Connunications update following Polls:

[NorthernRaider]

(9 July 2012, 10:13)Lightspeed Wrote: Good points NR, and largely I agree with you. But how many preppers are within 10 to 15 miles of you at the moment?.....and how are you going to find out? That's the probable max range you'll get with a fixed CB station and good antenna......


Using CB is excellent in theory as the equipment is relatively inexpensive and not too complex ( as already argued) but with small numbers of adopters it cannot be fashioned into a national network. Likewise, CB or PMR will only be of use in local situations if everyone has one and knows how to put it on air and keep it on air after a major grid down event.

I think it was Skves who made comments about needing to know what is going on primarily within 1 days travel of home. I think that this geographic parameter is valid and very ueseful in our comms planning. But what is 1 days travel? Its going to vary considerably because of geography.

Since March this year a small group has been testing PMR446, looking for prepper responses..... so far nothing heard, in spite of travelling many thousands of Km around the country. We know there are other preppers out there, but we've not succeeded in contacting a single one of them.

The task I have been asked to assess is how to set up a viable national comms network. For that we need to set up something and start practicing with it ahead of any SHTF event. Ham radio and NVIS will ensure that a large portion of the UK will be theoretically reachable. With our small number of stations in unknown locations its the best way to ensure a maximum number of preppers are in range.

My learned radio expert friend , perhaps we need to focus on local comms commonality first then once some foundations are laid encourage folks to expand upon the very simple and basic principles.

IE go CB 27 UK / EU, as local comms kit
Then to extend range post TSHTF simply add burners ?
from there simply see what evolves, Over the years in my experience as very limited as it is I feel that 90% of preppers want to keep their preps and expenses focused on LOCAL issues up to no futher than perhaps ten to twenty miles.

I'm scared that enthuisiasts like SD, yourself and myself are focusing more on what heavily commited preppers like us want, and not what the majority of ordinary preppers want. We are here to try and help newbies, and ordinary folks investing in prepping and its that 90% I think who we should be trying to help, and the more heavily involved types like TL, W & C, B-O-B etc can piggy bag on ther basic foundations to further develop their comms if they wish.

( PF I know you are reading this down Sheffield way and you rarely comment, but this is something I think folks like you and H are just begining to invest in and you should give us your opinions please)