My small portable communication and charging station

[Maverick]

I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

 

[Silent Earth]

My family group comms are based around Baofeng UV5Rcs with longer antenna, soon to be supplemented with the new UK legal 12 watt SSB AM and FM CBs.

 

[Silent Bob]

I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

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View attachment 3795

Maverick...great job. Hope Lisa likes the recharging cells on the Goal Zero...maybe one day, she will get you to buy the higher end Goal Zero 1250 with solar panels...they work great and recharge just about anything...including medical apparatus.

 

[eireguy]

The only thing I would suggest is to have 2 bf radios & a wind up radio that you can receive shortwave on . The gmrs radios will have very limited range w such short antennas .

 

[Maverick]

The only thing I would suggest is to have 2 bf radios & a wind up radio that you can receive shortwave on . The gmrs radios will have very limited range w such short antennas .

I was thinking of getting another B/F radio mainly for backup, the GMRS radios on the other hand I don't want long distance but short 1/4 mile or less. My requirement for the radios including shortwave radio is the capability to charge from the solar panels preferably with USB similar to my Ambient emergency radio, I agree a shortwave is important! when one comes out that gives me the ability to use solar panels for charging and that it also includes an external ANT connection I will certainly purchase one.

 

[davidnh]

As with all HT'S aka walkie talkies.They come with crappy rubber duck antennas.I but replacement antennas at my local ham radio shop.You will increase you radios capability for sure.

 

[Maverick]

As with all HT'S aka walkie talkies.They come with crappy rubber duck antennas.I but replacement antennas at my local ham radio shop.You will increase you radios capability for sure.

I ordered the comet sma 24 friday, should be here wednesday, the group my wife works with recommended this antenna for this radio.

 

[Silent Earth]

Yeah I have equipped all my Baofeng UV5Rcs with Nagoya 771 antenna, much better range.

 

[psalm 7]

Coms is the weak point of my prepps this thread is very useful to me .

 

[Gazrok]

Nice setup!

 

[bgoldstuff]

I too would like to learn more about Basic communications and equipment for when SHTF. I don't much like or care to hook up a VHS/DVD player little alone think about needing to know how to work much more complex radio equipment.

I would be no different then a Ground Hog who sticks his head above the ground and say's, YUP, another six weeks! LOL

Is there any basic simple communication equipment for a prepper like myself? So simple, A Caveman could even figure it out.

Depending on what horrific event takes place, I know some forum of communication will be needed.

Last... Who is a person going to tune in to? Is there going to be a specific frequency that will give play by play of the events as they unfold? This Amateur Radio stuff is all new to me, so all helpful information will be very much appreciated!

 

[Silent Earth]

Start SIMPLY Sir, In the US one of the easiest and most useful two way comms systems is CB radio, a simple device of 4 watts output power, 40 simple numeric channels a simple press to talk microphone. You can also get Hand Held Walkie Talky CB Radios and Household Base Stations. You can go to places like RadioShack / Tandy and get a very simple how to guide on CB operation. By default you should be able to contact other motorists, hobby CB users, Truckers and some police departments. Normally a family of preppers would put a CB in each of the family vehicles and another ( or a simple receiver scanner) in the house.

 

[Maverick]

Last... Who is a person going to tune in to? Is there going to be a specific frequency that will give play by play of the events as they unfold? This Amateur Radio stuff is all new to me, so all helpful information will be very much appreciated!

Amateur radio is a different critter and not to be taken lightly, hook up with someone in your community that is a Ham! in a pre-SHTF you have many rules, if your not going to get the license DON'T TRANSMIT, the last thing you want is a bunch of radio operators knocking on your door, if its a life or death situation then it may be forgiving, these guys take licensing very seriously don't challenge them. You can program the radios using ARES/RACES frequencies, in my area CCARES/RACES frequencies.

You are not going to get a play by play with Ham, in a crises if the Ham operator is needed they are not going to clog the airways with a play by play description, if that's what you want then a police scanner would be a better choice and don't discount the CB for a communication device.

 

[bgoldstuff]

I do understand Amateur Radio/ Ham operators are in a class of their own and there are special qualifications for the operation of that type of equipment and talking over the air. I also know Ham operators do a lot with emergency communications for storm chasers etc. A very much needed service for when other public services only have a limited capability of reaching others.

I have never taken an interest in this type of Hobby/electronics, so I just know little from others who do. I am not opposed to it and I think it's a great idea to having some type of basic receiver/scanner devise to be able to keep in the loop as to the SHTF.

I have been surfing over an overwhelming amount of information on the Forum about communications. For someone like myself who doesn't understand a lot about it, I was hopping there might be some simple basic, easy to use, radio equipment that I should be looking at to invest in ?

 

[Maverick]

A number of HTs radios can be programed using a computer, most HTs buttons are a 3 functions design making it difficult to program by hand even for experience users, most users manuals are not easy to follow and/or leave out important information, it's better to download a second parties written instructions for a given radio The Baofeng is considered a disposable radio but much is written about it with a lot of second party support making it the best buy for the buck, its built pretty good with a lot of after market accessories!

 

[Silent Earth]

Certain radios designed ORIGINALLY for Hams and Radio enthuisiasts can be modified very simply and very easily to give you are high quality reasonable power radio that technically does not require a Ham licence.

EG in the UK the Baofeng UV5 can be simply reprogrammed using a CHIRP PC program to only use the UNLICENCED PMR channels ( That's our version of your FRS service) So with a better clip on antenna, bit of quick reprogramming you can have ultra compact two way radios that put out 5 watts and can reach ( depending on topography) very good distances.

Others like the Intek MT50-50 can be easily modified to give more channels, more power and other stuff
http://radios-uk.com/intek_mt5050.htm

mods

 

[Gazrok]

Normally a family of preppers would put a CB in each of the family vehicles and another ( or a simple receiver scanner) in the house.

Pretty much our first step of the communications solution.

 

[Texas Patriot]

Don't be afraid to venture into the Ham world. It is a lot of fun. 90% of ham operators are more than happy to help you.
All the members of our group got our tickets. Now we do comms checks every week to work on constant and reliable comms between members.
We are constantly upgrading and improving our capabilities.
Some of us are working on getting our general ticket so we can go HF. This will allow for longer range comms.

 

[davidnh]

I 2n what Texas Patriot said.I'm no electronics or electrical Guru.But I have been a Ham since 2008.I have a General ticket.kb1pyb.I have found almost all Hams to be nice people.And like me they sure like to chat.You can get into the hobby with not a lot of cost.It's fun,give it a try.And I almost forgot.I have had a Cb radio as well.Just bought a new Uniden 980.Cb radios have there place in communication/David

 

[Clyde]

I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

View attachment 3794
View attachment 3795

Huge fan of the Goal Zero products as well as eneloop batteries!
My kids all have Baofeng UV-5RE's (yes, they are licensed)

 

[Maverick]

I settled on this Shortwave radio, ordered today.

Tecsun PL-660 w/UpBright USB charging cable to use with my solar panels. very portable AM/FM/SW/LW/Air also with Single Side Band

Frequency Range:
FM : 76 ~ 108MHz
MW : 522 ~ 1620kHz (band step 10kHz for Northern America)
LW : 100KHz to 519KHz (band step 1/9kHz)
SW : 1711KHz to 29999KHz.(band step 1/5kHz)
AIR : 118~137MHz (band step 1/25kHz)

Six tuning modes:
Jog dial manual tuning
Auto scan tuning for FM, MW, LW & SW
Pre-setting manual scan tuning
Memory pre-setting auto scan tuning
Memory pre-setting address direct entry tuning
Frequency direct entry tuning.

Basic Features:
Multi-functions Digital Display for Frequency, Signal Strength, S/N ratio, Clock & Alarm
Battery Consumption
Highly intelligent On / Off switch:allow to set the sleep timer from 1 - 120 minutes, or turn the power on / off directly
Alarm by radio, and with the automatically alarm stopper within 1 - 90 minutes
Light & Snooze function - 5 minutes, repeated three times
Volume Knob with maximum 30 sound levels
FM Mono & Stereo (earphones only)
Key lock function
LCD Display Screen

Accessories:
120V AC/DC adapter;
Earphones;
FM/SW wire antenna;
4 AA rechargeable batteries;
Carrying pouch;
User manual in English

 

[eireguy]

Good choice . I always see people recommend these

 

[Maverick]

It has really good written reviews, I watched many youtube videos comparing this with a few popular SW radios and practically all preferred this radio including a local gentleman that owns one.

 

[jimLE]

very nice.and it looks like that you got a good one

 

[davidnh]

I have the same radio.I got it last year for my birthday.I like it

 

[Maverick]

I recently added the ThruNite MCC-4S Universal Charger to my OP, this gives me several charging options. Info; http://www.thrunite.com/thrunite-charger-mcc-4s/

AC/DC w/cigarette lighter plug
Broad spectrum of Li-ion, LiFeP04, Ni-MH, Ni-CD of various cell size

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JYW3HP4/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[toexist]

I bought Nitecore D4 charger while back but it I had problems charging different battery makes.

I ended up buying a few Olight R40 Seekers flashlights. It's direct plug in rechargeable and have yet to fail me thus far.