Radio 📻 functionality is all about antenna 📡 plus hight. A well placed antenna up as high as possible will greatly extend your range. But always make sure your antenna whether its up a tree or a professional mast has a good grounding system to prevent lightning damage or injury. Chocolate!
I was coming to say this. Look at a slim Jim antenna. If that dude's high enough you can talk and receive from a long way. It's waaay more about the antenna than the radio.
Agreed Jason, like you I have a passion for everything outdoors and survival except radios lol, I use to always just give my radios to a buddy to program it, but finally I sat down programmed my own radio and learned that because my buddy may not be there always, so if anyone out there is not sure just sit down and figure out and it me really not hard and you’ll have piece of mind knowing you can do it in an emergency.
If it's an emergency or a disaster there is a clause in the FCC rules that allows you to transmit and communicate for help pretty much on any band or frequency. It's in their rule book. A TH-cam channel named Not a Rubicon has discussed this several time and you can find one of his videos that has the exemption rule listed.
It's true. You can always make an emergency transmission. Saving life matters. Rubi baits for comments, but it's all part of the game. Actually his baiting eventually led me to unsubscribe. If you want to get him fired up, just mention his very smooth hands...haha.
@@SeparateSpectre My wife passed the test and I was shocked because she had absolutely no tech abilities. If you know how to take test and memorize, you don't have to be an expert on radios. You can learn as you practice. My wife got an 80% and I got a 100% on one try and I still am confused. I went on to get a 94% on the general exam, not because I was an expert on radios but because I went to college and knew how to take tests. It is helpful to be a general but an extra level doesn't gain you much.
I do not recommend anyone waste money on FRS radios. They fill a niche, but it is trivially easier to do better. If you don't want to go the Amateur (ham) route and take tests, then just pay the $35 and get one 10-year GMRS license that covers Mr. Dam, Mrs. Dam and the whole Dam family out to 1st cousins. GMRS hand-helds are comparable to ham hand-helds in distance/clarity and simpler to use. If you go the ham route, then all manner of options and capabilities open up, but it can be far more complicated and pricey. A secret-squirrel option would be a DMR radio with AES256 encryption (from $150-ish on up per hand-held radio) and you can talk reasonably securely without worrying about eavesdropping. Note that both hams and GMRS are forbidden by the govt to use any form of encryption, but you **ARE** allowed to use encryption with a business radio license (easy as a GMRS license) on a radio certified for business radio use. Note that buying any of these radios does not require any license at all -- the license is only needed to **legally** push the transmit button. If you want to acquire radios with whatever capability and store them for a potential "Break-Glass-In-Case-Of-SHTF", there's nothing stopping you. But if you are wise, you would be well practiced with whatever radio you choose **before** you need to use it under duress or in dire shituations. Good luck and GODspeed.
"Break glass in case of SHTF"! Great term because not only is there a learning curve, especially remembering frequencies and programming, but also a "memory curve". This is why our HAM club has weekly radio nets or on-the-air get togethers in order to practice, practice, practice.
Comms is something I haven't taken seriously but probably should. Good intro video, for me it raises more questions but there's a lot of videos out there. Thank you 👍
I am a licensed Ham radio operator. When you pass the Technician test, which isnt hard, the FCC issues you a callsign. If you transmit on a Ham radio without a FCC license you wont have a FCC issued callsign. If you try to make one up and a licensed Ham operator hears you, which is doubtful on your 5 watt Baufang, they will look your callsign up on a national database. However in a TRUE emergency, lets say a flood takes out your home and you lose power, you cell phone is trashed and you have no other means of EMERGENCY communication, the FCC will allow you to use your radio to seek help or rescue. Great vid, love the topic and keep up the great info!
Agreed. I tried to post a link from @hamradiocrashcourse for the group... but youtube hates for you to link to it's own product...haha. I mentioned earlier that I'm sometimes embarrassed for our prep community when well meaning creators try to teach the basics wrong. If we insist on range training, we should insist on radio training and licensing. Up to a true overriding emergency requirement. Tech here, you can of course look me up in the database. N3 land. Even Dave Canturbury is there.... hihi.
@@hillcountrypreparedness1401that depends on several things, line of sight being only one. Proper antenna, proper height on the antenna, radio output power, terrain and atmospheric conditions all play a role in radio propagation. Using any of those things to your advantage and increasing any of those things, can increase the distance your signal can travel.
If you get a general license and buy a high frequency radio you can both listen and transmit to stations (people with a radio) a thousand miles away, as long as you know their call sign and the time they will have their radio on at the desired frequency.
As long as the grid doesn't go down. And the only way you can reach out say five hundred miles to find out what's going on with a HAM is with a HF. You are limited even with repeaters with a 2-meter radio
I bought a GMRS Licence last year. I bought some Baofeng Gm-15 Pro for myself, wife, brother, and parents. I like them alot and they are easy to use. I do plan on getting a HAM Licence this winter or early spring.
@@Thousand_yard_Kingthat depends on your particular radio, most radios have a delay setting for when they are on scan. Most will only stop momentarily, then resume scan. There are some scanners that can be programmed to stay on that particular frequency, when a near signal is detected, until you manually resume the scan. If you are talking about the GM-15 radios specifically, I am not familiar with them.
Great content. My suggestion is let the man talk. He is delivering material from memory on the fly, he's coming up with deliverable content... on the fly using his thought processes... stop interrupting that flow! Also, Love ya... keep up the good work
If you can get everyone in your community to get a 2-meter radio and your license you are set. Then you need to organize a network (net) and have a certain call time and talk to your community. I started two nets in a prepper community in a very rural area. I found that lots of people had passed the test but few people had radios or antennas, even like an antenna with a mag mount on the cab of a vehicle. As time went on, there was no collapse or natural disaster so most people stopped checking in. That is the biggest hurdle for communication. In my area a town of 3200 only has one active technician and this town is very close to a repeater. Another town of 3100 nearby has 2 members of a radio club. And my community of two small towns has a fairly good radio club, but the heads are geeks and aren't into being teachers (elmers) so the club never grows much. If you have a recent disaster, people get together to form nets, but you need a disaster. People have too many activities.
When stuff impacts the fan, licenses will mean less for that radio holder. I think the ATT and Verizon service issue on Feb 22 just convinced some of my stubborn friends.
SO glad that someone else out there thinks the way I do. If the SHTF, I am NOT going to worry about whether I have the Federal governments permission to use a radio. I have HAM radio nerds in my area that feel they are the "radio police", and say they will narc on anyone doing anything "illegal". Anyone that would do the work of the government for them, is no friend of mine.
Radios like any thing requires practice to be good at though. Legally you can't practice without the license. Sure you can practice without one, but callsigns are tracked so you can't make one up and if you don't have one someone will report you. Why will they report you? For the same reason immigrants that come into this country legally hate the illegals.
A few years we had one of those tattlers in our area, but if it is an emergency, especially something like say a wildfire, you can call legally on anything. It says that in the test manual got 2-meter.
Thank you! We are semi beginners with prepping because we know what’s coming I think we’re doing pretty good but you’re never fully prepared I feel unless you’ve been doing it for years and years and still then who knows what could happen but we’re giving it our best. Thanks to videos like this it helps us. Will be getting radios for our family any suggestions on model nothing too expensive nothing too cheap maybe in the hundred dollar apiece zone if you think that’s necessary or like the one you have there on the video please let me know and thank you again for what you’re doing!
Thank you for responding so quickly! We are in PA … our son and his wife are temporarily about 45 miles from home due to work for 2 years. Our daughter is in Florida until May. Our other 2 boys are local but while at our jobs we are about 30 apart. I hope this helps
@@joannfida841 You need to learn about HF radios. If you have enough repeaters in your region that are linked together, You might be able to use 2-meter radios pretty well, but if the repeaters have electricity and no battery backup you're screwed.
I set my handheld ham radio to the same frequency as eight walkie-talkies I have for my family. And always keep on me the ham radio because it has longer range to hopefully reach them in emergencies.
If the grid goes down, how will you keep your radios charged? Those AA and AAA batteries don't last forever. How do you charge your walkie-talkies without electricity?
Lots of small solar recharging kits made mostly for hikers to use on their cell phones. They also work for recharging batteries. Goal Zero is one brand.@@PatrickThreewit
Hey men, big 💯🎯They are good when phone communications is shut down. Can be good for short distance. CB Radios give you biggest distance coms, and of course a Ham Set is the best for world communication. Someone said those we're good when cell phones weren't available. So i said how will you communicate when your phone becomes a paperweight. Lol 😅🤣😂 i almost forgot the Sat phone yould be greatest. Out of my price range.
Great question pretty much only HF ham radio (think shortwave, low frequency etc) will do this. Depending on what's going on maybe a Satellite Phone will help. Do research.
yeah. Nobody's sad, but breaking the law is breaking the law. I get it... keystone cops don't come and bust you... If you don't have a call sign, few will answer you - primarily for that reason. (Unless it's a true emergency) GMRS and FRS is a different beast, and meant to be for fun, and sport use. Enjoy. One of the reasons I wish guys would just train up and license, is that it disproves a lot of general statements made by prep community videos, which can make you sad, because you don't get trustworthy advice. I love this community, but it makes me embarrassed for us sometimes there. I just think if we are called on to train on a range for readiness, it would make sense to use a few hours or days to just train and license for radio. It's another tool. It can also turn an 8 mile com radius into 45 miles, on UHF, and the emergency service nets are already trained as support. I wouldn't tend to discard that community. Ironically, I've never met a sad ham. I always got respect from them. Most of the grumpy protectionist ones died before the cell phone became popular. Does anyone know if Dave Canterbury is a ham? He's done at least one great portable antenna video. I think it was for 2m. I see one in Ohio....
@@waynehendrix4806 I believe he is. I am GMRS because it allowed for whole family to operate under the one license. HAM is next for me, but that is for long range info gathering and not going to be primary family comms.
@@STOKERMATIC Sorry, should clarify. In the vid you mentioned to go watch NotaRubicon. I have been following him for a while and he has tons of great content on everything radio. The sad ham is a running joke on the channel and in the comments. I thought more people would have got the reference. I read the room wrong. Lol, disregard my humor.
A cell phone will always do more than a radio and will always be my preferred method of communication with my family. But, in the event cell service is gone, I like having a backup communications plan and that is where radios come into play.
It doesn't really take much to make a cellphone useless either. A large group of people in your area all using the cell towers at the same time can make calling impossible and texting very slow.
@@reddirtwalker8041 Absolutely agree! I experienced this once when there was a man with a gun on the nearby university campus. Radios will always be a great backup communications plan!
But you still need power. a Ham radio uses a power unit that changes DC power into AC in your house or else you need to be able to hook up to a 12-volt battery, and the problem with that is that you would need a deep-cell battery because a regular car battery will go bad if you charge and discharge and recharge too often. A few months ago I bought on Amazon for $230 a deep cell battery for use with inverters if the grid goes down, but either I will need to get another deep cell battery and place it near the my 2-meter radio system, or I need to do more work with my HF radio All this seems complicated but it really isn't but it takes a while to get set up. Find somebody that is really good at radios and hopefully preparation and ask him to help you.
The antenna has a lot to do with your distance. If, for example, you buy and install the longer whip antenna you can increase your range a mile or two. If you hook up your radio to a car type antenna you will reach farther out, and if you hook up to a roof (or tree) mounted antenna you will reach even further,
I am much more of a physical person. Hard work, digging ditches; whatever. My technology understanding is incredibly difficult. Kids would have it all figured out in about an hour if their comms failed 😂 Thanks you so much. ✨
@Survival Dispatch, I'm just getting in to GMRS, etc., radios. In order to extend my range, how do you determine the appropriate antenna that you can string up in a tree to extend your range? Will any antenna work? I appreciate your reply in advance. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for this information.
I have a 40-foot high antenna and I can reach 25 miles to a repeater which I can sometimes reach to get 50 air miles from me but there needs to be lots of repeaters linked together before I can get very far.
Don't forget communication etiquette. I think for most frequencies like CB it's quick messages , to the point only, and up to 5 minutes maximum, then a mandatory 1 minute of silence to allow others to share the same channel in your area, however ch 9 is the emergency channel which should be monitored when you are not transmitting.
This is the place I think people should start, then if you want to go deeper, nerd out with the HAM radio stuff. It's unfortunate that people don't realize the overlap of GMRS/FRS with HAM radio. Also, as far as favorite flavors of ice cream: Jenny's Ice Cream from Ohio has done some weird flavors that I love like Black Walnut and Spruce. Those are my favorite.
Radios are not my thing. But after the storms that hit NGA in January knocked out power for days, it made me start to rethink this. I’ve been told there is a NGA GMRS repeater on the hill behind Expedition Bigfoot. Now wondering if I could reach it.
Get the same radio that prepper Joe has, and program it the same, if you want to talk to prepper Joe. Get what ever radio is compatible with whomever you wish to talk to. I have the cheap FRS/GMRS radios. I have a couple of the Baofeng UV5Rs. I have CBs. I have several Business Band Radios and a dedicated County VHF that I used while in Search and Rescue, I am no longer authorized to use the county or SAR frequencies, but still have the radios. Also an Amatuer Radio (Ham) Operator, been licenced for almost 20 years. I have handheld VHF/UHF, Mobile VHF/UHF and Mobile/Portable HF/VHF/UHF radios and one Base HF only radio that is too big to take mobile or portable. Was talking from Colorado to the East Coast earlier today. And listening to someone on symplex VHF calling frequency that was probably 40-50 miles away. I would recomend getting listening only radios, like the Short Wave Listening, AM/FM Broadcast, Police Scanners, Wide band recievers or the wide band Ham Radios, though it is recomemded to remove the microphone from any ham radios, if you do not wish to transmit over them. The Baofengs are very wide banded in the VHF/UHF range and will also pick up FM Broadcast Stations. If you live near the big bodies of water, get Marine Radios. If you can find any of the fully open wide band recievers that the government has, even better, though they are pricey. Build a good Faraday Cage to keep the radios in, when not in operation or being charged.
You *CAN* legally transmit on the VHF "MURS" frequencies without a license with the Baofeng. While the older Baofengs could transmit on the FRS freqs. out of the box after programming them, the new ones have to be hacked first to unlock them, but the radio itself is still a no-no to use "legally" on FRS channels.
I have a couple of Baofeng ham radios for emergencies. The legality, as far as I know a license is not required for a ham radio if you are listening, however, transmitting on a ham radio does require a license. There is also the issue of an 'emergency'. I don't think it's a regulation per se but supposedly the FCC is supposed to put 'life ahead of rule' so transmitting in an emergency is not really a violation if a reasonable person believes that transmitting will possibly save a life or lives. Also note that most ham radios can receive and transmit on GMRS/FRS frequencies but regardless of what licences you hold it is considered a violaion by the FCC. That said just remember, if the FCC or any other government agency wants you they will try to get you regardless of you being guilty, innocent, licensed, not licensed, etc.
I have a pair of walkie Talkies that have a range of twenty miles but need one with a much longer range, like 2,500 miles or more to keep in contact with relatives in other sates!
Yeah, 20 miles is VERY optimistic in ideal condition with a walkie-talkie! If you are in the desert without any interfering obstructions MAYBE, but in town with buildings and trees and such NO FU€|
FRS, Family Radio Service, you can use without a license but will have to aquire the $35.00 to talk on the GMRS Frequencies. You can use either without a license during an emergency.
The biggest problem I have had with communications is that Preppers in my area don't want a large communication network. I have a Technician License and have talked with several "preppers" that have the same level or even General about starting up a Radio Net Centered around Prepping. This could be used for practice using the radios, instructional, idea swaps, and if needed communication if there is major problem, but none have been interested, which boggles my mind.
Living in a super-prepper area and having started two different nets, I understand what you are going through. Most HAMS don't learn radio because of SHTF. They use it as a hobby, especially those who are into electronics. I have brought up preparation in club meetings and there is no interest. Many counties have a County Local Emergency Planning Committee and they figure out emergencies in their region, but even the head planner in our county does not have a radio license. What you see online about troubles coming isn't found in every day life. One net I set up was to be will all Mormons who are known for preparation, but I could only get non-members. I ended up being the only prep-minded in my group.
Thanks for this video, this is what is was trying to say in a past SD video comment. First, the little cheap radios that people buy are pretty much liscence free for their frequencies. You can program in those frequencies and use the radios without a license. Second, in an emergency, anyone has the legal right to use the radio without legal repercussions.
I have a couple of those and I can talk may a mile as long as there are not hills or trees or houses in the way. What if you wanted to find out what was going on in a place say 400 miles away and that was where some of your family was?
@user-sk7zc1fc5u I would try to set up a relay system ahead of time by building relationships early. During a CHTF event, Ham radio will probably be your best reliable communications. IMO.
@@WatersFamilyHomestead How many nets have you organized in your community that are still functioning? Will you be using HF or VHF? Will your radios be on DC or AC? What will you charge your AC or DC with? Will radio comm still work if the grid goes down? Or if there is an EMP?
@@WatersFamilyHomestead Long distance communications will need an HF radio rather than 2-meter and in order to practice using it in good times you will need a "general" license. You can mix your radios in a net, but it is difficult to keep net members interested now because national emergencies don't exist. You can mix Gmrs, CB, 2-meter, cheap hand helds, and HF in a "net", but the interest problem will be your biggest hurdle. I live in a red state with lots of preppers, but I tried this 8 years ago and I could not keep up the interest. I worked for a while. Example, we had a bad wildland fire in our region in 2015 and during that time people in droves came to meetings put on by fire fighters, but as soon as the fires were out meeting attendance dropped dramatically. Human nature. And, if you aren't prepared before hand it won't work. And remember that to call someone, you need to know his call sign, the time he will be on the air and the frequency or channel he will be on. Today as an example I reported to The Noontime Net, but I know the frequency and the approximate time, a 30-minute + range. Net control gives his call sign the required "every ten minutes", but since he is the control I just use my call sign and call in but since there are so many others trying to call in, it took 30 minutes of calling just to check in. When he hears me, he repeats my call sign and I usually reply with either "roger" or "73". People check in but very little conversation if any is exchanged. Net control will answer me, saying my call sign. Sometimes another station will act as a relay if I happen to be too far away from net control. 2-meter radios like the Baofeng won't work in this application. One has to use a High Frequency radio to go long distances and not worry about line of sight. People need to have their radios hooked up to deep cell batteries rather than standard 12-volt car batteries. Talk to a local radio club and they will tell you why the deep cells are so necessary. I have one deep cell on a trickle charger in case the grid goes down, but two not big batteries will run you $250 or more. And you need to check to see that repeaters in your region are not dependent on electricity but are on deep cell backup systems. I'm now trying to re-learn how to use 2-meter radios. And you need to sets of each radio so you can always keep one in a Faraday cage for EMP protection.
Ones cellphone in a panic situation isn't going to do you much good. Real world case I personally lived through the scare of hurricane Rita in Sept 2005. The entire city evacuated because of what happened to New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. And Rita was even stronger. The cellphone network was totally jammed, couldnt get a call out. To sum it up, you better have a backup to that cellphone. And do your future self a huge favor, and your future self will thank you. Learn the basics of radio bands, importance of antennas and the difference between HF, VHF and UHF. It could come in handy someday.
My church just appealed for as many households as possible to get setup with gmrs radios and repeaters so we can be organized during an emergency to render aid. Peanut Butter
Get a Technician license study guide or follow a course on YT even if you are opposed to licensing. You need to learn about radio and practice with it to get anything out of it.
Remember guys, even if you don’t have a license you can absolutely use any radio if it’s a true emergency situation. Most people only have radios for emergency, SHTF scenarios so if that’s you, don’t worry about a license. After SHTF there’s not going to be anybody regulating that shit anyway. Although practicing, training and using your gear is key and I’m a firm believer in training..in which case I would recommend getting licensed so you can do comm training. You don’t want the first time you’re using your comms to be when you’re under fire with a tourniquet on your leg, trapped in the thick of it and running out of ammo and time. That’s bad news brother.
When you are telling the distance a hand held transceiver can communicate, is that handheld to handheld direct, handheld to home direct, handheld to repeater?
Great video guys. I have baofeng radios. They are still in the box I bought them in a year ago. It's my fault I need to use them. I do have CB radios that I am very familiar with.
I am located in Sandy Springs. Do you guys give a class for beginners? I travel between here and Lake Chatuge quite often and I’m assuming y’all are within that area.
I use a CB radio that's designed to get other channels and frequency for upper and lower side bands. A lisence is required for most of those channels. But in a WWOROL, who is really going to care? The biggest problem is size and power supplies. However me and the members of our group also have a channel that we all use to talk to each other
Antennas are what counts not size and power. I live 32 air miles from a town in my area where a HAM station was. Between me and that town was lots of trees a deep canyon, more trees and hills. With my hand held Yaesu 2-meter, I could neither receive or transmit. I asked for help and someone told me how to do better. I went to a radio man and he gave me some used car battery cable where I could hook up a 2-foot long antenna with a magnet to attach it to the cab of my car. I turned on the radio and could receive and transmit with ease. I eventually did this on my pickup with a 4-foot mag-mount antenna and they aren't expensive. The key is the antenna.
@user-sk7zc1fc5u I agree I run a magnum S-980 CB radio and use magnet mount for my 6 ft antenna. I have gotten across Chicago, IL, and have also been able to use Skip and talk to SC from Colorado before Florida. Your right size doesn't matter much, but it sure is worth it.
@@billjensen6216 I have a Yaesu 2-meter handheld and a fairly powerful base station with a power box so I can keep things charged with AC. I also have a Yaesu 450 High Frequency radio with a DC to AC power box, so I can reach a thousand miles but I just check in on a net every day. I have a couple CB's, and antennas. Each generation thinks they are living in the one where we will be using all this stuff. That's what I thought in the 70's, then 80's then 90's. Didn't have the radio stuff all that time but had other preparations. Wife and I lived on a 56 square mile island and then we moved to a one square mile island where I had to use a 15 boat to cross a mile of salt water. Had no phone, only electricity and cell phones were anywhere, so I used two CB's to talk every morning to my dad on the big island. I don't really see how radios would be used in say a grid down. Need power--12 volts. If people use a regular car battery and charge and discharge over and over it won't last long so you need a deep cell. They cost at least $230 because I bought one a few months ago, but not for radios. I need it more to run a couple small inverters so I can run some tools. These batteries, too, have to be charged and I can do pretty well with one small solar panel or my 20hp diesel tractor kept in a garage to lessen noise. But if we are in a WROL situation, solar panels can be shot out by hungry mean refugees. And I live 8 miles from any population and that is a town of 700. Drive another 7 miles and a city of 1100. Drive 300 miles north or south before a metro area of 450,000. Nearest interstate in either place. And 80 miles at 55mph to a Costco. But if the grid goes down and it will in a civil war or general societal collapse, most people will die within a few months. But looking at my history, such a happening doesn't seem likely.
I just finished going through a short video on use of an amateur (HAM) radio in an emergency. The commentator read and explained about the use and just what an emergency is. I though the same as what is in this video. I was wrong. You really need to read on this. Not really, I guess you can go to jail, but I plan on listening again to the law. Disasters or SHTF never last forever. They eventually end but I guess you can fight in court when times are back to normal. A non-licensed operator, if things go south, can call under some circumstances, but not all.
Do you have any advice on hand held “Marine radios”, basically suitable for kayaking, as that’s my intention, currently I just have “waterproof, floating radios”, but they are the lesser type, with just really 2 way coms between kayaks. Suggestions would be appreciated, great vid…..🤙🏻
I have an airport between me and the person I would need to communicate with… My question is would this increase the likelihood of bureaucratic intervention while testing out our communication plan? I have considered getting licensed and given my proximity to Airports and military bases it’s the only thing that has prevented me from jumping down this rabbit whole.
What kindc of radio do I need in a grid down SHTF scenario to communicate with my family in Texas while living on our bugput location in Missouri approximately 750 miles away? Any help woukd be appreciated. Get ready folks and stand together. It's coming.
Using a One Time Pad cipher and packet radio make eavesdropping extremely difficult. Packet radio will also make direction finding your location difficult. For extreme circumstances operational security is paramount. Never transmit at regular times and vary location of your transmissions if possible. In natural disasters or extended civil unrest after about 5 days your friendliest neighbor can become you worst nightmare.
I have had a similar experience. Every time someone who actually knows anything starts teaching me about radios it lasts about five minutes before I no longer have any idea what they’re talking about.
Baofengs are the best for what they offer.. 70meter, 2meter ham radio. As well as FM. It has a very limited but practical flashlight built in.. for an entry-level radio, it offers a lot.. the UV82 in this video is a good choice.. the UV9R offers the same features but with a better radio.. more durable IP67 rated.. and battery options and uses the connections as the Motorola style( FAR BETTER), than the 2 prong connector for a wire mic.. are there far better radios out there... ABSOLUTELY. As far as Chinese products go.... this is not bad at all... I normally don't have anything good to say about china stuff .. but this one I do 😅
I recently got a set of bofangs and don’t have a clue of how to use them, tried them going down the road and my daughter at home and got about 2 mile range other than that I’m lost 🤦♂️
Radio 📻 functionality is all about antenna 📡 plus hight.
A well placed antenna up as high as possible will greatly extend your range.
But always make sure your antenna whether its up a tree or a professional mast has a good grounding system to prevent lightning damage or injury.
Chocolate!
I was coming to say this. Look at a slim Jim antenna. If that dude's high enough you can talk and receive from a long way. It's waaay more about the antenna than the radio.
Height
Agreed Jason, like you I have a passion for everything outdoors and survival except radios lol, I use to always just give my radios to a buddy to program it, but finally I sat down programmed my own radio and learned that because my buddy may not be there always, so if anyone out there is not sure just sit down and figure out and it me really not hard and you’ll have piece of mind knowing you can do it in an emergency.
If it's an emergency or a disaster there is a clause in the FCC rules that allows you to transmit and communicate for help pretty much on any band or frequency. It's in their rule book. A TH-cam channel named Not a Rubicon has discussed this several time and you can find one of his videos that has the exemption rule listed.
Good to know! Thank you sir!
It's true. You can always make an emergency transmission. Saving life matters. Rubi baits for comments, but it's all part of the game. Actually his baiting eventually led me to unsubscribe. If you want to get him fired up, just mention his very smooth hands...haha.
th-cam.com/video/0MKBXBCENMY/w-d-xo.html
@@BruceForster-k9nCringe, L take.
That was my take on it too. It caters to a "you can't make me do it" crowd. Felt a little elementary school like. @@BruceForster-k9n
Thanks for this a am just starting to explore radios, and honestly find it quite confusing. This helps !
I feel ya. One of my goals is to put out a "step zero" intro video for comms in the next few weeks!
@@SeparateSpectre My wife passed the test and I was shocked because she had absolutely no tech abilities. If you know how to take test and memorize, you don't have to be an expert on radios. You can learn as you practice. My wife got an 80% and I got a 100% on one try and I still am confused. I went on to get a 94% on the general exam, not because I was an expert on radios but because I went to college and knew how to take tests. It is helpful to be a general but an extra level doesn't gain you much.
This is exactly the problem we solve with turn key radio kits that come fully programmed and training for the everyman. Would love to collaborate!
That’s what I’m looking for .
I do not recommend anyone waste money on FRS radios. They fill a niche, but it is trivially easier to do better. If you don't want to go the Amateur (ham) route and take tests, then just pay the $35 and get one 10-year GMRS license that covers Mr. Dam, Mrs. Dam and the whole Dam family out to 1st cousins.
GMRS hand-helds are comparable to ham hand-helds in distance/clarity and simpler to use.
If you go the ham route, then all manner of options and capabilities open up, but it can be far more complicated and pricey.
A secret-squirrel option would be a DMR radio with AES256 encryption (from $150-ish on up per hand-held radio) and you can talk reasonably securely without worrying about eavesdropping. Note that both hams and GMRS are forbidden by the govt to use any form of encryption, but you **ARE** allowed to use encryption with a business radio license (easy as a GMRS license) on a radio certified for business radio use.
Note that buying any of these radios does not require any license at all -- the license is only needed to **legally** push the transmit button. If you want to acquire radios with whatever capability and store them for a potential "Break-Glass-In-Case-Of-SHTF", there's nothing stopping you. But if you are wise, you would be well practiced with whatever radio you choose **before** you need to use it under duress or in dire shituations. Good luck and GODspeed.
That is a lot of great information in short verse. Thank you
"Break glass in case of SHTF"! Great term because not only is there a learning curve, especially remembering frequencies and programming, but also a "memory curve". This is why our HAM club has weekly radio nets or on-the-air get togethers in order to practice, practice, practice.
Comms is something I haven't taken seriously but probably should. Good intro video, for me it raises more questions but there's a lot of videos out there. Thank you 👍
I am a licensed Ham radio operator. When you pass the Technician test, which isnt hard, the FCC issues you a callsign. If you transmit on a Ham radio without a FCC license you wont have a FCC issued callsign. If you try to make one up and a licensed Ham operator hears you, which is doubtful on your 5 watt Baufang, they will look your callsign up on a national database. However in a TRUE emergency, lets say a flood takes out your home and you lose power, you cell phone is trashed and you have no other means of EMERGENCY communication, the FCC will allow you to use your radio to seek help or rescue. Great vid, love the topic and keep up the great info!
Agreed. I tried to post a link from @hamradiocrashcourse for the group... but youtube hates for you to link to it's own product...haha.
I mentioned earlier that I'm sometimes embarrassed for our prep community when well meaning creators try to teach the basics wrong. If we insist on range training, we should insist on radio training and licensing. Up to a true overriding emergency requirement. Tech here, you can of course look me up in the database. N3 land. Even Dave Canturbury is there.... hihi.
@stevenhill !Thank you for the information
So your the guy that called on me
I would love to have the call sign "Red Horse". Its my favorite beer 🇵🇭😂👍
Just use one from the data n
Base why pay a tax
I guess even if you get a GMRS radio you can just listen correct? In SHTF listening could help with details of what's going on and where.
You can listen all you want.
GMRS is only going to get you about 1-3 miles line of sight depending on terrain around you
@@hillcountrypreparedness1401that depends on several things, line of sight being only one. Proper antenna, proper height on the antenna, radio output power, terrain and atmospheric conditions all play a role in radio propagation. Using any of those things to your advantage and increasing any of those things, can increase the distance your signal can travel.
If you get a general license and buy a high frequency radio you can both listen and transmit to stations (people with a radio) a thousand miles away, as long as you know their call sign and the time they will have their radio on at the desired frequency.
As long as the grid doesn't go down. And the only way you can reach out say five hundred miles to find out what's going on with a HAM is with a HF. You are limited even with repeaters with a 2-meter radio
I bought a GMRS Licence last year. I bought some Baofeng Gm-15 Pro for myself, wife, brother, and parents. I like them alot and they are easy to use. I do plan on getting a HAM Licence this winter or early spring.
Can you tell me how to use them? I read the pamphlet but it doesn't answer everything, like how to get them to scan and stop on a used frequency?
Awesome!
@@Thousand_yard_Kingthat depends on your particular radio, most radios have a delay setting for when they are on scan. Most will only stop momentarily, then resume scan. There are some scanners that can be programmed to stay on that particular frequency, when a near signal is detected, until you manually resume the scan. If you are talking about the GM-15 radios specifically, I am not familiar with them.
@@Thousand_yard_King Find a local HAM (amateur) radio club, go to a meeting and ask for help.
How can you use your radios if the grid went down?
Great content. My suggestion is let the man talk. He is delivering material from memory on the fly, he's coming up with deliverable content... on the fly using his thought processes... stop interrupting that flow! Also, Love ya... keep up the good work
If you can get everyone in your community to get a 2-meter radio and your license you are set. Then you need to organize a network (net) and have a certain call time and talk to your community. I started two nets in a prepper community in a very rural area. I found that lots of people had passed the test but few people had radios or antennas, even like an antenna with a mag mount on the cab of a vehicle. As time went on, there was no collapse or natural disaster so most people stopped checking in. That is the biggest hurdle for communication. In my area a town of 3200 only has one active technician and this town is very close to a repeater. Another town of 3100 nearby has 2 members of a radio club. And my community of two small towns has a fairly good radio club, but the heads are geeks and aren't into being teachers (elmers) so the club never grows much. If you have a recent disaster, people get together to form nets, but you need a disaster. People have too many activities.
Thanks for this video! I need to get a radio, and start learning this stuff!
When stuff impacts the fan, licenses will mean less for that radio holder.
I think the ATT and Verizon service issue on Feb 22 just convinced some of my stubborn friends.
I prefer the GMRS for simplicity. We have a baofang 2 pack, and they perform well for our needs.
Have the UV-5G plus also. Great radio and $35 license without test and good for 10 years. Then you can use it whenever you want.
Great job guys. Im just a few months into it at this point. Lots of fun. Lots to learn.
SO glad that someone else out there thinks the way I do. If the SHTF, I am NOT going to worry about whether I have the Federal governments permission to use a radio. I have HAM radio nerds in my area that feel they are the "radio police", and say they will narc on anyone doing anything "illegal". Anyone that would do the work of the government for them, is no friend of mine.
Radios like any thing requires practice to be good at though. Legally you can't practice without the license. Sure you can practice without one, but callsigns are tracked so you can't make one up and if you don't have one someone will report you. Why will they report you? For the same reason immigrants that come into this country legally hate the illegals.
A few years we had one of those tattlers in our area, but if it is an emergency, especially something like say a wildfire, you can call legally on anything. It says that in the test manual got 2-meter.
@@PatrickThreewit Absolutely correct during an emergency.
Thank you! We are semi beginners with prepping because we know what’s coming I think we’re doing pretty good but you’re never fully prepared I feel unless you’ve been doing it for years and years and still then who knows what could happen but we’re giving it our best. Thanks to videos like this it helps us. Will be getting radios for our family any suggestions on model nothing too expensive nothing too cheap maybe in the hundred dollar apiece zone if you think that’s necessary or like the one you have there on the video please let me know and thank you again for what you’re doing!
How far will you be talking to other family members? That will determine what kind of radios you might want to get.
Thank you for responding so quickly! We are in PA … our son and his wife are temporarily about 45 miles from home due to work for 2 years. Our daughter is in Florida until May. Our other 2 boys are local but while at our jobs we are about 30 apart. I hope this helps
And let me add, the distance makes me nervous…
@@joannfida841 You need to learn about HF radios. If you have enough repeaters in your region that are linked together, You might be able to use 2-meter radios pretty well, but if the repeaters have electricity and no battery backup you're screwed.
Thanks guys. Just getting started with radio. Good tips on this video!
That's funny because me and some buddies were just talking about getting one of those radios, thanks for the information
Thank you. Ill share with my non radio friends, itll be very helpful
I set my handheld ham radio to the same frequency as eight walkie-talkies I have for my family. And always keep on me the ham radio because it has longer range to hopefully reach them in emergencies.
If the grid goes down, how will you keep your radios charged? Those AA and AAA batteries don't last forever. How do you charge your walkie-talkies without electricity?
Lots of small solar recharging kits made mostly for hikers to use on their cell phones. They also work for recharging batteries. Goal Zero is one brand.@@PatrickThreewit
Thanks for the good info Jason!
You are very welcome!
Good short; interesting video! Thank you
Great information. And I love reese's peanut butter cups.
Get out there keep on grinding and stay stoked.
STOKED! 🫡🥃🏴☠️
people need to understand if your cellphone fails to work how are you
be able to communicate ?. two way radios are the best way.
If cells don't work then there probably is no grid. How will you keep your radios charged? AC or DC?
Hey men, big 💯🎯They are good when phone communications is shut down. Can be good for short distance. CB Radios give you biggest distance coms, and of course a Ham Set is the best for world communication. Someone said those we're good when cell phones weren't available. So i said how will you communicate when your phone becomes a paperweight. Lol 😅🤣😂 i almost forgot the Sat phone yould be greatest. Out of my price range.
Unless you have a high frequency radio, world communication with a 2-meter radio ain't gonna do it for you.
Always suggest getting a Yaesu FT 60R. Basic and classic HT radio that just works.
Thank you from a newbie. Question: Any ideas on how to communicate in a grid-down with family literally on the other side of the Rockies?
Great question pretty much only HF ham radio (think shortwave, low frequency etc) will do this. Depending on what's going on maybe a Satellite Phone will help. Do research.
@@doubler287 Thank you 😊
I was thinking there would be a lot more Sad Hams on here.
Pleasantly surprised.
yeah. Nobody's sad, but breaking the law is breaking the law. I get it... keystone cops don't come and bust you... If you don't have a call sign, few will answer you - primarily for that reason. (Unless it's a true emergency) GMRS and FRS is a different beast, and meant to be for fun, and sport use. Enjoy.
One of the reasons I wish guys would just train up and license, is that it disproves a lot of general statements made by prep community videos, which can make you sad, because you don't get trustworthy advice. I love this community, but it makes me embarrassed for us sometimes there.
I just think if we are called on to train on a range for readiness, it would make sense to use a few hours or days to just train and license for radio. It's another tool. It can also turn an 8 mile com radius into 45 miles, on UHF, and the emergency service nets are already trained as support. I wouldn't tend to discard that community. Ironically, I've never met a sad ham. I always got respect from them. Most of the grumpy protectionist ones died before the cell phone became popular.
Does anyone know if Dave Canterbury is a ham? He's done at least one great portable antenna video. I think it was for 2m. I see one in Ohio....
@@waynehendrix4806 I believe he is. I am GMRS because it allowed for whole family to operate under the one license.
HAM is next for me, but that is for long range info gathering and not going to be primary family comms.
Dave is a Ham
Most hams aren’t sad.
If I had to guess, keyboard warriors who rattle about rules probably aren’t even hams
@@STOKERMATIC Sorry, should clarify. In the vid you mentioned to go watch NotaRubicon. I have been following him for a while and he has tons of great content on everything radio.
The sad ham is a running joke on the channel and in the comments. I thought more people would have got the reference. I read the room wrong.
Lol, disregard my humor.
A cell phone will always do more than a radio and will always be my preferred method of communication with my family. But, in the event cell service is gone, I like having a backup communications plan and that is where radios come into play.
It doesn't really take much to make a cellphone useless either. A large group of people in your area all using the cell towers at the same time can make calling impossible and texting very slow.
@@reddirtwalker8041 Absolutely agree! I experienced this once when there was a man with a gun on the nearby university campus. Radios will always be a great backup communications plan!
But you still need power. a Ham radio uses a power unit that changes DC power into AC in your house or else you need to be able to hook up to a 12-volt battery, and the problem with that is that you would need a deep-cell battery because a regular car battery will go bad if you charge and discharge and recharge too often.
A few months ago I bought on Amazon for $230 a deep cell battery for use with inverters if the grid goes down, but either I will need to get another deep cell battery and place it near the my 2-meter radio system, or I need to do more work with my HF radio All this seems complicated but it really isn't but it takes a while to get set up. Find somebody that is really good at radios and hopefully preparation and ask him to help you.
The antenna has a lot to do with your distance. If, for example, you buy and install the longer whip antenna you can increase your range a mile or two. If you hook up your radio to a car type antenna you will reach farther out, and if you hook up to a roof (or tree) mounted antenna you will reach even further,
Good stuff guys love ya both
I am much more of a physical person. Hard work, digging ditches; whatever. My technology understanding is incredibly difficult. Kids would have it all figured out in about an hour if their comms failed 😂 Thanks you so much. ✨
Great information thanks see ya on the next one
well... thanks for the encouragement... still workin out how to use it lol
You got this!
@Survival Dispatch, I'm just getting in to GMRS, etc., radios. In order to extend my range, how do you determine the appropriate antenna that you can string up in a tree to extend your range? Will any antenna work? I appreciate your reply in advance. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for this information.
I have a 40-foot high antenna and I can reach 25 miles to a repeater which I can sometimes reach to get 50 air miles from me but there needs to be lots of repeaters linked together before I can get very far.
@user-sk7zc1fc5u
I get that, but will any antenna work?
Don't forget communication etiquette. I think for most frequencies like CB it's quick messages , to the point only, and up to 5 minutes maximum, then a mandatory 1 minute of silence to allow others to share the same channel in your area, however ch 9 is the emergency channel which should be monitored when you are not transmitting.
So awesome Stoker is on the show today.
Great video, thank You Jason! my favorite ice cream 🍦 is strawberry-vanilla 😂
This is the place I think people should start, then if you want to go deeper, nerd out with the HAM radio stuff. It's unfortunate that people don't realize the overlap of GMRS/FRS with HAM radio. Also, as far as favorite flavors of ice cream: Jenny's Ice Cream from Ohio has done some weird flavors that I love like Black Walnut and Spruce. Those are my favorite.
Radios are not my thing. But after the storms that hit NGA in January knocked out power for days, it made me start to rethink this. I’ve been told there is a NGA GMRS repeater on the hill behind Expedition Bigfoot. Now wondering if I could reach it.
During hurricane power outage in Florida, we plugged router into generator for wi-fi. Just a thought.
Get the same radio that prepper Joe has, and program it the same, if you want to talk to prepper Joe.
Get what ever radio is compatible with whomever you wish to talk to.
I have the cheap FRS/GMRS radios. I have a couple of the Baofeng UV5Rs. I have CBs. I have several Business Band Radios and a dedicated County VHF that I used while in Search and Rescue, I am no longer authorized to use the county or SAR frequencies, but still have the radios.
Also an Amatuer Radio (Ham) Operator, been licenced for almost 20 years. I have handheld VHF/UHF, Mobile VHF/UHF and Mobile/Portable HF/VHF/UHF radios and one Base HF only radio that is too big to take mobile or portable. Was talking from Colorado to the East Coast earlier today. And listening to someone on symplex VHF calling frequency that was probably 40-50 miles away.
I would recomend getting listening only radios, like the Short Wave Listening, AM/FM Broadcast, Police Scanners, Wide band recievers or the wide band Ham Radios, though it is recomemded to remove the microphone from any ham radios, if you do not wish to transmit over them. The Baofengs are very wide banded in the VHF/UHF range and will also pick up FM Broadcast Stations. If you live near the big bodies of water, get Marine Radios. If you can find any of the fully open wide band recievers that the government has, even better, though they are pricey.
Build a good Faraday Cage to keep the radios in, when not in operation or being charged.
Thank you!
You *CAN* legally transmit on the VHF "MURS" frequencies without a license with the Baofeng. While the older Baofengs could transmit on the FRS freqs. out of the box after programming them, the new ones have to be hacked first to unlock them, but the radio itself is still a no-no to use "legally" on FRS channels.
I have a couple of Baofeng ham radios for emergencies. The legality, as far as I know a license is not required for a ham radio if you are listening, however, transmitting on a ham radio does require a license. There is also the issue of an 'emergency'. I don't think it's a regulation per se but supposedly the FCC is supposed to put 'life ahead of rule' so transmitting in an emergency is not really a violation if a reasonable person believes that transmitting will possibly save a life or lives. Also note that most ham radios can receive and transmit on GMRS/FRS frequencies but regardless of what licences you hold it is considered a violaion by the FCC. That said just remember, if the FCC or any other government agency wants you they will try to get you regardless of you being guilty, innocent, licensed, not licensed, etc.
I have a pair of walkie Talkies that have a range of twenty miles but need one with a much longer range, like 2,500 miles or more to keep in contact with relatives in other sates!
Not posible with a walkie talkie, unless you have them connected to the internet.
I would not trust that 20 mile claim either, if those are the bubble pack FRS radios with the fixed antenna.
Yeah, 20 miles is VERY optimistic in ideal condition with a walkie-talkie! If you are in the desert without any interfering obstructions MAYBE, but in town with buildings and trees and such NO FU€|
FRS, Family Radio Service, you can use without a license but will have to aquire the $35.00 to talk on the GMRS Frequencies.
You can use either without a license during an emergency.
Or just buy a baofeng vhf uhf
The biggest problem I have had with communications is that Preppers in my area don't want a large communication network. I have a Technician License and have talked with several "preppers" that have the same level or even General about starting up a Radio Net Centered around Prepping. This could be used for practice using the radios, instructional, idea swaps, and if needed communication if there is major problem, but none have been interested, which boggles my mind.
Living in a super-prepper area and having started two different nets, I understand what you are going through. Most HAMS don't learn radio because of SHTF. They use it as a hobby, especially those who are into electronics. I have brought up preparation in club meetings and there is no interest. Many counties have a County Local Emergency Planning Committee and they figure out emergencies in their region, but even the head planner in our county does not have a radio license. What you see online about troubles coming isn't found in every day life. One net I set up was to be will all Mormons who are known for preparation, but I could only get non-members. I ended up being the only prep-minded in my group.
Commenting for the algorithm overlords
❤
Mine is a wouxun I love it.
I’m going with cb. Gmrs and walkie talkie. Covering all the bases.
Thanks for the primer on radios.
Thanks for watching!
I have a baofang and me and my prepping partner have tapped into a local repeater tower and we could speak up to 50 miles in the city
👍🏻
Thanks
Thanks for this video, this is what is was trying to say in a past SD video comment. First, the little cheap radios that people buy are pretty much liscence free for their frequencies. You can program in those frequencies and use the radios without a license.
Second, in an emergency, anyone has the legal right to use the radio without legal repercussions.
I have a couple of those and I can talk may a mile as long as there are not hills or trees or houses in the way. What if you wanted to find out what was going on in a place say 400 miles away and that was where some of your family was?
@user-sk7zc1fc5u I would try to set up a relay system ahead of time by building relationships early. During a CHTF event, Ham radio will probably be your best reliable communications. IMO.
@@WatersFamilyHomestead How many nets have you organized in your community that are still functioning? Will you be using HF or VHF? Will your radios be on DC or AC? What will you charge your AC or DC with? Will radio comm still work if the grid goes down? Or if there is an EMP?
@@WatersFamilyHomestead Long distance communications will need an HF radio rather than 2-meter and in order to practice using it in good times you will need a "general" license. You can mix your radios in a net, but it is difficult to keep net members interested now because national emergencies don't exist. You can mix Gmrs, CB, 2-meter, cheap hand helds, and HF in a "net", but the interest problem will be your biggest hurdle. I live in a red state with lots of preppers, but I tried this 8 years ago and I could not keep up the interest. I worked for a while.
Example, we had a bad wildland fire in our region in 2015 and during that time people in droves came to meetings put on by fire fighters, but as soon as the fires were out meeting attendance dropped dramatically. Human nature. And, if you aren't prepared before hand it won't work. And remember that to call someone, you need to know his call sign, the time he will be on the air and the frequency or channel he will be on. Today as an example I reported to The Noontime Net, but I know the frequency and the approximate time, a 30-minute + range. Net control gives his call sign the required "every ten minutes", but since he is the control I just use my call sign and call in but since there are so many others trying to call in, it took 30 minutes of calling just to check in. When he hears me, he repeats my call sign and I usually reply with either "roger" or "73". People check in but very little conversation if any is exchanged. Net control will answer me, saying my call sign. Sometimes another station will act as a relay if I happen to be too far away from net control. 2-meter radios like the Baofeng won't work in this application. One has to use a High Frequency radio to go long distances and not worry about line of sight.
People need to have their radios hooked up to deep cell batteries rather than standard 12-volt car batteries. Talk to a local radio club and they will tell you why the deep cells are so necessary. I have one deep cell on a trickle charger in case the grid goes down, but two not big batteries will run you $250 or more. And you need to check to see that repeaters in your region are not dependent on electricity but are on deep cell backup systems. I'm now trying to re-learn how to use 2-meter radios. And you need to sets of each radio so you can always keep one in a Faraday cage for EMP protection.
@@WatersFamilyHomestead Works great if you live in flat country. I don't.
Ones cellphone in a panic situation isn't going to do you much good. Real world case I personally lived through the scare of hurricane Rita in Sept 2005. The entire city evacuated because of what happened to New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. And Rita was even stronger. The cellphone network was totally jammed, couldnt get a call out. To sum it up, you better have a backup to that cellphone. And do your future self a huge favor, and your future self will thank you. Learn the basics of radio bands, importance of antennas and the difference between HF, VHF and UHF. It could come in handy someday.
My church just appealed for as many households as possible to get setup with gmrs radios and repeaters so we can be organized during an emergency to render aid. Peanut Butter
Thanks!
smart advice
Great info
Get a Technician license study guide or follow a course on YT even if you are opposed to licensing. You need to learn about radio and practice with it to get anything out of it.
You guys are awesome. Can I use Rubber Ducky for my handle or am I showing my age?
I think we should go back to using pigeons ! When they stop working … free lunch 😂
All the Homing/Passenger pigeons got eaten back during the last great depression. They are now extinct.
@@dennisseverns4014 Ok my bad .
@@markw.3743 I heard they were very tasty and easy to catch. Their downfall.
Remember guys, even if you don’t have a license you can absolutely use any radio if it’s a true emergency situation. Most people only have radios for emergency, SHTF scenarios so if that’s you, don’t worry about a license. After SHTF there’s not going to be anybody regulating that shit anyway. Although practicing, training and using your gear is key and I’m a firm believer in training..in which case I would recommend getting licensed so you can do comm training. You don’t want the first time you’re using your comms to be when you’re under fire with a tourniquet on your leg, trapped in the thick of it and running out of ammo and time. That’s bad news brother.
@jayteefishing1543, you are so right
There is a 3800mah replacement battery on temu that's 17bucks and it lasts forever compared to the original. They were 5.98 a few months ago.
When you are telling the distance a hand held transceiver can communicate, is that handheld to handheld direct, handheld to home direct, handheld to repeater?
Great video guys. I have baofeng radios. They are still in the box I bought them in a year ago. It's my fault I need to use them. I do have CB radios that I am very familiar with.
Break em out and see what you can do. Keep batteries charged too.
@STOKERMATIC will do thanks again for the info.
Thank you, very helpful info. Chcolate.
What model is that Boufue radio. thats inexpensive your showing??? I know my spelling is wrong.Thanks great video for me. ..
Good info!
Im new to this. Is there a global communication you recomend. If the subscriptions run out wont you loose communication line with the Zoleo.
I am located in Sandy Springs. Do you guys give a class for beginners? I travel between here and Lake Chatuge quite often and I’m assuming y’all are within that area.
I use a CB radio that's designed to get other channels and frequency for upper and lower side bands. A lisence is required for most of those channels. But in a WWOROL, who is really going to care? The biggest problem is size and power supplies. However me and the members of our group also have a channel that we all use to talk to each other
Antennas are what counts not size and power. I live 32 air miles from a town in my area where a HAM station was. Between me and that town was lots of trees a deep canyon, more trees and hills. With my hand held Yaesu 2-meter, I could neither receive or transmit. I asked for help and someone told me how to do better. I went to a radio man and he gave me some used car battery cable where I could hook up a 2-foot long antenna with a magnet to attach it to the cab of my car. I turned on the radio and could receive and transmit with ease. I eventually did this on my pickup with a 4-foot mag-mount antenna and they aren't expensive. The key is the antenna.
@user-sk7zc1fc5u I agree I run a magnum S-980 CB radio and use magnet mount for my 6 ft antenna. I have gotten across Chicago, IL, and have also been able to use Skip and talk to SC from Colorado before Florida. Your right size doesn't matter much, but it sure is worth it.
@@billjensen6216 I have a Yaesu 2-meter handheld and a fairly powerful base station with a power box so I can keep things charged with AC. I also have a Yaesu 450 High Frequency radio with a DC to AC power box, so I can reach a thousand miles but I just check in on a net every day. I have a couple CB's, and antennas.
Each generation thinks they are living in the one where we will be using all this stuff. That's what I thought in the 70's, then 80's then 90's. Didn't have the radio stuff all that time but had other preparations. Wife and I lived on a 56 square mile island and then we moved to a one square mile island where I had to use a 15 boat to cross a mile of salt water. Had no phone, only electricity and cell phones were anywhere, so I used two CB's to talk every morning to my dad on the big island.
I don't really see how radios would be used in say a grid down. Need power--12 volts. If people use a regular car battery and charge and discharge over and over it won't last long so you need a deep cell. They cost at least $230 because I bought one a few months ago, but not for radios. I need it more to run a couple small inverters so I can run some tools. These batteries, too, have to be charged and I can do pretty well with one small solar panel or my 20hp diesel tractor kept in a garage to lessen noise. But if we are in a WROL situation, solar panels can be shot out by hungry mean refugees. And I live 8 miles from any population and that is a town of 700. Drive another 7 miles and a city of 1100. Drive 300 miles north or south before a metro area of 450,000. Nearest interstate in either place. And 80 miles at 55mph to a Costco. But if the grid goes down and it will in a civil war or general societal collapse, most people will die within a few months. But looking at my history, such a happening doesn't seem likely.
Good video.
This was an excellent video. Thank you for simplifying the "radio". I'm a numbskull too and figuring this has been overwhelming. Thanks!
You got this!
I just finished going through a short video on use of an amateur (HAM) radio in an emergency. The commentator read and explained about the use and just what an emergency is. I though the same as what is in this video. I was wrong. You really need to read on this. Not really, I guess you can go to jail, but I plan on listening again to the law. Disasters or SHTF never last forever. They eventually end but I guess you can fight in court when times are back to normal. A non-licensed operator, if things go south, can call under some circumstances, but not all.
Do you have any advice on hand held “Marine radios”, basically suitable for kayaking, as that’s my intention, currently I just have “waterproof, floating radios”, but they are the lesser type, with just really 2 way coms between kayaks. Suggestions would be appreciated, great vid…..🤙🏻
Smoke signals are making a comeback..!!!
I can hit Repeaters way farther then 8 miles. I can also talk about 30 miles on a home made Jungle antenna. All with my cheap Baofang UV5r
Every terrain is different. Thanks for sharing!
I have an airport between me and the person I would need to communicate with… My question is would this increase the likelihood of bureaucratic intervention while testing out our communication plan?
I have considered getting licensed and given my proximity to Airports and military bases it’s the only thing that has prevented me from jumping down this rabbit whole.
Butter Pecan. !!
Good video
Thanks!
What kindc of radio do I need in a grid down SHTF scenario to communicate with my family in Texas while living on our bugput location in Missouri approximately 750 miles away? Any help woukd be appreciated. Get ready folks and stand together. It's coming.
Best ice cream flavor ever.....Cookie Two Step.
Using a One Time Pad cipher and packet radio make eavesdropping extremely difficult. Packet radio will also make direction finding your location difficult. For extreme circumstances operational security is paramount. Never transmit at regular times and vary location of your transmissions if possible. In natural disasters or extended civil unrest after about 5 days your friendliest neighbor can become you worst nightmare.
I have had a similar experience. Every time someone who actually knows anything starts teaching me about radios it lasts about five minutes before I no longer have any idea what they’re talking about.
I'm the same way. I do the best I can.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Is there a reliable brand and model to choose for a beginner?
Baofeng is fine for a beginner.
Don't get a Baofeng ... they're the radio equivalent of Hipoint pistol. Spend the few hundred extra and get a Yaesu VX-6R. Much, much, better radio.
Cool
Baofengs are the best for what they offer.. 70meter, 2meter ham radio. As well as FM. It has a very limited but practical flashlight built in.. for an entry-level radio, it offers a lot.. the UV82 in this video is a good choice.. the UV9R offers the same features but with a better radio.. more durable IP67 rated.. and battery options and uses the connections as the Motorola style( FAR BETTER), than the 2 prong connector for a wire mic.. are there far better radios out there... ABSOLUTELY. As far as Chinese products go.... this is not bad at all... I normally don't have anything good to say about china stuff .. but this one I do 😅
Go train with @radio made easy
They make it simple and aren’t a sad ham!
Bill is the man. I raise my flask of commie tears to you. Salute
Maple Walnut, I’m old school.
I couldnt find the link you said to find below
Sorry. Just added it to the description.
I recently got a set of bofangs and don’t have a clue of how to use them, tried them going down the road and my daughter at home and got about 2 mile range other than that I’m lost 🤦♂️
GMRS for normal people. No test and the license covers your whole family
But you can't talk long distances.
Radios rock.
Rocky road!