this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2024
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Emergency Communications Solutions (lemm.ee)
submitted 2 months ago by pineapplelover@lemm.ee to c/prepper@lemm.ee
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In case phones are down and stuff during a disaster, what would be the best way to communicate? Ham radio? Satellite phone? I need options guys.

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[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Define "communicate".

With who?

Over what distance?

Also for what kind of scenario?

There's probably some more things to define first, which will help guide a solution.

In a nutshell, over short/local distances (1/4 mile to perhaps 5 miles under ideal conditions, which never happen), GMRS can be used. It's easy to learn. But it's very range limited in general.

You could setup your own repeater on something high, and get miles of range then (I regularly pickup folks 10+ miles away because there's a repeater half way between us on a tall building).

Long distance, HAM/HF. But that's very complex, you really have to learn quite a bit to make that happen, and whoever's on the other end would need similar skilset.

CB can do significant distance too.

With any radio, the higher the antenna, the farther the reach - that's the primary driver.

Radio is a helluva rabbit hole, but I'd recommend starting with GMRS - radios are fairly inexpensive, you can get started for about $100 if you find a deal on a radio 2 pack (and not the cheap blister pack crap, something like TidRadio or better).

Cell phones are just radios that link to a repeater nearby - the cell tower. That tower then links to the phone network, typically via cable.

[–] sentientity@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

Your last sentence is something I didn't know. That's cool

[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Just with my fam so ideally like 50 miles of range for example, but obviously, the wider the range, the better. I know there are repeaters and stuff but I don't really know how well they work and if that's the best option for this type of thing.

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

For 50 miles you're going to either need HAM or a repeater on anything else.

Even then, geography will be a huge determinant. Radio is generally line-of-sight, which is why things like GMRS/FRS and CB are limited to 5 miles - the general distance to the horizon.

I don't remember the math for antenna elevation and line-of-sight, but for some reason I have 30ft in my head for 10 miles, given flat country (no hills in the way). Don't quote me on that, but it's an example of how elevation affects range.

Fifty miles is a challenge, unless you can get an antenna really high, or are able to setup a chain of repeaters (I'm not sure how legal this is, GMRS regs are pretty open).

HAM isn't limited by line-of-sight because it can reflect off the atmosphere, but it takes skill at both ends to know how to manage this. Think of HAM as using the atmosphere as a repeater, but one that's constantly changing frequencies, and you have to figure that out at any given time based on conditions (and it's not always available between 2 locations because of those same varying conditions).

I think your best approach for now is to start with GMRS - it's an inexpensive start, and you'll learn this stuff with hands-on. Setting up your own GMRS repeater is pretty easy (once you have a little knowledge), has minimal regulation, and you can get several miles pretty quickly. There's a repeater about 4 or 5 miles from me (on a tower) that provides a connection to vehicles on the interstate more than 10 miles away. Being elevated means the repeater can "see" a lot farther.

Here's a good place to start.

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I have a few 2 way radios, ham radio, emergency satellite communicator for search and rescue.

Lots of people have been getting into such as the lilygo t-deck, I might get a few of them some day.

I also have a cell phone booster and a digital TV tuner, just in case.

[–] wesker@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Avoid the T-Echo model, at least currently. Lots of problems with recurring firmware corruption right now with that specific model.

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Good to know. I have been waiting for a more complete device to come out eventually. Figure I will wait a few years and see how these devices advance.

[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

My main issue with 2 way and ham radio is they don't go that far. Say I'm like 50 miles away. A whole state away or something. What's the best form of emergency communication? Emergency satellite communicator I recall you have to pay some subscription fee right? Additionally, if phone lines are down, you can't expect the other person to receive that message on their phone.

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

The satellite one I have is a one time fee, you push a button then search and rescue come to your GPS coordinates. It’s mainly if I get stranded and it’s life and death situation.

Sadly now a days almost everything is internet based, and can be shut off remotely by governments or hackers. Wish there were more options for communication.

As for long distance, I think you would need an expensive ham radio and a huge antenna.

[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I thought it was a subscription. I think the garmin ones you need to pay a fee to be able to use. Which I find kinda dumb

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The garmin ones allow you to use a phone and send txt using the satellites and they have agents that help with things. That’s why they have a monthly fee. Mine only calls emergency rescue.

[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

HAM can do 50 miles, under the right conditions.

GMRS can using repeaters or a repeater network (which is essentially what cell phones do).

[–] MisterD@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You can use cell phones with this installed on your phone

Meshenger (Voice- and video phone App for off-the-grid scenarios.) https://f-droid.org/packages/d.d.meshenger/

[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

That's kinda stupid imo. Only works on local network.

[–] I_Miss_Daniel@lemmy.world -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Starlink cellular maybe?

[–] Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Elon did something during the Ukrainian war like turned off communication when asked, or even given location data. I forget which, but it’s not good in preparing. Starlink needs to constantly launch new satellites and when launching stops the service will not last long.