Three Categories of Communication that Apply to All Radios

[@thatguy3139]

This channel just keeps getting better. Im also big on the podcasts since i can usually listen to those as i work.

[@BuceGar]

I love TREX, what podcasts are you talking about?

[@prairiestatepatriots]

Isaac is the GOAT of the TREX crew.

[@Baker1798]

I agree with this statement. I am so happy he started the Labs channel

[@prairiestatepatriots]

@Baker1798 oh yeah man. Dude has a wealth of knowledge and is very good at compiling and presenting information.

[@joshua511]

@@prairiestatepatriots Exactly this.

[@prairiestatepatriots]

@joshua511 I started watching TREX because of Lucas gun videos... I've continued warching because of Isaac lol. Funny how primary interests change over time. I know how to shoot. Now I need to learn other areas of preparedness.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

Exactly, he doesn't give off that condescending attitude that Lucas gives off, I don't even watch him anymore.

[@himynameistim009]

I’m so here for all this new Comms information from a fair amount of channels recently. Thank you Issac for making Comms palatable

[@Briathos1]

I second this. Great communicator.

[@Anon-q2x]

Step 1: Acquire GMRS license Step 2: Buy as many Baofeng GMRS handheld radios as possible Step 3: Hand out all your radios to your cheapskate friends and family who wouldn't take comms seriously in peace time and get them to all use your license Step 4: Buy a mobile radio for your vehicle to have more FARS. Buy a GMRS mobile repeater if you have money. But also I think CB might be the secret weapon of emergency comms that no one appreciates at the moment.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

Yeah I have a CB for the house and about to upgrade to something newer, but it's pretty awesome for distance.

[@jasonbare3472]

Esau is that you?

[@jurpo6]

A real GMRS repeater would be a complete waste of money, they are not cheap and the frequencies you can use are terrible. I only get about 2 miles MAX between a handheld and a base station. Quit being a dumb dumb and get your ham license.

[@matrixlockdown2975]

This. All of this. Couldn't have said it better.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

I want to figure out data comms via CB SSB. Yes, I know it's currently illegal. Nothing says you can't transmit it into a dummy load though. I also want to figure out variable transmit power from my CB.

[@rickh9396]

My key takeaway from this video: I really need an electronic warfare truck.

[@KaL_Terow]

A black van w/antennas? 😂

[@ItsTheHDStudios]

Just a EW backpack/modified pelican case is really all you need. Something kind of like a MBK executive kit but for EW 🤘🏼

[@StaffAction]

@@ItsTheHDStudios do you have any ideas on how to put an A+ version of this together?

[@johnogrady2418]

Live someplace where you don't have to be bothered with this. But where?

[@scottsherwood8555]

Thanks for the call to get started in radio, that’s a great idea! Also thanks for sharing your knowledge about these different types of radios, very helpful.

[@outlandersystems552]

My body is ready for a TREX Arms Radio App.

[@TrashcanMan8]

A trex app that transmits and receives data bursts with an option to encrypt messages would be pretty slick (think andfldigi with AES 256 app combined together).

[@3nertia]

@@TrashcanMan8 The problem is legality - it's illegal to encrypt ham radio traffic heh

[@TrashcanMan8]

@@3nertia only if you care about that sort of thing.

[@f.e.r.t]

​@@TrashcanMan8I was searching for an app like that, and never find one. A rattlegram app with AES password encryption would be awesome.

[@jicire]

Get a PO Box before you submit your radio license so you dont have your home address with your call sign.

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Yep.

[@racehunter4283]

This is a pointless way to spend money. There are way easier methods to find your home address that digging through an FCC database

[@MelaVerse-v1p]

true, but some people put their call signs on LinkedIn or their license plates so in some cases it's justified.

[@joshua511]

@@racehunter4283 What could possibly be easier than typing in the 6 letter call sign of the person you just heard on air?

[@KSmith401]

@@joshua511 This is why you never give out your call sign.

[@mattcomchoc2957]

i see Isaac, i click... it's simple. nothing against the other t-rex'ers, but he's the only part of the company's youtube presence i get value from these days.

[@TechPewGuy]

I think Issac videos are my absolute favorites.

[@TheDankFarmer]

I would also personally add in a plain jane am/fm radio and a dedicated scanner (check your area to see if they run analog or digital and if they are encrypted and buy the scanner that can pick them up). Its not necessarily communications, but being able to scan and listen greatly helps information gathering to relay over your other radios and they fit well in the radio bag

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

You can totally call it one-way communications.

[@Walkeranz]

A GMRS license is $35, covers your whole family, and there is no test. Don’t neglect CB either. The HAM test isn’t that difficult and if you like to learn it’s fun. You will learn more about radio getting a HAM license. It may be things that are good to know.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

I don't see why you need a license to push a button and talk to another person who's just pushing a button.

[@nickolasthefrog]

⁠@@mortem-tyrannistraffic management

[@Subgunman]

@@mortem-tyrannisnot everyone does not follow the rule of law. Where people run into problems is when they think they can use frequencies within public safety, police, federal government, licensed business band frequencies and interfere with those legally using certain frequencies do they become an issue. If you do your research you can find frequencies in your area that are not in use and perhaps monitor before blabbing. Keep you conversations short, to the point and without obscenities. If you want to ratchet jaw and act like a fool get on CB frequencies but expect problems there as well.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

@@Subgunman I understand not getting on police and emergency frequencies but not to just conversate with a random person, as long as you stay off emergency frequencies no license should be required.

[@CzechSixTv]

@@mortem-tyrannis It's not a "license to talk" and there's also a lot more to radio than simply pushing a button. Business/public safety bands are licensed primarily to coordinate the limited bandwidth. Without it the service would devolve into a "who's louder" shouting match and fights over frequencies like CB radio has the last few decades. Amateur radio operators are licensed to experiment with many forms of radio communications, such as slow scan TV or radio teletype, on allocated bands/specific frequencies. Some of those frequencies can traverse the globe on seriously low power. They are also allowed to build their own radios(at least in the US). The testing and license levels are proof they have a minimum understanding of radio science and the applicable laws so they don't cause interference. A shoddily built or untested radio can easily transmit with enough power on 2nd and 3rd harmonic frequencies to cause interference to public safety, radar and telecom systems. A poorly tuned antenna can create all manner of spurious emissions that cause the same problems. Hams are expected and actually required to test their equipment for such issues well before sending signals off into the ether even if it's a factory radio they are using. GMRS is licensed because of the power levels and repeaters allowing greater range. The license and call sign requirement is so that owner/operator of a piece of equipment that is malfunctioning or causing interference can easily be located to remedy the situation. Some years ago the controller of a local GMRS repeater malf'd and was stuck in a loop transmitting the owner's call sign incessantly. After looking the call sign up in the ULS, someone found the owner's phone number online and contacted him. The owner was on vacation and unaware of the problem but had a friend go turn the repeater off until he could get home to fix it. The output channel would have been tied up for days without that license info. FRS/MURS and some others are simply "license by rule" because, unlike ham equipment, the radios themselves are required to be lab tested and certified as to not cause any significant interference outside their designated frequencies(so are real GMRS radios). The low power limit(2w or less) and short range nature of such radios preclude them from really needing supervision other than intentional illegal use.

[@smody121]

Isaac has been the inspiration for so much, including getting my HAM radio license!

[@CerealKiller187]

Ham is not an acronym, no need to capitalize it

[@richardowens9061]

Amateur radio is for hobbyist use, primarily. It can, of course, be used in emergencies where it often shines. But, primarily, it is a hobby. So, I do not have a problem with my home address being available to the public. If I need clandestine communications, I will seek out other forms of radio communication.

[@preacher1776]

Wish you guys would do an ATAC class and how to use it with HAM or Meshtastic. Even a 101 class would be really beneficial. Love this video! Keep up the great work.

[@CivilianTactical]

Do you guys ever plan to build community building template? I’d love to help.

[@3nertia]

Start with a questionnaire to see what things they believe; Politics, Religion, Science, Math, Etc. xD

[@ROOSTER333]

Ever since Mike and Lucas broke up years ago, I've done some personal deep dives and figured out that your content is way better. Thank you. And the last 90 seconds of the suppressor vid was cool as fvck

[@lapinebob]

The most important part of being heard is not the radio but the antenna. A $24 radio with a homemade antenna that replaces the attached antenna and thrown up in a tree in an emergency can double or triple your range. Even an upgraded antenna on a cheap radio will help.

[@Brood_Master]

The NVIS I had in mind would be a dipole wire antenna set up close to the ground using the 40 to 80 meter bands. Works best at night when the sun isn't influencing the ionosphere.

[@zingodingo2816]

Good video covering an important topic. I hope that it is very clear to listeners that Amateur radio stands out from all the channelized radio services. To utilize it and the unchannelized 'open space' it typically has access to can be a great asset to the trained and licensed person; and cause a lot of chaos for the operator, and serious problems for other communicators. (Also, please don't make us have to filter out the 'music' in your vids.)

[@rockspydre]

Some of the best content on KZbin right here.

[@RobertLowery]

Isaac, I think your bit at the end is a little incorrect. The antenna in the Garmin InReach is not directional, it is omnidirectional. Thus, when it transmits your message the signal is transmitted in almost all directions. The intended receiver of the signal is a satellite, but a ground station could fairly easily pick up the signal. In fact, you could probably "hear" the transmission on that Chinese handheld radio. I am not sure if the transmission is encrypted, but a radio connected to a computer could capture and probably decipher, with the proper software, the transmission. If someone wants to reduce the likelihood of an InReach transmission reaching terrestrial ears, I suggest sending messages from valley where you have a broad view of the sky and any signal not transmitted toward the sky is absorbed by nearby terrain.

[@isaacbotkintrex]

You are absolutely correct. However, that 1600mhz signal gets eaten by terrestrial stuff pretty easily. Now I want to try to figure out how it propagates...

[@CowboyPilot79]

@@RobertLowery you can literally dig a hole and put the transceiver down inside it too to help avoid lateral transmissions as well.

[@RobertLowery]

@isaacbotkintrex It does get absorbed by a lot of different things, although not as easily as 2400mhz or 5200mhz and those can be picked up with a directional antenna from further away than most people might realize. Signals in the VHF range and above generally propagate in a line of sight fashion, instead of following the curve of the earth like much of the HF range and below. That is why I suggest being in a valley or similar terrain feature to increase the secrecy of a signal transmitted from an InReach or similar device. Unless you are using LF (Low Frequency) and below, the earth is going to do a great job of absorbing signals from a radio transmission. I investigated 1600mhz radios back in my wireless ISP days. The 1600mhz range is much better at penetrating foliage than 2400mhz, which is why I suspect Garmin chose that range for their InReach radios. From a secrecy stand point that makes the signals more difficult to shield from terrain based listening stations. I do not have an InReach device or an SDR, but it would be interesting to have some listening stations at various ranges, or perhaps a mobile station, and find out what they see when an InReach device transmits. Edit: My apologies to any non-radio enthusiast trying to follow this conversation. FTIW, we are not even down in the weeds with this discussion. The key point, if you are trying to be secret squirrel with your InReach transmissions, is that you need to block radio signals traveling horizontally to your position. Get between some hills, or find/dig a hole that is a foot or so deep and put your InReach in it when you press the transmit button, as CowboyPilot79 suggests.

[@RobertLowery]

@@CowboyPilot79 As long as it is deep enough and you keep the InReach in the hole until it is done transmitting.

[@CowboyPilot79]

@@RobertLowery yep

[@waylonk2453]

I love the radio information always. I think the humble decentralized radio is perhaps more critical than the AR-15 for a prepared citizenry. Personally I use a single radio for Public/Private and have a half-baked solution for the "secret" side of things, also operating in the 902-928MHz band. As an aside, it's a big flex to show a Hytera radio as the example of a private radio. They're pricey and require dealer programming just like the big company they're involved in a legal battle with.

[@Motoko_Urashima]

If you're reading this comment and you don't already own a pair of $20 Baofeng UV-5R's, just go get them now. They're not the best radios ever, but they offer a great amount of ability for the price and you can toss one to the new guy without feeling bad if it's stolen, lost or destroyed. Why that model specifically? Because it's stupid common and all of us already know how to use it and program it. Any other radio, even another Baofeng like the UV-21R is just different enough to cause a pause to fiddle with it, like finding the hazard light button on an unfamiliar car.

[@flipfloppingwithMike]

Interesting... At the moment, I have a pair if BF F*HP (and a nice array of accessories to go with). Would you recommend scrapping them in favor of the UV 5R?

[@robthomson1902]

There is a very good argument to be made that for the amount of radio you get per dollar - fhe UV5R is the greatest radio

[@EuropaChronicles]

@@flipfloppingwithMikeno, the UV5R and BF8HP are basically the same radio. You’re fine with what you have (in terms of general point-to-point radio comms).

[@flipfloppingwithMike]

@EuropaChronicles Ah, okay....thank you. I was hoping to hear that. I appreciate your response.

[@MNFlipper]

@@flipfloppingwithMike no, the BF is just a “newer” version of the Uv-5r. Same thing but better. Program the same, take same accessories. Think of the bf as being the nicer radio that has everything the uv-5r had but a little bit more and operates the same.

[@greyshadow9498]

We have commercial, GMRS and MURS radios for most situations (Retevis/Ailunce and Kenwood). For this kind of work folks should definitely get an IG license. If you go with itinerant frequencies it only costs about $200 and give you UHF/VHF, DMR and encryption. As far as "secret" we use Retevis RT10's which are 900MHz ISM. They are "illegal" on analog, but they are fine on digital, and since there is no restriction on encryption in the ISM band it makes for a really nice, secure system. 1W at 900mhz isn't going to get you miles of range but that's not why you have THESE radios. And DEFINITELY get yourself a PO Box for licensing purposes!

[@MattLitkeRacing]

The iReach can also go to another iReach through the satellite network. You just need to know that units number ahead of time

[@isaacbotkintrex]

It's a pretty good system.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

@ have you tried the Messenger Plus that does photos and video?

[@Brood_Master]

Very good basic information for very local coms. However... If you need a little more range. Something else you should consider and make a video about is the use of HF in an NVIS configuration from random locations, combined with digital messaging sent in short bursts. When properly implemented, NVIS makes location triangulation very difficult... Short radio bursts also makes location triangulation difficult. Put the two together, then add one way scheduled communication from random locations into the mix. This is an unbeatable combination... The main difficulty/vulnerability with this is that HF, set up for NVIS requires large antennas that take a bit of time to set up and take back down.

[@Texasprepper]

Too bad you cant just use a wire antennae......fly that thing straight up with a drone.....do your thing...then fly down again.

[@LoneMouser]

Old Nextel’s had an off network capability that operated in 900 MHz called Direct Talk. Direct Connect was the network PTT. Direct Talk worked 100% off network and anywhere as long as units were close to one another - blew FRS away.

[@T.REXLabs]

Yeah, there are digital modes that have a lot more punch than analog FM.

[@dudleybrown7030]

Great video, Isaac.

[@LanThrasher]

If you emanate, they will decimate. Agree with the removal/redacting of our addresses from the FCC ULS website. New subscriber here.

[@JohnMackay-kn3rl]

While your kids are playing with the GMRS you can use side band CB for reliable communication

[@Subgunman]

I use Astro Sabers and XTL mobiles. And UNnamed frequency hopping equipment. Another option is the subcarriers of FM radio stations like in the days of Muzak or Reading Services for the Blind. All one needs is a subcarrier decoder to pick up these comms.

[@briankendall1978]

Thanks for sharing this great information. I was thinking while you were talking, I wonder if you can use something like Rattlegram over a dmr digital transmission?

[@zingodingo2816]

Good video covering an important topic. I hope that it is very clear to listeners that Amateur (ham) radio stands out from all the channelized radio services. To utilize it, and the unchannelized 'open space' it typically has access to (with BoFung type radios), can be a great asset to the Trained and Licensed person; BUT for the untrained/unlicensed person can cause a lot of chaos for the operator, AND serious problems for other communicators such as rescue crews, EMTs, etc. These situations that an untrained operator can get into may be life or death scenarios. Please do not casually promote Amateur/ham radio without this information.

[@ChatGPT1111]

I have a few ways to communicate: 1) Ham Radio HTs 2) GMRS 3) FMRS 4) Land Line 5) CB 6) Iridium Sat Phone 7) Starlink Mini 8) Garmin InReach 9) Marine 10) 2 Cups connected by a string

[@efish206]

#10 highly underrated

[@knightshousegames]

Ah yes, the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Alternative, Replacement, Substitute, Contingency, Emergency, SHTF, Apocalypse Plan AKA the PSTARSCESA Plan If you wanted an extra layer of safety, you know, just a little piece of mind day to day, have you considered a cell phone? I don't have one, but I've heard people rave about them

[@johnogrady2418]

You've left out semaphore and whistling. Or yeah, say your prayers! "Open Channel D!"(eity)

[@ChatGPT1111]

@@knightshousegames lol, yeah I noticed that right after I posted it, and yes have one of course. But in the last month, I've added another one, microwave. Amateur radio can use 1.2Ghz, 2.4, 5, 10 and many even higher than that. I assembled a microwave dish antenna and bought an Icom 905 rig that feeds into it. Why you say? Besides being a very exclusive club, it is the only radio comm that absolutely cannot be hacked or eavesdropped, because it is line of sight and point-to-point (dishes have to be pointed right at each other). Plus, it is great for amateur television, aka video.

[@ThaDerf]

Solid P.A.C.E.E.E.E.E.E.E lol

[@carlcole]

If you don't have a Norm McDonald impression yet, you don't have far to go. "Doc, she's choking."

[@isaacbotkintrex]

No, I'm waiting for an opportunity to mention Frank Stallone.

[@cpreston942]

Thanks. Useful categories.

[@MotoAlexE]

Just gonna say this now - everything you mentioned I have discussed in multiple "tactical comms" forums/groups/etc and have been ignored since 2018-2019. I am glad they're listening to *someone* now, but most of us have acknowledged these issues and moved past them years ago...

[@44lucas]

Well not all of us know this stuff. If you're knowledgable on those issues - good for ya, but I wouldn't know a first thing about radio communication so this is gold for me.

[@MotoAlexE]

​@@44lucasgood job missing the point but I guess when you meat ride a KZbinr I wouldn't expect any less.

[@johnogrady2418]

@@44lucas And it would be nice if 'someone' could explain it to us in a way we can understand... So many of us are so clueless. It would be nice if commentators could see us trying to learn and maybe help us instead of either talking right over us (and there's a place for that too) or looking down on us. We are new too.

[@44lucas]

@MotoAlexE aren't you a friendly type.

[@CowboyPilot79]

Beartooth.....$2000 for a $50 device that they may or may not even support down the road. I've got $600 sitting in a drawer useless because they abandoned it.

[@bthemedia]

What did they abandon, a prior version? How is it no longer “usable”? All technology/radios loose support for repair (even if it existed) after some X years.

[@joshua511]

Do you have any alternative to recommend? I just passed my Tech license but there is still so much to learn.

[@Baker1798]

Wait Beartooth was abandoned?

[@CowboyPilot79]

@@Baker1798 their first devices that they completely ghosted.

[@p38sheep]

For 2k get the doodlelabs meshrider and never look back

[@kenjifox4264]

How about some non-Chinese public radio options? That’s what I’m interested in.

[@IIS2FAST4U]

I wish that as a ham I could legally interoperate with FRS, GMRS, MURS, or CB without having to get a radio specificly fcc rated for it. Most radios can be reduced in power to something reasonable.

[@joshua511]

Don't worry about that. Nobody is going to know that you are on a Boof-whang.

[@IIS2FAST4U]

Ya, but a 100 watt yeasu they might 😂

[@DM-qm5sc]

thank you, im learning so much

[@pale_2111]

The Kenwood D-74/75A are great choices. D-STAR on 220MHz, shortwave listening, filters for SSB, CW and APRS.

[@ChristianCorrectionsCorporal]

Can you do a video showing how to use a beartooth radio with a starlink mini to perform long range secret communications?

[@georgespeck2289]

thanks, really appreciate the video

[@BVN-TEXAS]

Cheapest you can get they will cover a lot is the XTS 500 UHF. Toss in an encryption board for $50 bucks and you have AES 256 p25. Very secure but cheap. And the arduino key loafers are cheap I have a UHF and VHF APX with FPP in the mobile with aes 256. I can cover 130-172 and 403-470. So toss on the 256 on FRS and be secure.

[@zazugee]

Interesting. I didn't think much about the advantage of meshtastic as in allowing you to nor reveal your position.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

My edc radio will be a HF for CW only, like a mountain topper in the next few days till then im using a ft-817.

[@johnogrady2418]

Does Morse Code matter anymore?

[@Kq4hcuDan]

@johnogrady2418 it does, and pota activators still use them. Lots of people prefer to latest digital modes and newer things. I prefer a straightkey and a small qrp HF rig.

[@SteveMcDuffee1955]

@johnogrady2418 Your question is the answer. 80% of amateur radio operators don't know Morse code and 99% of the general public doesn't know or care. Everything now is at a person's whim ( computers, Internet, cell phones ect ect ect ) So yeah knowing it and using it when SHTF gives someone an advantage . It does matter to others but seems for you it doesn't, so why even ask that question? Even a person who's hearing is bad or they are deaf can do and receive Morse code by using a blinking light that reacts to the cw signal being received. I bet you never even thought that possible. 73s KB9SIH

[@JohnHerman-x7l]

Noob question for the comm world, but my main focus is disaster preparation and being able to coordinate with friends and family when normal means are not operational. In my mind, and correct me if I’m wrong, this means multiple platforms, namely CB, HAM/GMRS (Beofang), and perhaps a satellite based comm platform? I’m also seeing “global walkie talkies” now, but I assume those utilize cell towers so would be pointless if cell service is down. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[@Six_One_Six]

we have some radio's that link to your phone app and send text using the radio through the air with NO cell tower at all...and data from radio to radio is silent. Not sure if they can track it, but it has to be harder you'd think. Anyone in this hobby should have atleast a gmrs and ham tech license.

[@donaldhiles_k9sgz428]

What about spread spectrum ?

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Modern spectrum analysis tools can see such a wide area frequencies that it is no longer a good way to hide. Still helpful for dealing with interference and jamming if you hop across a lot of spectrum, but against certain advertaries it will actually bring more attention to you.

[@heckyllnhyde]

whats the meshtastic device you have in this video with the keyboard??

[@Remnant1976]

What’s your thought and/or experience with the MPU5? I am seeing a ton of people talking about them.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I really need to quit procrastinating and take the general exam, although my main goal is CW HF and phone bands on UHF/VHF

[@lokoomontana4818]

So if I have a restaurant with 6 delivery drivers, what is your recommendation? This phones is not ideal at all and makes work hard

[@isaacbotkintrex]

How large an area do your drivers have to cover?

[@lokoomontana4818]

@ around 15km at max

[@jplacido9999]

​@@lokoomontana4818 CB SSB (while inside the car). Otherwise, you would have to instal a GMRS retransmiter on a good location. Make your choice (CB= more noise, GMRS=more quiet and expensive)

[@Cory-y8p]

I found iTAK could you do some information on that I’m new to this thanks and GOD bless

[@johnogrady2418]

Does the 2nd or 3rd higher-security channels allow for the possibility that the lowest level security channels can be patched in to the upper levels if they are providing valuable and necessary info in real-time? I have $$/time upper limit too.

[@jchoneandonly]

Ah yes, norm McDonald radio man. Good to hear from you

[@warrior21poet]

IDK what filter you're using, but you look like you have been huffing light blue spray paint and have it all over your hands.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Aircraft can be used to pick up low powered radios from very far away.

[@ryanhuggins]

Agreed on the license info. It's as annoying as the FCC requiring Winlink to make all of the messages sent on their system accessible for review by any operator.

[@jerryk3562]

As far as it goes regarding your private address. All you have to do is notify the FCC that you would like your address to be kept private under guidance of the privacy act of 1974. Many license holders you'll see on there when it comes to the address it says private The FCC is responsible for compliance of the privacy act of 1974.

[@biggus8825]

Good info…and this guy reminds me of Norm McDonald 😀

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

love to see you guys pitch to the masses. part them fools from theys money.

[@bruv1039]

$25 is alot to worry about eh?

[@toniwilson6210]

Please keep digging into encrypted communications and signals. It does more for the private citizen than anything else these days.

[@tracykooken2606]

is thhere a eddycut😂 manuel ??

[@itsjohannawren]

Amateur radio isn't the best if you're lost in the woods. You should use FRS/GMRS. Search and rescue won't be listening for ham bands.

[@banannadb2213]

Meshtastic and pulsed devices are still easily detected by software and geo'ed by TDOA and FDOA. DSSS is easily uncovered by autocorrelation algorithms. If you want hidden comms, get a good VPN and encrypted messaging or email, and keep your phone clean and on airplane mode whenever possible. Or connect to satellite comms, but remember satellite comms must know your location for beamforming.

[@TrashcanMan8]

I like using the rattlegram and AES 256 app with analog radios so I can be secret and loud at the same time...

[@JohnMackay-kn3rl]

My unlocked FT 70D is excellent. Works well with GMRS but 11 meters SSB is still better

[@joecizin9357]

What's you thought's on Star-link ?

[@T.REXLabs]

Very powerful, and only getting better.

[@bimmers50e30]

Why are CB Radios not talked about ?

[@Blaze-k8t]

CB Is commonly seen as a joke and or the wild west of the radio world (lawless). Do some research on why the HF, UHF, VHF frequencies are commonly used vs CB.

[@bimmers50e30]

@Blaze-k8t But it's reliable, easily obtained and widely used.

[@KnightsArma]

What model hytera is that?

[@CRURayality]

Not the "no 2 ways about it"... stop.. we are talking about 2 ways...lol... thanks for the info bro.

[@Zdr4vk0]

i want a radio with bluetooth built into it want to connect to my motorcycle helmets headset and talk to another rider with the same setup as me... its a longer range with radio compaired to using only headset... but not a lot of manufacturers are making em, cant buy something like that in my country...

[@woodrowcall3158]

Just get a Sena SR10 Bluetooth link.

[@zazugee]

Laser communication is the most directional you can get.

[@kd6aaj]

Which model Hytera is that? PD982i?

[@T.REXLabs]

Yes.

[@goodthingshappen5389]

Thank God in heaven… a radio video that made sense

[@3nertia]

CB? HackRF One?

[@IIS2FAST4U]

I wish that I could share my Ham license with my family like you can GMRS. Even if there were stipulations that I had to preconfigure it etc.

[@jplacido9999]

No. Ham radio is a techno scientific activity, not a utility comms system. That's why we can use frequencies worth millions to the industry. That wouldn't happen with an hobby...

[@IIS2FAST4U]

Right… my wife or kids definitely shouldn’t be allowed to help me test my techno scientific activities Don’t be a sad ham

[@masterkeep]

There are hams that are only 6 years old. It really doesn’t take much to get a technician license.

[@IIS2FAST4U]

You’re right, it’s easy. I passed my tech and general at the same time and got a perfect score. $35 and done. That’s not the issue. My parents, my wife, or my kids are not interested in studying a several hundred question test pool, paying $35, having to keep track of another account, just to help me test an antenna from down the road or something for a few minutes, a few times here and there. And it would be nice for them to have some experience with using a radio in case they would need it in an emergency.

[@masterkeep]

@ I have fought the same issue here. I’m now in Western North Carolina and the disaster here has them finally thinking about it. The only thing I can think to tell you is try to find a part of ham radio that they would enjoy and train from that to start with.

[@daniell8387]

Why does every youtuber spend like five minutes listing off all of the potential pronunciations for Chinese radios?

[@1tactundra140]

Got my son a Baodong radio. Hoping he would get into Ham. Instead he and his buddies drive around fucking with Walmart walkie talkies lol.

[@CivilianChronicles]

Anyone have hands on experience with the company Doodle Labs?

[@RicoPenguin]

I wish someone would crack ubiquity umr-industrial into poor man's mpu5. Or at least crack it into AREDN mesh. High bandwidth digital radio would be a good addition.

[@aquahoodjd]

Would a US examiner give me a US test on video from Bern, Switzerland. My last US domicile remains my domicile until I establish another and its in Lexington KY! I left the US after serving as an Assistant Attorney General of Kentucky for a year doing the damages assessment against Perdue Phama. I was doibg a favor for the AG who I went to Basketball Camp with as kids (Joe B. Hall).

[@FixedWing82]

So basically just buy a EA-18 Growler electronic warfare attack jet and you should be good

[@ROOSTER333]

MOTS: the more $$$ the more privacy. Same as always

[@bradmeyer7612]

There is a lot to address..I use a ham radio with Rattlegram or Andfldigi with one time pad to burst trans messages. This seems to cover most mission critical needs. People know I am transmitting but locating is difficult and message decoding virtually impossible. As long as I transmit and move I stand a good chance of not being found.

[@jplacido9999]

Move fast. RDF takes miliseconds nowadays....

[@bradmeyer7612]

@@jplacido9999 copy that

[@johnfish837]

VHF UHF radios of any kind will have a range of only 3 to 5 miles over level ground...Unless a repeater or a relay station on the top of a hill is used...Radios are of limited usefulness except for very short range work...They can turn into tracking beacons for looters and criminals though...Stealth may be more important than long range...Laser pointers can be surprisingly useful.

[@floid33556]

What about NVIS?

[@edl617]

Radios. I got a AM/FM/SW receiver

[@unchannelbyryan]

Great setup, my thing is I cook from scratch on almost everything. I might have a few cans of soup, spaghetti sauce, pickles per year. I mainly eat steak, chicken, eggs, cheese, salad and veggies. I buy tortillas, a little bit of bread, cold cuts and yogurt. Also coffee ☕️

[@WC4WCRN]

After watching The Walking Dead...I dont want to talk to anyone...

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Ham radio has a lot more advantages than the rest.

[@dalemanley9662]

If shit hits the fan whos worried about license just get all this equipment you can aford yea right now all you can do is listen but when shtf you will have it . The hell with license

[@steventwiddy3402]

OK, be gentle with me because I am a radio idiot, but I bought a Balang K5 plus because I wanna go out to the western part of the state and volunteer and one of the groups said you needed to have that radio or a radio and it needed to be programmed. Here’s my question. I know there’s tons and tons of channels. How would you know since it’s I guess kind of a lengthy process to program a radiohow do you know what frequencies to program into it so that when you get out there to volunteer your help out, put boots on the ground whatever that you can communicate with who you need to communicate with thanks for any help you can give me with this question.

[@Texasprepper]

Somebody will know the frequency...type it in. Read the friggin manual.

[@steventwiddy3402]

@ thank you and merry Christmas

[@molonlabe8126]

Awesome

[@aquahoodjd]

I am a lawyer so it is the way a US license will transfer to a Swiss. I just want the entry level as we onöy have two levels here. HB3 wiöl be sufficient for me and it would be easier. I had to take my Swiss Civiö Aviation drone licence in French which i could do but it would be much easier to sit for the US and trandfer

[@Kq4hcuDan]

I wished when you get your license after testing and granted a license there wouldn't be three tier license and have it similar to GMRS license covering everything. It would be cool if amateur radio license will cover everything on one license after taking one test.

[@nickolasthefrog]

Are you suggesting every ham should be required to learn the knowledge required for Extra or everyone with only Tech knowledge should have Extra privileges? Most exam events let you take all the tests sequentially for the price of one. The examiners are retired and have all day. As you go up in privileges you’re moving into more expensive equipment (longer wavelengths) and the ability to affect the radio community (by running repeaters or administering exams).

[@Kq4hcuDan]

@nickolasthefrog no need to imply everyone know extra by force I'm no idiot sad ham elitist. I just think it would be cool once you have your ticket "tech license" just do away with other classes of licenses so it can be a better experience like how GMRS licensed users get within their bands.

[@Kq4hcuDan]

@nickolasthefrog to me to many sad hams jackboot lick and love stomping on new techs, gate keeping at times and acting like their sh** don't stink. Sometimes they need you a good smacking but you can't do that either lol.

[@dafunkmonster]

@@nickolasthefrog You're also moving into bands that propagate further, which means if you screw up, you're stepping on more people.

[@dafunkmonster]

@@Kq4hcuDan "I just think it would be cool once you have your ticket "tech license" just do away with other classes of licenses so it can be a better experience like how GMRS licensed users get within their bands." This is precisely what he was trying to address. Here's the problem: it won't result in a better experience. Either the entry burden will be very, very high, or the entry burden for far-reaching band privileges will be too low.

[@jicire]

I'm gonna take a drink whenever you say "community"

[@isaacbotkintrex]

Eh... You might survive.

[@JoeHeine]

enjoy your liver failure

[@turdferguson2863]

Drink water, stay hydrated

[@Lastcallrepent]

Community Family people who love you and you trust.