Family Emergency Communication Plan - How To Prepare

[@bruceweissman8772]

Good explanation of the options available to keep in touch with the world if shtf.

[@thetechieprepper]

Truth!

[@theodorethomas4915]

The GMRS version of the UV-5R (uv-5x) is a good inexpensive alternative. The license is only $35 and covers families. I plan on distributing them to my parents for emergency comms hooking up to the local repeaters

[@thetechieprepper]

Sounds like a good plan. I have the family licensed for GMRS as well. I'd recommend including simple instructions (maybe laminated) when distributing the radios if your parents are anything like mine. I have to include a step by step guide :-)

[@theoriginaldashriprock]

GMRS handhelds are a good idea, provided repeaters are working. Certainly during a grid down situation or even just a simple power outage, it's likely the repeaters in your area are not going to be working. At that point you're strictly line of sight which these handhelds at best you'll get a mile, maybe two in a typical neighborhood.

[@grandcanyon2]

love the vid man, electrical/mechanical field is nice.

[@thetechieprepper]

Thanks!

[@danielrollerd6048]

Good stuff brother keep it up

[@thetechieprepper]

Thanks!

[@aaron.althouse]

Thanks for the good overview. It did get my wheels turning and I appreciate the insight. I think many ppl underestimate the need for comms when we're in duress and much of what you present is a solid foundation. Based on my understanding, one does not need to be licensed to listen to ham freqs, only xmit. Also, thanks for the clarifying comment on how we might get by regarding "Safety of life and protection of property." Too many Fudds worry about their precious license and government requirements and forget that real people's lives may be at stake. I knew they exist in the 2A world; I guess anywhere there is regulatory oversight (overreach) they pop up.

[@thetechieprepper]

Hi Aaron. You are correct. No license is needed to listen to any communications these radios can receive. Transmitting on the GMRS or amateur radio (HAM) bands does require a license under most circumstances. I actually used to frequency clear regions when I would design public safety radio networks. I would go into the field in a special test vehicle and track broadcasters who were illegally transmitting or interfering on our licensed frequencies. We would find the offenders and report them to the FCC. The FCC would issue them a notice and they would almost always stop when faced with a large fine. I spent a lot of time with other engineers, spoke to the FCC on a regular basis, and I never once heard of anyone actually being fined (or even approached) for using a low power handy talkie to transmit locally on amateur bands. I do believe in doing things legally/properly and being licensed if transmitting on on any band when required. That being said, If things get ugly for whatever reason, I'm going to be handing these out to everyone and anyone who can help.

[@stuc9910]

FYI - Those radios require a license to operate on ham frequencies. They are not type approved by the FCC for use on GMRS or FRS frequencies and really dont work well at all.

[@thetechieprepper]

Thanks Stu, I thought I mentioned that both GMRS and Ham require licensing. I'll have to double check to make sure I didn't edit those parts out accidentally. In the emergency scenarios I mention (except car to car) where there are no other reasonable means of communication, I believe "§ 97.403 Safety of life and protection of property" would apply and allow for the use of the UV-5R. You are right, they are not service duty radios. That being said, for ~$25 each, I'll use them around my neighborhood in the event of an emergency all day every day.