Radio Comms when SHTF.

Hello Beav ... this is going to be an interesting thread as I too believe communication with one another is going to be key to our survival ...
Are you already a ham operator ? or are you interested in getting your license ?

Hello Beaver;
here is some info as you say you are not familiar with radios etc.

CB radio typical in truckers units up till recently. Range only a few miles
Ham Radios range miles and miles and miles. With a very high antenna you can reach out 30-50 miles depending on the terrain. With a bigger setup and or repeater station you can bounce the signals off the clouds, the ionosphere or the moon! Range most of the earth. Then you contact other repeater stations and they will rebroadcast farther etc etc.

Little hand held radios have come a long way, recently I saw some that were only about $25 and said range up to 35 miles! wow.

There are clubs all over the Greater GTA and they are always looking for new members and will give free advice. You can own a CB without a license and use it without a license. A Ham radio you can own without a license but to use it you need a license.

Now there is a problem getting Preppers or Survivalists to join together and cooperate. Everyone is secretive and unsure of who are the real Preppers and who are the info gatherers. The ones who get your location, then raid it after a WTSHTF scenario.
Best of luck

I agree with WildernessReturn in as much as you shouldn't share your bug-out location to anyone else but your family, but your initial post is important that it talks about being able to talk with others over a ham radio to help maintain a sense of community. If you live on the East side of Toronto and would be interested in joining me for a coffee at Tim Hortons, I'm in the process of arranging a meetup on Saturday November 12 on the Corner of Thickson Road and Taunton Road .. send me a private message if you are intrested. I'm hoping I can get WildernessReturn to join us also (or anyone else who may be following this thread are welcome) .. LGClement

I've never heard of the "info gatherers" is this a common term used, or yours? I certainly understand about not revealing too much info as far as my location, supplies, plans etc. Definately something to keep in mind. Will look into the Radio clubs arount Toronto. Thanks, The Beav

Info Gatherers or fake preppers or fake survivalists,
they get info, find location, steal stuff now or later. I like to meet people though with similar interests so that is hard, I do tent to suggest a neutral location. This happens a lot in the Goold old US of A, but less here as there are probably only a few of us anyways, and I think we should band together.

There are a lot of active Ham Groups, they are an active bunch, help with meetings, parades, events etc. any excuse to get out and use the radios and chat. You can see a lot of License Plates with ham call signs, if you see one in a parking lot and they are there, ask them questions they are happy to answer them.

I've never heard of the "info gatherers" is this a common term used, or yours? I certainly understand about not revealing too much info as far as my location, supplies, plans etc. Definately something to keep in mind. Will look into the Radio clubs arount Toronto. Thanks, The Beav

it's not just on the radio you have to worry about this, but here too, or any where.
i don't talk openly in public about prepping, you never know who's listening. i did a class at the local LDS a while back, some people knew me, others didn't but know one knows where i live (don't want the LDS coming after me 😉 )

heck even google and target (walmart too i'm sure) are tracking you, what you look at and what you buy. amazon.ca sends me a list when new prepping style books come out.

here's a scary example.

i was buying silver off a person in the US. the deal was going funny. i offered to let her out of it (she felt she was loosing because she had to ship it to Canada) she complained but didn't want out. i delayed payment while she had a chance to think about it.

she sold two lots, the guy she sold the other lot to contacted me, (she gave him my email address, told him i wasn't paying her, and she couldn't afford to ship it)

that's when i go really worried about this person. (this was 40 US silver eagles about $800 at the time)

i searched her name, it wasn't the same state as the ebay state listed.
i searched more. . . ebay had her grandmothers address, she lived else where, she was 15 too young to sell on ebay at the time. (not sure if the 16 years old rule is still there?)

from using google and info she/family/friends put on the Internet i found:
grandmothers name, address, home phone number
her photo, name (knew it but) address, home phone, cell, her church (name/address/phone), her best friends name
her sisters, with photo, cell number,
her parents names (address, home phone listed above)
her ministers name, home address, home phone and cell number.

if you have a name and time it's not that hard. (scary easy in fact)
i'm NOT a professional at this, i have a friend that did this for a living (at a bank) and he was very very good at finding people.
i started out to protect my money, but kept looking to see what i could find.

but back to the thread, some people don't prep, they just plan to take what others have, sounds far out? i KNOW people like this!

and there are those that won't prep (even thought you give them lots of help/advice) but will show up at your door.

i don't talk preps on radio, you don't know who's listening, i also won't meet other preppers i don't know on the airwaves (my call sign leads you to my address). i don't give my name when i'm talking preps.
i never meet people until we've talked for a while online and maybe the phone, then i meet in public. . .(and take the LONG way home)
i've shared info with people i TRUSTED before, and twice i've been screwed. my brother said stuff to my nephew, and nephew said something to his neighbour (she said something to her mother and her mother gave her trouble for saying something like that. . ."he's a nice man and you don't say things like that about him" lol). i guess both guys wanted to feel important by "knowing" stuff.

the point is, be careful what you put out there!

Google is a special problem in itself. It has a true web of connected platforms and services.

If you want to remain anonymous use another search engine. I use startpage.com. They're the only ones who don't record your IP and you can even view your search results by proxy.

I have googled myself and not a single thing comes up ... nothing.

Google is a special problem in itself. It has a true web of connected platforms and services.

If you want to remain anonymous use another search engine. I use startpage.com. They're the only ones who don't record your IP and you can even view your search results by proxy.

I have googled myself and not a single thing comes up ... nothing.

i second the startpage.com. . . not as fast, and more ads. but same results.

Dont get me wrong, I certainly wont be advertising my home address. I was just wondering ...say I need something that I dont have stored. I will need to reach out when there is chaos. Somehow I may need to find someone that has what i dont have. Can anybody point me in the right direction for a person I can meet to buy a middle of the road kit. Ask some questions etc? I understand the idea of keeping this prepping quiet. Im doing that as best I can. Just looking for some guidance from someone that knows.

On a different note. I've always been a big believer in communication. I've been pretty dissapointed in the response (volume that is) as I thought this would generate some big discussion or provide me with some assistance for a good retailer. If anyone has a good place you can PM me.
Thanks The Beav.

Go to the Nearest Truck Stop
they all use CB's and or Ham Radios now

As I said before if it is only on your own small property, then a CB is ok
there are some new little handheld Ham radios out there, you can get two in a package or 4 in a package for only $50 or so, they reach out up to 40 miles - flat, probably 15 or less in trees! Awesome Deal
Big Ham Radios, can reach out to the Moon, literaly! They bounce signals off the moon and back as well as off the stratosphere and clouds to increase range.

Walk by Big Rigs in the Truck Stop the ones with the stack of radios on the dash are the people to talk to. Inside they sell them but like cars there is just a huge assortment of them. With a good setup in a rolling Rig you may get 100+ miles with a matched Antenna. It has to be matched and calibrated. Those guys will point you to someone who did it for them or they might say they can do it themselves.

CB radios the same, I have seen guys saying they were total crap, back then I knew how to to mid grade setups, took a look, made adjustments on Radio and Antennas had them reaching out 10-15 miles.
Sources
Radio Shack - The Source
Canadian Tire
Truck Stops
Bay Bloor Radio
speciality radio shops

You can also still get regular radios with multi ranges in them for monitoring, police, ambulance, ham ranges etc

Truck Stops
Fifth Wheel
Huskey
the big US chain I can not think of the name right now
another option is Equipment Suppliers = they have portable and truck mounted systems for construction companies, price high, quality high. Those are special bands that are in use by say St.Mary's Cement etc

now ask specific question, I will try to answer that one

Dont get me wrong, I certainly wont be advertising my home address. I was just wondering ...say I need something that I dont have stored. I will need to reach out when there is chaos. Somehow I may need to find someone that has what i dont have. Can anybody point me in the right direction for a person I can meet to buy a middle of the road kit. Ask some questions etc? I understand the idea of keeping this prepping quiet. Im doing that as best I can. Just looking for some guidance from someone that knows.

On a different note. I've always been a big believer in communication. I've been pretty disappointed in the response (volume that is) as I thought this would generate some big discussion or provide me with some assistance for a good retailer. If anyone has a good place you can PM me.
Thanks The Beav.

i haven't read the posts below this one so forgive me if i'm repeating them.
i like and shop often at "Durham radio", i've looked at stuff at "Radio world"
the best think you can do is find the local radio club, got ask questions, and you'll find some real smart radio geeks to answer everything you want to know. find out if they plan on doing any classes to help get your license. (that's how i got mine, i set up a course, they taught us everything, then another guy came in to test us)

it took a lot of reading, a lot of learning and more so for me lol. i some how passed and i have a good prepper to help answer all my many questions. but search for a HAM or amateur radio club in your area.

ok, i want to add a little about radios too.
and forgive me, i'm getting tired and it's passed my bed time. . .

there are many types of radios.
FRS/GMRS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service

these give you line of sight communications, there is NO privacy on these, everyone and their brother owns these. no licence to own/use them. they are limited in there use. "30 miles range" if you are on a very flat surface with NO anything between you. . .maybe.

they have a purpose, but no private at all. always assume you're are being heard by others near by.

CB
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service

longer range, better with a good antenna. NO privacy, good for info gathering (maybe) someone IS always listening.
base units, handhelds good range, but no private either. easy to learn, no license needed.

HAM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio
need a license, need training, there is a lots of space to get lost in to keep comms private, but someone near or far could be listening.
i use 2 meter for local stuff (line of site, and i can hit a few repeats to sent my signal longer distances)
i use 80 meters to talk to my buddy 4 hours away during the afternoon. we'd likely need 40 meters for the morning (haven't tried it yet)
i'd need 20 meter band for my buddies in Tn, Va, NC. etc. and the right time of day and weather conditions.
(most of that is still Greek to me)
it takes a lot of TIME to learn this stuff, a lot of practice! i'm not nearly as far as i'd like to be.
you need good antennas and a lot of space. you can talk to people all around the world with the right antenna, rig and practice!

MURS radio, this is newer and will be getting bigger in Canada soon. it's more private now, but there is less out there.

I have been a ham for more years then I care to mention. I do not talk preps on the air and I do not give out personal data on the internet.

The advice to join a club and meet other amateurs is the best advice given so far if you want to use ham radio. It is not like a phone, bands and conditions constantly change. You need experience. Once you have a group you need to practice with a weekly net on what ever frequency you choose.

During a crisis is not the time to start reading the instruction manual.

By the way any radio transmission is crazy easy to monitor and get a very accurate bearing using simple equipment. Finding a hidden station is called a fox hunt and most clubs hold one on a regular basis just for fun.

i was asked once if i "fox hunt" once when someone saw my truck with me 2M and CB antennas on it. i replied "heavens no, i don't do that".

it was at a dog kennel and i thought she was talking about using radio collars on dogs to chase down coyotes or fox etc. some dogs are abused/abandoned in these type of chases. i'd rather put a human dog for dog abuse then putting a dog down that is troubled because of abuse . . . but that's another thread !