COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Printed From: Avian Flu Talk
Category: Pandemic Prepping Forums
Forum Name: Communication Issues
Forum Description: (How to stay in contact using radios, phones, television, internet
URL: http://www.avianflutalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=971
Printed Date: April 25 2024 at 10:40am
Topic: COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Posted By: Guests
Subject: COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Date Posted: January 29 2006 at 4:54pm
Important information on communications during a pandemic.
Internet access.
Walkie Talkies.
Telephone.
Cell Phones.
Text Messaging.
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Replies:
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 30 2006 at 10:07am
Hand Crank cell phone charger (for obvious reasons)
Just google it. :) You can get one for about $20 USD.
Here is one site that sells it http://www.soscharger.net/ - http://www.soscharger.net/ (I have not purchased from them so I can not endorse this company, I am simply giving an example)
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: January 31 2006 at 5:58am
Self-Powered Radios
You can purchase small portable self-powered radios from Radio
Shack, that you can power-up for 30-minutes with one minute of hand
cranking.
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Posted By: Spoon
Date Posted: January 31 2006 at 6:25am
CB radios are a great way to communicate when everything else fails. A standard CB signal only travels about 4-8 miles, but mods can be made.
A friend of mine, who turned me on to this site, has done some research regarding converting base stations. He found ways to enhance the signal across multiple states.
It's not cheap ($500-$700), but it might be a great way to continue this forum.
I, or my friend, will post more detailed info soon for anyone interested.
------------- It's not so much the apocalypse... but the credit card bills ;-)
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Posted By: wannago
Date Posted: February 01 2006 at 4:18pm
Find a local Ham radio operator as they can communicate
worldwide. I used to be one but let my license lapse
.
There's someone round here as I spotted the antennae. Must go and say Hi
------------- wannago
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 03 2006 at 10:48pm
Right now the problem is time. To get on the really long bands requires an FCC license. While I'm sure the FCC won't be knocking on our doors during an emergency, we'd not only be clueless but also in the way of the real Hams, who have proven, over and over again to be the backbone of communication in a true crisis. However, it's not too hard to find CBs that have been modified to also transmit and receive in the 10 meter band, these also have builtin amplifiers boosting them from 4 watts CB to up to 200! Alot of truckers have been doing this. The 10 meter band has some distance and is also considered a 'Ham' band. You could communicate with friends, as well as the outside world. At your leisure, you could take the 35 question test and do the morse for the FCC to get legitmately on the band, but in the meantime, if H5N1 happens, you've got two-way, both CB and low level Ham for about a $500 investment.
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Posted By: wannago
Date Posted: February 05 2006 at 12:27am
Aodhan
A short wave HF receiver would be enough to keep yourself
informed. I'm certainly not advocating getting in the way of real
Hams, just if you have one in the neighborhood, they can keep you
updated on what's happening worldwide.
It took me so long to get to 25wpm morse; I can't face it again
------------- wannago
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 05 2006 at 11:26am
Heh. It's been along time since I took the test (1977) - the FCC does'nt even have me on record anymore. I talked to a Ham friend of mine and said they do lapse.
Anyway - after long discussion with said Ham, I've concluded that 2-meter is probably the best way to go for what I'm seeking. He and most of his Ham friends also maintain 2-meter set-ups. We live an a suburban system with a heavy 2 meter infrastructure that has a lot of generator backup.
What I'm seeking is not so much the "big news" worldwide - I think I'll get enough of that sensationalist stuff. I want news from all the towns and stuff within a 30 - 50 mile radius. The stuff like, "If I leave my house to go to town, what's happening out there?"
Also, for myself and few likeminded friends, we'd like to simplex and not use the repeater system to communicate with each other.
The cost and technology is right - for $400 we can get up and running with a maybe 50 mile radius and airwave connection to many Hams.
The Downside: we can listen, but if we transmit, we're breaking the law until we get our Techniciains licenses, though I doubt we'd be hunted down unless we made nuisances of ourselves somehow.
The Upside: we can install, study ( my guides on the way and I already know Morse, which isn't even required any more for a Technicians), and if there's time, take the test at a local Repeater club. If we run out of time, we still have a communication system.
Anyway - that's the current game plan!
-The Rock is Gonna Fall on Us - Harry Chapin
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Posted By: corky52
Date Posted: February 05 2006 at 1:34pm
SAT INTERNET system with phone software!
TV antenna for local stations
SAT RADIO
SAT TV
Cell Phones with walkie talkie feature
Sats will be the last to go down!
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Posted By: tybaltlives
Date Posted: February 12 2006 at 7:10pm
I got a nice radio (Freeplay Summit) - they are available from many places on the internet but I got mine from 21stCenturyproducts. I paid about $60-$70 for it.
I like it because it has a crank generator and a solar panel - plus a normal 110 volt wall charger. The batteries are NiMh - which are nice and have no charge memory.
It is also entirely digital with a scan feature. Many of the cheaper crank radios only have analog tuning - and I think this would be difficult to use. In the Freeplay, once you have zoned in on the signal you can store it in memory and easily get back to it when you need to. It plays am/fm and shortwave bands. I think the shortwave feature will be useful if the local radio stations run out of power and stop broadcasting.
For local communication in the immediate neighborhood I have GMRS/FRS radios. They use AAA batteries - and I have a solar charger for those. The range is only about a mile, though - even though the advertised range is 10 miles!
-R
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Posted By: Tansau
Date Posted: February 24 2006 at 4:15am
For real-time information in an emergency situation, a public frequency
scanner (aka "Police Scanner" or even "NASCAR Scanner") can come in very
handy. In the case of riots, for instance, hearing where dispatch was
sending enforcement units could alert you to the proximity of trouble.
Civil defense, hospitals, sherrif's departments and even utility companies
often transmit over scannable frequencies, potentially giving you a wealth
of raw information unfiltered by mass media.
Before you purchase, however, you'll want to search out your local
frequencies and transmission types, and make sure you get a scanner
that can actually pick up your local area. Large urban areas are now using
"trunking" technology that requires much more expensive units. Rural
areas often use more standard frequencies that can be scanned by units
in the under US$100 range.
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Posted By: Enumclaw,WA
Date Posted: February 24 2006 at 5:21am
The VHF radio in my boat travels a long way and can talk to Coast Guard and some police too. Gets weather and can talk to other people. It's parked in my driveway. So it is handy. Under $250.00 for complete set up. Doesn't have to be in a boat either.
------------- RB
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Posted By: Mississipp Mama
Date Posted: February 24 2006 at 7:36pm
Hi Enumclaw, I am intrested in the VFH radio, I would love to be able to talk to other people during any crisis. Is this complicated to set up and operate? In your opinion where would be the best place to set one up. Does it have to be outside or could I put it in the house? You can tell I don't know much about this system. Do you talk to strangers or do you have friends that have one too?
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Posted By: Spoon
Date Posted: February 25 2006 at 8:31pm
Hi MM,
Bannor and I just recently set up VHF transceivers (2-meter HAM) on both ends... it works. We can communicate no matter what happens. We can also here a lot of what's happening in our area.
If you're interested, I or Bannor can give more detailed instructions. Each setup ran about $500 (radio, AC power supply, 100' cable, antenna and mount).
You should get a license. Not that difficult. We're in the process but wanted to set up the radios first to make sure we could communicate. For now we just listen... soon we will be able transmit legally.
------------- It's not so much the apocalypse... but the credit card bills ;-)
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 25 2006 at 9:05pm
WOW Spoon!!!
Could I ask you to post the information??? Pretty please!!!!
I think it would be something to consider, but I readily admit, I'm clueless. I think I will also scrounge the bookstore for a good For Dummies type of book. $500.00 is doable, I didn't realize it could be done so reasonably.
Debi
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Posted By: Enumclaw,WA
Date Posted: February 26 2006 at 4:19am
Mississipp Mama,
The one in my boat runs on 12V. Solar panels to recharge batteries. Yes it could be set up Inside the house. nNot hard to set up either. You would need 12V power supply. Antenae would have to be outside is all. You could talk to friends if they are close enough. Otherwise strangers. But you could see how other people are coping.Check out boaterworld online. Then you would be able to see prices.
------------- RB
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 26 2006 at 9:31am
SophiaZoe wrote:
Could I ask you to post the information??? Pretty please!!!!
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I got everything we needed at Ham Radio Outlet:
http://www.hamradio.com/ - http://www.hamradio.com/
Spoon and I are 14 miles apart and we can talk loud and clear at 5 watts. It can transmit up to 75 wattts. The radio has at least 3 national weather channels and also receives in the 150-159 range where most police and emergency services are, so it is also good to 'monitor the pulse' of the community. 2 meter radios also make alot of use of "repeaters", which though you need a license to transmit on, you can monitor easily. That allows people from further away than your radios range to communicate with you and you with them. Since it is mostly a "local" type radio, your reception and transmit without the reapeater appears, by all accounts, to be up to 75 miles. (!!!) Besides being able to talk to Spoon, we want to be able to hear what's happening 5 - 10 miles away - I'm sure the News will tell us what's happening in the cities...or at least as much as we need to know.
-
ICOM V8000
-
Diamond F-22A Antenna (10 ft)
-
100 Ft low Loss Coax ( you may need/want less)
-
12 volt "clean" power supply (for 110v use - radio is 12v)
Order these:
You will need a 5 ft or 10 ft mast from Radio Shack, as well as a 4, 6 or 8 inch mounting bracket for the mast. Assembly is very easy, as is mounting, Spoon and I each had ours up in about an hour. His was a little harder because of the hieght of his chimney. I needed a 10ft mast, but I could stand to mount mine. He could probably upload more pictures of the radio, etc. I'll attach one of my antenna.
There is a book "Now You're Talkin!". I got it via the arrl's website http://www.arrl.org/catalog/lm/ - http://www.arrl.org/catalog/lm/ (sorry, Spoon - I had thought Amazon, but now that you made me look up all the other data - I found it here.) Amazon has it and truthfully, you'll probably get it faster from them. According to them it takes about 2 weeks to get listed by the FCC on their web page after you take the exam and that's when you're legal to transmit. It'd be nice, prior to the SHTF to do so, and during also.
The book also talks a lot about 'simplex' communication (person to person) and 'duplex' (repeater) operation. The ARRL home page off that link has a ton of radio info.
Spoon gave me a repeater link,
http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/" EUDORA="AUTOURL - http://www.artscipub.com/repeaters/ , but we won't/can't really get on them until after being licensed...to do so both before or during SHTF would probably actually get those guys out and about to find us - (believe it our not, that's a ham thing anyway - contests to find transmitters dumped off someplace and whoever finds it wins). So, I don't really want to be "on the radar" until legal, though I don't think talking simplex with Spoon would cause any problems if we stayed out of the way and didn't jam up any repeaters...so it will be good to know where the repeaters are in your area, so you don't step on them.
Also, check around for local "repeater" clubs as they are known....they will be the folks we'll be getting our news from and are emergency minded folks...chances are, if there is anybody in your community that might be liked minded it'd be them.
Of course.....I will still be sort of shuffling and very non-committal in my personal conversation.
I don't know how well these pictures will come out...ah...I see...cool..
Interestingly enough, we have needed to do a ton of work on the side of our house for several years and have been mucking about with contractors and architects...now we're glad we didn't....nothing of interest here folks....
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Posted By: Mississipp Mama
Date Posted: February 26 2006 at 9:34pm
Thanks for the infor Spoon. I am very intrested in this set up . Please post it. How do i go about getting a license? Who should I contact? What are the chances of a strong wind blowing this systen down. I guess you just put it back up right. Thanks guys.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: February 26 2006 at 9:47pm
Mississipp Mama wrote:
Thanks for the infor Spoon. I am very intrested in this set up . Please post it. How do i go about getting a license? Who should I contact? What are the chances of a strong wind blowing this systen down. I guess you just put it back up right. Thanks guys. |
Just look one post up, Momma. That's the setup that I scored for Spoon and I.
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Posted By: Angel
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 8:41am
I wonder how people will know when it is safe to go out if there is no telephone service or electricity? I live out in the country and I don't have any close neighbors.
------------- Angel
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Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: February 27 2006 at 11:08am
Hi Angel, there are many inexpensive handcrank/solar/battery radios that
will provide you with information even if the the power and phone are
out.
AM/FM, also shortwave (more expensive). In addition, we are connecting
to a trusted neighbor with a 12 mile radius walkie talkie. Take a look at
some of your options...our company and our personal concern
http://www.homeemergencyusa.com/Radios-and-
Flashlights_1_category.html (copy & paste)
Please don't flame me, this is not an advertisement. We had provided
information about homeemergencyusa.com in the forum where you could
find commecial site information. That seems to have disappeared.
We want to help our forum friends any way we can. We provide very
personal service (family company) and we have the stock. No run-
arounds or delays.
Hope this is helpful. Rocky
Angel wrote:
<FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=3>I
wonder how people will know when it is safe to go out if there is no
telephone service or electricity? I live out in the country and I don't have
any close neighbors. |
------------- Prepare for the Unexpected! Rocky http://www.homeemergencyusa.com - http://www.homeemergencyusa.com
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: March 27 2006 at 8:43pm
I just wanted to mention what's probably obvious - make sure at least one of the phones in your house is a corded phone. Cordless phones are nice but they won't work if the power goes out.
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Posted By: Siameselade
Date Posted: March 27 2006 at 8:53pm
Yes, that's a really good point, I would think that we'd have phone service for a while. I hope so, I am also hoping for Internet to stay on for awhile to, we have cable, our daughters have Sat. So I hope at least to be able to communicate
------------- Siam
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Posted By: Trident/Delta
Date Posted: March 29 2006 at 12:13pm
Couple quick things - The morse code requirement for hams is no longer in effect. Just a written test on radio theory, electronic principals and station safety.
I am a General class Ham. I still use morse because it is much more reliable than voice. I guess that I have been appointed the un-official-official radio geek. If you have any questions feel free to ask
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Posted By: maskman
Date Posted: March 30 2006 at 9:31pm
simple,question here, and i don't have time to go thru all the excellent posts right now
i need a receiver - all i want to do is listen.
maximum flexibility, but my focus is local
if things start to happen, i am in an excellent position to monitor local events
my understanding is that any type of receiver is legal - it is the transmitting that you need a liscense for, correct?
regardless, i don't really care about legal issues. by the time i turn this baby on, legal issues won't really matter any more.
i hope i never use it, but my guess is i can find one locally or on ebay
i just need to know what to look for, and how much i should pay.
if something happens, even just a car crash, i will hear the sirens, and i'd love to be able to flip a switch and listen in. i am not a tech geek, so this needs to be an off-the-shelf unit
of course i'll keep you posted, once i hear anything
thanks in advance!
------------- hope and pray for the best; prepare responsibly for the worst
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 1:17pm
Has anybody discussed how to make communications SECURE yet? If the world really gets unsafe, the last thing I need is for the rest of the world to listen in while I talk to others.
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Posted By: Trident/Delta
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 1:28pm
Bumpman wrote:
Has anybody discussed how to make communications SECURE yet? If the world really gets unsafe, the last thing I need is for the rest of the world to listen in while I talk to others.
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QUOTE=maskman]simple,question here, and i don't have time to go thru all the excellent posts right now
i need a receiver - all i want to do is listen.
maximum flexibility, but my focus is local
if things start to happen, i am in an excellent position to monitor local events
my understanding is that any type of receiver is legal - it is the transmitting that you need a liscense for, correct?
regardless, i don't really care about legal issues. by the time i turn this baby on, legal issues won't really matter any more.
i hope i never use it, but my guess is i can find one locally or on ebay
i just need to know what to look for, and how much i should pay.
if something happens, even just a car crash, i will hear the sirens, and i'd love to be able to flip a switch and listen in. i am not a tech geek, so this needs to be an off-the-shelf unit
of course i'll keep you posted, once i hear anything
thanks in advance!
[/QUOTE]
Here is a 2-fer.
First maskman. You are correct that you are not in violation if you do not transmit. You can get a good multi-band receiver for about $200.00. But, that being said, i would consider investing in good used HF ham rig. 'bout $100 more, but you have the ability to transmit if you need it.
For Bumpman:
ComSec (Communications Security) will be a major issue going forward. It is presumed that you would be having comms with someone that you know. If that is the case, you need to develop a series of "brevity codes" that on the surface have no meaning except for those that need to receive them (kinda like 10-4 meaning "roger") The military utilized a brevity code that was referred to as "Q and Z" signals. For instance, QBF means flying in a cloud. So, if I stated that "I am QBF" it is obvious. If asked as a question, it would be "Are you QBF?" THe ham community has quite a universal collection of Q codes. "Z" codes are specific to the US military.
Back in my "survivalist" days, there was an organization called NITRO which stood for "National Independently Trained Radio Operators" They composed a CEOI (Communications and Electronic Operating Instructions) for NITRO operators to use if it was TEOTWAWKI. I have a copy of it stashed away somewhere (I am a packrat). I will see if I can find a copy of it. It is only hardcopy though. I will have to transcribe it (or OCR it) into computer format.
T/D
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Posted By: Trident/Delta
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 1:31pm
Quick exam[ple of what I am talking about:
AMATEUR RADIO "Q-SIGNALS" QNA Answer in prearranged order. QNC All net stations copy. QND Net is directed. QNE Entire net stand by. QNF Net is free. QNG Take over as net control station. QNI Net stations report in. QNM You are QRMing the net. QNN Net control station is [call sign]. QNO Station is leaving the net. QNP Unable to copy you. QNS Following stations are in the net. QNT I request permission to leave the net. QNU The net has traffic for you. QNX You are excused from the net QNY Shift to another frequency. QNZ Zero beat your signal with mine. QRG Will you tell me my exact frequency? QRH Does my frequency vary? QRJ Are you receiving me badly? QRK What is the intelligibility of my signals? QRL Are you busy? QRM Is my transmission being interfered with? QRN Are you troubled by static? QRO Shall I increase power? QRP Shall I decrease power? QRQ Shall I send faster? QRS Shall I send more slowly? QRT Shall I stop sending? QRU Have you anything for me? QRV Are you ready? QRX When will you call me again? QRY What is my turn? QRZ Who is calling me? QSA What is the strength of my signals? QSB Are my signals fading? QSD Is my keying defective? QSG Shall I send messages? QSK Can you hear between your signals? QSL Can you acknowledge receipt? QSM Shall I repeat the last message? QSN Did you hear me? QSO Can you communicate with me? QSP Will you relay? QST General call preceding a message. QSU Shall I send or reply on this frequency? QSW Will you send on this frequency? QSX Will you listen? QSY Shall I change frequency? QSZ Shall I send each word more than once? QTA Shall I cancel message? QTB Do you agree with my counting of words? QTC How many messages have you to send? QTH What is your location? QTR What is the correct time?
T/D
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Posted By: Trident/Delta
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 1:33pm
Go to http://www.zerobeat.net/qrp/qsignals.html - http://www.zerobeat.net/qrp/qsignals.html for a comprehensive list of Q signals
T/D
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Posted By: Trident/Delta
Date Posted: March 31 2006 at 1:40pm
Go to:
http://www.marsgateway.net/docs/zsigs.pdf - http://www.marsgateway.net/docs/zsigs.pdf
for info on "z"sigs.
T/D
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Posted By: Carpe Diem
Date Posted: April 01 2006 at 8:06am
justme wrote:
Hand Crank cell phone charger (for obvious reasons)
Just google it. :) You can get one for about $20 USD.
Here is one site that sells it http://www.soscharger.net/ - http://www.soscharger.net/ (I have not purchased from them so I can not endorse this company, I am simply giving an example) |
Hi Justme...
I just ordered a "Solio" solar-powered cell phone charger.
It has a good review here: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11288_7-6427792-3.html?tag=arw - http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11288_7-6427792-3.html?tag=arw (The "crank" style chargers did not fare as well.)
I`ll now find out firsthand how good (or not good) it really is.
Best wishes!
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Posted By: maskman
Date Posted: April 01 2006 at 8:50am
thank you everyone for the excellent information i now know everything i need, within 24 hours, thanks to your help.
and now this info is here for all the world to see, for anyone to access
the true power of the internet
just my 2 cents here:
if it gets to the point where i need to listen in, for fear of my own safety, i do NOT want to be transmitting. i might have a transmitter on hand, but it would be for the great rebuilding, the new society, the time when i can walk down to the town square with it under my arm, and sit there and wait for someone who knows how to use it to show up, and together we can all figure out how to use whatever we have left. that is the future i am prepping for, and i will have the resources on hand that i will need, even if i don't have the transmitter. i have the receiver. i will know how to find the transmitter if i think i need to. i will be in control of the situation, to the best of my ability.
that is the future i am planning for
WHAT ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR?
------------- hope and pray for the best; prepare responsibly for the worst
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 02 2006 at 11:22am
just a quick update on my research and experiences
target had nothing is store i could find easily
best buy only has them online
radio shack seems to be the answer, which is what i initially expected anyway
seems that the pro-94 and pro-97 will both meet my needs
pro - 97 is my first choice, at least for now
i will report back after i get back this afternoon
there is a wal-mart next door, just in case, but i never did like going inside walmart, esp. when it's crowded
walmart has been a great resource to our family these last 2 weeks
i still avoid it like the plague, so to speak
i remember after katrina, when the gas stations started to close here a few days later, a friend of mine described the mad rush to get the last gas
it was like walmart at christmas, she said
that says it all. i always follow the weather, i respect it immensly
i had my gas topped off already, and i waited an extra day - the wife didn't think that we really needed to do it at all. i tried to tell her otherwise; i explained my reasoning to her. she pointed out that we still had half a tank, so i bit my tounge and agreed with her.
when gas went up 10 cents overnight, all she had to do was see the sign at the gas station. i didn't even have to point it out to her. she noticed the price, and she was pulling into the station to top off without me saying another word. she is smart. i know that. and we still didn't have to wait in line.
i would never have let it go that far.
thanks again for all the help
end transmission
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 03 2006 at 12:15pm
i got the pro-97 on sale!
$50 off - got the rechargable batteries too, for an extra $20
it will work on regular AA batteries as well, just in case. still in the box, but i am happy
very happy
for lots of different reasons
but that is just me
thanks again to everyone who helped!
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Posted By: bleva2
Date Posted: April 03 2006 at 10:43pm
The people who run this board might want to query all the members to find out who is a HAM. HAMs have experience organizing communications such as weather nets when sever weather is coming upon a county. HAM radios can also transmit packets. In other words, they can become a wireless network. I would suggest that HAMs form a group and start practicing relaying communications via this group.
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Posted By: detpat
Date Posted: April 07 2006 at 6:50pm
radio shack has gmrs radios on sale, clearance, for $29 including batteries and dual slot desktop chargers.
pat
------------- never underestimate the power of human stupidity
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Posted By: MercutioATC
Date Posted: April 30 2006 at 5:26pm
Spoon wrote:
CB radios are a great way to communicate when everything else fails. A standard CB signal only travels about 4-8 miles, but mods can be made.
A friend of mine, who turned me on to this site, has done some research regarding converting base stations. He found ways to enhance the signal across multiple states.
It's not cheap ($500-$700), but it might be a great way to continue this forum.
I, or my friend, will post more detailed info soon for anyone interested. |
Please, do NOT do this! I'm an air traffic controller and we currently get CB interference from an illegal CB transmitter on one of our ATC frequencies. Apparently, the CB frequency is something like the 5th harmonic of our ATC frequency and it interferes with our ability to talk to airplanes at times.
The FCC has a REASON for the rules they post.
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Posted By: Mississipp Mama
Date Posted: May 02 2006 at 8:18pm
Hi everyone, I am taking a ham radio class. It is being offered free at the Mormon Church in my area. I have six weeks left. I hope i have enough time to finish and take my eaxm.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 16 2006 at 5:52pm
*** CAUTION ***
Communications in a pandemic (declared disaster) may not work as expected-
Internet access: may not be working after 3-4 days (saturated, maintenance issues at ISPs, capacity commandeered!)
GMRS/FRS Walkie Talkies: 2-3 mile range (need batteries) - need to work out a link to ham radio RACES operator in advance. Best for neighborhood use/support. GMRS radios require FCC license ($80, no exam). FRS does not seem to need license, but has reduced power (range). GMRS would probably have to be operated on low power, anyway, to conserve batteries.
Telephone: lines probably not available (much capacity commandeered!) May offer spotty service at best.
Cell Phones: failed quickly in 9/11 disaster (after 15 - 30 minutes!) Local "gummint" has the switch, too. Consider it commandeered!
Text Messaging: was partially effective in Katrina disaster, uncertain status in pandemic situation.
Ham radio: may well be limited to RACES operators by law, but probably working to some extent, may also be limited by such law to emergency traffic only. Possible availability for welfare traffic (family member status, etc.).
My recommendations:
(1) Take CERT training (posted this elsewhere, also).
(2) Form a CERT team in your neighborhood.
(3) Get FRS/GMRS radios - buy and learn to use them with your neighbors.
(4) Locate ham radio RACES operator (only for emergencies) He/she can listen on your FRS/GMRS frequencies but cannot speak on them legally. However, he/she may have licensed FRS/GMRS radio, also. Many do.
(5) Practice communicating with your ham operator. He/she may have a path to local Emergency Services (police, fire, medical, etc.).
(6) Work out contact schedules ("skeds") to conserve batteries and time.
(7) Be sure you have enough batteries.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 17 2006 at 6:04pm
More on radios:
There are various qualities of GMRS/FRS handheld radios. General purpose consumer grade radios with 22 channels sell for under $40. Better quality radios are available at ham radio stores for about $160. The latter have greater range and use rechargable batteries.
Note 1: Check actual frequencies in instruction manual. Channel numbers may not correspond between cheap FRS radios and good GMRS/FRS designs.
Note 2: There are some frequency (channel) limitations in certain regions. Check these for legal operation.
Note 3: Remember to register and get your FCC license for the GMRS radios, which send out high (above 0.5 Watts) power.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 19 2006 at 9:05pm
I am planning to add a bc246t to my preps.I am a rank novice to scanning, could someone advise me as to what type of antenne I could buy to improve reception.Thank you in advance.
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Posted By: 2ifbyC
Date Posted: May 20 2006 at 8:49am
Auto mobile: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102469&cp=2032052&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032052&categoryId=2032052&kwCatId=2032052&kw=scanner+antenna&parentPage=search - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102469&cp=2032052&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032052&categoryId=2032052&kwCatId=2032052&kw=scanner+antenna&parentPage=search
Home: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103160&cp=2032052&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032052&categoryId=2032052&kwCatId=2032052&kw=scanner+antenna&parentPage=search - http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103160&cp=2032052&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032052&categoryId=2032052&kwCatId=2032052&kw=scanner+antenna&parentPage=search
The home discone will make a tremendous difference!
------------- Survival does have an 'I'!
Dodging 'canes on Florida's central Gulf Coast
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: May 20 2006 at 10:42am
Thank you 2ifbyC.I'll definately check it out after I get my radio.
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Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: October 03 2006 at 3:40pm
In answer to some questions:
Solar/Handcrank Radios by Freeplay (The Summit) $43.50
Weather Alert Portable Radios by Oregon Scientific $34.50
(includes emer. alerts stations as well as NOAH)
2-Way Radios by Motorola-FRS/GMRS (12 mile radius) $65.50
http://www.homeemergencyusa.com/Radios-and-Flashlights_1_category.html - Radios and Flashlights
Hand Crank Cell Phone Charger (The Sidewinder) $22.50
http://www.homeemergencyusa.com/Emergency-Hand-Crank-Cell-Phone-Charger-%3Cbr%3EThe-%91SideWinder%92-from-%3Ci%3EIST-Designs%3C-i%3E_4_180_detail.html - Survival Tools
Why go all around town and spend hours searching the internet?
Start here for top quality and low prices. Look through our entire website....if you need it,
we probably have it.
We started our company after a detailed investigation of family emergency preparation items for our use. We may not be the biggest, but chances are we are the best!
http://www.homeemergencyusa.com/ - Home Emergency USA.com
Hope to see you there. Just email me or give me a call if you need special help, have questions, etc. Contact info on our website.
I have been an Avia Flu Talk member for quite a while. My family and I value so much all the information we have gotten from this website.
Thank you, one and all.
Rocky
------------- Prepare for the Unexpected! Rocky http://www.homeemergencyusa.com - http://www.homeemergencyusa.com
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Posted By: jazzy
Date Posted: October 27 2006 at 9:06pm
rocky,
i have wanted a volcano stove for some time--after i saw your post i
did a search and you have a terrific price for the stove and
accessories---ordered one today. i have a solar oven that i love
using and a reagular camping propane stove, but im really glad to find
the volcano II becasue it is more versital than just he propane stove.
thanks
jazzy
------------- *****************************
Courage is Fear that has said its prayers
Jazzy Acre Herbals
http://jazzyherbals.xeir.com/
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: October 28 2006 at 4:17am
I looked at that SOS Charger. Looks like a nice unit, but my phone is old enough to where it ain't supported. Oh well.
Question on the radio issue: Someone mentioned a 100' mast. I'm assuming that refers to the antenna? Ok, I live real close to an airport. 1.5 to 2 miles from the runway. My house is on the takeoff/approach path. What are the height regulations concerning maximum mast height? I'd hate to make an investment only to have some 'official' tell me the mast is too high?
Any idea where i can find the info?
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Posted By: Rocky
Date Posted: October 29 2006 at 2:58pm
Hi,
Not sure if by 'SOS' you mean a brand name (I don't know it) or "emergency". For the Sidewinder hand crank charger that we carry, we have a complete list of phones compatible using one of the included adapters.
Adapters for other cell phones not included in this list are available for $5.00 including shipping. We can email you that list, or you can email us the make and model you have.(see email on site)
As for the question below, height restriction above roofline is probably covered by local ordinance, or maybe county. Any licensed builder would probably know, otherwise contact would be with local, township, or county building office.
FictionWriter wrote:
I looked at that SOS Charger. Looks like a nice unit, but my phone is old enough to where it ain't supported. Oh well.
Question on the radio issue: Someone mentioned a 100' mast. I'm assuming that refers to the antenna? Ok, I live real close to an airport. 1.5 to 2 miles from the runway. My house is on the takeoff/approach path. What are the height regulations concerning maximum mast height? I'd hate to make an investment only to have some 'official' tell me the mast is too high?
Any idea where i can find the info?
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------------- Prepare for the Unexpected! Rocky http://www.homeemergencyusa.com - http://www.homeemergencyusa.com
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: October 30 2006 at 5:31am
SOSCharger is a brand name. Looks pretty much identical to the handcrank sidewinder unit on your page though.
Either way, the gist is the same. Your page says compatible with most popular models. Motorola is on that list, but my phone is 6 or 7 yrs old. One of the 1st digital Startacs to come out.
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Posted By: Peteski
Date Posted: December 27 2006 at 8:08am
I read with interest your comments about getting an FCC license and operating modified CBs in the 10 meter band. I am an extra class amatuer (ham) radio operator (KF0GV). First, do not buy a CB that has been modified to operate on the 10 meter band. 10 meters is not only considered a ham band, IT IS an amatuer band. Operating on 10 meters with a modified CB or with an FCC type accepted ham radio without an FCC license is illegal. The FCC has really been stepping up enforcement lately and the fines can be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. So, to everyone out there - Don't do it. You are not welcome on 10 meters unless you are properly licensed and have the proper equipment. Having said that, it is not at all difficult to obtain your license to operate on the 10 meter band or on any of the lower HF bands. 10 meters is considered a relatively high frequency HF band and is not very reliable for long distance communication (DX) unless you are near or in the solar maximum of the 11 year cycle. Right now, we are at the bottom and DX communication on 10 meters is almost non-existant except for some infrequent sporatic E communication which usually is short lived and only United States wide or at most to northern South America. The FCC just passed a new regulation that eliminates the morse code requirement entirely. I believe that will go in to effect on or about February 1, 2007. So, now, you don't even have to learn the code to get your FCC license to operate on the ham bands. There still are various levels of licenses which I think will be Technician, General and Extra. Each test covers more detailed and difficult information and therefore requires more study to get to a higher level. My recommendation is to study for and take the tech. and general class exams and get your license. Then you will have ample frequency priviledges. Take your extra class license exam later if you are in the hobby to stay. If you get your General class license, you will be able to operate on all of the other HF bands including 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters. 20 and 40 provide reliable world wide communication year round and throughout the highs and lows of the 11 year solar cycle. We welcome new hams and are eager to help. If anyone has any questions about becoming a Ham Radio Operator, I'd recommend contacting the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at www.arrl.org and someone can help you there. Or contact someone in your local area. The ARRL can refer you to local Ham radio clubs. Good luck!
------------- Pete
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: June 08 2009 at 1:51am
Spoon wrote:
Hi MM,
Bannor and I just recently set up VHF transceivers (2-meter HAM) on both ends... it works. We can communicate no matter what happens. We can also here a lot of what's happening in our area.
If you're interested, I or Bannor can give more detailed instructions. Each setup ran about $500 (radio, AC power supply, 100' cable, antenna and mount).
You should get a license. Not that difficult. We're in the process but wanted to set up the radios first to make sure we could communicate. For now we just listen... soon we will be able transmit legally. |
Tell Bannor we have been working on this for two years. This is a very sophisticated system and I have 5-6 programmers in Silicon Valley working with our "Defense company" on this. The layers of encryption as well as compress for which we have written highly advanced socket code working with programmers from Thailand goes far beyond a simple local broadcasting network. We must be able to communicate with U.K. and Europe.
I first posted concerning INet 3years ago. As with all good ideas, it has made the rounds. The challenge for those of use who have been programmers since 1978 in Silicon Valley, my true home- is in the new technology we are developing.
This information is being released several weeks prior to the manual. There is no way that what we are doing can be developed this fast and compete with our system.
Although submitted to .gov and scheduled for demonstration when we can to DHS - also offered to set up a "write you own project' there are many political considerations.
There are many island groups working on Prep- however even though they interface across states, interfacing with the infrastructure is important. That we are doing currently in an unofficial capacity.
Medclinician
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Posted By: edprof
Date Posted: December 21 2016 at 8:31pm
Trident/Delta wrote:
Couple quick things - The morse code requirement for hams is no longer in effect. Just a written test on radio theory, electronic principals and station safety.
I am a General class Ham. I still use morse because it is much more reliable than voice. I guess that I have been appointed the un-official-official radio geek. If you have any questions feel free to ask |
I'm a new General class. Right, no Morse anymore. I went from non-ham to Ham with a General and four radios in about two months. 2 meter radio in the cellar, CB in the same storm cellar, a hand 2 meter-70cm, and I am getting an HF radio for Christmas. More coming in another post.
------------- Oftentimes the Lord helps those who help themselves.
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Posted By: edprof
Date Posted: December 21 2016 at 8:38pm
Peteski wrote:
I read with interest your comments about getting an FCC license and operating modified CBs in the 10 meter band. I am an extra class amatuer (ham) radio operator (KF0GV). First, do not buy a CB that has been modified to operate on the 10 meter band. 10 meters is not only considered a ham band, IT IS an amatuer band. Operating on 10 meters with a modified CB or with an FCC type accepted ham radio without an FCC license is illegal. The FCC has really been stepping up enforcement lately and the fines can be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. So, to everyone out there - Don't do it. You are not welcome on 10 meters unless you are properly licensed and have the proper equipment. Having said that, it is not at all difficult to obtain your license to operate on the 10 meter band or on any of the lower HF bands. 10 meters is considered a relatively high frequency HF band and is not very reliable for long distance communication (DX) unless you are near or in the solar maximum of the 11 year cycle. Right now, we are at the bottom and DX communication on 10 meters is almost non-existant except for some infrequent sporatic E communication which usually is short lived and only United States wide or at most to northern South America. The FCC just passed a new regulation that eliminates the morse code requirement entirely. I believe that will go in to effect on or about February 1, 2007. So, now, you don't even have to learn the code to get your FCC license to operate on the ham bands. There still are various levels of licenses which I think will be Technician, General and Extra. Each test covers more detailed and difficult information and therefore requires more study to get to a higher level. My recommendation is to study for and take the tech. and general class exams and get your license. Then you will have ample frequency priviledges. Take your extra class license exam later if you are in the hobby to stay. If you get your General class license, you will be able to operate on all of the other HF bands including 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters. 20 and 40 provide reliable world wide communication year round and throughout the highs and lows of the 11 year solar cycle. We welcome new hams and are eager to help. If anyone has any questions about becoming a Ham Radio Operator, I'd recommend contacting the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at www.arrl.org and someone can help you there. Or contact someone in your local area. The ARRL can refer you to local Ham radio clubs. Good luck! |
Let me echo what this ham said.
CB is not ham. I have both and use both, but they are different frequencies, different legal entities, and different cultures. Someone from CB land who wanders into the ham frequencies will be noticed very quickly. They might even get "fox hunted" and turned in if the situation doesn't justify it.
FCC enforcement seems to this relatively new ham to be occasional but severe when it does happen. Study for an exam, get at least your Technician's license. Even without a background in physics or electrical engineering (like me) you can learn enough from ten hours study and two-three visits with someone already inside the ham community, and you can pass your technician's exam. This will get you into two-meter and 70 centimeter privileges. This is 45-50 mile radius reach in most geographies even without hitting a repeater.
------------- Oftentimes the Lord helps those who help themselves.
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Posted By: edprof
Date Posted: December 21 2016 at 8:51pm
I'll try not to write an epistle, but hopefully write enough to be of help. Two months ago I became aware that no one in our church had any ham radio capabilities. If we lost the Internet and/or the grid, we would be out of touch with the world. I decided to get into ham and buy a CB radio. With the help of a very experienced "Elmer" I installed those two radios in a concrete storm shelter, powered by a deep cycle 12 volt battery. My plan is to recharge the battery at least once per month if not sooner. I have some other preps I do catch-up work on around the first of each month any way.
I frankly under-prepared for my Technician exam. I passed but without a lot of room to spare. The passing grade did let me get on the air and begin getting some hands on experience. There's nothing about the FCC rules that says that a Technician is going to have about a 50 mile radius range, but when you get into what frequencies that license grants you, that is about the way it works out. So our goal of having someone in the church who can gain information from the world and pass it on locally was not yet met. I got a General book and began studying for that license; the time was right for me to buy a new HF transceiver and peripherals, so I did. Those will be under the tree for me this Christmas. I spent at least 25 hours preparing for the General exam and made an 89. (I'm a former college prof; I'm used to being a student. I STILL had to study for this one.)
So now we will have someone in our church who can put an ear to the ground to gain information even if most other forms of communication are down. Both the HF and the two-meter radios are 12 volt battery supplied, so that deals with some grid issues. We have 6000 watts of solar panels, battery bank, Generac propane powered 11kW generator, and gasoline powered generator, so we think we will have electricity under most circumstances. It'd be nice if Kim Jon Un would give us a couple of hour's notice before he send an HEMP over this way so we could turn everything off/disconnect everything. With information gleaned from HF and VHF, we can then use the CB to relay information along to our church and others who may be listening in.
------------- Oftentimes the Lord helps those who help themselves.
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Posted By: edprof
Date Posted: October 14 2017 at 11:58am
Peteski wrote:
I read with interest your comments about getting an FCC license and operating modified CBs in the 10 meter band. I am an extra class amatuer (ham) radio operator (KF0GV). First, do not buy a CB that has been modified to operate on the 10 meter band. 10 meters is not only considered a ham band, IT IS an amatuer band. Operating on 10 meters with a modified CB or with an FCC type accepted ham radio without an FCC license is illegal. The FCC has really been stepping up enforcement lately and the fines can be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range. So, to everyone out there - Don't do it. You are not welcome on 10 meters unless you are properly licensed and have the proper equipment. Having said that, it is not at all difficult to obtain your license to operate on the 10 meter band or on any of the lower HF bands. 10 meters is considered a relatively high frequency HF band and is not very reliable for long distance communication (DX) unless you are near or in the solar maximum of the 11 year cycle. Right now, we are at the bottom and DX communication on 10 meters is almost non-existant except for some infrequent sporatic E communication which usually is short lived and only United States wide or at most to northern South America. The FCC just passed a new regulation that eliminates the morse code requirement entirely. I believe that will go in to effect on or about February 1, 2007. So, now, you don't even have to learn the code to get your FCC license to operate on the ham bands. There still are various levels of licenses which I think will be Technician, General and Extra. Each test covers more detailed and difficult information and therefore requires more study to get to a higher level. My recommendation is to study for and take the tech. and general class exams and get your license. Then you will have ample frequency priviledges. Take your extra class license exam later if you are in the hobby to stay. If you get your General class license, you will be able to operate on all of the other HF bands including 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters. 20 and 40 provide reliable world wide communication year round and throughout the highs and lows of the 11 year solar cycle. We welcome new hams and are eager to help. If anyone has any questions about becoming a Ham Radio Operator, I'd recommend contacting the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at www.arrl.org and someone can help you there. Or contact someone in your local area. The ARRL can refer you to local Ham radio clubs. Good luck! |
I came along several years later. But yes, this is a very accurate summary. KW5STW
------------- Oftentimes the Lord helps those who help themselves.
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Posted By: edprof
Date Posted: February 06 2018 at 9:56am
wrote:
Right now the problem is time. To get on the really long bands requires an FCC license. While I'm sure the FCC won't be knocking on our doors during an emergency, we'd not only be clueless but also in the way of the real Hams, who have proven, over and over again to be the backbone of communication in a true crisis. However, it's not too hard to find CBs that have been modified to also transmit and receive in the 10 meter band, these also have builtin amplifiers boosting them from 4 watts CB to up to 200! Alot of truckers have been doing this. The 10 meter band has some distance and is also considered a 'Ham' band. You could communicate with friends, as well as the outside world. At your leisure, you could take the 35 question test and do the morse for the FCC to get legitmately on the band, but in the meantime, if H5N1 happens, you've got two-way, both CB and low level Ham for about a $500 investment.
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Citizens' band is actually 11 meters. But as an extra-class ham I appreciate both the facts and the tone of your post.
Morse code is no longer required for any ham license. The knowledge of electronic principles required to pass the general and extra license exams has gone up. This is probably to accommodate the new technologies out there.
I got into ham in November of 2017 over a conversation with church friends. In a congregation of 120, we had no one with ham skills and practically no one with citizens band. I stepped out there and began studying for ham licenses; I also ended up putting about $2,000 into equipment. Another member who represents a slightly different geographic area bought CD and GMRS equipment. The plan is for me to monitor or communicate with the longer range equipment and then communicate with him via the CB and GMRS equipment.
------------- Oftentimes the Lord helps those who help themselves.
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