Comms Prepping. Ham Radio, CB, Shortwave, ETC, get in here now

Any recommendations for 20 mile range with some hills in the way? I have no interest in getting licensed for HAM it seems so stupid to me the way people talk over HAM.

Yep good point, have as many possible modes and/or freq you can operate across if needed, just make sure family, neighbors, etc can also operate on those modes unless its purely HF/shortwave monitoring/listening.

Are you willing to talk over repeaters? If you arent licensed you cant legally but in emergency you could. You arent going to get 20 mi simplex direct to another person on VHF/UHF(line of sight) unless you are running high power and have your antenna elevation pretty high or other party does. I know the issue of getting licensed with privacy. Get a PO Box in neighboring town and use that as your address for licensing instead of your actual home address (QTH).

There are ham license practice tests on internet

Have dad's Heathkit radio station

You can find some decent ICOM V8000 2M 75w mobile radios out there for your group, but you'll need a set of "codes" for when TSHTF, so the bad guys/mutant zombie bikers can't figure out what you're saying.

There are a ton of good radios out there.

Just remember, those cheap bayohfarts are from China, and maybe easily hacked by the blue helmeted CHICOM forces in CONUS.

Also, remember to have a radio(s) stowed away in a Faraday cage type container. Have your 'sacrifice' radios out and up when "it" happens.

Shortwave will be very important for staying informed with world news, when you don't believe it's safe to transmit...you can merely listen.

A small hand held crank generator to keep batteries charged is a major plus. Solar is also a heavy favorite-noiseless. They have smaller solar systems on Amazon, or at Gun shows for cash if you want to stay off the Amazon/credit card radar...which is entirely your right and personal business.

That is cb, dumbass and you dont need a license just buy one.

Ham is a national and global serious thing

Definitely good advice here, thanks

Who cares about licensing when SHTF? There's already plenty of pirates out there....and the Guvmint is after them. But, after an "Event"...does it really matter if you have a HAM license, or a pilot license, or a driver license???

Yeah, I know. But I think I'd like to be able to even if we aren't in a SHTF situation.

Now? What have you been doing for the past year and half?

We've known what's happening since then.

Most of us are locked and loaded but good on you to create a post as a reminder for others.

Would a simple CB Radio be appropriate for a beginner? Would I need a license for that? What is the range like?

That's what the guy who sells the radios calls the scanner channels he preprogrammed on it. The "SHTF Scanner."

Yep right there with you, but always time for new recruits until there is no time left. Just my opinion. Esp with those in your community, maybe some of them who ignored us are willing to entertain these things now or shortly. Each person has to evaluate their situation and who they want or need to be able to reach in SHTF scenarios and plan accordingly.

Have a couple baofeng handheld HTs and belong to the local group of hams.

Do any of you hams know how to fox hunt? ( find the guy with the radio hiding in the woods)

reminder: you don't need a HAM license during an emergency

Do you at least have them programmed with the local repeater frequencies I'm assuming? For anyone who has HTs, check out chirp program to program in repeaters and other frequencies easily. Will need the proper USB programming cable (and install drivers first potentially) to use Chirp.

[link to chirp.danplanet.com (secure)]

No.

1. Get a cheap'o Baofeng UV-5R
2. Learn to connect to 'repeaters'. Even without a license. Don't broadcast, just listen.
3. Purchase a PRINTED ArtSci repeater book so you have the frequencies on file without a computer/phone.
4. Learn the 'wilderness' protocol signs. There are times of the day users listen in on frequencies for lost individuals.

Then you can communicate locally or miles and miles and miles away.

Thank you!

Correct, but if you arent practicing before an event then its the same has having a gun but never sighting it in/practicing. You have one but you wont be ready to use it when the time comes. This is the big prepper issue with comms, lots of people dont want to get in FCC database for good reason but also wont know how to effectively use HAM radio gear or comms when SHTF, esp HF and antenna setup and propagation principles because they will have had 0 experience. Not smart move. Get at least general class license and join local ham club and learn and practice before you arent able to.

FCC just opened up FM bands for CB. So I would wait on buying a expensive radio.lots of hobbyist on Yoootoob talk about this.

What does everyone recommend for a complete novice?

Doesnt have to be fancy or have all the bells and whistles.

See above.

I also recommend programming them to common frequencies or repeaters.

I have all the old school parts for air powered SW including a razor blade diode that can withstand EMP. Might be awhile before anyone is broadcasting tho in that scenario.

my wife native american, we will smoke signal.

Lol. Are you going to send smoke puffs in CW (morse)?

First look up new ham radio user videos on youtube and get the basics. Then find a local ham radio club in your area if one exists. They will be your best resource and love to help new hams.

This is a fun and useful skill/exercise. Can be as simple as building a beam antenna with tape measure. Moral of story is if you dont want to be located by this or even easier methods, then dont transmit continuously with high power from same spot. If you need stealth lower power to minimum needed to complete communication and be on the move.

This guy has good videos and good instructions for begginers

suggest starting here: [link to www.youtube.com (secure)]

there are a bunch of other radio guys on youtube as well, but he is a good one to start with.

tons of content to watch and learn.

good info and great to learn.