Fighting internet problems recently made me think about communications after SHTF! My planning includes linking four family homesteads to enhance survival for all. Realizing that cell phones, and the internet will stop working; I've been planning an alternate method of communications.
We will be running communication on ham radio:
My radio is the most capable of the network, but there will be several units at each homestead.
All mode 2 meter tranciever modes:
Most work will be on FM, but it's nice to have all options on the radio
For the local network:
Handheld 2 meter FM transceivers will add a lot of function to all the homesteads!
And:
We will be using a base station antenna for each homestead. All antennas will be placed as high as possible to make the signal levels as good as we can
For external communication:
This is a multi band transceiver that I'll run on my homestead to gather outside information. This one will reach overseas on some bands, so it will do what we need!
This one will have my packet radio interface on it, which will allow messaging similar to the internet over ham radio. In fact the information packets on the internet were copied from packet radio!
You do have to have a ham radio license, but they have removed the code requirement now so they are easy to get. A technician class is entry Level, and will allow use of a lot of ham bands including 2 meters. My Sister has her's already, and my Brother is studying, but he's an Electrical Engimeer like me; so that won't take long. My Son just bought a study guide off of eBay, and that will radio- activate all the homesteads off lake Keystone.
Do you have a communication plan for your homestead for SHTF? Now's the time to get that taken care of! The handhelds are not expensive, and will have 30 mile range with a good antenna. If the ham repeaters stay running, the same unit will reach 100 miles.
I have a 5w UHF transceiver to help with communication. 5w units are as high a power as we can have in Australia without a licence. Also have a multi band receiver that can get many comms from around the world.
Nice, now you need to get a license so you can transmit more power! On 20 meters, we can probably talk directly with a hundred watts....
I still have my first receiver, partly because it works so well. The gear is mixed with tube type equipment in case we have EMP problems.
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Yeah and alway handy to the old stuff for back ups.
Tubes are significantly harder to damage by EMP, than solid state devices. It is before my time, but I have spent a lot of time studying tubes. They have become a part of my prepping supplies, in case things get really bad. If not, I have a lot of tubes in storage that will be valuable later for old equipment repair.
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I must learn much more about this. Not being able to connect with my family is one of my greatest fears. Where can I go to learn more?
There are study guides for technician and general class on ebay that will prepare you for the test. Technician is easier, but the band access is limited to the shorter range frequencies. General class takes a little more study, but opens bands that can reach overseas.
So it depends on how far away the family you want to reach lives. Also, do they have a ham license, or a local ham neighbor? It is more complicated, but it removes the 'middle man' (cell phone towers, internet); by placing the hardware under your direct control.
There is a channel on Roku (and YouTube I think), called Amateur University, but it is pretty advanced for entry level study. You can always ask me, if you get stumped; happy to help!
Be blessed!!!!
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