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35 Comments

  1. i should have included these frequencies in the article. These are found in the now discontinued Motorolla RDX series hand held radio.

    151.6250
    151.9550
    152.8850
    152.9150
    151.7000
    151.7600
    152.9450
    151.8350
    151.8050
    151.5125
    151.6550
    151.6850
    151.7150
    151.7450
    151.7750
    151.8650
    151.8950
    151.9250
    152.9000
    154.4900
    154.5150
    154.5275
    154.5400
    153.0050
    154.5475
    158.4000
    158.4075

  5. Thank you Tunnel Rabbit for this article. I am at a loss of knowledge, I’m afraid, I do not understand. Can you or someone explain from the beginning a scenario of what I would need to communicate to family members 20, 40 or 100 miles away? What would they need to respond to my communication. I understand information is important in a internet or landline blackout. How could I talk or communicate with my family members to ascertain that they are fine or their location if they are heading to me or bogged down somewhere.
    The main reason I haven’t purchased a radio or communication equipment is I don’t understand how this need would be met.
    I’m sorry I have such limited knowledge but most of these article go right over my head and I can’t relate them to what I need – to communicate to family living or working within 100 mile radius of me.
    Please pardon my knowledge deficit and thank you for your help.
    CD

    1. The best pathway is for you and those you want to communicate with to seek out a local HAM radio club that offers study for license testing. It is where you can learn not only what you will need to pass the test, but also find a wealth of information from HAM operators that almost universally will happily assist.

      One should build on a solid foundation of knowledge and this should provide you with that.

      Red Rover
      HAM Extra/General RT, w/Radar

    2. CD NorthGA,
      It could take large book to adequately reply to your question(s). Tunnel Rabbit’s excellent article goes into a lot of detail, but to condense things down; you aren’t going to communicate with loved ones at those distances if the stuff hits the fan, not unless both you and them take steps to learn to do so. Both VHF and UHF are line-of-sight communication modes. That means about 4-7 miles depending on terrain. It is the reason ham people use repeaters to extend the range. Even with repeaters though, you won’t get more than 30 or 40 miles.

      The only other possibility is the HF communication mode. HF has its own problems though; the skip zone. Using HF, there is a short ground wave similar to VHF/UHF distances. The main transmission angles up to the ionosphere and then bounces back to earth to repeat that process. The distance from the antenna to where it touches down again is roughly 200 to 400 miles. That 200-400 mile region is the skip zone, where there is no communication. It’s a major reason why satellites took the place of HF radio years ago.

      The way to start is to begin the process of obtaining a ham radio license. In that process, you’ll learn enough to begin to see the light.

      1. Radio line of sight can be greater if the lower frequencies of the 6 or 10 meter bands are used. If I put my 50 watt Wouxan on a 10 meter yagi, the transmission would have a maximum ERP of about 350 watts. The range could be much greater than 30 miles even in undulating terrain. Fortunately here in the Inland Northwest, we have huge mountains, and repeaters located as high or higher than 6000′. I can hit repeaters using only 10 watts as far away as 150 miles.

        If my transmitter is at least 1,500 feet above the average terrain, the range of a 25 watt transceiver on a unity gain antenna could be greater than 50 miles. Repeaters are necessary to get into valleys shielded by mountains, and do greatly extend the range of hand helds. One of the advantages of a cross band repeater in the examples found in the Wouxan Quad band, or Anytone 5888at is that these selections have a cross band repeater than can assist in challenging terrain. This kind repeater however, should only be apart of a low powered network, and not be left unattended. It must be secured, and monitored to avoid tampering, and equipment loss. I would not set any repeater up on top of a hill, or elsewhere.

        I’m still waiting for the caffine to kick in. Please excuse the garbled posts…

    3. Radio is not for everyone. Earning an Amateur Radio Technician’s license could be a challenge for some, an unnecessary barrier for entry when there are no test license’s for GMRS that give one similar range, and is comparable to the 70cm Ham band.

      My friend’s with a Tech licenses know little more after attaining their license than they did before studying for the examine. Much of the test is about the ‘rules of the road’ that the FCC would like you to know. Sadly they have not availed themselves of the techical knowledge offered by potential ‘Elmers’, or other more knowledgeable and helpful Hams in person, or on the internet. The Smart phone is just too convenient, and necessary for business as well. I end up taking care of the programming and other technical issues, so that all they have to do is select a repeater and key up. I am astonished by the lack of interest in learning more than what is absolutely necessary. I’ve finally accepted this as a fact of life in this day and age. The license is however, permission to key up on the Ham Bands and gives one access to repeaters. However, I would not plan on using repeaters after a collapse, or necessarily even the Ham bands. This is why the GMRS section of the article is provided.

      GMRS provides most of what most people in this day and age require. The down side to GMRS for preppers is that the inexpensive GMRS hand held are ubiquitous, and your transmissions will likely be monitored. It is the most unsecured means of radio communications. In the GMRS section of the article, all the basic components are listed. The GMRS transceivers come already programmed. It is like CB, but with greater range, and there are also often found in some areas, GMRS repeaters. We should also choose a radio service that can be used by the least skilled member. In my next article, that is already in the que, SSB SB is covered. I would seek out many of the instructional videos on these two radio services, and find one that speaks to you…

  7. Wow. TR you put some thought and effort into that article. I’m sure there are many here that can put that info to use. That info was waaaay above my pay grade I’m sorry to say, but I’ll print it anyway because, well, you never know who might be able to use it.

      1. I’m with TeresaSue on this one. Maybe you could write an article about setting up a comm system with recommendations on both low cost and more expensive setups. Unless of course there is already an article here on the blog that you recommend.

        1. I’m working on it. The word count is now at about 11,000 to 14,000. It may have to split into two separate articles, yet that would defeat the intent. Discussed are 4 different types of transceivers that do not require programming. The transceivers, cabling, and antennas, mobile and base, can be installed and operated by the average person with a bit of ambition. I’ve not seen anything like this article in the past.

    1. The quad band transceivers present usual opportunity and challenges. The TH-9800 quad band antenna is best suited for their transceiver, the TH9800. To make the best use of which ever quad band transceiver chosen, we would be better off using different antennas. I chose the Wouxan KG UV980P for it’s particular ability to transmit in the no man’s land of the unregulated CB realm that in and around 27.5Mhz, and use FM (frequency modulation), and even narrow band, or split frequencies to take the us further off the beaten path to avoid detection.

      https://www.amazon.com/TYT-Original-Quad-Band-Antenna-TH-9800/dp/B07GXNHB2L

      It looks to be a heavily compromised design that may or may not be satisfactory for all users of this antenna. The length of 1.3 meters is long enough to effect decent propagation in the middle two bands, 2 and 6 meter. 10 and 70cm would be disappointing, but we could always use the maximum power setting to achieve a useful range on these frequencies. Using antennas and cables designed specifically for these bands would greatly improve their performance.

      Good engineering is an inescapable series of compromises that are sensibly balanced. If we understand the compromise made and find it acceptable, then it might be a good antenna considering it’s primary use. We should also wonder, and cannot know until we can test it, if it will cover the 4 different bands, and the particular segments of the band of my choice, the Wouxan transciever Kg UV980P, https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-uv980p.html?___SID=U.
      It would also be difficult to tune this antenna, and it would likely be of limited utility in the other bands.

      We should also consider that the RG316 cable used is twice a ‘lossy’ as RG58. In other words, if transmitting on 146.000Mhz with 10 watts through 18 feet of RG58 the ERP (estimated radiated power) using a typical quarter wave antenna would be about 8 watts. If using RG316 cable, the ERP would be about 6 watts. If transmitting 10 watts on the 70 cm band (440Mhz), the ERP would be 4 watts. Transmitting on 146.000Mhz, RG58 looses 1Db per 100 feet, where as RG316 looses about 2Db per 100 feet. However, at CB frequencies, 27.505 Mhz, the line loss is acceptable. the choice of this grossly inferior coaxial cable has me wonder about the other deep compromises possible made during the design of this antenna.
      RG316 Coxial Cable specifications
      https://www.awcwire.com/portals/0/pdf/specs/rg316-m17-113-rg316-allied-wire-and-cable.pdf

      If the primary reason for owning a quad band is the 10 meter, or 26 to 29.5Mhz, this might work. However, I would just use RG58 cable, and the tallest Firestick CB antenna to access the CB frequencies with the FM transceiver. This would give us the superior range and stealth we are seeking from the KG UV980P transceiver. Another option is to put a dual band 2m/70cm, and 6 and 10 meter on different antennas, or four ‘no compromise’ or full length quarter wave antennas on switches. We are using the Amateur Radio nomenclature loosely with these broad banded transceivers for the sake of convenience.

  10. “I recommend printing a hardcopy for your radio reference binder.” = (article). Excellent advice. Laminating the paper hardcopy might be needed in some situations.

  11. NVIS or be DF’d
    Best case a visit from the badges and loss of equipment
    Worst case a “Gas line” explosion (Predator)

    One time pads + Digital Mode +HF×NVIs= Enhanced life span

    1. Also use low power transmitters on highly directional antennas, 5 second or less transmission ‘bursts’, packet radio etc…. But first we gotta get the people radioed up.
      Just like the guns, there are just too many to round up. If there is radio everywhere, there will simply be too many to round up. They ain’t got enough goons, and they will have less and less over time.

  12. The K.I.S.S. Principle and Transceivers.

    A note for those who would delve into sophisticated radio equipment, the learning curve can be steeeep, and requires a significant investment of time to become competent. It is likely that simple to use equipment is the best choice for most. Here is a example of what can happen with some transceivers. Boafengs can inadvertently become locked and unusable should the key denoted with the ‘#’ symbol is accidentally depressed. A lock symbol will appear on the upper right hand corner of the LCD display. To unlock it, simply press the # key.

    Another is example, this time involving a good quality, and nearly new in condition Yeasu 2800M mobile. This is a new in the box, old stock transceiver I pulled out of storage to check the operation, and to physically remove the MAR CAP. I got it in a trade for a couple old CB’s. It was too much radio for the previous owner. This radio is a good one for preppers in that the MARS CAP can be canceled by depressing the ‘low’ and ‘d/mr’ buttons simultaneously while turning the radio on. The code ”A2” appears on the display indicating the radio is unlocked, and will now transmit from 137 to 174 Mhz. I programmed the radio prior to securing it in a water tight Faraday cage. Upon testing it’s function, I found that it transmits and receives, yet no audio was available. I must have depressed a key that muted the radio. The owners manual did not shed light on the problem. This radio has a sophisticated menu which on one hand is wonderful, and on the other hand, could be a curse. With so many different radios to deal with, it can be a challenge to master them all. Anyway, the fix was to do a factory reset. This fixed the audio problem, but wiped the memory clean. Because I cannot get a programming cable, I must now spend hours reprogramming it…..

    If you cannot invest lots of time into radio, I suggest going with simple platforms. If there is someone in your family or group who has the time to become the ‘resident expert’, perhaps sophisticated Ham radios can be practical. Standardize on a make and model, and have at least two of each. Human error can disable an otherwise good functioning radio. Over the years I’ve had to fix many Ham radios and antennas operated by Hams. In a WROL situation, you will be on your own. A simpler radio with less buttons to push, yet is less capable, would be a better choice, than a complicated radio that can not be operated at all.

    SSB CB’s, that is the subject of my next article, might be the best balance of an ‘off the beaten path’ radio that is somewhat more secure, and is also a relatively simple to use radio. GMRS has only 8 channels, and Marine Band radios, that are also simple to use, are not legal outside of water ways. However, unlike CB, their mobiles can be used to talk to hand held’s, greatly extending the range of hand held’s that might be used by a patrol several miles out. Hand held CB’s are not to my knowledge available with SSB, but could be use anyway. It would be possible to make up a ‘man pack’ radio using a SSB CB.

  13. In keeping with the Editor’s comments at the top of this article, “Note that some of the methods described are illegal outside of disaster situations, and are presented for educational purposes only.” I would like to mention a topic that is often discussed related to operating outside your authorized frequency privileges.

    Many make note of the provision in Part 97 (Amateur Radio) of the FCC Rules & Regulations that permits during emergencies the use of “any means necessary” to communicate in order to protect life and property. Please know that this is NOT a blanket authorization to bootleg outside the Amateur Radio bands.

    A very conservative interpretation is that you can operate on Amateur Radio frequencies that are not authorized by your present class of license, IF it is an emergency. But this does not extend to operating out of band on the business band or public service frequencies.

    Many folks think that all they have to do is claim it is an “emergency” in order to bootleg on fire, police, and ambulance frequencies with their ham radio gear. This provision only appears in Part 97. It is NOT found in Part 90, which governs the public safety frequencies.

    Be warned that the local law enforcement and government agencies are not bound by this FCC provision in Part 97 to accept Amateur Radio operation on their assigned frequencies. The FCC may not bring charges, but the local law enforcement and government agencies often do – regardless of the situation! Local judges and government officials usually want to seriously discourage any similar incidents out of the fear that vital communications will be jammed by a growing number of copy cats impersonating fire, police, or ambulance personnel.

    Amateur Radio operators could be convicted of interfering with a public service agency, have their equipment confiscated, receive a fine and/or jail time. This may then in turn cause the FCC to step in and revoke their amateur radio license due to a criminal conviction of causing interference with emergency communications on public service frequencies. (The classic government “Catch-22”).

    Several times in this article Tunnel Rabbit mentions that you should be cautious when operating on certain frequencies, or to avoid them all-together. That is good advice. Choose wisely!

  14. Hey Tunnel Rabbit, like CD NorthGA and TeresaSue, I can spell raydio but that’s about the extent of my knowledge. It would be great for us total greenhorns to have a very basic “Radio for Dummies” type of article. Then at some point we’ll be able to grasp the finer points of the more technical articles. Sounds like you’d be the man to write the “Dummies” article. 🙂

    1. Actually I’m not sure I’m up to that job. Let’s see watt you think after my next article on SSB CB. It could be published any day now. That kinda raydio might be watt most can relate to. Just get everyone on the same wave length, and push the button on the mic to talk. It is not all that complicated. Got my introduction to raydio as a kid back in 1965. If I could pull it off as a snot nosed boy, anyone can. It was a 2 channel Motorolla mobile. It is a case of monkey see, monkey do and I was the monkey. There are tons of instructional videos on YouTube that can do a much better job than I can here.

      It is the programming, and all those extra buttons that make it complicated. If we get away from all that button pushing, then it is easy. Get some FRS raydios, or business band radios from TwoWayRadio.com, and it is prettie much the same. Here is an easy to use business band base station radio that can be programmed per the customer’s choice of UHf frequencies. Give them a call and they can set you up with a matching mobile and handhelds for your new business all preprogrammed and good to go. It ain’t cheeep, but you need radio for this up coming rumble.

      Business band radio is rugged, designed to be easy to use, and transmit on frequencies that are not available to most users. GMRS radio has only 8 frequencies, and is the second most often used frequencies. GMRS is the least secure raydio. Business band radios are much more secure than GMRS raydios.
      I would request business band frequencies between 462 and 467.000 Mhz that way we can use FRS/GMRS frequencies to talk to neighbors who may already have FRS/GMRS radios of their own. And we can also use business band frequencies that the neighbors cannot. BuyTwoWayRadio will do custom programming per your list. I suggested list of frequencies will be at the bottom of this post. Here is the component list to assembly this system.

      GMRS raydio as discussed in the article is the easiest for most folks. If the ‘system’ below is just too much, then go with the GMRS ‘kit’ detailed. If GMRS is too much, then just go with FRS/GMRS hand helds, and SSB CB in the home and car. It is going to take time and effort, but it ain’t rocket science, it is just unfamiliar.

      Just copy and past and send an email to buytwowayradio.com.
      https://www.buytwowayradios.com/contact-us

      Icom IC-F6021-51B UHF Base Station Radio
      https://www.buytwowayradios.com/icom-ic-f6021b.html

      Mobile for a vehicle:
      Icom IC-F6021-51 Mobile Two Way Radio
      https://www.buytwowayradios.com/icom-ic-f6021.html
      (If you are off grid already and have 12vdc, just use this mobile as a base station radio and save lots of money.)

      Olympia P324 Two Way Radio
      https://www.buytwowayradios.com/olympia-p324.html

      Heavy coaxial cable for UHF base station. Determine length and order by the foot.
      https://www.buytwowayradios.com/browning-br-400-1.html

      High gain and easy to mount on a roof slim jim antenna
      https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/

      Light cable for vehicle installation:
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRBV71V/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A33O82Y9CWW4GL&psc=1

      High gain UHF antenna for vehicle installation:
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084BPXNC5/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A33O82Y9CWW4GL&psc=1

      Frequencies to use for this system:

      GMRS:
      462.55 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH15
      462.575 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH16
      462.6 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH17
      462.625 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH18
      462.65 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH19
      462.675 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH20
      462.7 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH21
      462.725 GMRS (also may be used simplex) CH22

      Business Band frequencies that are off the beaten path and more secure than GMRS:
      462.7625
      462.7875
      462.8125
      462.8375
      462.8625
      462.8875
      462.9125
      464.3250
      464.4875
      464.5125
      464.5375
      464.5625
      464.8250
      466.0375
      466.0625
      466.0875
      466.1125
      466.1375
      466.1625 M
      466.1875 M
      466.2125 M
      466.2375 M
      466.2625 M
      466.2875 M
      466.3125 M
      466.3375 M
      466.3625 M
      467.7875 M
      467.8375 M
      467.8625 M
      467.8875 M
      467.9125 M

      Or we can use business band that are itinerants. However, these are less secure:

      464.5 Brown Dot
      464.55 Yellow Dot
      464.6
      464.625
      464.65
      464.7
      464.725
      464.75
      467.75
      467.7625 J Dot
      467.775
      467.8
      467.8125 K Dot
      467.825
      467.85 Silver Star
      467.875 Gold Star
      467.9 Red Star
      467.925 Blue Star

  15. When the country finally falls apart the government WON’T be coming for your guns first. First they will be visiting the homes of licensed HAM radio operators. They will take your radio equipment in order to keep you from spreading useful information to fellow preppers. But while they’re there they will go ahead and take your guns too.

    2. Mray- i agree. they are already going after the 1st amendment so we will need to protect our local hams and other communicators. I am looking to TR’s next article since the last radio I used was in (edited).

    1. Before someone attempts this, please be forewarned. To prevent a “ringer” from taking the exam for someone else, the Volunteer Examiner (VE) team is instructed to confirm the person’s identification before the test session beings. The instructions are: No one may take an amateur exam for another person. It is essential that the Volunteer Examiner (VE) Team checks a candidate’s identification (ID) before allowing the candidate to sit for an exam.

      The candidate must present a legal photo ID. This requirement is usually met with a driver’s license, but it can be a passport or other legal identification card with the candidate’s photo on it.

      On the subject of “real address”, the FCC does not require your street address on the paperwork. All that is needed is a “mailing address” at which you can receive written correspondence from the FCC. A Post Office box is therefore perfectly acceptable. The FCC is discussing changing the requirement in the near future to just an e-mail address. Again, the objective is to have a valid e-mail address where you can receive correspondence from the FCC. Members of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) can request an “alias” e-mail address from the ARRL. Anything sent to “your call sign @arrl.net” will be automatically forwarded to whatever real e-mail address you list with the ARRL. There are probably other e-mail providers who can offer the same service.

      1. a passport is the only govt issued ID that does not contain your home address,

        I was a trucker in the 90s and still use a CB in my pickup because I spend so much time on the road, and get tired of podcasts and itunes, but Ive never had any occasion to use SSB, there is never anyone there, there is hardly any chatter on 19 unless the traffic on the interstate comes to a standstill, then the trucker all start talking trying to determine whats causing it.

        most of the truckers use a stock Cobra 29, but if you want more power, you use a cobra 29 thats been turned down and use a linear amplifier, or most drivers use a Connex or Galaxy, or Ranger , “export ” radio, thats been converted to use CB frequencies.

  18. I thank TR for his extremely well-written article, for the very comprehensive frequency list and for the hours and hours he must have spent writing this article.

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