Thanks for responding...

I would like to get a radio for information and/or communication should conventional sources break down. I am hoping someone could give a basic outline of the types of radio and their strengths and weaknesses. (ie ham, shortwave, etc.) What radios are best for gathering as much knowledge as necessary and which are best for broadcasting...and won't I need a liscense to broadcast at all. Price is also a concern at this late date and I will need to keep this probably around $100 or less, so used will be in order should I need more expensive rigs.

Any info or links will be appreciated. My in-laws already are skeptical about Y2K, but having info to arm myself with will allow me to enact contingency plans if TSHTF.

May God Bless and protect you all...

-- Copycat (dobbie@coastalnet.com), August 08, 1999

Answers

Heres a start. If you just want to listen, there are lots of options. 2-way Communication: Family Radio Service is good for up to 2 miles --- can usually get 2 radios/transmitters for less than $100. Other than that you need this: SURVIVAL RADIO 101

---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

Many survivalists are searching for a reliable means of communication and thus far have not found the answer. Many others place communications very low on the list of priorities. When times are tough and the systems currently in place are no longer functioning the survivor must be prepared to provide this most basic essential for himself. In my case, a reliable communication system is equal in importance to guns, ammo and a years supply of food. In this article I sincerely hope to pass on the knowledge and desire to provide for this important function.

I have read many different articles on the subject of survival communications and have not yet read one that I consider adequate. Some stress the advantages of ham radio, some the advantages of CB. In all actuality, neither of these is the perfect solution. I will go out on a limb and get everyone mad at me. I have been involved in military communications for about ten years and I am here to tell you nothing is 100% reliable all of the time. There are ways to approach that mark though. At this point I must advise you that the information in this article is presented for informational purposes only.

First let's discuss some problems with ham radio. The entry level license (no code technician) allows the licensed operator to communicate on the popular "two-meter" band it also allows communication on other band but two-meters is the most popular. This band is fantastic for local or distant communication, reception is generally clear and reliable. The problem here is that we are looking for communications during "bad times". During these times, the repeater networks that the "two-meter" band relies upon for distant communication will break down from lack of maintenance. The people who maintain these repeaters will have much better things to worry about such as where the next meal will come from. Another scenario is that the government may just decide that they really don't see the "legitimate purpose" for people to have access to the repeaters anymore (or for that matter any amateur radio). Ham radio operators would become a threat and the government will be able to simply go down the list of licenses and shut them down. Yet another problem I see with ham radio as a survival tool is simply that the average person is not a ham operator. When trying to gather information on a national scale, the operator will want to reach as diverse a group of people as possible. There are relatively few ham radio operators as compared to the population as a whole. If an operator upgrades his license to technician plus or general class he will have access to the HF portion of the spectrum which is useful to the survivor indeed. Communications of several thousand miles on some of the lower HF bands are routine.

Another option is the CB radio. This over-rated, under-powered means of communication in its stock form is best left to the interstates of our great nation. During certain atmospheric conditions, a user would be lucky to talk one mile. The band is filled with a great number of hopeful Romeo's, filthy mouthed lowlife's and too many radio checks. I can't even monitor the AM channels when my children are present due to the language and subject matter common on the AM frequencies. Some CB radios lend themselves well to modification. The Uniden Grant LX and the Cobra 148 GTL are very adaptable to upgrade. The power can be turned up and the frequencies can be expanded. There are also a multitude of other useful and useless modifications that can be made to these radios. These are the only CB radios I can recommend. There are many good books available on this subject.

There is available a type of radio sometimes referred to as an "export" radio. They may be somewhat difficult to find due to their illegal status. My suggestion is to buy a cheap CB first, get to know who's who in your area. The people who can obtain "exports" are there, it is just a matter of finding them. These radios are technological marvels. The normal CB is limited to only 40 channels which covers the frequencies 26.965 to 27.405. They are also regulated to 4 watts of output power on AM and 12 watts Single Side Band (more on this later). Export radios can operate in several modes of transmission over a much greater frequency range. Most are capable of nearly 20 watts AM and 40 watts side band. Many also have the capability to "slide" between channels, thus enabling the user to talk "between" channels so to speak. There is also another type of radio on the market that is even better in some ways. These radios are "10 meter" ham radios that can be internally modified to operate from well below the CB band to well above the "10 meter" ham band. One of these radio's is the Ranger Communications Incorporated, RCI model 2950 or it's more powerful big brother the model 2970. These radios have a frequency range of 26 MHz to 31.999 MHz (with a very simple modification) although most users stay within 26.000 to 27.999 for safety. The "10-meter" ham band begins at 28 MHz, don't mess around up there. Most of these radios are mobile radios; in order to use one as a base station a power supply is required to convert 120 vac to 13.8 vdc. I would recommend at least a 6 Amp power supply for an "export" or Ranger. Good power supplies cost about $75.00 or less. There are also some export and 10 meter base stations available which plug directly into a wall. I feel that some versatility is lost because a mobile radio used as a base can still be a mobile if necessary. A walkie-talkie or two would also be useful when on foot. Although normally range is limited, when communicating with a base station they are capable of a surprising distance. An export walkie- talkie exists that can transmit and receive on the same frequencies as the other export radios.

Now, let's get back to that Side Band statement that I made. If you could look at the signal generated by the average CB radio it could be described as having three layers. The two outside layers are the Single Side Bands (SSB) and the middle is the carrier wave. When the microphone is keyed on an AM CB radio a carrier wave is emitted from the radio, this carrier is there whether you talk or not just wasting power. On a side band radio, the carrier and one of the side bands is eliminated thus concentrating more power into a narrower signal. These side bands are referred to as the upper side band (USB) and the lower side band (LSB). Some CB radios are capable of side band communication but, are still restricted to the 40 channels of the radio. Even with this limitation a CB equipped for side band in effect, gives you 80 side band channels and 40 AM channels to choose from. Within the CB band, most side band communication is on the LSB of channels 35-40. Outside the CB band, many people use the frequency 27.5550 USB as a long distance call frequency. This frequency is located in the so- called "freeband" which extends from 27.4150 to 27.9990, this frequency band is an area of spectrum which is used very little by the primary users. Much of the best side band long distance communication takes place in this area.

Side-banders as they are commonly referred to are a different breed entirely that the AM operator. They have a protocol for operating that makes the side bands a much more pleasant place to communicate. These people are usually very knowledgeable about equipment and also sources of "the good stuff" especially when talking about free-banders. On the sidebands, the use of a "handle" is taboo. They normally identify themselves with a three or four digit number. These numbers can be obtained through sideband organizations or, if like me you want to stay off the lists, just make one up. Having a number will give you credibility so other sidebanders will talk to you. Another major difference between SSB operation and AM operation is the use of "Q" codes instead of "10" codes. If an operator tries to use the "10" codes on SSB he will usually be in for a ribbing and, told to go back to AM. A complete listing of the international "Q" codes will be available in any book about beginning Ham radio. The best advice I can give is to monitor the side bands, see how they operate and when you have it down make your first contact. Another good idea is to find a local sidebander or freebander and treat him like a brother. This person can guide your decisions and prevent some very expensive mistakes. He will also be able to relate to you information which is not available in print.

The antenna is the most important part of the system. Within the myriad of mobile antennas, all of my research has led me to one antenna that is worthy of consideration. This is the Wilson 1000 antenna. This antenna can handle up to 3000 watts of power and can be purchased in three different configurations; a magnetic mount, a hardmount (a hole must be drilled in the vehicle) and a trunk lip mount. This antenna transmits and receives better that any whip antenna I have ever seen or used. Since it is simply a thin, steel whip, it is unobtrusive as well. They may seem a little pricey at first but, the advantages gained in performance, durability and lack of maintenance more than make up for the costs. I have personally talked from the Southwestern United States to Alaska from my car with one of these antennas. An alternative to the Wilson 1000 is the Wilson Trucker 2000. This antenna will handle 3500 watts of power and is essentially the same as the 1000. The primary difference being the type of mounting hardware necessary. It is sometimes a better choice for vehicles where a roof top mount is not desired or possible as it will mount to mirrors or the body or anywhere that you can fasten a standard 3/8 by 24 pitch antenna mount.

Regarding base station antennas you have two types to choose from: The beam antenna and the vertical element. My choice is to use both through the use of a switch box. The vertical element is better for local communications and, the beam is better for long distances. Many times an operator is able to talk to a distant station that would otherwise be unheard without the use of a beam. The beam antenna is mounted on a rotor which is controlled by a control box next to the radio. The operator simply rotates the beam until the best signal is received. The vertical element antenna is better for local communications because the radiation pattern into and out of the antenna is omni-directional. The beam will only receive and transmit in the direction it is pointed. Beams are designed to multiply the transmit and receive strength and are said to have a higher "gain". Whichever type of antenna you use, it is important to securely ground the mast. I use a minimum of 8 feet of steel or copper ground rod driven into the earth and connected to the mast with 8 gauge wire or copper braid. Make sure all clamps are tight. Popular brands for base antennas are Maco and Moonraker. The Solarcon A-99 is a very good omni-directional as is the V58 by Maco. Whenever an Omni is used make sure to include the ground plane radials. These extend out from the base of the antenna and increase the efficiency dramatically.

An important area of concern for the radio operator is a term called Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). This is simply the amount of output power being reflected back into the radio. The higher the SWR the less efficiently your equipment is functioning. If the SWR is too high you will eventually cook your radio. An SWR reading of 2.0 or less is generally considered acceptable, this number should be as low as possible. Anything 3.0 or higher will eventually damage valuable equipment. The SWR is adjusted with the antenna, usually by sliding the radiating element in or out of an adjusting sleeve or by trimming the radiating element. In any case, follow the manufacturers directions or seek the advice of an experienced operator. The coax which connects the radio to the antenna to the radio is very important and deserves mention. In order to achieve an efficient system a good quality coax should be used at the minimum I would recommend using MINI 8/U or RG-8/U if the diameter is not a problem. The very best money can buy is called RG-213/U. It is almost a half inch in diameter and well worth the money. It isn't too terribly expensive at about $30.00 for 50 feet. The others are substantially less. Operators using a linear amplifier need to be unusually careful of a high SWR.

A linear amplifier can significantly increase the operating distance of a radio. These amplifiers are used to boost the power of an outgoing signal as high as the operator's budget will allow. I have heard it said that amplifiers normally cost about a dollar a watt; I think this estimate is too high. The average I would recommend for a reliable system is about 500 watts. This power will increase local reliability by allowing communication over the "skip" coming in and also allow you to talk very clearly to out of state or even out of country stations when skip conditions are good. When skip conditions are favorable Channel 6 (27.0250 MHz) on the CB band is a very good example of the benefits of a linear amplifier. Many of these stations, even from thousands of miles away, will sound like they are in your back seat. Most of the stations on channel 6 are running 1000 watts or more.

Skip is an atmospheric condition in which your signal can travel thousands of miles and reach a distant station. For the SSB operator, skip is pretty reliable. On any given day an operator should be able to talk out of state to somewhere. Sometimes this condition will last only a few hours but, it happens almost every day. Skip occurs on the AM band as well but, it fades in and out so fast that meaningful conversations are almost nonexistent. I have had or heard many conversations on side band which lasted an hour or more. Atmospheric skip makes the radio a good source of information on a national scale. This oversight probably has the FCC fuming but, there is an unenforceable law which states that it is illegal to attempt to make contact with another station that is over 150 miles away in the Citizens Band. Even a totally stock, out of the box CB has the capability to make contact with other states occasionally.

There is currently a government agency called the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates and enforces all forms of inter-communication in the United States. These people are to free communication what the BATF is to firearms. Two-way communication is only legal through strict government guidelines. The very nature of the "ham license" only adds to the "law and order" society which the bureaucrats want to create. This licensing process is simply a means of keeping tabs on two-way communication. Nazi Germany was also interested in controlling communication as are all totalitarian regimes. In many countries simply possessing a means of two-way communication is as serious of an offense as possession of an unauthorized gun. Don't worry though, "it can't happen here, the republicans are here to save us".

The situation we find ourselves in now in the United States is becoming more precarious each day. The Republican revolution, for the most part, has turned into just another scam on the American people. Our currency is teetering on the brink of collapse. The committed survivor must be prepared to provide this important asset to his family or group. One day when you pick up your "cell-phone" and nothing happens what will you do? Hopefully you will just reach down and turn on the radio, but if you don't have one ....

Menu | Y2K Updates | Discussion Forums This Article By: John Schultz

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), August 08, 1999.

Wow, Jon, that is more information than I ever had hoped for...Thanks Very Much. I'll need to read this two or three times to get it all.

BTW, is there a Radio 100 beneath 101? 87D

Let me see if I get this...You are recommending a CB format in the Upper Side Band with a Wilson 1000 and a line amplifier...with this rig in my truck (?) I could through "skip", pick up other broadcasts from as far as say the west coast? (my goal)

How about if I dont need to transmit? Is short wave good for information gathering...AM? I may be on a shoestring by the time I address this.

-- Copycat (dobbie@coastalnet.com), August 08, 1999.

Note that the "Surbival Radio 101" is not by me, I'm just passing on the information. There was a link to the original article and more, but can't find it. Hopefully one of the regulars can add it.

I haven't got a transmitter yet either. I did get a receiver/radio capable of receiving AM/FM/Shortwave and Ham radio transmissions. Most readily available are at Radio Shack, but there are others, perhaps even better. But at RS the top of the line goes on sale at $200. Another version at RS(less than $100) will probably meet all your needs. RS runs on regular batteries, there are some solar powered ones or of course the famous "BAY GEN" hand cranked radios. Again, maybe some of the regulars can provide links to on-line sources, or look in the archives of the regular Year2000 (Yourdon) forum --- its been discussed several times.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), August 09, 1999.

Heres more info from michaelhyatt.com

It has several addresses and phone numbers for contacts:

Alternative Radios

There are several good AM/FM radios on the market that work with alternative power. Certainly any battery-operated radio is an option. Just make sure you also stockpile a good supply of batteries. However, there are a couple of radios that can run without electricity or batteries. Since they are relatively inexpensive, I would suggest that you acquire one.

The least expensive radio I have found is the Solar Dynamo Radio. Not only is it a radio, but it also has a built-in emergency flashlight. It will run on four different sources of power, including DC (i.e., car battery), solar, hand-crank generator, or two "AA" batteries. The unit features normal AM/FM radio bands, adjustable volume control, LED lights to indicate reception, and an earphone jack. The flashlight comes with two spare bulbs, a clear lens cover for normal use, and a yellow and red lens cover for night or emergency use. A switch flips the flashlight from a steady beam to a flashing warning light. Several survival and preparedness vendors sell the radio. The cheapest source I found was Total Survival. The retail price on the radio is $39.95; they sell it for $24.95 plus shipping (batteries not included). You can order it from:

Total Survival, Inc. N. 23 Weber Road, Suite C-4 Deer Park, WA Voice: (509) 276-1119 Fax: (509) 276-1347 Orders only: (888) 276-2119

Web:

Another possibility is the WorldBand Solar and Dynamo Powered Radio. This radio will pickup AM/FM, four shortwave bands, police and aircraft bands, TV sound, and the National Weather Service. This one runs off four "AA" Ni-Cad batteries (not included). These batteries can be re-charged hundreds of times and via solar power, hand- cranking, or DC power. As an example, three hours of sunlight will charge the batteries for four to six hours of playing time. You can order the radio for $89.95 plus shipping from Pioneer Emergency Preparedness Products. If you want more than merely AM/FM radio, this is a good buy.

Pioneer Emergency Preparedness Products P.O. Box 686 Pioneer, California 95666 Toll-free: (800) 330-4234

Web:

A final option, and seemingly the most popular one, is the BayGen Wind-up Radio. It has AM/FM and shortwave and will play for approximately thirty minutes on a thirty-second wind. This is the one recommended by the Red Cross and the United Nations. It currently sells for around $100.00 plus shipping. This is the one I bought. Although I have been very happy with it, I think the WorldBand Solar and Dynamo Powered Radio above is a better value, as long as you dont have a need or interest in shortwave radio. The BayGen radio is available from several sources, including retail outlets such as Sports Authority. Pioneer Emergency Preparedness Products also sells it (see above). It is available from them for $99.95 plus shipping. You can get an optional AC power supply for $10.95.

Shortwave radio provides one of the best, alternative sources of news on the planet. You can tune into broadcasts from around the world everything from BBC radio news to survivalist-oriented programs with some good and some questionable content. Its safe to say there is something for everyone in the world of shortwave radio. How many of these broadcasts will continue to broadcast in a Y2K-related emergency is anyones guess. Even in a worst-case scenario, it is probably safe to say that at least some broadcasts will continue without interruption. If so, it will give you a means to find out what people are experiencing in other parts of the country or the world.

One of the reasons I like the BayGen radio described above is its ability to receive shortwave radio transmissions. However, you can find much more sophisticated, dedicated shortwave units at any radio supply house. If you are new to shortwave radio, you may also want to order Passport to World Band Radio. This guidebook contains up-to- date program schedules and frequencies for most international broadcasters, peeks behind the scenes, and equipment reviews. It is available from Jade Mountain for about $23.00. You can order it from:

Jade Mountain, Inc. 717 Poplar Avenue Boulder, CO 80304 Toll-free: (800) 442-1972 Fax: (303) 449-8266

Web:

Commercial Broadcast Options

Once you have a radio, the next question becomes, "what are you doing to listen to?" Obviously, your local AM/FM stations will be possibilities. Most stations have some sort of emergency back-up, so the even with a power outage, they wont go off the air immediately. However, you may want to round out the perspective you are getting locally with news from around the country. One option is to tune in to "clear channel" AM stations.

During the day, AM and FM radio have about the same approximate range. But "during the night, signals from lower frequency AM stations skip off the earths ionosphere and are easily received throughout North America. Fancy or expensive receivers are not required for receiving these signals."1 Many "super stations" broadcast on what are called "clear channels" and operate at the maximum power allowable: 50,000 watts. Table 3.1 contains a list of "Clear Channel AM Radio Stations and Frequencies." This will provide you with several options for tuning in to extra-local news. Be advised, however, that some frequencies are occupied by more than one station. The one you actually receive on any given day is dependent on a number of factors, including geography, weather, and atmospheric conditions.

Table 3.1: Clear Channel AM Stations and Frequencies State/Territory City Station Frequency British Columbia Vancouver CKLG 730 California Fresno KFRE 940 California Los Angeles KFI 640 California Los Angeles KNX 1070 California San Francisco KCBS 740 California Santa Monica KBLA 1580 Colorado Denver KOA 850 Connecticut Hartford WTIC 1080 District of Columbia Washington WTOP 1500 Florida Marathon Key RADIO MARTI 1180 Georgia Atlanta WSB 750 Illinois Chicago WBBM 780 Illinois Chicago WGN 720 Illinois Chicago WLS 890 Illinois Chicago WLUP 1000 Illinois Chicago WMAQ 670 Iowa Des Moines WHO 1040 Iowa Waterloo KXEL 1540 Kentucky Louisville WHAS 840 Louisiana New Orleans WWL 870 Maryland Baltimore WEAL 1090 Massachusetts Boston WBZ 1030 Massachusetts Boston WHDH 850 Massachusetts Boston WRKO 680 Michigan Detroit WJR 760 Minnesota Minneapolis WCCO 830 Missouri St. Louis KMOX 1120 New York New York WABC 770 New York New York WBBR 1130 New York New York WCBS 880 New York New York WEVD 1050 New York New York WFAN 660 New York New York WINS 1010 New York New York WOR 710 New York New York WQEW 1560 New York Schenectady WGY 810 Ohio Cincinnati WCKY 1530 Ohio Cincinnati WLW 700 Ohio Cleveland WKNR 1220 Ohio Cleveland WWWE 1100 Oklahoma Oklahoma City KOMA 1520 Oklahoma Tulsa KVOO 1170 Ontario Windsor CKLW 800 Oregon Portland KEX 1190 Pennsylvania Philadelphia KYW 1060 Pennsylvania Philadelphia WOGL 1210 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania KDKA 1020 Quebec Laval CKLM 1570 Quebec Montreal CBF 690 Saskatchewan Regina CBK 540 Tennessee Nashville WLAC 1510 Tennessee Nashville WSM 650 Texas Fort Worth WBAP 820 Texas San Antonio WOAI 1200 Utah Salt Lake KSL 1160 Virginia Richmond WRVA 1140 Washington Seattle KING 1090 Washington Seattle KIRO 710 Washington Seattle KOMO 1000 West Virginia Wheeling WWVA 1170

Noncommercial Broadcast Options

In addition to the various commercial broadcast stations, there are a number of noncommercial broadcast frequencies that you may want to monitor. Most simple radios do not have the capability of accessing these frequencies, and you will need a specialized scanner to do so. Such a device will enable you to tune into everything that is being broadcast locally, including NOAA weather, police, fire, ambulance, and Amateur radio. You can generally also monitor more esoteric transmissions such as railroad communications, ATF, border patrol, U.S. Customs, ship-to-shore, aircraft, airport, and a variety of other government and private transmissions. Table 3.2 contains a list of "VHF/UHF Communications That Can Be Monitored on Scanners."2

Table 3.2: VHF/UHF Communications That Can Monitored on Scanners Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms 165168 MHz (ATF) 406420 Amateur Radio 144148 MHz 222225 MHz 420450 MHz 902-928 MHz

Ambulance 155.0155.5 MHz 462468 MHz

Aircraft 118128 (Air Traffic Control) 123.5123.7 (Arrival and Departure) Note: above aircraft use AM mode

Border Patrol 408417 MHz

Business Bands 150162 MHz 461465 MHz 502512 MHz 851853 MHz

Cellular Phones 870896 MHz Note: Commercial aircraft cell phones use the 894896 MHz range

Cordless (home) phones 46.649.9 MHz (older models) 900902 MHz (newer models)

FBI 162167 MHz

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 166.2170.2 MHz Also 138.225, 141.725, 408.40, 410.48, 413.21, 417.66 and 417.05 MHz Fire 154.0154.5 MHz 451454 MHz General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) 462.5467.7 MHz

Military Aircraft 236.4236.7 MHz (Air Traffic) 243.0 MHz (Emergency)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Weather Radio) 162163 MHz

Naval Aircraft 277.5278 MHz 340.2 MHz (Air Traffic)

News Media 450.0455 MHz

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 167172 MHz

Police 154159 MHz (Smaller cities and rural areas) 453454 MHz and 460.0460.6 (Larger cities and metropolitan areas) and 810816 MHz (new 800-MHz band activity)

Police and Municipal Trunking 856867 MHz

Railroads 159161 MHz

Secret Service 164167 MHz

Strategic Air Command 311.0 MHz

U.S. Customs 165-166 MHz

However, be advised that the Communications Act of 1934 prohibits you as a third-party from revealing the contents of two-way conversations with others or using this information for personal gain. In addition, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 makes it illegal for private citizens to monitor cellular telephone frequencies. The Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act of 1993 adds additional restrictions, making it illegal to produce or important a scanner that allows the user to monitor these frequencies. Also, you should be aware that some states (e.g., New York and New Jersey) prohibit private citizens from monitoring police communications.

There are a number of options when it comes to scanners. It all depends on what frequencies you want to monitor, what features you desire, and how much you have to spend. Price start at about $100 but can escalate to a few thousand for some desktop models. With so many needs and options, making a specific recommendation is beyond the scope of this book.

Reach Out and Touch Someone

Simple radio receivers or scanners are great when all you want to do is listen in on a broadcast or someone elses two-way transmissions. But what if you want to engage in two-way communication yourself? What if you want to talk as well as listen?

Cell Phones

Forget about cell phones if Y2K problems hit the telecommunications infrastructure. They may be working in some areas, but they depend on much of the same systems that traditional phones use. If your telephone doesnt work, theres a good chance your cell phone wont either. As a result, you need to think of a truly alternative system.

Citizens Band

One option is a CB ("citizens band") radio. As you may recall, these were very popular in the 1970s, before the availability of cellular phones, but are now making a comeback. You can pick them up very inexpensivelyusually less than $100, and even cheaper than that if you are willing to do a little garage sale shopping. They supposedly have a range of ten to twenty miles if the channel is clear and the terrain is permitting; or about four to five miles if the channel is congested. In actual use, the range is usually about a mile and a half. However, if you wire them to an antenna and elevate them on a PVC pipe or other device, you can extend the range by several miles. (You will need to do some experimentation to find out if this will work in your situation.)

I recently had Alvin Foster at ALF Enterprises design a CB system for me. I told him that I wanted a base station for the Y2K Task Force Coordinator in our subdivision and hand-held devices for every family who wants to purchase one. The advantage of the base station is that you can hook it up to a mounted antenna and extend the range by several miles. (Remember: as it says on new car stickers, "Your mileage may vary.")

For the base unit, he recommends the Cherokee CBS500 Base Station. It is a forty-channel AM radio with a number of bells and whistles. It operates on AC or DC power and has a low power switch to conserve battery power when full output is not needed. It is also very reasonably priced (see Table 3.1 below).

For our hand-held units, he recommended the Cherokee AH27F. This also is a forty-channel AM radio. These represent the latest, greatest technology with power circuitry designed to save batteries. They can be powered by alkaline batteries, Nicad rechargeable batteries, or automotive cigarette lighter adapters.

The most expensive part of the equation, particularly for the base unit, is a solar panel and attendant hardware. You cant actually power the base unit directly from your solar panel; you have to charge deep cycle batteries and use them instead. If you already have an alternative source of power, you wont need the solar panels. I had him include them in case you dont have any other way to generate your own electricity. (The prices in Tables 3.3 and 3.4 are Alvins discounted prices.)

Table 3.3: Hand-held CB Unit Description Qty Unit Price Extended Cherokee AH27F Hand-held CB 1 $80.33 $80.33 Subtotal for radio only $80.33 Panasonic AA Nicad Batteries Rechargeable 8-pack 2 $12.95 $25.90 AA Solar Charger #806 2 $17.95 $35.90 Subtotal for solar recharging unit only $61.80 Total for both radio and solar charger (does not include shipping) $142.13

The hand-held unit can work with normal Alkaline batteries; however, they do have a shelf life and the rechargeable Nicads are cheaper over the long run.

Table 3.4: CB Base Station Description Qty Unit Price Extended Cherokee CBS500 Base Station 1 $125.25 $125.25 Solarcon Antron 99 Base Station CB Antenna 1 $59.99 $59.99 100' Coaxial Antenna (to run from your base unit to your antenna) 1 $29.99 $29.99 Subtotal for radio only $215.23 Solarex PV/SX VLX-53 (53 watt, 3.08 amp solar panel) 1 $359.00 $359.00 ASC Solid State Charge Regulator PR/SC-ASC-12/8 1 $49.00 $49.00 Blocking Diode 1 $2.00 $2.00 Solarex Omni Mount Kit MH/SX-OM-2X 1 $130.50 $130.50 RV or Marine Deep Cycle Battery (purchased at Wal-Mart, etc.) 1 $50.00 $50.00 Subtotal for solar recharger only $590.50 Total for both radio and solar charger (does not include shipping) $805.73

As you can see, the biggest part of the expense is the solar recharger. If you already have a generator, a solar energy system, or some other way to generate electricity, you wont need to buy the recharger (more about this in Chapter 8). You can order directly from:

ALF Enterprises P.O. Box 671 Mukilteo, WA 98275 Phone and Fax: (425) 267-9267

Web:

Family Radio Service

Family Radio Service (FRS) is yet another option. FRS is a radio band that the FCC designated for anyone to use for virtually any purpose. In comparison to a regular hand-held CB radio, there is less traffic, the radios are somewhat smaller, and they have better battery life. Power output is the maximum legally allowed at one-half watt. The audio is very crisp and clear from the speaker and the range is advertised at over two miles, though most users will not get more than about half a mile, especially in wooded terrain. They are easy to tote around, since they are only a little larger than a pager and weigh just eight ounces or so. Many models have "privacy codes" on each channel for the ultimate in private communications. Table 3.5 compares CB radios with FRS radios.

Table 3.5: Citizens Band (CB) vs. Family Radio Service (FRS) Feature Citizens Band Family Radio Service Band HF UHF Modulation AM FM Maximum Output Power 4 watts 0.5 watt Range under ideal conditions 520 miles 2 miles Average range 1.5 miles 0.5 miles Comparison Hand-held or base stations Can get additional range with right antenna

The AM signal has the ability to follow the terrain.

Best suited for outdoor use. Hand-held units only FCC rules prohibit modifying the antenna

FM signal transmits better through walls.

Better suited for indoor use.

The prices for FRS radios are about the same as for CBs. Models start at about $40.00 at Radio Shack and go up from there. My personal favorite is the Cherokee FR465Plus. This is a fourteen-channel radio with LCD display, "Vital Link" radio range finder system with voice alert and panic button, six user selectable "Call Tones" to alert other FRS users, improved Incoming Call Tone Ringer operation, and a ten-segment "Fuel Gauge" for more detailed battery level indication. At this writing, ALF Enterprises sells these units for $109.95 plus shipping. (You can see a wide variety of FRS radios, including the FR465Plus at .) Since these radios are also powered by two "AA" batteries, I recommend the same rechargeable system described in Table 3.3 above.

Amateur Radio

For more reliable communication over greater distances, you might want to consider obtaining an Amateur Radio license. With an Amateur Radio band hand-held radio, communication over distances of one hundred miles or more can be accomplished using one of the six thousand plus Amateur Radio repeater systems in place across the United States and Canada. Use of the repeaters is free but be advised that some of them may be down because of Y2K-related disruptions.

A ten-year license for Amateur Radio is only a few dollars. You must pass a licensing exam, but just about anyone can pass the Technician Class "no code" exam with a little study. Books published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) will help you pass the test. You can learn more about this organization and the license requirements at .

Amateur radios vary widely in price, from less than a hundred dollars for some entry-level models to several thousand dollars for serious hobbyists. Entire books have been written on just the equipment and "hams" generally have strong opinions about what kind of equipment you need.

If you are serious about diving into Amateur Radio, you should probably talk to several vendors. If you simply want to "get your feet wet," you might begin with the Alinco DJ-190-TD handheld radio. With four "AA" batteries in its dry cell battery case, output power is over two watts FM, which under normal conditions will give you the ability to access a repeater up to fifty miles away. Through the repeater, you will have the coverage of the repeater system which is usually located as high as possible on a mountain or on tall buildings. This gives handheld radios and mobile units the ability to communicate over distances much greater than otherwise possible. This system is very much the same as Police, Fire, Rescue, Ambulance and business radios. At this writing ALF Enterprises is selling this unit for $159.95. You can get more information at .

Summary

Regardless of what system you decide to go with, you need some way to stay in touch with the world around you. Whether its a $25.00 solar- power radio or a $1,000-plus Amateur Radio system, you need a means of receiving information and, if possible, a way of transmitting it. This is important not only for your personal safety, but also for your psychological well-being.

Sidebar: Y2K PrepTip Before You Buy a Two-way Radio . . . Before you rush out and purchase a bunch of fancy communications equipment, you need to determine your communications needs and decide what you want to accomplish. To do so, follow these steps: 1. Make a list of the people you want to stay in touch with in an emergency. This will undoubtedly include family members, business associates, church friends, and neighbors.

2. Determine what it would take to stay in touch with each person. For example, to stay in touch with my parents who live in another part of the country will require an Amateur Radio. To communicate with my fellow church members who are scattered over a wide geographic area may also require the same. However, I can use either CB or FRS radio to talk to the neighbors in my subdivision.

3. Consider your resources. Make sure that you attend to first things first. As important as staying in touch may be, its not as important as food, water, and shelter. Make sure you take care of those things first, before you blow a bunch of money on high-tech communication gadgets. If you have less that $100 to spend, get a simple AM/FM radio that will run on solar power or via a hand-crank mechanism. If you have a couple of hundred dollars, you can add a CB or FRS radio.

4. Get a commitment from the people you want to talk to. It wont do you any good to buy a radio if the people you want to talk to dont have one. Duh! Thats why buying a radio is often a group decision. Its best if you are using similar equipment so you can help one another when there are problems.

5. Develop a communications plan. How often to you want to talk to the people in your network? What are your procedures and protocols? These are things you need to figure out together, long before you are in the middle of a crisis.

6. Run periodic test drills. Take a page from the military: practice, practice, practice. You want a system you can depend on in an emergency. The only way to do this is by getting comfortable with it before you need it.

Y2K Preparedness Checklist Lev Action Step Qty Unit Price Total Qty Total Price 1 Buy an AM/FM radio, preferably one with shortwave capabilities. 1 $100 2 Consider two-way communication. Discuss options with your family, friends, and neighbors. N/A N/A 2 Buy one or more two-way radios, either CB or FRS. Varies Varies 3 Consider getting an Amateur Radio license. 1 $10 3 Consider buying a ham radio for long-range, two-way communication. 1 Varies

Notes

1. Dave Ingram, Guide to Emergency Survival Communications (Columbus, OH: Universal Electronics, 1997), 23.

2. Ibid., 82.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

We'd like to hear from you. Give us your feedback. (Be sure to reference New Book, Chapter 3 in the subject line of your message.) ) 1998, Michael S. Hyatt

---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

Michael S. Hyatt Y2KPrep 251 Second Ave. South Franklin, Tennessee 37064 888-Y2KPREP (1-888-925-7737) Fax: 615-794-8860

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), August 09, 1999.

'Cat,

You have more options in the commo field than you can shake a stick (or a checkbook) at. Mainly you're looking at doing two things: 1) listening to what someone else is broadcasting, and 2) yakking. What you wind up buying will vary with what you want to accomplish.

If you want to try to be informed about what's going on in your local area, nationwide and around the world, you'll be listening (in fact, it's a good idea NOW without waiting for rollover- skip the propaganda on teevee). Your best bet for effective listening will require a minimum of two radios- a good multiband general coverage receiver, and a scanner. It will also require some study, some time in learning to effectively manipulate the eqipment, a couple of good antennas and a reliable alternative power source. You won't be able to do all of the above for $100 unless you get *very* lucky.

You need a good multiband receiver to cover AM, FM and SW (shortwave) broadcasts. Most of the national- service and commercial broadcasts on SW are in AM mode. But you should be sure to get one with a BFO (beat frequency oscillator) which is capable of tuning sideband, as a lot of the ham or amateur and official traffic you'll want to hear is on sideband. Universal Radio (http://www.universal-radio.com, 1-800- 431-3939) sells the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 in factory reconditioned condition for $129.95- a good buy on a good portable multiband. A good longwire antenna that you can make yourself will be all you need for the multiband.

I can't recommend a specific scanner because I don't know the type of public service radios in operation in your area. I suggest you get a portable as I have found the handhelds more versatile overall. If your police/fire departments are using one of the new trunked type radio systems, you'll need a 'trunk tracker' to keep up with it for now (anybody making any bets as to how well these systems will be working post-rollover?). You will need to determine the frequency ranges in use in your area as well, so you can select a receiver that covers the frequencies you'll need to hear. The traffic you hear on a scanner will almost always be local, as ranges for the typical VHF/UHF equipment aren't usually that long (the exception being aircraft). A good outside antenna, most likely commercially purchased, is a big help in effective listening on the public service bands.

Several sites offer advice and info on radios and frequencies- check out Radio Netherland for general- coverage receiver purchasing advice at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/rx_index.html. See http://www.netnowonline.com/scanner/index.com for links on multiband and scanner receivers, as well as http://www.primenet.com/~confused/scanplan.html. There are tons of sites and way too much info to put here- go for it.

As to the second part- who are you going to talk to, and why? That will determine the kind of equipment you'll need. A couple of FRS (family radio service) walkie-talkies may be all you need, or you may want to go for a full ham rig. Again the area is too broad without more specific questions to consider. All I can say is, good luck!

-- Lee (lplapin@hotmail.com), August 09, 1999.