Best survival radio communications systems....????

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 08:57 AM

OK, price is not an issue, pretend it will be a gift. You wake up in the morning, and your computer is fried, the TV is fried, The phones are all fried, the AM and FM radio stations 600 miles away are broadcasting, but everything you would normally use for gathering information and communication is fried for a 600 mile radius.

However you and your friends and family all have the very BEST radio receivers and also a two-way radios in lead containers inside steel boxes, and they work perfect. If price is no object, what is the best radio system, that does not require a special license to own or operate. (I don't know the answer, I am looking for "THE" answer)

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 09:00 AM

And, Please Keep it SIMPLE. I don't need to know about watts, warts, or wavelengths. Just the system.

**SARKY** · 07-29-2009, 11:21 AM

Just get a good shortwave radio transciever. In a scenario as you describe all bets are off for licenses.....you don't need one. If it were for normal everyday/no emergency use, you would need a license. Remember though, the antenna is the key to good transmission and reception. Most of the radios on the market are similar but there are different antenna set ups that you can use, that is where to do your research.

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 01:20 PM

Motorola. FRS Band - 450-470 MHz. Repeater, mobile repeater, mobiles and portables.

How about a complete system (FRS and other frequencies in the 450 - 490 MHz range) with a combined 24 radios all stored in waterproof containers in a fireproof underground vault?

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 06:01 PM

So, Most members don't have Communication Radios......?

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by hope

So, Most members don't have Communication Radios......?

My best friend of 35 years owns a pretty substantial communications company. Radio and cell phone towers, 100's of radios leased out to businesses, does public safety communications consulting, and just happens to own a few systems that we keep for private use. All licensed, of course. Yep! I'm corporate counsel. Nice benefits package!

**crashdive123** · 07-29-2009, 06:33 PM

Hope - I do not have either of these, but sat phone and ham radio might be the way to go.

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by crashdive123

Hope - I do not have either of these, but sat phone and ham radio might be the way to go.

Can you talk over a HAM Radio.....or is it all Morris (sp) Code...????

**crashdive123** · 07-29-2009, 06:55 PM

You can talk around the the world (depending on skip) with them.

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by hope

Can you talk over a HAM Radio.....or is it all Morris (sp) Code...????

Yeah, HAM is voice communications as well. Also digital and still Morse Code - depends on what you want to do with it. However, there is no longer a Morse Code Test requirement like there was when I got my license in 1974.

**oldsoldier** · 07-29-2009, 07:33 PM

10 meter ham radio with an 8' mobile antenna in MOST conditions 1000 mile plus range. Same radio on base with 30-40' antenna world wide communications.

CB radio mobile with 102" steel whip antenna and 750 watt lenier amp. 300-500+ mile range. Base with directional "beam" antenna same amp. 400-1000+ miles.

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 07:45 PM

This (HAM) license is different than what ever lic. I had to get to use Aircraft Radios...???

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by hope

This (HAM) license is different than what ever lic. I had to get to use Aircraft Radios...???

Yessir, it's different.

**oldsoldier** · 07-29-2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by hope

This (HAM) license is different than what ever lic. I had to get to use Aircraft Radios...???

Yep...unless I'm wrong there are even 3-4 different levels of the HAM license.

**Ken** · 07-29-2009, 07:49 PM

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/license-requirements.html

**Sourdough** · 07-29-2009, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ken

http://www.arrl.org/arrlvec/license-requirements.html

Some of the aircraft had VHF, and we had a base station at the lodge, we just used the aircraft "N" number for call sign......I wonder if that was legal....?