Communication

[ForgeCorvus]

Hi guys,


I was thinking about 2 way radios, are they safe to use in a "SHTF" situation? Im not too sure, would be great to know


thanks


Mike

Secure you mean?

PMR is the only thing I've used, and some of them can be set to scan all available channels (don't know how well that works though, never tried it)

I'm also interested in what others have to say on this

[Werecat]

I have got two Intek MT-5050 PMRs. They are reasonably (high end of reasonable though) priced, highly mod'able (though it may illegal in UK without a licence) and they have a scramble function (when modded), rugged (but not waterproof!) and run off 5 AA cells. They use a couple of different bands(more if modded), but all are quite UHF, so mostly line of sight.

I guess though, that if you got the same PMR you could listen in on the scrambled conversations (the scrambled conversations still trip the channel search function, so you are still detectable), so don't go of chatting about your secret Bug-out-cache or what-not, and I have noticed the effective range drops drastically when scrambling.

http://www.intek-radios.co.uk/intek-mt-5050.html

[DundeePrepper]

I think initially PMR446 radios and CB will be best.. simply because more people will have them.. There's no point in having a HAM radio if only a handfull of people can hear you and respond..

You will be using these to transmit news - possibly request help - and just contact "the outside world".. I have 15 PMR radios in the house from stewarding events etc.. there just el-cheapos but they work and plenty of people have them lying around - in a SHTF situ, my family will all have one...

There are plenty of people out there who have a CB in the garage/loft or farmers with them in cars, truckers etc.. When the Mobile network goes down.. there will be plenty looking them out..

[newtonweir]

I think initially PMR446 radios and CB will be best.. simply because more people will have them.. There's no point in having a HAM radio if only a handfull of people can hear you and respond..

CB will be OK for local contacts, about four miles or less in FM mode.
An AM CB will get you out about 12miles.

PMR will be a lot less, under ideal conditions only up to a mile.

Amateur radio will enable global communication with voice or data. Only amateur radio will provide you with the means to using the power and aerial types that will allow medium and long range communication. The amateur bands are a lot busier than the CB bands which are now almost abandoned.

An amateur licence should not be viewed as something for an elite few, or as being hard work to obtain. Go and buy a booklet called 'Foundation Licence Now' from the RSGB, its almost an insult to a normal persons intelligence.

Regards,
S.

[ForgeCorvus]

So, whats the minimum setup you'd need for Foundation level Ham ?

Also, I know you can get hand-helds that aren't PMRs. Are these naughty no matter what or only if you're unlicenced ?

As you may of guessed, I know nearly as much about this as I do String Theory

[newtonweir]

For amateur radio you would have to do an exam at a club, that would be multi-guess and a bit of practical assessment.

Through this club you would come across all sorts of second hand radio gear going cheap. Also, there are loads of kit built transmitters, receivers, transceivers, out there. You can fit yourself out with an amateur radio set up capable of working all continents on a fraction of a watt for VERY little cost IF you are prepared to invest a little time. Its not the financial cost of amateur radio, its just investing a couple of months at a few hours a week to get yourself a 2E0 amateur licence. With that knowledge you can spend £20, £200 or £2000 to get your message/data/images around the world.

S.

[newtonweir]

See : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4x7f40xazQ

Once obtained, the licence is a mere £15 per year.

[Hamradioop]

See : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4x7f40xazQ

Once obtained, the licence is a mere £15 per year.

Sorry newtonweir that info is incorrect. Ham Licences are now free provided you do it on line. the charge is only for postal applications.

[newtonweir]

Apologies, duly noted Hamradioop.