Universal Callsigns

[Highlander]

For sure, you need to know the inherent characteristics of HF, VHF, UHF etc. bands to make the most of the communications available to you. BUT in a world SHTF situation and you need help in a do or die situation are you going to stick to the "license free" comms? I don't think so..... you will use whatever you have available.

IF, for the sake of argument, I was at home and my PRC-320 (covers both transmit and receive from 2 MHz through 29.9999 MHz) was available I would give a call on any HF international distress frequency that was open, I would not be requesting help on one of the "Ham" or "license free" frequencies. If I needed to talk to one of my group I'd be calling on a prearranged VHF/UHF frequency/channel regardless of if it was "license free" or not on my VHF/UHF gear - end of.....

What I'm saying is, you find a radio, you use it to get help - you are not going to be thinking Oh, hang on a minute, am I "licensed" to use this?

We you need urgent medical/survival help you need help, not when you pass some poxy test!

MA

Oh bollocks, You need to have your radio system up and running NOW and be familiar with it NOW, and be using it regularily NOW so that its not some strange untested unprovern system AFTER TSHTF, and as alreay pointed out the only current viable system that comes close to being suitable require you to be licened NOW



""What I'm saying is, you find a radio, you use it to get help - you are not going to be thinking Oh, hang on a minute, am I "licensed" to use this?""

How many ordinary every day preppers would know in advance how to set up and operate every possible type of radio,?? I put it that 99% of the country could not even set up a CB base station never mind set up tune in or SWR an antenna, search frequencies and bands of an Army rig or large Ham rig.

The prepper community needs a simple reliable, modest range radio system up and running NOW not after TSHTF.

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You really do have a blinkered view NR, typical of our generation I'm afraid......

No I've got 35 years of solid survivalism and prepping behind me, big difference.

The thing is here,...is that you are both right,.. getting the licence now, and using the equipment so that you are familar with it, and using it legal within the bands given is the way to go,... when the shtf you are on top of the subject.

.... after the shtf you are ready and able to use the equipment, but you do not have to stay within the boundries of the licence, you would be free to use whatever frequency you think will get you the results you are after

The alternative is when the shtf, you come across a radio that you cant use to the best advantage,..which could mean the difference between life and death