Radio
Getting Started
HAM radios can be used for communication during a complete grid down.
The handheld BaoFeng UV-5R is a popular entry level radio, and a great addition to a bug-out bag. Many accessories are available, like earpiece, extra batteries, replacement antenna, etc. A programming cable allows for entry of multiple different programmed frequencies, from a computer running the free CHIRP software.
NOAA is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a government operated administration that sends out broadcasts every five minutes 24/7 relating to hurricane, storm, solar flare, nuke, and other emergency information.
FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Association. They are one of the frontline government agencies to respond to any large scale disaster with medical care, triage, shelter, food, and other forms of humanitarian aid.
Guide to CB Radio Language and 10 Codes
Radio Hardware
Scanners, HAM Radios, CB Radios, Walkie Talkies, Antennas, towers, etc.
Radios
- BaoFeng UV-5R
- Popular 2-way entry level HAM radio
- Throwable Antenna for BaoFeng
- Other UV-5R Accessories
- Extra batteries, chargers, programming cables, whip antennas, earpieces, etc.
- CHIRP Software
- Programming software to download or upload frequencies on the radio. Requires programming cable.
Scanners
Scanners are used to listen to radio feeds like police, fire, EMS. The hardware does not typically enable transmitting. Many police radio communications are now encrypted, and require specialized hardware to decrypt.
Scanner radios typically allow for scanning through a number of different channels (frequencies) until activity is detected. Groups of channels can be stored in banks, and the scanner can continuously scan 1 or more banks.
Trunking is the term for utilizing multiple frequencies to communicate with other parties.
Antennas
Software Defined Radio
Hardware
SDR Radio USB devices can be used to receive radio transmissions on a computer. Search Amazon
Software
Most software used to tune the radio can be obtained for free online.
- Scanner Radio
- Mobile app to receive thousands of radio streams from around the world.
- Broadcastify
- Live Police, Fire, EMS, Aircraft, and Rail Audio Feeds.
- Broadcast your own feed
- Broadcasters receive a free premium subscription on Broadcastify AND RadioReference.com
- SDR#
- SDR is Windows softwae to analyze and listen to SDR USB Radios.
- Trunk Recorder
- Advanced broadcast Utilities
- ProScan (Not free)
- ProScan is the most popular and feature rich scanner software in the world.
- Big list of RTL-SDR supported software
Frequencies
Resources
ARRL – National Association for Amateur Radio
Amateur Radio Ham Radio Repeaters by State
Emergency Radio Frequencies Preppers Must Know
Common HAM Radio Bands
| Band | Name | Range |
|---|---|---|
| HF | High Frequency | 3–30 MHz |
| VHF | Very High Frequency | 30–300 MHz |
| UHF | Ultra High Frequency | 300 MHz – 3 GHz |
Common Emergency Frequencies
| Frequency | Name |
|---|---|
| 34.90 | Nationwide National Guard frequency during emergencies |
| 39.46 | Inter-department emergency communications by police |
| 47.42 | Nationwide Red Cross channel during humanitarian aid missions |
| 121.50 | International frequency for aeronautical emergencies |
| 138.225 | Disaster relief channel used by FEMA |
| 154.265 | Used by firemen during emergencies |
| 154.28 | Used by firemen during emergencies |
| 154.295 | Used by firemen during emergencies |
| 155.160 | Used by various agencies during search and rescue operations |
| 155.475 | Emergency communications for police |
| 156.75 | International maritime weather alerts |
| 156.80 | International maritime distress channel. All ships at sea are required to monitor this channel. |
| 162.40 | NOAA |
| 162.425 | NOAA |
| 162.45 | NOAA |
| 162.475 | NOAA |
| 162.50 | NOAA |
| 162.525 | NOAA |
| 162.55 | NOAA |
| 163.275 | NOAA |
| 163.4875 | A National Guard emergency communications frequency |
| 163.5125 | Military National Disaster Preparedness frequency |
| 168.55 | Emergency and disaster frequency used by civilian agencies of the federal government |
| 243.00 | Military aviation emergencies |
| 311.00 | US Air Force flight channel |
| 317.70 | US Coast Guard aviation frequency |
| 317.80 | US Coast Guard aviation frequency |
| 319.40 | US Air Force frequency |
| 340.20 | US Navy aviator frequency |
| 409.625 | Department of State national communications frequency |
| 462.675 | Emergencycommunications and traveler assistance in General Mobile Radio Service |
| Channel 3 (26.985 MHz) | Prepper CB Network (AM) |
| Channel 4 (27.005 MHz) | The American Preppers Network (TAPRN) |
| Channel 9 (27.065 MHz) | Universal CB Emergency/REACT channel |
| Channel 13 (27.115 MHz) | Typically used within campgrounds and marine areas |
| Channel 15 (27.135 MHz) | Used by Californian truckers |
| Channel 17 (27.165 MHz) | Used by Californian truckers headed east/west |
| Channel 19 (27.185 MHz) | Main trucker channel |
| Channel 36 (27.365 MHz) | Survivalist network |
| Channel 37 (27.375 MHz) | Prepper 37 USB |
| 27.3680 | Prepper network |
| 27.3780 | Prepper network |
| 27.4250 | Prepper network |
FRS Frequencies
| Alpha Tag | Frequency |
|---|---|
| FRS 01 | 462.56250 |
| FRS 02 | 462.58750 |
| FRS 03 | 462.61250 |
| FRS 04 | 462.63750 |
| FRS 05 | 462.66250 |
| FRS 06 | 462.68750 |
| FRS 07 | 462.71250 |
| FRS 08 | 467.56250 |
| FRS 09 | 467.58750 |
| FRS 10 | 467.61250 |
| FRS 11 | 467.63750 |
| FRS 12 | 467.66250 |
| FRS 13 | 467.68750 |
| FRS 14 | 467.71250 |
| FRS 15 | 462.55000 |
| FRS 16 | 462.57500 |
| FRS 17 | 462.60000 |
| FRS 18 | 462.62500 |
| FRS 19 | 462.65000 |
| FRS 20 | 462.67500 |
| FRS 21 | 462.70000 |
| FRS 22 | 462.72500 |
License
US
Part 97.401(a) of the Federal Code of Regulations: Primarily, it authorizes any use of radio technology for the "immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property," regardless of all other FCC regulations, when no alternative is available. Otherwise, a license is required to transmit. You are free to listen to any broadcast.
