Grid down communications

Inreach is prone to crashing in the best of times. I would not rely on it if shtf.

Radio is the only way to go I think. other than that plan B might be carrier pigeons.

Totally agree.  I don't really see the value either ...

For most of human history most peoples world used to be a local place where people rarely strayed more than walking distance from 'home'.

It will get that way again for most people.

Short range comms between a base location and perimeter OP's now THAT I get 

Same here, uhf in vehicles for keeping in contact WTSHTF and getting everyone home safe, uhf in tractor, quad etc with a handheld for everyone, (now up to 11 family members), staying here to allow quick response to issues, long range short wave hi power ham comms for the big picture along with EMP proof (WW2 genemotor powered all valve receiver and transmitter) setup for comms after a bad event, and some portable transmitting (3.5 meg) transmit and receive solar powered gear in case of bugging out.
Priority if out WTSHTF is to get everyone home safely, and knowing where everyone is will be necessary to go out in the tractor (40 year old David Brown diesel, with no electrics to screw up) and get the all home here. (Don't forget the rifle holder on the tractor as well). 20 Kw off grid solar system with submarine battery storage, enough for at least 4 weeks without sun, separate solar systems for cabins and radio room. Enough fuel stored safely (with inhibitor) for several years ploughing and so on.
Remember, time will be your enemy WTSHTF, so everything has to work together.
Periodically test your gear. I can have lead going down range 30 seconds from leaving the house, and Ive tested it last week with a king brown snake the dog bailed up.




So much to do, so little time.....
iT ALL MUST FIT TOGETHER

Find out the channel your local UHF repeater is on. They are sometimes maintained by the local RFS or SES or Progress association. Ours is now totally off grid and solar powered from a donated solar system. Such repeaters increase your range to 100's km on high spots, indeed, ours can be accessed at Inverell, some 300 km away on the hill outside invarell.
The lower channels, 1 to 9 are usually repeater channels, and you will need to switch to duplex, as you receive on a different frequency to what u transmit on. Also, some need an access called CCTSS, and most modern uhf gear has this built in. You will need to turn the feature on though. It can also be called quiet base.
Be aware that everyone within that 100 km radius can hear what you are talking about, so use OPSPEC protocols, like pre arranged code words and so on. A repeater wont be needed when at your location, so switch to simplex, and use a channel above the first 9, otherwise you could be broadcasting to everyone without knowing it.
I don't intend to do much transmitting WTSHTF, but receive gear for short wave will be vital. I know that a lot of SW radio stations are now net based, but when the net goes dark, I think a lot will resurrect their old sw transmitting gear to get the propaganda out.

I'll be listening to RADIO FREE AUSTRALIA, operating behind enemy lines.

So, this had started off pretty off topic. But its up to said person if they want long range. The reason he does what long range, is that he wants to communicate with family that is 500kms away. My assumption would be so they can share info and then meet up. His intentions as to why are unclear, but thats my guess.

I had spoken to him about radios and licenses, but im sure in a grid down situation, does a license matter? Keeping in mind that call signs and communication times/frequencies/coded(perhaps) is known on both sides.

However, that being said. He has stated he is not tech savy which means he would need to set himself up and practice to get use to it. So far, the garmin inrech system is still an option as in a grid down situation it hasnt been confirmed or denied that itll still work. The one reply that states it doesnt work even in a perfect world is the first i have heard (and seen) such thing, but will be relayed none the less.

Its all about getting people the right info to do what they want. I dont get paid or anything for supplying such info. In fact, the boss doesnt like me talking at long lengths about things of personal nature.

Remember OPSPEC as everyone can hear you on the radio. Even HF radio is subject to disruptions, storms, solar outbursts, deliberate interference (jamming), and after an EMP, lots of ionic disturbance from the pulse.
Don't forget the old 27 meg "good buddy" CB radios. They are gathering dust now as no one uses them as UHF is far more reliable, but in the early days of the 27 meg CB boom, it was not unusual to communicate with America and other stations 1,000's KM away. Going 4 wheel driving, we all had 27 meg CB's and I remember many times not being able to hear someone 10 miles away, but listening to the South American truckies.
Some of the better brands had noise blankers, power microphones and it was not uncommon to see some highly modified with extra channels and greater output powers than that allowed. Interestingly, 27 megs is still available as a license free band, much like UHF CB is.
Krako, Super panther and the major manufactures like Sharp, HMV and Sanyo all made decent sets, that will probably still work 40 years later. I suggest for maximum reliability, you get all the electrolytic capacitors changed out.
For long distance comms, a single sideband,(SSB)set will be required. An external speaker will make conversations much clearer as the internal speakers were pretty tinny. Some of the upmarket base stations had inbuilt 240 v power supply's, and all the mobile ones could operate off 12 volts DC. I think Jaycar still sells a 27 meg vertical mobile whip aerial, but there are many designs available to 'roll your own' as they say.
I have a 27 meg Krako SSB unit in my radio room, as well as a Yaesu FT series that has 27 megs fitted as an option.
There were 2 sets of channels, the original 23 channels, as was in the USA, and then 40 channels Australian standard. Some channels are not available on some radios, but there are charts around that can tell you the channel layouts, as for instance, channel 14 American is channel 10 Australian, and is 27.125 mega hertz.
As with most things radio, propagation, or distance, is heavily dependent on weather conditions and time of year, sunspot activity and so on. A little learning will be required to work out the best times for communicating over large distances, but its not rocket science.
Indeed, I predict that there will be a resurgence in 27 megs WTSHTF as people want intel from interstate because the net is gone and commercial radio will be all propaganda. (It is now some would say).
The time to get ready is now, before you really need it, like most things in prepping.



What part of 'thou shalt not' don't you understand ? God

Another form of communication that many forget is the plain old wired telephone. Sadly though, with the advent of the nbn, many places are loosing this great system. It worked during a blackout and was/is possible to call long distances.

So if you are lucky enough to still have a POTS based telephone - then keep it. Unfortunately I don’t have one now but I know where there are still some phone boxes which are just as good. And now, Telstra have or are now making public phone boxes free. So keep this in mind and it would pay yo have a map of where there are still phone boxes.

For me, I have uhf and 2m and 70cm in handheld. I did have a pc-122 too but it went when I sold the land cruiser (which I’m kicking myself for now). But radio comms is very important - and the knowledge to use them and to understand how they work is just as important. Don’t buy them to look at thinking you’ll use them later, gain the understanding how to use them, and the associated repeaters too - and just as important, how to rig an antenna for the best results.

My sat phone subscription is only $15 per month. Call and text fees are steep though.

If my girlfriend lived 70km away and shtf I wouldn't need a comms plan. I'd either travel to her or I would stay put and enjoy the lack of nagging for a while 😁