Communications are vital during emergencies and you cannot always rely on cellular service or landline phones. Power outages can cause your home phone not to operate and damage to cell towers will shut down cell phone service. Walkie-Talkies or two-way radios will operate regardless of the situation. You can communicate with anyone that has a receiver/transmitter and the device is tuned to the same channel as your radio.
The typical radio for personal or family use has a dedicated set of channels with pre-programmed frequencies. To use some channels you may be required to obtain a license through the FCC. Your radios range is dependent upon the model, channel, weather and line of sight (LOS). In other words, obstructions such as buildings, hills and foliage can have an impact on range. Signal ranges are from one mile up to seven on certain frequencies.
When planning for emergencies make sure you have a quality set of Walkie-Talkies and that each member knows how to use them and that they know the channel you have selected for family communications. Others beside your family with Walkie-Talkies can monitor your communications. You can of course monitor theirs and others' communications or talk to them directly for vital information during a crisis.
The radios will have an open mike that can be heard by anyone in the room or immediate area so use caution to keep certain information safe. The radios do not broadcast in secure mode, unless you purchase an optional device that will encrypt your traffic. You can also use hands free devices to talk and listen so you clip the radio on your belt to keep both hands free.
Use the radios to call for help if you become lost or stranded. In some cases ham radios can monitor your communications, but you may not be able to hear them they can however hear you. Fixed base stations may be able receive your signal as well. The radios operate independent of radio towers, microwave towers, cell phone towers and will operate whether the power grid is operational or not.
The radios may have rechargeable batteries or batteries that must be replaced when discharged. Some models may have a charging stand included. Always prepare by making sure you have an adequate supply of batteries, and in some models if you cannot charge the packs you can insert batteries in place of the packs.
Your Walkie-Talkies will operate under most conditions and you can purchase models that are water and shock resistance for rescue operations or even family communications during a disaster. Cell towers can be damaged during a disaster rendering cell phones useless or they may fail for various other reasons. You Walkie-Talkie will work however. They do not need radio towers or need the power grid operational for you to communicate. Most home phones today do require electricity to operate.
Anyone with a walkie-talkie or two-way radio can communicate with you if tuned to the same channel. This makes it easier to communicate with large groups or families, or there is a central operator or dispatch broadcasting directions or information. In some cases, to communicate with certain other radio operators you may be required to have a license. Some may be able to monitor your traffic depending on the radio and licensing status.
The typical radio for personal or family use has a dedicated set of channels with pre-programmed frequencies. To use some channels you may be required to obtain a license through the FCC. Your radios range is dependent upon the model, channel, weather and line of sight (LOS). In other words, obstructions such as buildings, hills and foliage can have an impact on range. Signal ranges are from one mile up to seven on certain frequencies.
When planning for emergencies make sure you have a quality set of Walkie-Talkies and that each member knows how to use them and that they know the channel you have selected for family communications. Others beside your family with Walkie-Talkies can monitor your communications. You can of course monitor theirs and others' communications or talk to them directly for vital information during a crisis.
The radios will have an open mike that can be heard by anyone in the room or immediate area so use caution to keep certain information safe. The radios do not broadcast in secure mode, unless you purchase an optional device that will encrypt your traffic. You can also use hands free devices to talk and listen so you clip the radio on your belt to keep both hands free.
Use the radios to call for help if you become lost or stranded. In some cases ham radios can monitor your communications, but you may not be able to hear them they can however hear you. Fixed base stations may be able receive your signal as well. The radios operate independent of radio towers, microwave towers, cell phone towers and will operate whether the power grid is operational or not.
The radios may have rechargeable batteries or batteries that must be replaced when discharged. Some models may have a charging stand included. Always prepare by making sure you have an adequate supply of batteries, and in some models if you cannot charge the packs you can insert batteries in place of the packs.
Your Walkie-Talkies will operate under most conditions and you can purchase models that are water and shock resistance for rescue operations or even family communications during a disaster. Cell towers can be damaged during a disaster rendering cell phones useless or they may fail for various other reasons. You Walkie-Talkie will work however. They do not need radio towers or need the power grid operational for you to communicate. Most home phones today do require electricity to operate.
Anyone with a walkie-talkie or two-way radio can communicate with you if tuned to the same channel. This makes it easier to communicate with large groups or families, or there is a central operator or dispatch broadcasting directions or information. In some cases, to communicate with certain other radio operators you may be required to have a license. Some may be able to monitor your traffic depending on the radio and licensing status.
About the Author:
As you can see from the article, it is important to have a good pair of walkie-talkies in your bug-out bag. This is only you of many steps in preparing for a disaster that everyyou should do, not just doomsday preppers.
No comments:
Post a Comment