Amateur or “ham” radio is both a time-honored hobby and a valuable skill that you can add to your survival toolbox. But if you want to do anything more than operate handheld radios at a nearby, local level you’re going to have to get proper licensure from the government. What’s the big deal? Why do … Read more
You will hardly find anybody these days that will part with their cell phones, and completely contrary to the notions of bygone decades that includes preppers. The modern smartphone is a technological marvel that crams all kinds of useful tools and even life-saving functionality into a form factor that will, quite literally, ride comfortably in … Read more
Having an emergency communications plan is an essential part of being prepared for short and long-term disasters. The ability to network and transmit information about changing situations and new threats is invaluable. Establishing and maintaining communications with members of your group, your family, and emergency response personnel might just be the factor that makes the … Read more
by Eric One of the most important things post-collapse is getting information. If you don’t have the right info, a slew of bad things can happen. You may not know in tine that that wildfire is getting near your house, or that invading forces have taken over a town or have blown up a bridge. … Read more
by Shannon If there’s one thing about the world that we’re completely sure of, it’s that change is constant. We’ve seen fashion trends differ from the decades before today. We’ve seen our planet evolve from flat land and rising mountains to plain fields and tall buildings. But most of all, we’ve seen change in how … Read more
I spend most of the year out in the bush, well beyond any cellular coverage. I have been living this way since 2013, and though I usually try to get indoors during the harsh winters of the Rockies. I have even spent a winter this way also, living in my RV away from it all. … Read more
I recently posted about 5 radios for emergency preparedness. I own several of those radio’s including the Midland ER102. The Midland ER102 Emergency Radio has a lot of bang for the buck and Midland has long been a big name in communications for years. On with the review – First – a quick summary of the … Read more
The morning after Hurricane Hugo devastated my community there was one thing in common most everyone was searching for – information. Many were without power thus they could not turn on the TV. I jumped in my 1983 Ford Escort POS and turned on the radio. Reports were flowing in on wide spread power outages, destruction, … Read more
The following letter is in reference to the article – “Building a Bucket Ham Repeater” Mr Rourke– I’ve given it some thought and here’s a potential way to improve the antenna – and still meet the objective of storing it in a bucket. To make a reasonably efficient ground plane, it doesn’t have to be … Read more
The importance of communication in preparedness cannot be overstated. If it all comes crashing down and normal methods of communication are thrown out the window Ham radio is one solution. Ham radio has been as mystifying to me over the past several years as trying to read hieroglyphics off an Egyptian pyramid wall. Talking to … Read more
by ALC Like you, I’ve been reading about the problems Rourke has been having getting his homemade radio repeater working recently. Owning only a single Baofeng I wasn’t able to do any testing to offer any advice. I have been tinkering with my own repeater solution for the past month or so though, but you … Read more
Alright – here is what I have been trying to do. If reading through this you get confused – well, now you know how I feel. The video below describes exactly what I have done to my four Baofeng UV-5R 2 meter Ham radio’s. I have followed the instructions exactly but to no avail it is … Read more
by “The Coach” (Contributing Editor) How well have you thought out what to bring/pack with your gear should you have to evacuate or bug out of your residence in an emergency or imminent major disaster? Sure you have a well thought out Bug Out bag or similar named bag that you can grab and … Read more
I was rereading through suggestions from your readers as to what articles they would like to see on your website. One person mentioned learning more about Ham Radios. I have been a ham radio operator for about 2 years and would be glad to share what I know a about them. Ham Radio, also called … Read more
The post below is an entry into the ModernSurvivalOnline Preparedness Guest Post Writing Contest. This is the final article from this current contest. Winners to be announced within the next few days. Radio Communications by “The Coach” My wife and I use two way radios to communicate whenever we take two vehicles to … Read more
The following is a guest post entry into our Survival & Preparedness Writing Contest. Basic Cryptology For Preppers by Tom Miller Cryptology is a subject that seems most appropriately applied to spy movies, but it does not need to be so limited. A coded message can be created and used by the average person, just … Read more
I have mentioned these inexpensive 2-meter HAM radio’s before. These radios can obviously transmit on HAM frequencies (with appropriate license) – but equally important you can LISTEN. These units also can receive weather-radio channels, FM stations, and can transmit FRS/GMRS frequencies. Yes – they will work with your inexpensive Midland FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies. There is even … Read more
A few weeks ago Academy Sports had a pair of FRS/GMRS radios on sale for less than $20.00. I decided to go ahead and pick up a set to add to the three Midland radio’s I already have. This pair is marked with a 22 mile range which if you do not have any experience … Read more