Thoughts on Communications for more everyday type SHTF situations

[Lightspeed]

We’ve been re-evaluating our emergency communications plan. Not that there is much wrong with it, but we like to keep ourselves refreshed.

What has occurred to us is that, while we have a coms solutions for a grid down world well covered, in reality we are most likely to encounter much more limited SHTF events. Events of a much more personal nature such as: Cars breaking down, getting lost, getting separated from each other when hiking or in strange towns, localised power cuts, delayed trains busses planes etc. etc.

For these more mundane, but none the less stressful and potentially dangerous situations, we’ve concluded that the ubiquitous mobile phone is going to be the most appropriate communications support. We all have them. They are at arms reach pretty much the whole time. Network geographic coverage is extremely high. They have truly global reach. And these attributes out-perform our beloved ham-radio-type solutions in almost every way.

OK, mobile phones are completely reliant on Cell towers and the computerised network control technology provided by the System Operators, but these networks and control systems are really very reliable these days. In low grade SHTF situations, the resilience and accessibility of the mobile phone system is strong. Researching what has happened in more widespread events such as the Haiti disaster, even though cities like Port au Prince were effectively grid down, the mobile phone systems remained operational to a surprising extent. Although voice communications were badly impacted, it was found that SMS messages were still able to be passed successfully, albeit with increased delays between send and receive.

There are some interesting technological choices to be made, from battery munching, relatively fragile smart phone that have aps for GPS and ability to carry an extensive survival library at one end of the spectrum, to ultra rugged IP68 simple talk and text devices with standby times measured in weeks and months at the other. There are even phones ate both ends of that spectrum that incorporate proper walkie-talkie radios that can be tuned to PMR446 and Ham UHF bands.

Our revised communications plan has been adjusted to further embrace mobile phones, particularly in terms of everyday carry. We all have car charging capability, and in the near future we will all carry fully charged backup batteries ( this is a very low cost prep / contingency). For escalating threat and or extreme environment use, we are looking to acquire some of the IP67/68 type “builder” phones. Ideally the ones with inbuilt walkie-talkie radios, as these will give us the most flexible options in unfolding SHTF events.

So, don’t assume that all SHTF situations will be end of the world events, and don’t assume that walkie-talkie / ham radio solutions will always be best. During low grade and escalating situations the humble mobile phone is going to be pretty hard to beat….

[bigpaul]

we have a pre arranged place to meet if wife and I get separated anytime, its called "i'll meet you back at the car !"

[Lightspeed]

(19 December 2013, 11:57)bigpaul Wrote: we have a pre arranged place to meet if wife and I get separated anytime, its called "i'll meet you back at the car !"

Ha ha...tried that one BP, but there's always someone who's brain out of gear and just tagging along mindlessly....and they have not the first idea of where the car is parked, especially in a strange city

[bigpaul]

(19 December 2013, 12:09)Lightspeed Wrote:

(19 December 2013, 11:57)bigpaul Wrote: we have a pre arranged place to meet if wife and I get separated anytime, its called "i'll meet you back at the car !"

Ha ha...tried that one BP, but there's always someone who's brain out of gear and just tagging along mindlessly....and they have not the first idea of where the car is parked, especially in a strange city

cant help you there LS!!