Communication Is Key

Random Thoughts and Concerns about The End of The World as We Know It
Part 8
Know more than you say, think more than you speak, and notice more than you realize.

Communication
Communications, By Neale Wade, https://confessionsofaliberalgunowner.blogspot.com

Your cell service depends on batteries, outside facilities, infrastructure, and service providers, and an interruption to any of these renders your cell phone useless. Radio, on the other hand, has done very well without "carriers" for a hundred years ... and it still does.

Amateur Radio Service: I haven't paid any attention to Ham Radio options, because: I don’t want to purchase a lot of costly equipment, learn how to use it, and then lock it up in an EMP proof container and never see it or use it again. Alternately, I'd have to buy two of everything to make it a viable solution. I'm not sure it's worth it, so I’m going to leave Ham Radio operations to someone who is passionate about talking to others on the radio.

My choice would be something more portable. Personal hand-held two-way radio sets are less expensive and small enough to easily protect. The tradeoff is their limited range ...

Citizen Band Radio Service: CB is a private, two-way, short-distance, voice communications service.

CB radios are small, portable, hand-held or vehicle mounted devices.

CB is licensed by rule, which means an individual license is not required provided you comply with the rules. You may operate a CB radio regardless of your age, for personal or for business use.

None of the 40 CB channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference. Channel 9 is reserved for use as an emergency channel, where an array of information can be broadcast.

They talk directly to each other, the old-fashioned way, on noise-free UHF-FM. The usual range of communications between CB stations is from 1 to 2 miles, but depending on the terrain, type of antenna used, and other factors it may extend from 20 to 25 miles.

Family Radio Service: FRS is a private, two-way, very short-distance, voice and data communications service, that shares channels with GMRS. FRS radios are small, portable, hand-held devices that function similar to walkie-talkies.

FRS is licensed by rule, which means an individual license is not required provided you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, for personal or for business use.

None of the 14 FRS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference.

They talk directly to each other, the old-fashioned way, on noise-free UHF-FM. The usual range of communications between FRS stations is from ½ to 2 miles.

General Mobile Radio Service: GMRS is a private, two-way, short-distance, voice and data communications service, that shares channels with FRS. GMRS radios are small, portable, hand-held devices that function similar to walkie-talkies.

GMRS requires the purchase of a license, by someone over 18 years of age. The license must be renewed after 5 years. You may operate a licensed GMRS radio regardless of your age, for personal or for business use.

None of the 23 GMRS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference.

They talk directly to each other, the old-fashioned way, on noise-free UHF-FM. The usual range of communications between GMRS stations is from 5 to 25 miles; although those who want more range ignore the rules, by using more powerful GMRS radios available everywhere. GMRS radio systems can also extend the range through repeater stations, with the permission from the licensee.

Multi-Use Radio Service: MURS is a private, two-way, short-distance, communications service. GMRS radios are small, portable, hand-held devices that function similar to walkie-talkies.

MURS is licensed by rule, which means an individual license is not required provided you comply with the rules. You may operate an MURS radio regardless of your age, for personal or for business use.

MURS is licensed by rule, which means an individual license is not required provided the transmitter is certified by the FCC. You may operate an MURS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use.

None of the 5 MURS channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference.

They talk directly to each other, the old-fashioned way, on noise-free VHF. The usual range of communications between MURS stations is from 2 miles to 10 miles (with external antenna).

Smart Phone Ad-hoc Networks: The idea behind ad-hoc networks is that two or more smartphones are set up to function as their own dedicated mesh network, adding and removing users on the fly. If you are within range (~100 feet) of the mesh network, you can communicate with any other user on the network through VOIP. The catch is each user must stay within range of at least one other member of the mesh network.

Unfortunately, finding a working solution isn’t simple and usually the setup is very complicated. There are a few options available for Android and iPhone users, but nothing that I found worth trying (yet). With additional development, ad-hock networks may prove themselves in the aftermath of the inevitable 9.0 earthquake, or zombie apocalypse.

3-3-3 Radio Plan: The 333 Radio Plan was designed for disaster communications, and versions of it are used by various emergency communications groups. It is based on the easy-to-remember “Survival Rule of Three”.

Turn on your radio, every 3 hours, for at least 3 minutes, tuned or set to channel 3. Always use your Local Time for local area communications with the 3-3-3 Radio Plan. At the top of the hour: Noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, midnight, 3am, 6am, 9am.

Even if you don’t need to make a call yourself, always turn on your radio and listen for calls for at least 3 minutes. If you have sufficient battery power, or if you have not connected for a while, then you might listen for 5, 10, or even 15 minutes. You never know if someone may be trying to reach you, or may need help.

If you need to check in, make a short transmission: Say “This is me, just checking in.” After contact, be extremely cautious about meeting up with individuals and groups that you don’t know. They may be fishing for victims.

Synchronize your watch with other radio operators whenever possible. If you doubt your watch accuracy, compensate by keeping your radio turned on for a longer duration, before and after every 3rd hour. If you don’t have a watch, use the sun to guestimate the time.

10 Codes
10 Codes, Technical Support Team, Firestik Antenna Company

CITIZEN BAND RADIO 10 CODES		POLICE AND FIRE RADIO 10 CODES
		10-0	Caution
10-1	Receiving poorly	10-1	Unable to copy - move
10-2	Receiving well	10-2	Signal good
10-3	Stop Transmitting	10-3	Stop Transmitting
10-4	Okay, message received	10-4	Acknowledgement
10-5	Relay message	10-5	Relay
10-6	Busy, stand by	10-6	Busy, unless urgent
10-7	Out of service, leaving air	10-7	Out of service
10-8	In service, subject to call	10-8	In service
10-9	Repeat message	10-9	Repeat
10-10	Transmission complete	10-10	Fight in progress
10-11	Talking to rapidly	10-11	Dog case
10-12	Visitor present	10-12	Stand by
10-13	Weather/Road report	10-13	Weather/Road report
10-14		10-14	Prowler report
10-15		10-15	Civil disturbance
10-16	Make pick up at …	10-16	Domestic problem
10-17	Urgent business	10-17	Meet complainant
10-18	Anything for us?	10-18	Quickly
10-19	Nothing for you, return to base	10-19	Return to
10-20	Location	10-20	Location
10-21	Call by telephone	10-21	Call by telephone
10-22	Report in person to …	10-22	Disregard
10-23	Stand by	10-23	Arrived at scene
10-24	Assignment complete	10-24	Assignment complete
10-25	Can you contact	10-25	Report in person
10-26	Disregard last info	10-26	Detaining subject, expedite
10-27	Moving to channel …	10-27	Driver's license information
10-28	Identify your station	10-28	Vehicle registration info
10-29	Time is up for contact	10-29	Check for wanted
10-30	Does not conform to FCC rules	10-30	Unnecessary use of use
10-31		10-31	Crime in progress
10-32	I will give you radio check	10-32	Man with gun
10-33	Emergency traffic	10-33	Emergency
10-34	Trouble at this station	10-34	Riot
10-35	Confidential information	10-35	Major crime alert
10-36	Correct time	10-36	Correct time
10-37	Wrecker needed at …	10-37	Investigate suspicious vehicle
10-38	Ambulance needed at …	10-38	Stopping suspicious vehicle
10-39	Your message delivered	10-39	Urgent, use lights and siren
10-40		10-40	Silent run, no lights/siren
10-41		10-41	Beginning tour of duty
10-42	Traffic accident at …	10-42	Ending tour of duty
10-43	Traffic tie up at …	10-43	Information
10-44	I have a message for you	10-44	Permission to leave for …
10-45	All units please report	10-45	Animal carcass as …
10-46		10-46	Assist motorist
10-47		10-47	Emergency road repair
10-48		10-48	Traffic standard repair at …
10-49		10-49	Traffic light out at …
10-50	Break channel	10-50	Accident
10-51		10-51	Wrecker needed
10-52		10-52	Ambulance needed
10-53		10-53	Road block at …
10-54		10-54	Livestock on highway
10-55		10-55	Intoxicated driver
10-56		10-56	Intoxicated pedestrian
10-57		10-57	Hit and run
10-58		10-58	Direct traffic
10-59		10-59	Convoy or escort
10-60	What is next message number	10-60	Squad in vicinity
10-61		10-61	Personnel in area
10-62	Unable to copy, use phone	10-62	Reply to message
10-63	Net directed to …	10-63	Prepare written copy
10-64	Net clear	10-64	Message for local delivery
10-65	Awaiting your next message	10-65	Net message assignment
10-66		10-66	Message cancellation
10-67	All units comply	10-67	Clear for net message
10-68		10-68	Dispatch information
10-69		10-69	Message received
10-70	Fire at …	10-70	Fire alarm
10-71	Proceed with trans sequence	10-71	Advise nature of fire
10-72		10-72	Report progress of fire
10-73		10-73	Smoke report
10-74		10-74	Negative
10-75		10-75	In contact with
10-76		10-76	In route
10-77	Negative contact	10-77	ETA
10-78		10-78	Need assistance
10-79		10-79	Notify coroner
10-80		10-80	Chase in progress
10-81	Reserve hotel room for …	10-81	Breathalyzer report
10-82	Reserve room for …	10-82	Reserve lodging
10-83		10-83	Work school Xing at …
10-84	My phone number is …	10-84	If meeting … advise
10-85	My address is …	10-85	Delayed due to …
10-86		10-86	Officer/operator on duty
10-87		10-87	Pickup/distribute checks
10-88		10-88	Present telephone number …
10-89		10-89	Bomb threat
10-90		10-90	Bank alarm at …
10-91	Talk closer to the mike	10-91	Pick up prisoner/subject
10-92		10-92	Improperly parked vehicle
10-93	Check my frequency	10-93	Blockade
10-94	Give long count	10-94	Drag racing
10-95		10-95	Prisoner/subject in custody
10-96		10-96	Mental subject
10-97		10-97	Check (test) signal
10-98		10-98	Prison/jail break
10-99	Mission completed, all secure	10-99	Wanted/stolen indicated
10-200	Police needed at …	10-200

Morse Code

Morse Code, by Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org

Morse code is a method of transmitting text information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. It is named for Samuel F. B. Morse, an inventor of the telegraph.

The International Morse Code encodes the ISO basic Latin alphabet, some extra Latin letters, the Arabic numerals and a small set of punctuation and procedural signals (prosigns) as standardized sequences of short and long signals called "dots" and "dashes", or "dits" and "dahs", as in amateur radio practice. Because many non-English natural languages use more than the 26 Roman letters, extensions to the Morse alphabet exist for those languages.

Each Morse code symbol represents either a text character (letter or numeral) or a prosign and is represented by a unique sequence of dots and dashes. The duration of a dash is three times the duration of a dot. Each dot or dash is followed by a short silence, equal to the dot duration. The letters of a word are separated by a space equal to three dots (one dash), and the words are separated by a space equal to seven dots. The dot duration is the basic unit of time measurement in code transmission.

To increase the speed of the communication, the code was designed so that the length of each character in Morse varies approximately inversely to its frequency of occurrence in English. Thus, the most common letter in English, the letter "E", has the shortest code, a single dot.

Morse code is used by some amateur radio operators, although knowledge of and proficiency with it is no longer required for licensing in most countries. Pilots and air traffic controllers usually need only a cursory understanding. Aeronautical navigational aids, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly identify in Morse code.

Compared to voice, Morse code is less sensitive to poor signal conditions, yet still comprehensible to humans without a decoding device. Morse is, therefore, a useful alternative to synthesized speech for sending automated data to skilled listeners on voice channels. Many amateur radio repeaters, for example, identify with Morse, even though they are used for voice communications.

In an emergency, Morse code can be sent by improvised methods that can be easily "keyed" on and off, making it one of the simplest and most versatile methods of telecommunication. The most common distress signal is SOS or three dots, three dashes, and three dots, internationally recognized by treaty.

Here is a visual method for remembering Morse Code.

Whistles
Why Your Bug Out Bag Needs a Survival Whistle, By NGOA Post, https://ngoabuyersclub.com

Remember how proud your high school coach was of his or her whistle? We all know what a whistle is, and how to use it, but a survival whistle is not what your coach used; it’s an important tool that could save your life someday.

You should always have a whistle with you, whether it be on the streets, a business meeting, or hiking through the Rockies. You never know when disaster will strike, and survival whistles are built for jobs like these. They’re shock resistant and can be heard from extreme distances.

Imagine you are driving to dinner with your family. Next thing you know, the river you’ve been driving along starts to rise suddenly. You tell your wife and kids to jump out and get to higher ground. With an effort to save your vehicle, you continue to drive down the road. Quickly running out of time, you make the bold decision to ditch the car and grab your bug out bag. Now you are separated from your family and calling out their names with a rushing river just yards away. Not very effective, right? If you had a survival whistle the situation would be resolved in an instant.

Not only are these useful for survival situations, but also crime prevention. Most thugs work in discretion. A whistle blown will completely ruin their cover and send them running. Since, most animals have very sensitive hearing and high notes tend to frighten them, whistles can also be used to scare away wild animals.

No one wants to be in one of these situations but this stuff happens. It’s better to be prepared and this small lightweight survival tool is a huge step to your preparedness. If you haven't picked one up by now you should put it on your things to do list. Here’s a quick guide on how to choose a good whistle:

1) It must be loud and high pitched. The high pitch allows for the sound to travel much further than a low pitch. 2) It must be effortless. The whistle needs to be able to make noise with little air running through it. If you’re hurt or your lungs are compressed, you won’t be able to blow hard. 3) It must be resistant. The whistle must resist hard impacts and freezing/wet conditions. You never know what kind of conditions you’ll be in. 4) It must be easy be find. When you need it, you won’t want to be fumbling around inside of a bag. I recommend attaching it to the outside. 5) It can’t jam or be overblown. This can be a disaster in a situation where your adrenaline is flowing. 6) Lastly, try to find one with some extras; a compass for example. It helps save space and weight in your bag.

These are the main characteristics you should be looking for in a survival whistle. You may be able to find a 7-in-1 survival whistle. It has 6 other functions including: compass, thermometer, signal mirror, magnifier, small storage container, and a LED flashlight.