Category: Communications & Receivers

There have been many articles written by the prepper community outlining why having a communications plan for a grid down situation is so important.   So we are not going to go in depth about why you need a communications plan, but rather offer concrete suggestions on communications in general and particular products that every prepper should own. I am a licensed ham radio operator and have been participating in Skywarn spotter activities and off grid battery operated events for over ten years.  I am also a pilot and a licensed EMT, both activities in which radio communications are a matter …

Jim, I was impressed by this guy’s threads on basic, old, transistor radio “revival”.  His simple, well illustrated threads at Instructables are written for the novice radio tinkerer.  First, instructions for a GE P780B.  (I have one of these, they’re built like tanks and are worth seeking out.) Second, an American made, Zenith portable. The Zeniths from the 1950s to 1970s are very well made and have audio and DX qualities that place modern portables to shame. Regards, – F.G. JWR Replies: I also recommend the G.E. transistor radios. The technology was improved slightly with the SupeRadio series, which was …

James, I’d like to discuss a couple of low power (“QRP”) ham radio transmitters. The first kit is a 10 Watt 75M SSB transceiver appropriately named The Survivor. For the modest sum of $140 you get all the parts required to build a practical rig with a digital frequency readout capable of making voice contacts at night out to a range of 200 to 300 miles using simple (low to the ground) wire antennas in NVIS mode. Another ham radio operator provided some additional tips and advice on building this kit on his blog. The second kit is a crystal-controlled …

Dear James, I need to respond the the letter “Stuff Hitting the Fan – Part 3”, with regards to communications. I am a ham radio operator holding a Amateur Extra Class license, and have a little CB and shortwave experience.  As such, I want to make some corrections R.L.’s letter and offer some advice. 1. An adequate ham transceiver for the HF bands (160m to 10m), will also cover the non-ham bands as receiver. This includes all of the broadcast shortwave bands, and the AM broadcast bands in the United States. This will not include US broadcast FM, or the …

Introductory Disclaimer: I am not an expert in amateur radio in the sense that I have extensive electronics knowledge, nor am I an expert in prepping. However, I have some experience in disaster and lightweight, portable radio operations and have an interest in being prepared. I have been an amateur radio operator, or “ham,” since 1997 when I was first licensed as a fifteen year old. At that point I was drawn to the hobby because my grandfather has always been very active in the amateur radio community and a stickler for disaster communication readiness. In 2011 I finally upgraded …

James, I’m writing to recommend a web site. This guy’s main focus is vintage guitar amplifiers, but he has good repair advice for anyone keeping their vintage vacuum tube radio equipment running, as well. The Idiot’s Guide to Tube Testers…. The Idiot’s Guide to Oscilloscopes… The Idiots Guide to Using  your VTTM (Vacuum Tube Volt Meter)… Regards, – Florida Guy

Until recently I thought of ham radio much like a boat or swimming pool.  Having known amateur radio operators most of my life, I saw it as something that was better to have a friend with one than expend the time and expense myself.  One of the first things I did after purchasing my retreat land was obtain the addresses of licensees in my area from the FCC database and plot them on a map just in case I need to seek their assistance later.  Having acreage in a secluded community deep in the wooded mountains of Appalachia means cell …

Dear JWR, I read the Ham Radio Standardization Article with great interest.  Most preppers are integrating some type of VHF/UHF communications into their plans.  These communications could be MURS, FRS, GMRS, or Amateur (Ham) radio.  In a March 2, 2013 CNET article by Declan McCullagh, I read some rather unsettling information.  In detailing some of DHS’s specifications for their version of the Predator Drone, the author states: “CBP’s specifications say that signals interception and direction-finding technology must work from 30MHz to 3GHz in the radio spectrum. That sweeps in the GSM and CDMA frequencies used by mobile phones, which are …