SHTF Communication CB Ham

hunterdan

hunterdan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Morganton,NC
Considering some sort of radio communication for fun with father in law and also prep for SHTF situations.
I live in Morganton and am looking for something that could reach across town. 12+/- miles away...as a crow flies.
My home is in a dead area. We're in a river bottom with some high hills and rolling terrain.
I thought about a handheld ham radio( and walking to a high point) then maybe an antenna mounted at our highest point with a tabletop ham radio.
Anyway, other than my pigeons, I'd like to get
another means of communication.
Thanks
 
CB is not going to be terribly reliable at that range. 2M (ham radio) would do 12 miles easily, if you get your antennas up fairly high. Its "line of sight". GMRS is another option. One license would cover the whole family. Just my 2 cents, get your ham license on both ends and rock on. K1JSJ
 
I've transmitted and received GMRS no repeaters both in mobile 10-12 miles. Should be pretty easy to achieve across town.
 
No fries said:
I've transmitted and received GMRS no repeaters both in mobile 10-12 miles. Should be pretty easy to achieve across town.
Click to expand...

Yeah I should clarify, we don’t use the repeaters (we have before) but for regular use traveling together it’s common to reach distances of 5-10 miles on just the units alone.
 
I have easily done over 5 miles simplex with handhelds on 2m. Never found the outer limit with handhelds but curve of the earth says about 6 miles if on the ground, farther if antenna is higher.

Repeaters are where 2m and 440 get awesome. The tower in Garner has an incredible footprint, hitting it with a handheld from 50+ miles is easy. I have hit it from my truck while almost to Winston with a 5/8w antenna and 50w.
 
ponykilr said:
I have easily done over 5 miles simplex with handhelds on 2m. Never found the outer limit with handhelds but curve of the earth says about 6 miles if on the ground, farther if antenna is higher.

Repeaters are where 2m and 440 get awesome. The tower in Garner has an incredible footprint, hitting it with a handheld from 50+ miles is easy. I have hit it from my truck while almost to Winston with a 5/8w antenna and 50w.
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I don't know half of what @ponykilr said. But I have a chicom programmable vehicle radio that cost me less than a hundo that I slapped on GMRS and other frequencies on. I'd go with one of those on your off-road rig. I've also got a couple programmable baofeng handhelds that are like $30 a piece. That should cover SHTF all day long.
 
Comfort in knowing we're all equally screwed.

In an SHTF deal, distances will go up on everything as long as an EMP doesn't hit you.
Manmade noise will be gone and you'll just be able to hear better.
Put the same effort into getting a good antenna set-up for a CB you would with a ham set-up and you will be surprised what it will do!
Antennas are the magic.
When FRS first came out I hacked a handheld to hook it up to my ham radio antenna and talked close to 20 miles on it ..... boredom is a great motivator.
I would start out with a couple of old cheap CBs and GOOD antennas and go from there.
 
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ponykilr said:
I refrained from talking HF and dipoles 🤷🏼‍♂️
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Same. at that range a couple J-poles on the roofs for 2m would be perfect.


The biggest thing is dont get your license and a setup, check it, and then never use it. Many of the people who get radios for SHTF will be just as screwed as someone trying to use their cell phone. You have to practice at least some and learn how to make it do what you want it to.
 
You can pass the Tech exam if you have any brain at all. It’s $15 and a couple of hours of your time. Online flash cards and study guides an hour a night for a week before the test will easily be enough to ace it.

Then get a couple of Bfengs and be happy.

hamstudy.org

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools

Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.
hamstudy.org hamstudy.org

No-Nonsense Study Guides

www.kb6nu.com www.kb6nu.com
 
Funny, I was recently asking on a CB group how to set up my CB that I took out of my Jeep for use in my shop. I got good info on antenna set up and power options.
 
ponykilr said:
You can pass the Tech exam if you have any brain at all. It’s $15 and a couple of hours of your time. Online flash cards and study guides an hour a night for a week before the test will easily be enough to ace it.

Then get a couple of Bfengs and be happy.

hamstudy.org

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools

Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.
hamstudy.org hamstudy.org

No-Nonsense Study Guides

www.kb6nu.com www.kb6nu.com
Click to expand...


The exam is NOT $15! The ARRL charges $15. There are plenty of options to take it that cost $0. I am a VE now with a group that does it for free, as well as with the ARRL. The ARRL is the largest, but it costs $15 and takes a while to get your call. Not bashing them at all (they are the largest, most well known, and probably the best organized), but there are other options.


I recommend using hamstudy.org to study. The technician test is easy, and general isnt much harder. Then find a test site near you or test online.

hamstudy.org

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools

Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.
hamstudy.org hamstudy.org

Find an Amateur Radio License Exam in Your Area

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.
www.arrl.org www.arrl.org

 
ponykilr said:
You can pass the Tech exam if you have any brain at all. It’s $15 and a couple of hours of your time. Online flash cards and study guides an hour a night for a week before the test will easily be enough to ace it.

Then get a couple of Bfengs and be happy.

hamstudy.org

HamStudy.org: Cutting edge amateur radio study tools

Free ham radio flash cards, practice tests, and question pools as well as introduction to ham radio and explanations for questions.
hamstudy.org hamstudy.org

No-Nonsense Study Guides

www.kb6nu.com www.kb6nu.com
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when SHTF will it even matter if you are licensed.....
If that is only when you care about it, just setup the bfengs and do it.
 
DSM Turbos said:
when SHTF will it even matter if you are licensed.....
If that is only when you care about it, just setup the bfengs and do it.
Click to expand...
Thanks...that's what I was thinking.
In a SHTF situation my family would most likely be together as I am their bug out plan.
Communication would not be for chit chat. It would be for making sure family is ok and on their way.
 
awheelterd said:
What is everyone planning to talk about halfway across the country when"shtf"

NC dude "hey bud how's it going over there"

KS dude "man it's bad out here, were fucked!"

NC dude "damn dog, we're fucked too! Good talking to you"
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Trading shine for freedom seeds or vis versa is what I plan on doing with my long range comms.
 
awheelterd said:
What is everyone planning to talk about halfway across the country when"shtf"

NC dude "hey bud how's it going over there"

KS dude "man it's bad out here, were fucked!"

NC dude "damn dog, we're fucked too! Good talking to you"
Click to expand...

HF offers mid and long range comms. From across the county, to a couple continents away. May need to coordinate the movement of supplies, people, info, ect. Also, Post SHTF, it can be a great tool to stay informed and lift spirits by hearing of whats happening elsewhere.
 
awheelterd said:
Am I the only one who reads HAM as "Hard As a Motherfucker"? It's another one of those highschool acronyms my wife taught me 🤣.
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Nah, it's Have Another Meal as hams look for any excuse to gather for food. :D
 
cranbiz said:
Nah, it's Have Another Meal as hams look for any excuse to gather for food. :D
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Its in our "charter" that our "club" meetings require food haha. Mostly just a group of us that like to get together and eat while occasionally chatting on the radio, and we wanted a club call to use for POTA and field day.
 
Nope, won’t matter but without practice and understanding capabilities and limits ahead of time will you be able to use it the best you are able?

DSM Turbos said:
when SHTF will it even matter if you are licensed.....
If that is only when you care about it, just setup the bfengs and do it.
Click to expand...

hunterdan said:
Thanks...that's what I was thinking.
In a SHTF situation my family would most likely be together as I am their bug out plan.
Communication would not be for chit chat. It would be for making sure family is ok and on their way.
Click to expand...
 
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