Re: [californiadisasters] Possible new Radio - help needed

Lets just say that preppers are a different breed that I won't deride because they could be right. 

But I will note that a US emergency will not empty the CB band of operators because it is an internationally used band subject to our solar activity (peaking next summer).  I don't expect other countries to be so courteous to us in our time of need. 

Other than explaining CB vs ham radio (or boring) the other members on the list, this discussion has run it's course now. 

Rick wa6nhc

Tiny iPhone 5 keypad, typos are inevitable

On Apr 3, 2013, at 4:47 AM, "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com> wrote:

 

Rick, it appears you missed my point or I was not clear. The reviews I mentioned on the contemporary CB radios were legal radios from name brands sold in the USA. You may choose to rely entirely on ham radio, but others are considering alternative methods of radio communication that don't rely on a repeater or a license. Different choices for different people to address different perceived needs.

 

For reference, I'm an ex-cop, used to work as an SO 911 dispatcher, I'm trained in ARES disaster communications (spent a couple of years as an ARES AEC), retired from a dozen years at the SAR (search and rescue) command post for 100's of incidents where I was Comms as well as Logistics and sometimes Plans, am trained to ICS 400 (and HazMat FRO, etc.), spent several years as CERT program coordinator and instructor for two counties and also was a regional and state rep for CERT and Citizen Corps, spent time volunteering at OES writing operational area emergency plans and representing trained volunteers at operational area meetings with first responders and other resources, spent a decade chairing a national SAR task group, still active developing standards for use in SAR and Homeland Security, still active nationwide as a conference speaker / instructor, etc.

 

So yes, I understand what you're saying about emergency / disaster radio communications since I've used UHF / VHF for 35 years.

 

The prepper folks have a different perspective when they stockpile and plan to be self-sufficient for months or years following a vast catastrophic event, and yes that usually includes having firearms, ammo, and a variety of survival skills. They see preparedness needs differently than the average "disaster preparedness" person expecting FEMA to show up in a few days.

 

Basic prepping today actually reminds me a bit of the Civil Defense era, with some folks building bunkers / bug out locations or at least stocking up a couple of months of water source, food and other supplies. And back then there was even some local militia-type training that some Sheriffs tapped for Reserve officers or "posse" status.

 

Locally the preppers are primarily on ham bands, but I have a friend out of state living rural who is a serious prepper -  they are planning for 2 years self-sufficient to survive the predicted crash of the US dollar losing status as the world currency with resulting chaos - and they see a need to have both licensed amateur radio (I know they have at least a 10m rig, with others in boxes) and CB. And their regional prepper group is primarily on CB. Through their prepper group they have networked with others across the country who also see CB as a useful alternate radio communication.

 

I suspect they figure CB channels won't be near as congested with few people actually prepared for long term self-sufficiency. Even stockpiled generator fuel will eventually shut down folks who don't have alternate power sources if the power grid is down and fuel is no longer available. My friend even has horses trained to ride, pack, or harness to pull a wagon load of supplies to trade locally when there is no fuel left for vehicles. And archery is a good skill to have so you don't use ammo unnecessarily. Some serious preppers are even learning to build and use an atlatl as a weapon / survival tool.

 

Like I said, serious preppers have a different perspective. I sure hope serious preppers aren't proved right to have the much longer term preplan or a whole bunch of folks will be struggling to survive.

 

(If this conversation on radios, preparedness, etc., is going to continue, perhaps it should move to the Discussion forum.)

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jorene_