Communications

James 61

James 61

Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
1,066
I have seen a few people mention communications when putting together a Survival Kit but so far no one has posted anything specific about what they carry. I would like to hear what people are using and how much use they get from it. Usage can be both emergency and non emergency. All comments/observations are welcome.
 
Get a ham license and get a 2m/440 radio. Cell phones may be out in an emergency, won't work outside the city if not near a cell tower. Ham radios can work one to the other up to several miles depending on terrain, or much further through a repeater on some mountain. Can be used for both personal squawking and emergencies, most cities have at least one group that is tied into the city fire department or police department as volunteers.
 
I have my cell phone with extra batteries, Motorrola two way radios, and will be putting a cb on the Jeep. The two way radio can be put on search mode and find communication going on near by. I don't hunt too far away from any towers or camps. I do hunt in some thick swamps at times. Florida Everglades.
 
Fonly said:
I didn't think digital phones used towers anymore?:confused:
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The call still has to go through their system, else how are they going to bill you? Also, at least for the old land line phone system, if there was a big emergency like an earthquake, the phone company would just shut off the phone service to just about everyone except police and fire, this is because there are just too many people calling each other just to say hey did you feel that, you ok?
 
I use a cell phone, as well as Gmrs/frs radios, a CB in ny truck. plus i have acess to both my ems organization and my rescue team's communication.

I also have a few primative signals worked out with some of my family, A bandana tied to a tree branch, might say "I already evacuated" and keep someone from risking themselves to get me.
 
Emergency communication includes whistles and signal mirrors (fire too, but that is a whole 'nother thread).

I have a hard plastic mirror that I cut to fit in my PSK. The military has signal mirrors too, but they are bulky and heavy. I keep a military signal mirror with the car kit (I drive through the desert sometimes and think having a good signal mirror is a good idea).

As far as whistles, I have two, but I do not remember their brand names. The flat black colored one fits in the PSK. It is pretty loud. The orange whistle (called The Storm maybe?) is SUPER loud. Hold your ears before you blow on that one. I keep it in my BOB. Don't get a metal whistle. It can freeze in the winter and the little "pea" it uses inside can break or fall out. The whistle does not work without the pea.

I always carry the cell phone too. An old portable CB is in the car kit. I have some FMRS radios, but I usually only use those when I am on a driving trip with two cars. It is easier to stay in communication than dialing the cellphone on the road.
 
I also carry a small mirror and a plastic whistle. I bought an emergency strobe light with an infared cover. You can use both the white and infared lights. I have had no need to use it but carry it on my back pack just incase.
 
Thanks for the responses. I would have posted soon, but I was out of town doing some training with the SAR team I belong to and have been away from the computer all weekend.

I have my General Amateur Radio License and carry my handheld with me every where. I have become a convert to the advantages of Ham radio over most of the other systems. I live in an area that has a lot of repeaters and there are very few places that I cannot get coverage. However I get alot of funny looks and questions about why I carry a radio when I go on hikes. One of the reasons I started this thread was to see if I was the only one or if there are more of my fellow hams who carry their radios in the woods.

I would like to try to keep this thread going for awhile and get more responses.
 
A gun. A 3 shot distress signal should be easy to hear, and a gun is nice to have while traveling.
 
James 61 said:
Thanks for the responses. I would have posted soon, but I was out of town doing some training with the SAR team I belong to and have been away from the computer all weekend.

I have my General Amateur Radio License and carry my handheld with me every where. I have become a convert to the advantages of Ham radio over most of the other systems. I live in an area that has a lot of repeaters and there are very few places that I cannot get coverage. However I get alot of funny looks and questions about why I carry a radio when I go on hikes. One of the reasons I started this thread was to see if I was the only one or if there are more of my fellow hams who carry their radios in the woods.

I would like to try to keep this thread going for awhile and get more responses.
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I am also a amateur operator and have a General class license. I always have my 2M/440 portable when doing SAR and camping and hiking. I own a cell phone. Just started carrying that because I have to but rely on my radio if I really need to get connected. Many of the places I go the cell phone doesn't work. With a little knowledge and equipment the radio usually does.

KR
 
Q,
Are you referring to one of these?
http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cm...0D97AA88D73437C52D&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
If so the VR-5000 are "All mode" receivers. Meaning you can listen but can't broadcast. Good for intel and news gathering and a great hobby in itself but perhaps not the best for preparedness.

As for comms. I too am a Ham operator (No-Code Tech). Unfortunately, I'm not "radio-active" at the moment. I'm also quite fond of good ol' CB.

73s
N2XWU.
 
CitizenQ said:
No. I am referring to the Vertex/Yaesu all-mode transceivers.
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Yaesu makes the FT-897. Is this the one you are thinking of? From what I have heard it is a very capabale radio and has the abilty to be equiped with batteries making it independent of an outside power source. That would be very handy in an emergancy. The only possible downside is that the output drops to 20W if I remember correctly. Yaesu makes a screwdriver style antenna for this radio and there are also antenna tuners available the connect to the chassis of the radio. I don't remember who makes the antenna tuners most likely MFJ. This will be the setup that I will be buying when I can aford it.
I believe Kenwood and ICOM also make all-mode transceivers. Another option.

http://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cm...DBF3076C94ACA7A8C5&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
 
For anyone planning on being away from civilization for an extended period of time Satellite Phones work well. Though plan an spending up to $2.00 per minute. The only other drawbacks I found was that they only seem to work in a clearing and need to be recharged by solar. And yes, you are dependant on the satellites still sending.
 
For long range HF communication I have both the Yaesu FT 857 and I also have a Yaesu FT-817. Both excellent for long range communications from the field especially the FT-817. Small, light, 5 watts output. Capable of HF, VHF and UHF communications.

KR
 
kr1 said:
For long range HF communication I have both the Yaesu FT 857 and I also have a Yaesu FT-817. Both excellent for long range communications from the field especially the FT-817. Small, light, 5 watts output. Capable of HF, VHF and UHF communications.

KR
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Those are the 2 radios I've been looking at. They seem to go for around $500.00 used.
 
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