Communications are vital during emergencies and you cannot always rely on cellular service or landline phones. Power outages can cause your home phone not to operate and damage to cell towers will shut down cell phone service. Walkie-Talkies or two-way radios will operate regardless of the situation. You can communicate with anyone that has a receiver/transmitter and the device is tuned to the same channel as your radio.
The most commonly used channels are 1-14, which have pre-set frequencies. To use higher range channels such as 14-23 or in some cases 7-21 you would need to obtain a license. The range is dependent upon weather, terrain and channels used. You can expect a range anywhere from one to seven miles. Most Walkie-Talkies operate using dedicate channels on the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are consider non-commercial personal use only devices.
When putting together an emergency disaster kit be sure and include a quality set of Walkie-Talkies. Purchase multiple sets to ensure each family member has a handset. You can place a piece of tape on the back and write the family emergency channel that everyone would tune to in the event of a disaster. Have alternative channels assigned as well. Keep in mind communications' are not secure when using the built in speakers, so others can hear your conversation if they are standing close. Additionally, anyone with a receiver can monitor all traffic on that frequency, so do not broadcast sensitive information if it can be helped. However, in an emergency you may need to divulge your location for rescue personnel.
However, be aware that communications are not secure and anyone with a device can hear your traffic unless you have a device attached to encrypt your traffic. The radios also have a speaker that will broadcast to anyone in listening range unless you use an ear bud, which simply plugs into a jack on the radio so you are the only one that can hear the traffic.
To move through frequencies simply change the channel to monitor traffic from anyone using that frequency. Use your radio to signal for help if you become lost or stranded. Most base stations can receive your signal as well as ham radios and many times emergency responders have the ability to monitor family radios.
Remember your communications will not be secure and anyone can listen in when using the built in speaker if they are close enough. It is important if personal safety is an issue that you do not disclose your location or other sensitive information. You can however, obtain hands free devices that will encrypt your communications. You must purchase ones designed for encryption because standard ear buds will not allow secure communications. Ear buds only prevent others from over hearing and does not prevent anyone from monitoring on that frequency.
Your Walkie-Talkies will operate under most conditions and you can purchase models that are water and shock resistance for rescue operations or even family communications during a disaster. Cell towers can be damaged during a disaster rendering cell phones useless or they may fail for various other reasons. You Walkie-Talkie will work however. They do not need radio towers or need the power grid operational for you to communicate. Most home phones today do require electricity to operate.
You can obtain a license from the FCC, in most cases, to use higher wattage channels that will increase the number of channels available as well as boost your range. Typically, it would be a violation of FCC rules to use a booster to increase wattage output unless you are member of law enforcement, the military or have a specific license. There would be a fee associated with the license.
The most commonly used channels are 1-14, which have pre-set frequencies. To use higher range channels such as 14-23 or in some cases 7-21 you would need to obtain a license. The range is dependent upon weather, terrain and channels used. You can expect a range anywhere from one to seven miles. Most Walkie-Talkies operate using dedicate channels on the Family Radio Service (FRS) and are consider non-commercial personal use only devices.
When putting together an emergency disaster kit be sure and include a quality set of Walkie-Talkies. Purchase multiple sets to ensure each family member has a handset. You can place a piece of tape on the back and write the family emergency channel that everyone would tune to in the event of a disaster. Have alternative channels assigned as well. Keep in mind communications' are not secure when using the built in speakers, so others can hear your conversation if they are standing close. Additionally, anyone with a receiver can monitor all traffic on that frequency, so do not broadcast sensitive information if it can be helped. However, in an emergency you may need to divulge your location for rescue personnel.
However, be aware that communications are not secure and anyone with a device can hear your traffic unless you have a device attached to encrypt your traffic. The radios also have a speaker that will broadcast to anyone in listening range unless you use an ear bud, which simply plugs into a jack on the radio so you are the only one that can hear the traffic.
To move through frequencies simply change the channel to monitor traffic from anyone using that frequency. Use your radio to signal for help if you become lost or stranded. Most base stations can receive your signal as well as ham radios and many times emergency responders have the ability to monitor family radios.
Remember your communications will not be secure and anyone can listen in when using the built in speaker if they are close enough. It is important if personal safety is an issue that you do not disclose your location or other sensitive information. You can however, obtain hands free devices that will encrypt your communications. You must purchase ones designed for encryption because standard ear buds will not allow secure communications. Ear buds only prevent others from over hearing and does not prevent anyone from monitoring on that frequency.
Your Walkie-Talkies will operate under most conditions and you can purchase models that are water and shock resistance for rescue operations or even family communications during a disaster. Cell towers can be damaged during a disaster rendering cell phones useless or they may fail for various other reasons. You Walkie-Talkie will work however. They do not need radio towers or need the power grid operational for you to communicate. Most home phones today do require electricity to operate.
You can obtain a license from the FCC, in most cases, to use higher wattage channels that will increase the number of channels available as well as boost your range. Typically, it would be a violation of FCC rules to use a booster to increase wattage output unless you are member of law enforcement, the military or have a specific license. There would be a fee associated with the license.
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As you can see from the article, it is important to have a good pair of walkie-talkies in your bug-out bag. This is only you of numerous steps in preparing for a disaster that everyyou should do, not just doomsday preppers.
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