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 most commonly used channels are 1-14, which have pre-set frequencies. To use higher range channels such as 14-23 or in some cases 7-21 you would need to obtain a license. The range is dependent upon weather, terrain and channels used. You can expect a range anywhere from one to seven miles. Most Walkie-Talkies operate using dedicate channels on the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are consider non-commercial personal use only devices.
Walkie-Talkies are an essential part of emergency disaster plans. Reliable communication is important during a survival situation or any emergency to include rescue operations. Make sure each family member has a handset that is set to the correct channel. You can monitor your radio for information that others may be broadcasting. You can set most radios to monitor while you perform other tasks.
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.
You can obtain a license from the FCC, in most cases, to use higher wattage channels that will increase the number of channels available as well as boost your range. Typically, it would be a violation of FCC rules to use a booster to increase wattage output unless you are member of law enforcement, the military or have a specific license. There would be a fee associated with the license.
The most commonly used channels are 1-14, which have pre-set frequencies. To use higher range channels such as 14-23 or in some cases 7-21 you would need to obtain a license. The range is dependent upon weather, terrain and channels used. You can expect a range anywhere from one to seven miles. Most Walkie-Talkies operate using dedicate channels on the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are consider non-commercial personal use only devices.
Walkie-Talkies are an essential part of emergency disaster plans. Reliable communication is important during a survival situation or any emergency to include rescue operations. Make sure each family member has a handset that is set to the correct channel. You can monitor your radio for information that others may be broadcasting. You can set most radios to monitor while you perform other tasks.
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.
You can obtain a license from the FCC, in most cases, to use higher wattage channels that will increase the number of channels available as well as boost your range. Typically, it would be a violation of FCC rules to use a booster to increase wattage output unless you are member of law enforcement, the military or have a specific license. There would be a fee associated with the license.
About the Author:
As one can tell from the article, it is important to have a good set of walkie-talkies in your bug-out bag. This is only one of numerous steps in preparing for a disaster that everyone should do, not just doomsday preppers.
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