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Pat-inCO · August 16, 2008, 04:11 PM

Emergency Communication: - - (AA5EM de W0IPL)

1) Cell Phones - absolutely wonderful, until something happens. Then every one within 50 miles is on theirs and you get NO service.
2) FRS/GMRS - another good option - IF you never need to talk more than a few miles.
3) CB - Flat out lousy. 40 channels that WILL be over crowded in the first thirty seconds. Then add the idiots with their "lin-e-kers", useless.

4) Amateur Radio. - Not inexpensive. Initial costs run from $200 on up. You will need to get the entry level license (Tech.) which will take about twenty hours of study (on average) and cost you about $50 in study materials and test fees. The basic hand held two-way (2 meters) will be $150 to over $250, depending on features (SAME communication capability, just that you can do other "things" with it).

Mobile radios (again for 2M) run from $150 to $500 depending on features (once again, SAME communication capability) plus antenna (about $50).

Reliable communication distance - from next door to 50 miles, virtually anytime. From next door to a thousand miles, with the proper equipment, any time.

I could post about ten times this much, but it would not relate to the base thread, but rather to Ham radio. As was said above, look for your local Amateur Radio Club. They will help a lot.

August 16, 2008, 04:11 PM	#24
Pat-inCO Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Posts: 36	Emergency Communication: - - (AA5EM de W0IPL) 1) Cell Phones - absolutely wonderful, until something happens. Then every one within 50 miles is on theirs and you get NO service. 2) FRS/GMRS - another good option - IF you never need to talk more than a few miles. 3) CB - Flat out lousy. 40 channels that WILL be over crowded in the first thirty seconds. Then add the idiots with their "lin-e-kers", useless. 4) Amateur Radio. - Not inexpensive. Initial costs run from $200 on up. You will need to get the entry level license (Tech.) which will take about twenty hours of study (on average) and cost you about $50 in study materials and test fees. The basic hand held two-way (2 meters) will be $150 to over $250, depending on features (SAME communication capability, just that you can do other "things" with it). Mobile radios (again for 2M) run from $150 to $500 depending on features (once again, SAME communication capability) plus antenna (about $50). Reliable communication distance - from next door to 50 miles, virtually anytime. From next door to a thousand miles, with the proper equipment, any time. I could post about ten times this much, but it would not relate to the base thread, but rather to Ham radio. As was said above, look for your local Amateur Radio Club. They will help a lot.