SHTF Hand Held Communication Devices

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Indeed cheap chinese electronics are available. The baofeng looks better in that it has a larger frequency range.

I have to say that I have beat the living hell out of my FT-51r, I have used it in logging camps and on the ocean and I have never had it fail me. I hope the newer one does just as well, and I think it will. These radios are solid workhorses, and for emergency situations that's what you want. Yaesus' are like the Nikons' of the ham world, not the very best, but right up there. Anyway you get what you pay for, and it might be better to have three radios instead of one. Esp after two break.

First you have to decide WHY you want to communicate ... and with who. That determines the DISTANCE that you need to communicate over.

Secondly will you be communicating via VOICE or DATA? That determines the MODE that you want to communicate with.

In order of distance covered:

No or easy to obtain license options (US oriented):

FRS walkie talkies: 1/4 to 1/2 mile, unless open territory then maybe 2 miles

GMRS walkie talkies: 1/2 to 1 mile, unless open territory then maybe 3 to 4 miles (forget the advertising 27 miles!!)

CB (AM): 1/2 to 4 miles with standard antenna (probably 2 to 3)

CB (SSB - single sideband): 3 to 15 miles with standard antenna (probably 8 to 12)

MURS (near marine radio & 2 meter amateur freqs) 4 to 30 miles with typical (more complex) antenna set up

Amatuer Radio License options:

2 Meters, 4 to 30 miles with typical antenna set up (technician class or higher - US)

6 Meters, 10 to 50 miles with typical antenna set up
(technician class or higher - US)

160 Meters, (just above AM commercial radio station band) 20 to 50 miles day, 40 to 200 miles night (general class or higher - US) NO SKIP except terrain induced

80 Meters, 20 to 80 miles day, 40 to 300 miles night (general class or higher) NO SKIP except terrain induced

40 Meters or higher, round the world potential. Skip is the main determining factor on who you hear and how far the signal goes (includes 20 meters, 15 meters, 10 meters etc. etc.)(10 meters can also have the propagation dynamics of the CB band since it is immediately adjacent to it wrt frequencies)

You can probably get more than 3 Wouxons for the price of one Yaesu.

My Wouxon hits a repeater 45 miles away, made well, etc.

$99 bucks at:

[link to www.cheapham.com]

If your budget is even tighter, go for a BaoFeng for about $50 or less:

[link to www.amazon.com]

If you want to pass your Technician Exam, I highly recommend(Best $25 I ever spent):

[link to www.hamradiolicenseexam.com]

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What would you suggest for hand held communication devices when the SHTF ?

How about a digital frequency hopping 900MHz UHF handheld?


[link to www.trisquare.us]

What would you suggest for hand held communication devices when the SHTF ?

[link to 3.bp.blogspot.com]

All you'll need right here... Best for preppers!

BaoFeng *UV-5R Plus*;
[link to www.amazon.com]

Best with; [link to www.amazon.com]

OP, I would recommend that you do a search on survival blog, then think carefully about your budget and needs. The question needs to be honed a little to get a more precise answer.

For example, do you wish to listen only or transmit? What range do you desire? How much money do you have to spend? Are you willing to learn how to use it, or do you want something fast and dirty to operate? What's important to you in your system? What are your needs and those of the people using it? What's your technical proficiency level? Is security important? Why do you need a transmit/receive ability?

Start here:
[link to www.survivalblog.com]