SURVIVAL COMMUNICATIONS

Every successful relationship starts with communication. This mantra is important for us as prepared individuals, because no matter the circumstances, we need to communicate with our loved ones and those who rely on us. In a grid-down disaster or even just a back-country emergency, being able to talk to another human being can bring on a sense of calm and also get you out of a sticky situation. History has shown us that cell phones can be very unreliable, either as a result of overloaded cell towers or poor signal strength. HAM radio, on the other hand, doesn’t get overwhelmed and has proven extremely useful during crises.

Getting on the Air

We should get this disclaimer out of the way first: it’s essential to understand your radio’s capabilities as well as local and federal laws before you begin transmitting. The ever-popular Baofeng UV-5R or BF-8 are great radios for the price, and a wonderful place to get started on your ham journey, but they can also help you inadvertently break the law if you don’t know what you’re doing. For a more in-depth article on handhelds check out “Can Anyone Hear Me?” in Issue 38 of RECOIL OFFGRID.