodcraft a splint would be nice to know. ETCETC you see how one simple thing.....cooking, has involved all of these other hobbies or skills as I like to call them. The more skills you learn and are good at the more of an asset you will be to a prepper group and will be better able to take care of ones self should the poop hit the fan. Learn your tools.

 

[user 6789]

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't simply buy tools or stuff thinking you will learn how to do it when the time comes. ham radio, first aid kit, rifle, etc etc. These tools take practice, time, and knowledge how they work to use them properly.

 

[user 7704]

Correct Doctor. HAM radios are way down my list. Most preppers I've seen don't even own one.

Hell, I thought I was ahead if the curve just owning one. Lol

 

[DrHenley]

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't simply buy tools or stuff thinking you will learn how to do it when the time comes.

Agreed, but when you really get deeply involved in something like that, you have to forego other things that are also important.

I am guilty of this myself, so I'm not throwing stones When I really get involved in something, it tends to monopolize my thoughts and time to the detriment of other things. I guess what I'm saying is there needs to be some balance. If anyone figures out how to balance everything...let me know

 

[user 6789]

Correct Doctor. HAM radios are way down my list. Most preppers I've seen don't even own one.

Hell, I thought I was ahead if the curve just owning one. Lol

most I've seen have several. lots of ham radio prepare websites, and youtube videos. Unfortunately with the cheap 25 dollar baofeng Chinese radios I'm afraid more people have them than we know. That means everyones listening on them too. With that many out there means brevity codes, or coded messages very brief and to point, or using some other radios other than the baofeng that cover frequencies those don't for intergroup communications. that or stick to my field phones so no rf goes out and can't be heard.

 

[user 7704]

most I've seen have several. lots of ham radio prepare websites, and youtube videos. Unfortunately with the cheap 25 dollar baofeng Chinese radios I'm afraid more people have them than we know. That means everyones listening on them too. With that many out there means brevity codes, or coded messages very brief and to point, or using some other radios other than the baofeng that cover frequencies those don't for intergroup communications. that or stick to my field phones so no rf goes out and can't be heard.

Ouch....my cheap Baofeng was over $25 and highly recommended. Sorry.

 

[Silent Earth]

UV5Rcs are ubiquitus in the UK, popular, reliable and reasonably capable.