And when you have a ham license, just try and figure out the proper mode to use to get help. With all the digital radios modes popping up on ham bands, they are far from being useable in an emergency. While the life is ebbing out of you or a friend, most of your time left will be spent trying to figure our what digital mode is available in your area.
-
To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
MURS as a disaster communications solution
- Thread starter KF4ZTO
- Start date
- Status
D
DaveNF2G
Guest
There are not really all that many digital repeaters popping up on 2 meters or 70cm, when you compare with all of the analog FM repeaters that are still there and the new ones that are being put on the air.
Hopefully a licensed ham will know enough to realize that there are plenty of analog repeaters around and how to find one and/or try calling on simplex - there is a national calling frequency that somebody might be monitoring and if so, it would save a lot of time.
Use a little common sense. The digital modes straw man is a poor argument.
Hopefully a licensed ham will know enough to realize that there are plenty of analog repeaters around and how to find one and/or try calling on simplex - there is a national calling frequency that somebody might be monitoring and if so, it would save a lot of time.
Use a little common sense. The digital modes straw man is a poor argument.
Interesting topic, channel 4 is quite busy with 5 close behind here in the Dallas area. I may get our 30 CP150's reprogrammed to 1,2 and 3 leaving the fourth position for weather RX.
Spankymedic7
Member
rapidcharger
Member
Would it even matter if you used a radio service you were authorized for?
Or what if someone was authorized and their GMRS license expired and the government, now non functional couldn't renew the license?
Out of respect for the forum admins and mods, who usually have a cow when someone advocates doing something illegal (not just this forum but others), even if it's in a SHTF scenario, I have only focused on what is allowed now. It's not like MURS is the only option and it's not like there aren't legal ways to meet one's needs. Just between you and me, in reality, if there is a SHTF scenario it won't matter. 90% of the survivors in the developed world will die off within a couple of weeks anyway from lack of air conditioning and not having facebook.
jhooten
Member
Once again, not every SHTF is a world ending, total governmental collapse, with no possibility of recovery.
bill4long
Member
I certainly would not advise getting on any PS frequency in a situation what didn't absolutely require it. But if someone was sure to die if I didn't, then I sure would get on a PS frequency, and deal with the consequences later. Wouldn't you?
BTW, arrest does not necessarily lead to conviction. Conviction is what counts. And saving someone's life counts more. Just my 2 pesos.
bill4long
Member
Bwahahaha
Logan005
Member
I couldn't agree more.
KB7MIB
Member
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux i686; U; en-US) Gecko/20081217 Vision-Browser/8.1 301x200 LG VN530)
All I'm saying is, even if it is a life-or-death situation, be prepared to deal with the potential legal aftermath. It doesn't take a conviction to lose your job, or end up penniless paying an attorney to get you cleared of any charges.
All I'm saying is, even if it is a life-or-death situation, be prepared to deal with the potential legal aftermath. It doesn't take a conviction to lose your job, or end up penniless paying an attorney to get you cleared of any charges.
First off, I agree with joining your local Cert group or SAR. You can also contact your local Emergency coordinator and get in with Races after you get your ham radio license.
Then you will be legal as long as you follow the rules that are set up.
In a real emergency, you will have lots of GMRS/FRS and some Murs as well as CB on the air until their batteries run out. Most people are not prepared for long time use of their radios as they will not have the means to keep their batteries charged.
Also, most hams who have been around for a while know how to stay on the air and get around the idiots who think they are some kind of do good'r with their little radios.
Is it important to be able to communicate in an emergency, darn right, but it should be done in a legal way and with the proper equipment. Too many people on the air asking stupid questions will hamper comms that are of an emergency nature. Checking on neighbors can easily be done with FRS radios. Due to their short range, they should not cause problems.
Best thing one can do is to monitor the airwaves to find out what is going on and only get on the air for a real emergency, not to find out if so and so road is open.
And if you think that the bad guys won't be scanning to find out where the best places to pillage are, you are dead wrong, they will be.
What I read in threads like this is the guy who wants to be Capt. America. If you really want to help, join an organized group who has professional comms. It's a great idea to also have other ways to communicate for real emergency's, but the problem is one of maturity. Too many will not use their radios right and will clog the airwaves with useless garbage.
My 2 cents, John, Licensed Ham, Gmrs, Races and Ares operator. Who has spent many hours training to do the right thing and am not afraid to do something meenial if necessary.
Real emergency Comms are planned for and protocalls are in place, be a part of the solution, not the problem.
P.S. For the guy is afraid of the digital repeaters, most all of them repeat regular analog radio signals also unless you are talking about something like D Star, which will be of little use in an emergency.
People who put down Ham operators must not be Hams themselves. 90% of licensed hams know what to do and will get you help if you need it.
The key is to get a good scanner and listen, you will find out far more about what is going on than keying up your radio and asking. Save any radio Comms for real emergency's.
Then you will be legal as long as you follow the rules that are set up.
In a real emergency, you will have lots of GMRS/FRS and some Murs as well as CB on the air until their batteries run out. Most people are not prepared for long time use of their radios as they will not have the means to keep their batteries charged.
Also, most hams who have been around for a while know how to stay on the air and get around the idiots who think they are some kind of do good'r with their little radios.
Is it important to be able to communicate in an emergency, darn right, but it should be done in a legal way and with the proper equipment. Too many people on the air asking stupid questions will hamper comms that are of an emergency nature. Checking on neighbors can easily be done with FRS radios. Due to their short range, they should not cause problems.
Best thing one can do is to monitor the airwaves to find out what is going on and only get on the air for a real emergency, not to find out if so and so road is open.
And if you think that the bad guys won't be scanning to find out where the best places to pillage are, you are dead wrong, they will be.
What I read in threads like this is the guy who wants to be Capt. America. If you really want to help, join an organized group who has professional comms. It's a great idea to also have other ways to communicate for real emergency's, but the problem is one of maturity. Too many will not use their radios right and will clog the airwaves with useless garbage.
My 2 cents, John, Licensed Ham, Gmrs, Races and Ares operator. Who has spent many hours training to do the right thing and am not afraid to do something meenial if necessary.
Real emergency Comms are planned for and protocalls are in place, be a part of the solution, not the problem.
P.S. For the guy is afraid of the digital repeaters, most all of them repeat regular analog radio signals also unless you are talking about something like D Star, which will be of little use in an emergency.
People who put down Ham operators must not be Hams themselves. 90% of licensed hams know what to do and will get you help if you need it.
The key is to get a good scanner and listen, you will find out far more about what is going on than keying up your radio and asking. Save any radio Comms for real emergency's.
Last edited:
CaptDan
Member
All services have a place in emergency - survival communications plan
I spent 36 years in emergency services – several as the commander of a large city emergency communications center. Let me say first while the good Lord did not bless me with incredible looks, I was blessed with an overdose of common sense.
In a 15 year period while I was the actual person in command of the Communications Center and then as the person in charge of the person in command of the Communications Center we had two (2) instances where unauthorized civilians transmitted on official law enforcement frequencies in order to request emergency help. Keep in mind I am an old timer – before cell phones – neither time was any action taken against the person who called for emergency assistance on the police frequency.
That having been said, and I happily retired now, and while not a prepper I am prepared for pretty much whatever comes down the pike.
As far as emergency communications are or would be concerned the various radio services all have their place when used properly ( I did not say lawfully ). FRS is excellent for local use, everyone should be able to get a block or three out of an FRS radio, and depending upon the actual terrain and buildings should be able to effectively communicate over a five ( 5 ) acre piece of property. Having over fifty (50) acres to protect the FRS does not work, but it does work for an inner perimeter ( 5 acres ) around the Barn. So we plan on using the FRS for immediate perimeter protection/surveillance in the event of an emergency, along with human and electronic means.
To cover the fifty (50) acre perimeter we are currently experimenting with MURS because of the range and the availability of remote alarms that operate on the MURS that will transmit a voice alarm, i.e., “alarm position 1” I have been told we will be able reprogram the voice alarm to say whatever we desire in the very near future. Those alarms are useful everyday – not just a SHTF situation.
To achieve neighbor hood communication with “friendly” neighbors they will use FRS around their own property, and a bubble pack GMRS radio to communicate with “the barn” which serves as the command and control center in an emergency – that’s it no additional information about “the barn” because of operational security. We have purposely chosen to use the “bubble pack” GMRS radios with fixed antenna’s so they do not transmit too far. We do not want to interfere with others in an emergency and do not want to disclose to others in the distance what we are doing – how we are doing it – what we have – etc.
“The Barn” is equipped with radios that communicate on all of the above radio services, and others – both within legal power limits and well beyond if necessary to get a message out to any of the friendly’s . The plan is to only use as much power that is necessary to effectively communicate; we can and will use whatever power is necessary to communicate in a SHTF situation.
I said above when used properly – not lawfully. I am not advocating the breaking of any laws on a regular basis. The FCC prohibits the use of secret codes and cryptic communications, they may prohibit the use of a voice scrambler or digital voice encryption but all of this is very possible these days, and if necessary would be used in order to promote the safety and security of my immediate family and anyone accepted into my survival family.
As a side note, it’s been reported that during the 2012 Super Storm Sandy, several people (families) were rescued once the major part of the storm approached because they utilized Marine Radios and contacted the nearby US Coast Guard Station on Channel 16 , who then made the rescue arrangements. The USCG antenna was the only one left standing – all of the police, fire, cell communications systems were down at that point. NO one got into trouble for using the Marine radio, lives were saved, all is well that ended well.
I spent 36 years in emergency services – several as the commander of a large city emergency communications center. Let me say first while the good Lord did not bless me with incredible looks, I was blessed with an overdose of common sense.
In a 15 year period while I was the actual person in command of the Communications Center and then as the person in charge of the person in command of the Communications Center we had two (2) instances where unauthorized civilians transmitted on official law enforcement frequencies in order to request emergency help. Keep in mind I am an old timer – before cell phones – neither time was any action taken against the person who called for emergency assistance on the police frequency.
That having been said, and I happily retired now, and while not a prepper I am prepared for pretty much whatever comes down the pike.
As far as emergency communications are or would be concerned the various radio services all have their place when used properly ( I did not say lawfully ). FRS is excellent for local use, everyone should be able to get a block or three out of an FRS radio, and depending upon the actual terrain and buildings should be able to effectively communicate over a five ( 5 ) acre piece of property. Having over fifty (50) acres to protect the FRS does not work, but it does work for an inner perimeter ( 5 acres ) around the Barn. So we plan on using the FRS for immediate perimeter protection/surveillance in the event of an emergency, along with human and electronic means.
To cover the fifty (50) acre perimeter we are currently experimenting with MURS because of the range and the availability of remote alarms that operate on the MURS that will transmit a voice alarm, i.e., “alarm position 1” I have been told we will be able reprogram the voice alarm to say whatever we desire in the very near future. Those alarms are useful everyday – not just a SHTF situation.
To achieve neighbor hood communication with “friendly” neighbors they will use FRS around their own property, and a bubble pack GMRS radio to communicate with “the barn” which serves as the command and control center in an emergency – that’s it no additional information about “the barn” because of operational security. We have purposely chosen to use the “bubble pack” GMRS radios with fixed antenna’s so they do not transmit too far. We do not want to interfere with others in an emergency and do not want to disclose to others in the distance what we are doing – how we are doing it – what we have – etc.
“The Barn” is equipped with radios that communicate on all of the above radio services, and others – both within legal power limits and well beyond if necessary to get a message out to any of the friendly’s . The plan is to only use as much power that is necessary to effectively communicate; we can and will use whatever power is necessary to communicate in a SHTF situation.
I said above when used properly – not lawfully. I am not advocating the breaking of any laws on a regular basis. The FCC prohibits the use of secret codes and cryptic communications, they may prohibit the use of a voice scrambler or digital voice encryption but all of this is very possible these days, and if necessary would be used in order to promote the safety and security of my immediate family and anyone accepted into my survival family.
As a side note, it’s been reported that during the 2012 Super Storm Sandy, several people (families) were rescued once the major part of the storm approached because they utilized Marine Radios and contacted the nearby US Coast Guard Station on Channel 16 , who then made the rescue arrangements. The USCG antenna was the only one left standing – all of the police, fire, cell communications systems were down at that point. NO one got into trouble for using the Marine radio, lives were saved, all is well that ended well.
- Status
