Communication When SHTF - Best Radio? Other Ideas?

Chicken wire, burying your radio, grounding against EMP, RF absorbent material, antique radio that is nuke-proof?...

Does anyone have any experience using SPOT or a way to hack the iPhone to be able to tap into satellites for communication purposes?

Yes, Spot connect, turns your iphone into a satellite 2 way text message system, no cell service or hacking needed... Only a clear view of the sky. Works in motion too.

Read previous posts to this thread, I fully explained global star satellite constellation (spot) and what it can do.

If you want to do voice over sat with iPhone, iPad etc. You COULD use the Bluetooth on the isatphone pro paired with the iPhone to make voice calls, but you could also just use the handset itself. I have a Bluetooth handset called stat station that pairs with the satphone.. You can then place the satphone on the ground with the antenna aimed correctly and walk away and talk on a regular full-sized corded handset for comfort and RF reduction.

[link to www.satphonestore.com]

And a full sized handset:

[link to www.amazon.com]

Don't knock it.. It works great for long calls and is an easy transition for the technically challenged to use a satphone where antenna aiming is critical. When the two are used via bluetooth, it's 100% like a normal phone, even in rolling seas.

Enjoy.

Again, a disclaimer: I don't sell this stuff, nor am I connected to those who do. Just passing on what works.. The only system I don't have any experience with is Thuraya as it's coverage is not global and I don't travel to the ME. I unless your talking about VOICE over satellite then you should check out spot connect, voice use isatphone pro... I don't care for iridium as it drops calls ALOT.

Also please note spot connect is for SMS/email short messaging only, if you need to surf for news over satellite the check out my entry on VSAT on the previous pages of this thread. If you need to surf for news MOBILE, you have two choices.

1) Satellite phone handset, Inmarsat or iridium.. 1200-2400 bps (yes bps, like 1987 style) at $1.50-3.00 per min. $500.00-2000.00 for handset. For GLP, craigslist and other LOW bandwidth sites, it's doable..

2) BGAN wideeye mobile broadband terminal. It's fast, fast enough to stream live HD video from Easter island or a tent on Everest.. Used by news crews for ENG. Cost as much as a used car to watch a few YouTube videos. Costs as much per our as a cessna citation. Unless work pays for this or your loaded, forget it.

[link to www.satellitephonesdirect.com]

For BOTH systems you will need a redport to limit your computers services from all calling home at once for updates and log jamming your limited resources... An accidental windows update over BGAN could cost you thousands so you must filter.

[link to www.redportglobal.com]

That, plus the other pages before this covering VSAT should just about cover all civilian satcoms save marine installations like fleet phone.

You just cant beat the features of the Yesu VX-7R

I used to have the VXA-700, great radio for the price.

CB's might be good for road blocks. They're great for radar and other crap happening up ahead.....

Agreed, cb radios are like required equipment on the interstate, if times got hard, even more useful to have.