Communications!

How important are communications to you!  If things degrade what will you not want to lose?

I have a Sat INTERNET connection , sat radio, sat TV and phone service through the sat INTERNET.  In another thread we've been talking about power systems, you'll also need that to stay connected.

Sat INTERNET requires an up front investment of between $1000 and $5000 for the ground station and then about $80 a month for the service.  I planned to be logged on here as long as this server is up!  I use the ground station when I'm camping as well, I guess I'm a REAL addict!

I have thought a great deal about this.  Our Internet connection is dependent upon juice from the wall.   I have been considering getting a wireless DSL card from Sprint (kind of pricey at 50 bucks a month) but I can stick it into the laptop and go broadband anywhere in the Sprint service area.  Assuming no natural disaster like Katrina, the infrastructure will remain in place, at least for the medium term, including cell towers, and text messaging is still an option.  I also love my little XM radio--that should stay online as well.  Solar Charger in place to power the laptop, cell phone and XM, plus the mighty Ford Escape as a back up generator.

Mine is limited, but will work for me. I have a GC83 air card in my laptop (i live in the sticks).

Found a dynamo radio at Walgreens yesterday ($10), picked up one - has a radio, siren, flashlight - tried it out and it works great, has good sound, bright light.  Charge lasts for 20 minutes.  Will be headed back to pick up a couple more for BOBs. 

  Hi Mountian wind, I like the idea of the field radios.  Where should like look for them? Do they come with the mile of wire?  Thanks for your help.

For hand crank radio with light, look at LL Bean.

These are connected by wire. You can talk to others connected on the wire. There is two wires, connected to each phone. Pos and neg. Depending on the model, you push a lever, knob, or turn a crank that sends a current to the other phones that "rings" the other phone or phones. When talking, you don't do anything as they are sound powered. Some sets come with a switchboard that the operator can direct the calls. Would be good for a neighborhood, or a rural setting.

Thanks 2ifbyC - good info to know about getting HAMs on your shortwave as well ...

2ifbyC is correct about the SSB capability. However, the cost of a SSB radio is more expensive. If you really want to spend that kind of money you might as well buy a used transceiver on ebay (~$500). That way you can talk back with the other hams. Technically you need an operator’s license, but during the pandemic I don’t think the government will hunt you down for transmitting without a license. Be sure you learn how to build a proper transmitting antenna. It's not hard to do

P_S_N,

A base station runs off of 110 volt house current. Sometimes rather expensive tho.

A inverter, changes 12 volt current (car type battery) to 110 household current. They can be bought from 70 watts up to 5500 watts.(maybe larger) A 70 watt is good for small items like a household radio or light. The 5000 watt will power up big items, but you have to have a "LOT" of battery to use it.