One of the most critical parts of a good preparedness plan is the ability to gather information about what’s going on, and what could happen. When cell phones don’t work, the internet is down, or when radio and television is just static, we need good alternatives.  

In the second half of our 2 part podcast on grid down prepper comms Wayne and I talked about long range communications, digital modes, and protecting your equipment. 

If you haven’t listened to part 1 of this 2 part series on prepper comms it was a great show. We went over why you would need them, what your options are, and answered some questions from the listeners. 

I also put together 3 videos on the basics of grid down communications, what options you have, and getting your ham radio license. Because ham radio isn’t for everyone, I went over the different radio services (ham, CB, GMRS, FRS) in video 2. 

Police scanners and weather radios are fairly easy to use, but beyond that things can get a little complicated. If you watch those 3 videos, and listen to this 2 part podcast, you will have a much better idea about grid down comms for preppers. 

SPP269 Grid Down Communications for Preppers (Part 2)

This week Wayne and I finished our conversation about grid down communications for preppers. The purpose of these podcasts was not to tell you what the “best radios” are, it was to give you the information you need to pick a radio, and the right equipment in general.

As i did last week, I am posting the notes that Wayne provided to me rather than writing an article. This will hopefully give you a better idea of what we covered in the show. 

Notes From Wayne…

Distant Communications: To communicate either by receive-only or by two-way communications outside of the local area.

Example:  If a grid-down occurred, with no phones or internet and you tuned to local radio stations and they were with off the air, how would you find out what was happening?

Here are some questions you may have immediately and over the next few days…

* How bad is this and how widespread is it?

* Is this a local or countywide, state-wide, nation-wide or world-wide event? Remember you are in your house and have no electricity, no cell phone, no TV and you turn on a small battery powered radio and cannot find any radio stations.

* What is the government doing about this if anything? How are people reacting? Human reaction to a wide-spread power and communications failure can be unpredictable.

The New York City blackout of July 13-15, 1977 resulted in thirty-five blocks of Broadway being destroyed: 134 stores looted, 45 of them set ablaze. Thieves stole 50 new Pontiacs from a Bronx car dealership. 550 police officers were injured in the mayhem and 4,500 looters were arrested. Getting information on events like this would be good intelligence.

* When should we leave the city? I live in a city. I have plans to leave if certain events happen. I subscribe to the Jonathan Hollerman doctrine of, in the case of a grid down, leave the city in the first 48 hours. But I need good intelligence to make that decision.