When the power lines go down, radio stations stop transmitting and the internet stops working; there is one line of emergency communication that will still be alive and well.
HAM Radio
Ham Radio is something that’s not often discussed on survival websites, but in my opinion, it plays a key role in your efforts to be prepared.
In a survival situation, knowledge is a very valuable asset. The ability to know what’s going on around you will be extremely important in just about any survival situation you might find yourself in. Having this knowledge will definitely give you a leg up in a survival situation.
Communications Equipment
A good survival plan must include some type of emergency communications equipment. The ability to send and receive information in a disaster is vital to being able to survive that situation.
In my opinion, there really is only one way to go, and that is to invest in some top quality HAM Radio equipment. Forget about those crappy emergency walkie-talkies or anything that’s marketed as a “Survival Radio”. In my opinion, 99% of these things are complete garbage and are almost completely useless in a real word survival scenario.
The ability to send and receive information, from just about anywhere in the world, is far more valuable than anything you will be able to get out of a so-called “Survival Radio”.
Why choose HAM Radio for your Survival Communications?
I’ve been a HAM since I was about 10 years old. I’ve talked to people from around the globe with radios that I could literally operate with a couple small batteries and a wire antenna. In a SHTF situation, the ability to communicate with such a small amount of power is going to be extremely important.
When the power grids go down during a natural disaster, it’s often HAM Radio operators who become the only line of communication available. In fact, during Katrina the early responders all relied on HAM Radio Operators to relay information out of the city. It played a vital role in search and rescue efforts and without it we likely would have seen many more deaths.
Why you need to be Licensed:
I often have people ask me if they really need to go through the hassle of becoming a licensed Amateur Radio Operator (HAM). Some people argue that during a SHTF situation having a License is meaningless. While this may be true, the knowledge that you’ll obtain while studying to get your license is well worth the time and the effort.
You will learn the basics of how to operate your radio, which bands are open during different atmospheric conditions, how to reliably use your radio during an emergency and how to build a variety of basic antennas. In my opinion, studying for the test and going through the process is the only way to ensure you’ll when it counts. You will be far better off learning these skills now instead of haphazardly trying to figure how to use your radio during an emergency situation.
If you are serious about survival I strongly suggest that you look into becoming a HAM Radio Operator.
Further Resources:
- Prepper Radio: The No-BS Ham Radio Technician Exam Prep Guide Your Key to Passing the Amateur Radio Technician License Test and Taking Your Emergency Communication Skills to the Next Level
- Ham Radio For Dummies
- The ARRL Antenna Book: The Ultimate Reference for Amateur Radio Antennas
- ARRL Ham Radio License Manual
cant eat a radio
cant call for emergency medical care on an MRE
How much is the HAM exam going to cost?
to rae brow – the ham exam and license for 10 years is usually around 20 bucks
the license is actually free, but there is a test fee. and it varies by Vecc group and is based solely on their costs. typically around 15 bucks
you can get 2 Baofeng UV-5R from amazon for under $100. All of the Baofeng UV-5 radios are all identical except for the case. The 5E, 5R, 5R+ are all the same. You may find different ratings or prices but they all have the same electronics. Look for the design and price you like. These radios also work in the GMRS ans the GRS frequencies. But these radios are 4 watt instead of 1/2 watt like you get from wall-mart.
The exam is $15 (cash only) and covers all tests taken within a 12 month period. So you can take your Technician test, then go back a month later and take the General exam free, then go back 2 months later and take the Extra Class exam free. You have up to a year to test free. After 1 yr if you want to upgrade then you’ll pay another $15.
it depends on the setup the VECC’s have in place they can only charge to cover actual costs… and there is no need to wait to take additional tests, you can take them all at once if you want, for the same fee
Thank you for your reply. Since I’m just now finished with nursing school I’m looking into taking the ham radio operator test soon. I’ve been to the arrl website and scoured it. You sound like you’re a good person to talk to :) I hope I run into you on the waves one day.
Just got my ham license KD0WBU.
Can you tell me what kind and make of a quality solar charger to buy ?
Thank you for your information.
This probably won’t get to you since your comment was back in 2012, just hoping it will. Thank you
Carolyn
more of a qustion, would a cb battery operated radio be worth keeping as a prep sine most people dont have or use ham radios?
I passed the Technician Class a month ago. People, it is easy. I went to hamtestonline.com and your ready to test in a week. That being said I have opted to go with UHF/VHF with a 70cm/2M dual band setup. Why? Well, I live in an apartment and have no space for large antennas. I read Hams telling me I need a HF rig for SHTF to be able to talk worldwide. I don’t want that. I want to know what id happening in MY area. My area has three 2M repeaters and a couple 70cm repeaters and most have emergency power/solar backup. The UHF/VHF mobile and H.T. transceivers are very easy to figure out and use. Antennas are easy to make for them should the need arise. Line of sight with UHF/VHF is misleading a bit. If your in the right area I have been told of contacts up to 300 miles away. 2M is probably the most popular band in Ham. If I need to know what is going on around the world I need only to chat with others in the local radio club. Those fellas DO have the HF equipment which is downright impressive. But for the average Joe on a budget and perhaps doesn’t have the room to put up large antennas you can still have emergency communications with 30 minutes of study a day for about a week. 2M mobile radios can be had for a little over $100.00 and Hand Talkies for less than that. I am planning on buying a 6M transceiver sometime down the road. I see there are repeaters not far away from me. Yep, Ham is important for SHTF and families on a budget CAN get into it for little investment. Don’t let all the high tech talk put you off. The Tech exam isn’t hard at all. That being said, I have studied for the General Exam and have passed the practice tests online but cannot find a place to test until November. I am going for the General not because I want a HF rig but because I will then be able to use the HF equipment at the local radio club. Knowledge is important and someday I may HAVE to operate and transmit on HF and I want to know HOW to transmit properly and be legal about it at all times regardless if it is a SHTF situation or not. I just roll that way.
I AM WORRYING ABOUT WHERE ARE COUNTRY IS GOING. AND THIS ISIS GROUP AND THIS EBLOA
I took my Technician test this morning and passed. I used the website “HamStudy.org” as it was easier for me to navigate and wasn’t stuffed with distracting advertisements.
Hi I used the hamstudy.org and passed the test 100% for tech and missed 4 on the General a few of the questions were not in the practice as stated but very few. If you read the information, then hit the study cards then do the practice tests works well did both exam studies in two weeks while watching tv in the evenings. I was the only one of 5 that passed both tests in a single evening.
All the questions ARE posted however, you may be using a practice test that is outdated. In this case they are only worded differently. This is why it is very important to pay attention to what the question is asking and not try to interpret the question.
I have some question about few deaf people civilians milita need contact communications with ham radio digital texting send any ham radio needs help advice?
there are multiple ways of transmitting text. your best bet is google up “hearing impaired ham radio”, as well as “(your city here) radio clubs” and check with “arrl.org”
I am licensed and hold a technician class license. (hamtestonline.com) I have no desire to go for the General license as the VHF suits my needs. With our linked repeaters (they have emergency backup power) I am talking out to 200 miles using the 2 meter and 25-65 watts. I am running a Kenwood 281A mono band radio and use a magnetic mount antenna on top of my gun safe for ground plane. I have a range (simplex) of 70+ miles as Arizona is pretty open. I use a power switching unit and use the radio as a base station. I have a Baofeng HT and it works but I don’t hold much of an opinion of 5 watt HT when compared to the more powerful mobile radios. I am currently working on a go box with solar panels and 12v battery with a portable antenna. Antennas are quite simple to make. Invest in an SWR meter. Support your local radio clubs!
You need the Ham license to practice, to make connections with real world groups that exist and are already in place but don’t say a word except to others of a like mindset, face to face. The license isn’t the end goal, its the doorway to the place where the real group of people who will survive are.
Someone is bound to try to comment on my revival of an old thread, or replying to old posts. Knowledge is never OLD unless it is wrong. If its wrong it needs to be replaced. I found this thread on a google search, it is my specialty, I’m an Extra Class ham, and have an MSEE,(Masters of Science, Electronics Engineering), and am more survivalist than simply ‘Prepper’.
If “crappy emergency walkie-talkies or anything that’s marketed as a “Survival Radio” means cheap Chicom crap like Baofeng, couldn’t agree more.
I suggest downloading the question and answer pool for a Tech, General, and Extra and read everything twice. I only read once and it hurt me. Then take the practice exam 5 times for Tech or until you score 90 percent or better, the General 5 time or until 90 percent and 8 to 10 times for Extra. Also use the resonance formula which divides 1000 by 2 times Pi times the square root of L times C where L is in microHenrys and C is in picoFarads. All the problems are in microHenrys and picoFarads. There is problem of gross precision lost on cheap $13 TI-30XIIS calculators unless you use the formula above. I took all three exams in an hour and 15 minutes. The volunteer examiners were amazed. But I have 3 years of electrical engineering and the commercial General Radiotelephone Operator license. Amateur radio is for doers not for theory eggheads. Amateur radio is for genuine can-do operators, with design and construction skills. Sadly most never even open their Chinese radios (appliances) to look inside.
Hi I’m very new to all this I’m looking into getting the ham license and doing the complete course. Also looking into any local ham groups. My question is the tech of it. Like what would be the best radio to have that will not give off our location, but with the furthest distance? And how would I power it? I have friends and family in many different states and a few around the world that I would like to be able to contact and they would like to do the same.