Emergency Communications

[spiritwolfpr]

Ok We in Puerto Rico are expecting at least 4 big hurricanes, now my question is what is the must have in equipment for emergency communication ( there be no power. or cell phone or any other regular media) thinking of police scanner, CB, 2 meters.
Aany help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

 

[weather4ar]

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards from San Juan and several transmitters across PR.

 

[SCPD]

You might want to check out the forum Community Announcements and News, FCC opens rule making to allow encryption in amateur radio service.

 

[rdale]

You might want to check out the forum Community Announcements and News, FCC opens rule making to allow encryption in amateur radio service.

You might want to read the first post again. Your answer has NOTHING to do with his question.

 

[DaveNF2G]

Someone should be on 20 meters talking to the National Hurricane Center if possible.

 

[cifd64]

Dave is right. Plus, FEMA Region Office of Emergency Communications should have capabilities in your neighborhood. They are now operating on some IP Based radios and, last i checked, multiband transceivers.

 

[Rt169Radio]

I would have a digital scanner, CB radio with SSB, a 2/440MHz mobile and handheld radio, a radio that could do MURS, GMRS, and FRS, and a ham radio shortwave transceiver. Plus a good amount of batteries, some good mobile, handheld, and quick small base antennas. And something to power the radios that you could take with you like a gas powered generator or a electric generator.

 

[ff-medic]

Ok We in Puerto Rico are expecting at least 4 big hurricanes, now my question is what is the must have in equipment for emergency communication ( there be no power. or cell phone or any other regular media) thinking of police scanner, CB, 2 meters.
Aany help or ideas will be greatly appreciated.

San Juan County, Puerto Rico (PR) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Uniden Bearcat BC75XLT Police Scanner

An inexpensive handheld radio scanner should do the work.

Don't forget extra batterys and a backpack / duffel bag with some food, change of clothes, toiletries,
flashlight ( I like LED flashlights ) , and maybe a small tarp.


FF - Medic !!!

 

[N0IU]

I recently bought a Wouxun KG-UV3D HT. For $120 it will receive and transmit on 2m and 70cm (but you need an amateur radio license in order to transmit - but you already knew that!), receive VHF: 136-174 MHz and UHF: 420-520 MHz plus regular broadcast FM stations. It has 128 memory slots and a flashlight... if you consider an LED mounted into the case a flashlight!

It comes with a home charger, but you might also want to consider the cigarette lighter adapter for your car to recharge the battery pack.

The other items suggested would probably be useful, but in this one small package you can monitor ham activity, local law enforcement and first responders (assuming they use non-digital communications), NOAA broadcasts and FM radio. Other than TV, this is where you are going to be getting most of your information. And don't forget about the flashlight!

 

[Drachen_Fire]

If you are a ham, don't forget about 6 meters, 10 meters, or even lower. Often VHF low band and HF is overlooked in disasters, but you will be able to communicate with people way outside the local area, and they may have resources at their disposal (internet, working phones) that you may not have in the aftermath.

Also, check out SatPhones if you haven't already.