If you want something that'll work in a post apocalyptic setting you only have one choice: Shortwave High Frequency radios. It's complex, requires an FCC HAM Radio license and relatively expensive.
After that, the best choices are satellitle based gear like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 [ https://amzn.to/42sG0wc ] and the inReach Messenger [ https://amzn.to/47fEkIV ]. Everybody in your group will need one or the other, but if the Iridium satellitle network is taken down they will no longer work.
After that Starlink on your phone [through T-Mobile and available on all carriers] and/or Starlink for your Internet access or backup Internet access is a good choice. But again, if their satellites get taken down this stuff will no longer work.
After that the POC Link radios [ https://tinyurl.com/48nc6vd5 ] at $399/pair with FREE global LTE access are definitely worth grabbing. They will be going to $1,149/pair soon. We are also sending SDENS emergency notifcations to GUARDIANS who have these radios, in addition to their email, Substack notifications and the private SDENS Signal group.
After that encrypted Business Class radios are a good choice for convoy or neighborhood comms that nobody can listen in on.
After that cheap HAM/GMRS radios are good to listen in on what's going around you. Especially the 22 GMRS channels that are shared with ultra cheap FRS "bubble radios" that people buy from Walmart.
Chris, we both work 50 miles from home. We are going to get the garmin for texting. I think. I need to discuss with hubby. I sent him your video. We are definitely going to work on ham radio licenses. I’m reluctant about the Beofengs because it may be possible that the Chi built in a back door into them. Can you recommend American brands? Thank you for all you do!!
Chris, did you all do a video on the SS finding that room with cell equipment in NY and NJ? I’m not understanding exactly what that will cause. Is it only local to them? Also if they have more across the US what should our reaction be? Immediately head home if we get spammed? Another guy said it will cause us to not be able to use our phones.
Thank you so much for your excellent video. Admittedly I had to watch it twice. This stuff is a lot to understand. We will follow your advice and get the Garmins. Will watch your next video on the subject. Can you also touch on how to organize coded communication? Thank you for all you do!
I'm weak on comm knowledge. I live in a relatively small community out in the woods. As it stands for me: Starlink, cell, landline, Retevis MURS with extended antenna, and looking at Garmin inReach as fallback. Open to suggestions.
Speaking of batteries lasting, I have a floating Cobra marine radio in my floating ditch bag on my boat. I forgot to charge it at the start of the season, so it sat in the bag for two years until I was doing an inventory of the bag. Sure enough, I pulled it out and it still turned on for a radio check.
At some point in the future I would upgrade your MURS setup with Shortwave HF which can communicate globally. We'll be doing a video on that topic in the not too distant future.
Stay tuned [bad pun] for our upcoming video on the Xiegu G90. It's a very ecnomical first step into the Shortwave HF arena. Others have been able to communicate across the continent with them. We're gonna find out firsthand in the not too distant.
I have several brands of GMRS radios,.mobile & HT I have found that the Baofeng UV 5G PLUS with the stock antenna works like a champ for local GMRSl HT comms and the UV 5g plus won't break the bank.
Chris, this is so timely. Our comms are our last hole. We don’t even know what or where to start.
If you want something that'll work in a post apocalyptic setting you only have one choice: Shortwave High Frequency radios. It's complex, requires an FCC HAM Radio license and relatively expensive.
After that, the best choices are satellitle based gear like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 [ https://amzn.to/42sG0wc ] and the inReach Messenger [ https://amzn.to/47fEkIV ]. Everybody in your group will need one or the other, but if the Iridium satellitle network is taken down they will no longer work.
After that Starlink on your phone [through T-Mobile and available on all carriers] and/or Starlink for your Internet access or backup Internet access is a good choice. But again, if their satellites get taken down this stuff will no longer work.
After that the POC Link radios [ https://tinyurl.com/48nc6vd5 ] at $399/pair with FREE global LTE access are definitely worth grabbing. They will be going to $1,149/pair soon. We are also sending SDENS emergency notifcations to GUARDIANS who have these radios, in addition to their email, Substack notifications and the private SDENS Signal group.
After that encrypted Business Class radios are a good choice for convoy or neighborhood comms that nobody can listen in on.
After that cheap HAM/GMRS radios are good to listen in on what's going around you. Especially the 22 GMRS channels that are shared with ultra cheap FRS "bubble radios" that people buy from Walmart.
I hope that helps!
Chris, we both work 50 miles from home. We are going to get the garmin for texting. I think. I need to discuss with hubby. I sent him your video. We are definitely going to work on ham radio licenses. I’m reluctant about the Beofengs because it may be possible that the Chi built in a back door into them. Can you recommend American brands? Thank you for all you do!!
Unless you're somewhere that has public repeaters you will not get handheld radios that will reach anywhere near 50 miles.
If budget is a consideration get the POC Link radios before the price goes up.
If you're ok with spending a couple grand get Shortwave HF radios and antennas. I would recommend the Xiegu X6200 radios and good antennas.
Chris, did you all do a video on the SS finding that room with cell equipment in NY and NJ? I’m not understanding exactly what that will cause. Is it only local to them? Also if they have more across the US what should our reaction be? Immediately head home if we get spammed? Another guy said it will cause us to not be able to use our phones.
Yes. We've covered it several times. It will saturate the phone network and if that's you're only way of communicating you'll be dead in the water.
I need to find them and go back and watch. I want to hear all of your thoughts on it.
Thank you so much for your excellent video. Admittedly I had to watch it twice. This stuff is a lot to understand. We will follow your advice and get the Garmins. Will watch your next video on the subject. Can you also touch on how to organize coded communication? Thank you for all you do!
Checkout the SHTF comms video I just published minutes ago ... https://www.survivaldispatch.news/p/ranking-the-best-shtf-comms-gear
I’m new to this. This says it’s a Baofeng UV-25 But it’s a lot cheaper. Is it the same as the one discussed?
https://a.co/d/cGPperF
The one I recommend is here ... https://amzn.to/4hfbUm5
I'm weak on comm knowledge. I live in a relatively small community out in the woods. As it stands for me: Starlink, cell, landline, Retevis MURS with extended antenna, and looking at Garmin inReach as fallback. Open to suggestions.
Speaking of batteries lasting, I have a floating Cobra marine radio in my floating ditch bag on my boat. I forgot to charge it at the start of the season, so it sat in the bag for two years until I was doing an inventory of the bag. Sure enough, I pulled it out and it still turned on for a radio check.
Thanks for the reviews!
I highly recommend the Garmin inReach Mini 2 [https://amzn.to/4nCSCt7] and Garmin inReach Messenger [https://amzn.to/42VUWD2]. They're both on sale on Amazon right now.
At some point in the future I would upgrade your MURS setup with Shortwave HF which can communicate globally. We'll be doing a video on that topic in the not too distant future.
PS - That is awesome battery life for the Cobra!
Well, after watching this with my better half, we went ahead and ordered both the POCLINK and Garmin radios.
Thanks for commenting, Chris!
That's awesome!
I'll keep my eye out for shortwave hf radio equipment.
Stay tuned [bad pun] for our upcoming video on the Xiegu G90. It's a very ecnomical first step into the Shortwave HF arena. Others have been able to communicate across the continent with them. We're gonna find out firsthand in the not too distant.
I have several brands of GMRS radios,.mobile & HT I have found that the Baofeng UV 5G PLUS with the stock antenna works like a champ for local GMRSl HT comms and the UV 5g plus won't break the bank.
I know. I had FRS on my mind at that point of the video. GMRS needs a family license with no test like a technician license.
Sorry Chris I deleted my comment after I heard the context of your comment.
No apology necessary! Thank you for keeping me on my feet! Lol.