As as survivalist, I am always prepared for the event that all cell phone and landline communications go down for an extended period of time.  The confusion created when the general public cannot communicate through normal means leads to a breakdown of rational behaviour.  You don’t want to get caught up in traffic that will soon follow this confusion.  I solved this problem…or at least prepared for it…by obtaining a license to operate ham radio equipment, although it is possible to obtain backup emergency communications equipment and use it legally without being licensed.  For instance, a CB radio, although limited in range, will provide you with two way communication in the event of an emergency.  Other options include satallite phones and handheld two-way consumer radios that can be purchased from sporting goods stores.

I opted for the amateur radio license primarily for the extended range offered by using local “repeaters”.  Repeaters allow for extended communication by allowing an incoming transmission to be retransmitted through an “offset” frequency.  The retransmitted signal is boosted in power and in most cases has the benefit of more gain through an antenna that is optimised for the frequency.  The transmit antenna is also physically located on a tower or other tall object to extend the range.  In short, you can listen on one frequency and talk on a separate frequency.  The switch between the two is handled by your radio’s software, so in effect, it is seamless to the operator.  The hardest part is programming the radio to use the repeater!  More on that in a later post…

You can obtain a license to operate amateur radio license by contacting your local amateur radio association.  More information about repeaters is available here.