Two things! A method to inform and a method to be informed.
Most events come with a warning. Primary method to inform is your cellphone. Mass text.
Alternative method could be a CB or GMRS mobile in the vehicles.
Item two. How many sources do you want? Vehicles have AM/FM radios that's one. A portable scanner is another. Truck stops sell 12v power outlet mobile televisions, that's a third, a shortwave radio receiver that's four.
Those are the only two communication requirements. Inform those who need to be informed and then a method of staying informed.
Very good and salient points, PT. The ability to gather information, even if some of it is likely flawed or slanted, is good intelligence gathering. Intel especially in a SHTF situation will be essential. Troop movements, UN/non UN government incursions, even ranchers in close proximity to Montana, North and South Dakota missile fields--unusual activity out there after SHTF could be very important. Being able to communicate news or observations also important.
Very well said @TyMoore I was thinking about the average person. Most don't require a full shack for Commo. Just a way to inform those who need and then a way to stay informed. In essence a beofeng and a shortwave receiver could be a good fit for someone not needing to relay information past five miles. (Not including repeater use)
Get your Baofeng's before the end of September, FCC is getting pissy about its' ability to be programmed for non approved frequencies and won't let them be sold after the 30th.
You can still find the "open" UV-5Rs on Craigslist.
The OTHER Alternative for around $80.00 is the Yaesu FT-4 It is a keystroke sequence that FULLY opens the radio-where it can hear, it can TALK! There's a couple of youtube videos that show how its done.
Those are all good if you want to rely on the Media for what is going on, I would rather talk with a local Ham to find out what truly going on in a certain area.
Baofeng VHF and UHF are line of site five or seven miles without a repeater, we keep two repeaters with Solar power just in case. VHF and UHF are easy to track HF bounces off the Ionosphere much harder to DF.
Unfortunately, right now and for the immediate future, HF is unreliable. Pray for sunspots.
True, but HF requires a larger Antenna usually, and depending on what Band you're using, You'll need an Antenna Tuner as well.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it does not matter what band is being used VHF/UHF/HF or any other the ability to DF a signal does not depend on the band/mode being used. It solely depends on the equipment being used to perform the DF and the operator using the equipment. Probably should also note there is automated DF equipment out there that does not rely on the skills of the operator.
It absolutely matters. You cannot DF something you can't hear. Bluetooth, WiFi ranges are not a concern. I guess you never used a cloud burner on 80 meters? Gonna be hard to find me if unless you're flying over. What about directional antennas? If I'm beaming away from you you're not gonna hear me. When combined with switching bands, modes, locations antennas, add in simplex repeaters, crossband repeaters you are living a fantasy. Be smart and exercise some reasonable operating discipline and nobody is finding you not even the FCC. Your comments stated "does not rely on the skills of the operator". We are already a mere .2% of the population. Of that exactly how much of the .2% has the additional military equipment and training to operate the sophisticated equipment you mention?
You made some VERY good points! If we DO find ourselves in a true SHTF Environment, I think the FCC and God know WHO else are all going to be too busy to worry bout a prepper in Kansas talking to another prepper in Montana. Definitely DO use Discipline when using your gear, but there won't be a Gestapo Officer hiding in eery bush trying to find "YOUR" radio. Another good rule of thumb that I use is a recommended guideline of "The minimum power needed for the desired communication". It saves your Battery, AND it increases your OPSEC.
Additional note regarding your Cloudburner Comment? Are you familiar with something called "Backscatter"? Though only a fraction of the strength, there is still "some" signal radiating off the Reflective Element of your Beam Antenna as well as from your Driven and Directed Elements. Though not very strong, in some cases, backscatter signals CAN be DF'd.
@Bruce Forster First, a cloud burner radiates straight upward hence the name. The only "backscatter" would be directly under the antenna which is intentionally mounted low to the ground. Secondly, ham radio clubs that represent .2% of the population fox hunt VHF and UHF signals because they are directional line of sight signals not 80 meters! They are given boundaries in which the fox will be located and the signal is a beacon not a short QSO followed by radio silence. 80 Meters (NVIS) and other HF signals are not directional they travel via ionosphere bounce aka skywave propagation. So when "you" are DF'ing a non NVIS HF beam how exactly do you know if it is long path off the front of the beam or short path off the back? Skywave or ground wave? Is the station one hop or two hops away? Is there qsb on the band? Did the station switch polarity (SteppIR) If the very people who are most capable of performing the task at hand are not able to DF HF signals how much of that .2% are you dealing with during SHTF or TEOTWAWKI? How many hams have the room for a multi element HF yagi at there QTH let alone Mobile or Portable? You understand a 160 meter yagi is about the size of a football field? How many hams have a 6 meter yagi let alone a 20, 40, 80, 160? Now lets talk about "backscatter" VHF / UHF......
A popular DF'ing antenna used for VHF / UHF fox hunting is the elk periodic yagi antenna which has 20 dB front to back rating. So how strong or more realistically not very strong as you stated is this backscatter signal that you are going to DF? This 20 dB rating is the equivalent of 100 watts out the front and one watt out the back as "backscatter". Since very few part 97 radios produce 100 watts of VHF or UHF lets compare a more common rating of 50 watts. This would be the equivalent of 1/2 of 1 watt "backscatter". What kind of range do you get with 1/2 of 1 watt? Lastly, lets compare the most common HT power rating of 5 watts. So you are telling me you are going to "backscatter" DF a .05 watt signal?
Several guys I play radio with fly commercial jets I can set up a HF aeronautical mobile signal if you would like to demonstrate your DF'ing capabilities?