Connunications update following Polls:

[Lightspeed]

Hi Paul.

Good to have you back mate.

XYL and I are fine thanks. I think she’s enjoying being Mrs lightspeed :-) …well she hasn’t complained yet anyway.

Yes, as was mentioned COST is an issue and different radios are for different tasks.

CB / PMR / Marine / & Ham 2m / 70 cms are best for the close in stuff, and I fully support your statement that that CB is the way to go for prepper local comms.

Under exceptional conditions the standard FM CBs will indeed gat you heard way out into Europe. But such conditions are not very reliable and are truly exceptional. 12w SSb CB will do better but Price points are then over £120

In defense of Morse operating:

Use:
Mine’s intended to be used where CB cannot reliably do the job. Its for when I want to reliably communicate over 100 to 1000 miles. This is not for day to day operational / tactical comms of course, rather for keeping in touch with geographically dispersed groups and individuals ( assuming they have the skills to operate and have compatible equipment of course)

Compared to your CB specifications, such a radio is even more simple.

Low Power:
• My, low power rig, an SW-40, draws 0.4 amps on transmit
Standby, 0.016 amps. ( 12v supply)
Simple technology?
• Fifty odd through-hole soldered components, and a couple of ICs. If something fails I can fix it ( usually)
• Only two controls one for tuning, the other for volume.
• Size: Mine’s built into a very durable alloy box a little bigger than a packet of cigarettes
Cost
• Similar price to a CB too at around (£50). But it’s a kit so you have to add the build time and a few more components to your cost

Range?

• UK to Europe, no problem at all.
• USA, Asia and Africa all very do-able
• Local NVIS when conditions are right from 10 miles out to around 400 miles
• Very local line of sight out to 5 or 6 miles

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Simple Morse Capable Radio

Here's a pic of an SW-40

Minimalist in every way