In the EVENT…of a communications breakdown
A communications outage can occur for any number of reasons. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, and earthquakes may be responsible for outages. Criminal activity can disrupt communications networks. Government actors may decide to terminate communications capabilities.
If the local amateur radio repeaters are functioning, then it’s likely that the cell phone and Internet systems will be working. Grab another bag of chips and get back to streaming your favorite show. If the communications systems are down…You need a Plan!
LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS
Local communications will allow you to identify the needs of your immediate neighbors, locate the available supplies within 20 minutes of your location, and determine the people who need your help nearby. Of course, real-time (tactical) voice communications will be critical if you need help.
Local communications will be required for 20-mile tactical voice service. You only need 2-meter FM Simplex on three (3) frequencies:
146.745 – this is the WX4E repeater output, with no tone, and no offset.
146.500 – the Charlotte Amateur Radio Society’s EmComm frequency
146.520 – the 2-meter national calling frequency.
A 2-meter VHF radio with a portable antenna elevated to 25 feet will let you cover most of the county and give you effective local real-time voice communications.
REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Regional communications allow you to evaluate the situation in areas beyond “line-of sight” communications. In the event of an emergency, you may need to acquire fuel, food, water, medical and other important supplies from outside your local area. Should you expend your precious fuel to drive north? Or, is it better to go east or south? Regional communications can provide the critical information you need.
Regional communications are for the 30-mile to 300-mile communications. You will need HF capability for 80, 60, and 40 meters. 60 meters has proven to be very effective in this range.
The West Central Florida Emergency Frequencies
80 meters – 3.911.00 LSB Night.
40 meters – 7.281.00 LSB Day
We have great success on 60-meters
60 meters – Channel 4: 5371.500 kHz
NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
National communications will help you understand the situation in distant communities. You may be able to relay messages, and process asymmetric communications such as JS8 Call or Winlink. Asymmetric communications are not in real-time. There may be a substantial delay in the message flow. While distant stations may be able to provide helpful information, it is not likely that these stations can immediately supply necessary materials or services. This is a more appropriate use of some of the digital modes.
Practicing with JS8 Call and Winlink HF can be a very useful set of capabilities to have in your toolbox. Can you use the store and forward features of JS8 Call? Can you send email traffic through Winlink HF to stations 600 miles away?
Practice with JS8 Call on 15, 20, and 40 meters.
15 meters – 21.078 MHz
20 Meters – 14.078 MHz
40 Meters – 7.078 MHz