COMMUNICATION ISSUES

I read with interest your comments about getting an FCC license and operating modified CBs in the 10 meter band.   I am an extra class amatuer (ham) radio operator (KF0GV).   First, do not buy a CB that has been modified to operate on the 10 meter band.   10 meters is not only considered a ham band, IT IS an amatuer band.   Operating on 10 meters with a modified CB or with an FCC type accepted ham radio without an FCC license is illegal.    The FCC has really been stepping up enforcement lately and the fines can be in the $5,000 to $10,000 range.   So, to everyone out there - Don't do it.   You are not welcome on 10 meters unless you are properly licensed and have the proper equipment.   Having said that, it is not at all difficult to obtain your license to operate on the 10 meter band or on any of the lower HF bands.   10 meters is considered a relatively high frequency HF band and is not very reliable for long distance communication (DX) unless you are near or in the solar maximum of the 11 year cycle.   Right now, we are at the bottom and DX communication on 10 meters is almost non-existant except for some infrequent sporatic E communication which usually is short lived and only United States wide or at most to northern South America.    The FCC just passed a new regulation that eliminates the morse code requirement entirely.   I believe that will go in to effect on or about February 1, 2007.   So, now, you don't even have to learn the code to get your FCC license to operate on the ham bands.   There still are various levels of licenses which I think will be Technician, General and Extra.   Each test covers more detailed and difficult information and therefore requires more study to get to a higher level.   My recommendation is to study for and take the tech. and general class exams and get your license.    Then you will have ample frequency priviledges.   Take your extra class license exam later if you are in the hobby to stay.   If you get your General class license, you will be able to operate on all of the other HF bands including 15, 20, 40, 80 and 160 meters.   20 and 40 provide reliable world wide communication year round and throughout the highs and lows of the 11 year solar cycle.   We welcome new hams and are eager to help.   If anyone has any questions about becoming a Ham Radio Operator, I'd recommend contacting the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) at www.arrl.org and someone can help you there.   Or contact someone in your local area.   The ARRL can refer you to local Ham radio clubs.    Good luck!

Hi,
Not sure if by 'SOS' you mean a brand name (I don't know it) or "emergency". For the Sidewinder hand crank charger that we carry, we have a complete list of phones compatible using one of the included adapters.

Adapters for other cell phones not included in this list are available for $5.00 including shipping. We can email you that list, or you can email us the make and model you have.(see email on site)

As for the question below, height restriction above roofline is probably covered by local ordinance, or maybe county. Any licensed builder would probably know, otherwise contact would be with local, township, or county building office.

FictionWriter wrote: I looked at that SOS Charger. Looks like a nice unit, but my phone is old enough to where it ain't supported. Oh well. Question on the radio issue: Someone mentioned a 100' mast. I'm assuming that refers to the antenna? Ok, I live real close to an airport. 1.5 to 2 miles from the runway. My house is on the takeoff/approach path.  What are the height regulations concerning maximum mast height? I'd hate to make an investment only to have some 'official' tell me the mast is too high?   Any idea where i can find the info?

    

rocky,

i have wanted a volcano stove for some time--after i saw your post i did a search and you have a terrific price for the stove and accessories---ordered one today.  i have a solar oven that i love using and a reagular camping propane stove, but im really glad to find the volcano II becasue it is more versital than just he propane stove.

thanks
jazzy

Thank you 2ifbyC.I'll definately check it out after I get my radio.

 I am planning to add a bc246t to my preps.I am a rank novice to scanning, could someone advise me as to what type of antenne I could buy to improve reception.Thank you in advance.

*** CAUTION ***
Communications in a pandemic (declared disaster) may not work as expected-

Internet access: may not be working after 3-4 days (saturated, maintenance issues at ISPs, capacity commandeered!)

GMRS/FRS Walkie Talkies: 2-3 mile range (need batteries) - need to work out a link to ham radio RACES operator in advance. Best for neighborhood use/support. GMRS radios require FCC license ($80, no exam). FRS does not seem to need license, but has reduced power (range). GMRS would probably have to be operated on low power, anyway, to conserve batteries.

Telephone: lines probably not available (much capacity commandeered!) May offer spotty service at best.

Cell Phones: failed quickly in 9/11 disaster (after 15 - 30 minutes!) Local "gummint" has the switch, too. Consider it commandeered!

Text Messaging: was partially effective in Katrina disaster, uncertain status in pandemic situation.

Ham radio: may well be limited to RACES operators by law, but probably working to some extent, may also be limited by such law to emergency traffic only. Possible availability for welfare traffic (family member status, etc.).

My recommendations:
(1) Take CERT training (posted this elsewhere, also).
(2) Form a CERT team in your neighborhood.
(3) Get FRS/GMRS radios - buy and learn to use them with your neighbors.
(4) Locate ham radio RACES operator (only for emergencies) He/she can listen on your FRS/GMRS frequencies but cannot speak on them legally. However, he/she may have licensed FRS/GMRS radio, also. Many do.
(5) Practice communicating with your ham operator. He/she may have a path to local Emergency Services (police, fire, medical, etc.).
(6) Work out contact schedules ("skeds") to conserve batteries and time.
(7) Be sure you have enough batteries.

Spoon wrote: CB radios are a great way to communicate when everything else fails.  A standard CB signal only travels about 4-8 miles, but mods can be made. A friend of mine, who turned me on to this site, has done some research regarding converting base stations.  He found ways to enhance the signal across multiple states. It's not cheap ($500-$700), but it might be a great way to continue this forum. I, or my friend, will post more detailed info soon for anyone interested.

Please, do NOT do this!  I'm an air traffic controller and we currently get CB interference from an illegal CB transmitter on one of our ATC frequencies.  Apparently, the CB frequency is something like the 5th harmonic of our ATC frequency and it interferes with our ability to talk to airplanes at times.

The FCC has a REASON for the rules they post.

The people who run this board might want to query all the members to find out who is a HAM.  HAMs have experience organizing communications such as weather nets when sever weather is coming upon a county.  HAM radios can also transmit packets.  In other words, they can become a wireless network.  I would suggest that HAMs form a group and start practicing relaying communications via this group.

just a quick update on my research and experiences

justme wrote: Hand Crank cell phone charger (for obvious reasons) Just google it. :) You can get one for about $20 USD. Here is one site that sells it http://www.soscharger.net/ (I have not purchased from them so I can not endorse this company, I am simply giving an example)