Hey Guys, what are you doing about communications after a major event like a Hurricane?

Most likely have a loss of electricity.  Meaning cell phones are out of service. Or cell repeaters are out too.

If you have a land line(we don't anymore), how long will it keep working?

Since I'm older, I lived thru the CB radio era and still have my high end CB radios and vehicle mount antennas with plug in power.
On a good day, I have managed to "skip" to Australia and the west coast.  My friends still have their CB also.

For local area, I have Motorola FRS handheld radios.  Old model with a range of 2 miles, line of sight.  Maybe it's time I upgraded to newer Motorolas.

I still have a handheld VHF radio I used when I had my trailer boat.  Hmmmm, maybe I should get one for the car too.  Now is a good time,
Christmas is coming up.  Haven't been to West Marine for a while.  See what they have on sale.
I really don't think FCC is going to care if a boating VHF radio is being used in a non boating situation.

I Was going for my Ham radio ticket but had a problem with morse code.  That equipment will reach almost anywhere.  Provided the antenna is still up.

Just thought I'd toss this out.

We don't have land lines anymore either (internet phone), however in the event of a power outage the land line phones will still work. For how long though is the question. Depending on the severity of the outage itself, the land lines will work as long as the batteries powering them have enough juice. Not to mention you need the corded type of land line phones, cordless will not work.

Walkie Talkies are good to have, though the battery life isn't all that great. It's best to have a good stock of the proper batteries on hand just in case. FYI, even if you have a rechargeable battery for the walkie talkie, you can still swap regular batteries into it and it'll still work.

IMHO, if cell phones go down everyone and their dog will be using those short range radios.  Too many people would be clogging up the channels and they would be useless.  From experience, there will be bottle necks in communication.  Sometimes i can't even get through on the morning of Mother's Day.  I guess land lines would have to suffice, but if the disaster is a hurricane, they too will likely be down.  What i'm doing is having a plan of the "ifs" and "whens" with my immediate family. 

Hey Guys, what are you doing about communications after a major event like a Hurricane?

Most likely have a loss of electricity.  Meaning cell phones are out of service. Or cell repeaters are out too.

If you have a land line(we don't anymore), how long will it keep working?

Since I'm older, I lived thru the CB radio era and still have my high end CB radios and vehicle mount antennas with plug in power.
On a good day, I have managed to "skip" to Australia and the west coast.  My friends still have their CB also.

For local area, I have Motorola FRS handheld radios.  Old model with a range of 2 miles, line of sight.  Maybe it's time I upgraded to newer Motorolas.

I still have a handheld VHF radio I used when I had my trailer boat.  Hmmmm, maybe I should get one for the car too.  Now is a good time,
Christmas is coming up.  Haven't been to West Marine for a while.  See what they have on sale.
I really don't think FCC is going to care if a boating VHF radio is being used in a non boating situation.

I Was going for my Ham radio ticket but had a problem with morse code.  That equipment will reach almost anywhere.  Provided the antenna is still up.

Just thought I'd toss this out.

Morse is not required for an HAM operators liscense any more. I have a good POC somewhere for the class and test. I have yet to get around to it..too much work.

I'm interested in getting my HAM license as well...maybe we can get a study group together?

- Alex

I'm interested in getting my HAM license as well...maybe we can get a study group together?

- Alex

We can. I have looked into it somewhat recently. I will make a valiant attempt at getting the info together for anyone that is at the 13th shin dig in my garage. From looking at a sneak peak  of possible questions on the exam, a study group would take care of the knowledge level.

I have a fellow Military communicator who got his liscense by just using an electronic study guide.

Chuck

I always was semi-interested in this. I did some googlefu and never could find much information regarding this in Hawaii. Imma try my luck again!! 

Next license test is 11/20.  Guess who's taking both tech & general in one sitting...   I'm glad CW (morse) is not on the test.

Here's how I am studying for the Tech: 

http://www.youtube.com/user/merryviking    He has the questions and goes through each question.

qrz.com practice tests. 

Here's how I am studying for the General:

http://www.youtube.com/user/merryviking  He only has the first few sections up though.

qrz.com practice tests.

General Class booklet & audio course from W5YI.com  some good and some bad about the course.  I will review when I pass the test.

My thoughts....

I hate listening to the radio when an emergency is happening (ie tsunami warning).  Lots of idiots on there.  You can get info straight from DEM (dept of emergency management) just by monitoring their frequencies.  If you don't need to know how family is doing on the other side of the island, I suggest a scanner.  Less than $100 at Radio Shack.  Since police have gone digital trunking, I'm not sure if the new digital scanners will pick them up.  About $400 or so. 

If you are of the tinfoil hat type here's some craziness for you.

If the president invokes the War Emergency Powers, he can order all communications (except for RACES) stopped. 
You can look up a call sign and get their address/location.
I haven't confirmed this yet, but If an emergency breaks out, the government may come and "commandeer" your equipment. 

I got licensed in June, which was the last month the "old" test was being used....from that point forward the test material will be changed, so make sure that you are studying the correct info and not the old stuff.

HAM is good for emergency comms, all of our hospitals and other healthcare facilities have HAM operators for contingent comm needs.

Besides it being a good backup, it means more toys to play with....

Congrats on getting your license.  Maybe we'll QSO sometime.  The General Test will change in June 2011 also.

Some good hawaii ham emergency comm info here:

http://www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/emcomm/

Damn... I don't need more stuff to want to do lol!

Ham is probably the most reliable because of the range of channels. Everyone and their mom has a cb or the frs radios but they are still useful for vehicle to vehicle comms, or vehicle to home from a short distance. I have cb in both vehicles and a base unit for the house. Shtf, there should be some pretty interesting talk on the radio.




  we never get to use this smiley

When I pass my tests this weekend, I can lend the General Exam Book and accompanying CD out to anyone interested.  I would like it back again because it has some good info in there though.  Again, the test will change in June 2011 so plenty of time for all.  PM me if you are interested.

You must pass the Technician exam before taking the General. 

I passed both tests today.  If you have questions, I'll try to answer as best I can.

Congrats Jaydawg!

Congrats Jaydawg!

Thanks.  I encourage everyone to get their license and start making contacts.  Like guns and everything else, practice makes perfect, especially for disasters or shtf. 

Ok here's a question...Where to start?

How much is total cost to get licensed? How much is noob equipment?
How long does it take (minus study time)?
Online test? Mail-in test?
Do you have to go anywhere physically?


EDIT #1:
Hmm seems this link covers everything in my work googlefu. So where do you start in Hawaii? =Op
http://www.ehow.com/how_1756_file-ham-radio.html


EDIT #2:
All I had to do was look. lol.
http://ronhashiro.htohananet.com/am-radio/getting-started/

Thanks for the finger work.

Now all I need is to get motivated enough......

Anyone in the Kailua area?

Ok here's a question...Where to start?

How much is total cost to get licensed? How much is noob equipment?
How long does it take (minus study time)?
Online test? Mail-in test?
Do you have to go anywhere physically?


EDIT #1:
Hmm seems this link covers everything in my work googlefu. So where do you start in Hawaii? =Op
http://www.ehow.com/how_1756_file-ham-radio.html


EDIT #2:
All I had to do was look. lol.
http://ronhashiro.htohananet.com/am-radio/getting-started/

Not sure there is such a thing as a noob radio...after you pass your test, you can get your handle as KNUB!

Quote from: Dregs on December 01, 2010, 04:01:16 PM

Ok here's a question...Where to start?

How much is total cost to get licensed? How much is noob equipment?
How long does it take (minus study time)?
Online test? Mail-in test?
Do you have to go anywhere physically?


EDIT #1:
Hmm seems this link covers everything in my work googlefu. So where do you start in Hawaii? =Op
http://www.ehow.com/how_1756_file-ham-radio.html


EDIT #2:
All I had to do was look. lol.
http://ronhashiro.htohananet.com/am-radio/getting-started/

Not sure there is such a thing as a noob radio...after you pass your test, you can get your handle as KNUB!

lol 

Is there like a national registry of handles or something? I always wondered about that. Gawd I hope no one has mine.