After the SHTF you will need to communicate
a CB Radio For Preppers is essential kit
Having a CB Radio could save your life
When you think of emergency communication, the first thing that comes to mind is Ham Radio, in fact it has always been considered as the first choice in any preppers survival plan.
You can quite easily transmit around the world with a ham radio but it has its drawbacks which make it generally unsuitable for us preppers.
Setup costs are high, you will also need a special license as well as being pretty clued up on the whole ham radio operating system. All of this is time consuming and costly, and when you add it to all the other prepping activity it becomes more of a pain than a help.
If you have the time and money - then the ham radio is the first choice. But looking at it sensibly, there is an equally good, and far easier and definitely much cheaper way to ensure communications with others would still be possible.
Why is a CB Radio for Preppers such a good idea?
The CB Radio has been around for quite a while now. In fact it was made popular back in the 70's when it was first seen on the big screen in the film 'Smokey and the Bandit'.
Since then it has faded out of popularity a lot, especially with the introduction of the trusty mobile phone.
Now, although your mobile is a good communication device. It only works well under certain conditions.
Namely, when the transmitting towers are able to forward signal, when the phone is active and when there is acceptable line traffic.
If any one of these breaks down, you mobile phone is useless.
No mobile signal or internet spells disaster
In a SHTF scenario it's pretty much a certainty that mobile phone calls and texts will overload the system and cause it to crash.
If the power grid were to fail as a result of a major disaster then all mobiles would loose signal and, potentially, even worse, the internet would go down as people try to find out what is actually happening.
Without doubt, the internet, and namely, social media will be able to report the exact situation far more quickly than the national or world news networks as people Tweet and Facebook about what's happening to them and where.
With no phones & no internet - how do you communicate?
- TALKING - good old fashioned talking will get you some local information, but not a lot more. The neighbours in your general area will know something but chance are it wont be much use helping you find out the big picture.
- RADIO: using a battery powered radio will allow you to hear any news messages that may well help in a disaster situation. At least you will know something! The batteries will, of course, run down very quickly when you are hungry for information and busy scanning the airwaves hour after hour. *always ensure you have this essential bit of kit, namely, a solar or wind up radio.
- HAM RADIO; as I said earlier, if you have the time and money to invest in ham radio then it's definitely worth while. But remember, ham radio enthusiasts are not preppers. It's their hobby, it's not equipment they have just added to their survival kit.
- CB RADIO; now we are talking! The CB Radio For Preppers is a must have survival tool, with literally thousands up and down the United Kingdom.
They may not all be in use right now. But I'm dam sure they'd all come 'on-line' if there was no other means of communication. .
A message or information can be passed from one end of the country to the other very easily via the network of CB users, whether preppers or just normal people who own one.
THE CB RADIO IS NOT A TOY
- Cheap to set up and run - a good setup will be less than £100
- No special license required. No test or certificate
- Range 5 - 25 miles. Average 5+ but well set up you'll get 25+
- Very easy to operate - simple dial with 80 channels
- 40 chnls AM & 40 chnls FM
- Only required a 12V DC power supply with up to 8watts output
- Compact size - most are smaller than a car stereo
Interestingly, a CB Radio is exempt from the UK mobile phone law - this means, you are OK to use a CB Radio in your car, it is not illegal. However, if you are found to be using it and cause an accident you will get done for dangerous driving.
What are the basic features needed in a CB Radio For Preppers?
Generally speaking you will find that CB Radios will come with a host of different features, all designed to make life easier for the operator - but, the more advanced the features you have, the more you will pay.
Quite often you really don't need all of the fancy gizmos..!
Some features are there, but built in and automatic rather than relying on you to turn a switch and set them yourself.
An 'auto squelch' filter is quite common and will help give you a clearer message, but sometimes it's just knob operated.
Here's a list of some of specifications commonly advertised >
Common channels used with CB Radio For Preppers
Channel 09 is the universally accepted emergency channel for all CB users.
However, it would seam that channel 03 is also the universal prepping channel for all sorts of things, including emergencies. .
Other channels that have been allocated to various sectors are:
Channel 4 & 16 - used by 4x4 clubs
Channel 17 - general truckers channel
Channel 19 - general open channel
The CRT S-MINI
Here's a typical, good basic setup that is an excellent entry level CB with all the necessary features a prepper would need.
In a nice compact 180mm x 123mm x 38mm size, this CRT S-MINI is great value for money at around £55.
You can also get the CRT S-MINI VEHICLE BUNDLE KIT WITH KM65 AERIAL ANTENNA + MAGMOUNT which costs under £65.
- Multi channel
- AM/FM
- Quick channel up/down
- Scan
- Remote locking
- PA capability
- Frequency range 28000-29700
- 6x60 channels
- PA function
- Adjustable power output
- Noise Blanker and ANL Clarifier
available from Amazon UK - there's also all equipment needed to set up your own communications either at home or for the car or Bug Out Vehicle.
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4 comments
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I’ve a president Lincoln radio, the new ones now legal in UK have upper and lower side band, I can hear conversations from overseas, they have 12w output!
CB is a great means of communication. Ham radio is equally as good, especially over long distances and most amateur radios let you tune into the PMR channels.
If you want to get into amateur radio, you need to pass your foundation license, which is like an entry exam. It’s not particularly hard, you just need to read the course book and maybe attend a course.
CB used to be great, loads of people used it, now, not so much, but it’s still good if you know other cb folk or preppers.
73
Matt
26CT1802
2E0KIA
Does anyone have any ideas on co – joined travel and living as a survival surviving community eg water (stores pipes ) first aid gathering communities to grow own in tubs aquaponics farms on rivers etc is any art ads can find tubes trains etc ? Paper monetary exchanges for work done bartering ideas perhaps ought try start up community’s with island living in mind and of course watching for snakes so children don’t run in to trouble and social skills to teach to aid selves survival rate .In community’s boarding up travel motor bikes paradise .farming community’s eco rebuilding houses new eco architecture for all .solar panels for schools cleaner than other .
think your ideas are better than some