Category: Communications & Receivers

A Local Disaster Network – Part 4, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 3.) Cloud Server Next, we’re going to set up the operating system and Nextcloud cloud application that runs on the Raspberry Pi server. You’ll need to download two or three pieces of software to accomplish this – a utility for loading the Raspberry Pi’s operating system image onto the microSD card, the actual Raspberry Pi operating system/application image file, and a tool for uncompressing the compressed operating system/application image file after downloading it (if you don’t already have something like WinZip or 7-Zip installed). For the Pi’s operating system/application we’re going to use an image called NextCloudPi …



A Local Disaster Network – Part 2, by J.M.

(Continued from Part 1.) There are two additional items required to run a Raspberry Pi – a microSD card for storage and a power supply. I’ve set up, configured and run dozens of Raspberry Pis since they came out in 2012, and 90% of all of the problems I’ve ever encountered with them are the result of either a bad microSD card or inadequate power supply, so you don’t want to cheap out on either. For the microSD card I strongly recommend using a SanDisk MAX ENDURANCE model of at least 64GB, but bigger is always better, so get a …


A Local Disaster Network – Part 1, by J.M.

There have been a number of articles on SurvivalBlog on the use of mobile devices like cell phones and tablets in survival/disaster scenarios (including one I wrote – ‘Tactical Technology for TEOTWAWKI’ parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). In that article, I briefly introduced the idea of setting up and using a home server/network infrastructure for a disaster scenario, which can provide you with a lot of options for planning, organizing, coordinating, sharing, and communicating information among your team, family, group, or community. In this article, I’ll discuss one possible approach for configuring such an infrastructure for disaster situations. …


Long Term Storage of Household Batteries, by OhioGalt

Several years ago, I began purchasing Lithium Batteries in AA and AAA sizes for long-term storage in case of some event where batteries were not readily available. I was also using them in several trail cams around the property because they would last roughly 10-to-12 months before replacement. I recently went to buy another couple of 48-packs and found the price had significantly increased. The cellular cameras I use offer a rechargeable lithium pack and comparing to lithium AA I found I could pay for the rechargeable pack in less then two sets of AA lithium batteries. Unfortunately, you cannot …


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 5, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 4. This concludes the article.) RTL-SDR and SIGINT The photo at left shows a 2.GHz panel Yagi (a directional antenna) that was installed on a field expedient 30-foot wooden pole that is stabilized with guy wires. It is for use with a RTL-SDR dongle and a laptop to detect the signals controllng the movement of line of sight (LOS) drones that would emanate from the direction of the most likely avenue of approach. Its range of detection would be greatest when placed above the top of trees. In the world of radio, ‘Height is might’.) The link …


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.) Crossband Repeaters The Anytone AT5888uv, or the TYT TH-UV8000, a 10-watt handheld ($79) are examples of what I prefer in a open-banded transceiver with a crossband repeater. These use only one dual-band antenna, and are true two-way cross-band repeaters. For low-power operations, the TYT TH-UV8000 is the most practical. The Anytone AT5888 moblie with 50 watts of power, can do the same job and be a base station transceiver, yet it would draw more power, and when in use as a repeater, it can not be a base station transceiver. So, get both!


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 2.) Photovoltaic (PV) Power Power can be supplied by an internal or external source. For long-term fixed installation, a single wire pair can deliver power from a 12 to 24 vdc from a PV panel to a battery stored inside, or placed outside, or directly to the voltage step-down converter inside. A Baofeng battery eliminator can accept the higher voltage of a PV panel and step it down to 7.4 volts that the transceiver requires. However, there is no battery present to be charged and consumed after sunset, whereas with the voltage step down covert charges the …


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.) Transceiver Selection These are various sizes and types of radios. For the purpose of size comparison, the photo illustrates why we should choose the smaller-size transceivers that will allow one to pack as many as possible into the metal can that is housed inside the 6-gallon bucket. The metal can is needed for protection from EMP, and as an additional protection from the environment when stored inside, or outside the bucket.) The smallest in size is the tiny Anytone Smart which is a 10 Meter FM, and 16-watt PEP CB AM/FM that has 400 channelized frequencies …


A Low Power Communications Station in a Bucket – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

Introduction This five-part article is about a low-power communications station that fits into a 6-gallon plastic bucket that can be operated in or out of a bucket, or perhaps two buckets. Included are tips to help maintain the station, and improve its effectiveness. Some can afford to buy better equipment, and some will also be interested in gathering Signals Intelligence (SIGINT). I believe that SIGINT will become essential in the future. This example was put together on a tight budget, so I can afford to make several communications stations, and still perform SIGINT and use digital modes. We should assemble …


Selecting Ham Shack Equipment, by Muscadine Hunter

When it comes to assembling equipment for a ham shack, there are about as many options as there are differing opinions about what one needs. Also, a ham shack for hobby and one for intel gathering post TEOTWAWKI is vastly different. With that said, allow me to share my experiences and background. I started fooling around with radios when I was about 10 years old. One of my dad’s best friends was an avid short-wave listener and introduced me to the hobby. I would sit in Hoyt’s den for hours listening to various overseas shortwave stations as well as occasional …


Assembling a Stealth Prepper Group – Part 2, by PrepperDoc

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article) Developing your leadership skills If you work at this, you’ll gain many skills in the areas of operational communications, and in logistics as well. You’ll find the Professional Development Series will help your skillset for leading a volunteer group– whether a prepper group or an ARES group. You’ll be well accepted by the local Emergency Management folks for your willingness to help forestall the onset of anarchy in your community. Most emergency managers realize that communications is a weak spot in their own knowledge base, and if you come across as likable, …


Building a Simple Faraday Cage, by OhioGalt

This article describes the effects of EMP and CME and how to build a simple inexpensive Faraday cage. Most readers of the SurvivalBlog are aware of the potential damage from either a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and the impact on everyday electronics. With an EMP, an electromagnetic pulse is generated at high altitudes from a nuclear explosion damaging sensitive electronics. A CME damages electronics in a similar way with the release of a large solar flare from the sun reaches carrying magnetic fluxes and plasma toward earth. These magnetic fluxes interfere with Earth’s magnetic fields …


The Case for “Dumb” Phones, by A.R.

In the fall of 2021, I took a college course titled “Ethics & Social Responsibility in Technology.” The course began by investigating Amish communities as an example of technological stewardship. Contrary to popular belief (including my own before the class), Amish communities do in fact utilize a variety of technological innovations. What differentiates Amish technology use from mainstream culture is that the Amish view technology as a means to an end and do not blindly adopt new tech for the sake of progress. Rather, each new technology is carefully evaluated to determine if it aligns with their beliefs and lifestyle. …


Third World Living: Austerity Lessons, by T.S.

When I was a younger and more idealistic man, I had the opportunity to spend a year “nation building” in a Third World country. Although I now think those aid dollars would have been better spent at home, I did learn some lessons that could help in a dire situation. After all, there’s no better teacher to prepare you for SHTF than people who have been living in austere off-grid conditions for their entire lives. After some reflection, I organized the lessons I learned into four major categories: Power, Communications, Climate Control, and Food. Power None of the villages in …