Hand held for SHTF and emergency use.

[justmax]

Will b re watching this tread. I have a Boufang handheld, but it is not "registered" with and license. I would like to find out the easiest way to get it to be more than 5 mile walki-Talki. I don't plan on making ham radio a hobby, for SHTF use only.

 

[mongoose]

What are your requirements for communications? Some radios are line of sight and others can reach nearly any point on the earth.
What level of expertise in communications do you plan to obtain? What level of investment in time and money do you expect to make?
The range of capabilities of radio equipment is vast just as it is in firearms or vehicles.

I’m not looking to break the bank. I am in a fairly flat area with a mountain range to the east of me (5300) ‘. I am only looking for fairly local communications. I’m aware of the capabilities of quaility receivers and transmitters. My Dad operated on a home built transmitter and one Uncle had General License and had a nice set up. Both of these were in the 40’s thru 70’s. I’ll obtain a General License. Really looking for emergency communication capabilities. I have too many responsibilities to add a hobby at this time.

 

[Tnhawk]

Will b re watching this tread. I have a Boufang handheld, but it is not "registered" with and license. I would like to find out the easiest way to get it to be more than 5 mile walki-Talki. I don't plan on making ham radio a hobby, for SHTF use only.

There is no requirement for a radio to be "registered". An operator is required to have a license permitting him to operate in a given band.
A handheld Boufang operates line of sight, i.e. - short distance

 

[vmax]

They work really good in wide open spaces with repeaters and simplex

They are not known for spectral purity like a Yaesu is.
In a more dense area like DFW there might be some bleed over but its all my son has and he is in Keller and we talk all the time from Abilene to there on a linked system with no problem

 

[vmax]

Will b re watching this tread. I have a Boufang handheld, but it is not "registered" with and license. I would like to find out the easiest way to get it to be more than 5 mile walki-Talki. I don't plan on making ham radio a hobby, for SHTF use only.

Here is the problem with getting a HAM license for "SHTF only" as Ive seen it..
People study and pass the test.
Get a entry level radio and learn to talk on repeaters and simplex

Then they put them away in an ammo can and forget how to use them

Being a good operator is a skill..and a skill needs practice or when SHTF..you may not be ready.

Its the same for a person who buys a gun for protection and goes and shoots it one or 2 times and it just sits.

When the door gets kicked in at 2am
They dont know their weapon by 2nd nature..they fumble and screw around and that will get you killed

If you want a skill to be there in an emergency..it takes practice

 

[no2gates]

Here is the problem with getting a HAM license for "SHTF only" as Ive seen it..
People study and pass the test.
Get a entry level radio and learn to talk on repeaters and simplex

Then they put them away in an ammo can and forget how to use them

Being a good operator is a skill..and a skill needs practice or when SHTF..you may not be ready.

Its the same for a person who buys a gun for protection and goes and shoots it one or 2 times and it just sits.

When the door gets kicked in at 2am
They dont know their weapon by 2nd nature..they fumble and screw around

If you want a skill tombe there in an emergency..it takes practice

^^^ THIS post is the best post of the thread. Everyone thinking about having anything, not just radios, should heed this advice ^^^

 

[gll]

Will b re watching this tread. I have a Boufang handheld, but it is not "registered" with and license. I would like to find out the easiest way to get it to be more than 5 mile walki-Talki. I don't plan on making ham radio a hobby, for SHTF use only.

Check the Repeater Book for repeaters that you can reach... There's an app for phones.That's how you extend the range of a 5w handheld in the 2m and 1.25m, and 70cm bands.

Or, you can buy an amplifier...

 

[gll]

Would the Boufang 3rd generation radio fit my want’s……Would appreciate any knowledgeable advice.

If you decide to buy Baofengs, buy tri-bands (2m, 1.25m, 70cm. Most of the radios people buy for SHTF don't have the 1.25m band. That makes it a slightly more private band...

 

[Maverick44]

Wanted to also add, you can encrypt these radios. But not legal under FCC regs unfortunately. They are decent and mate to my peltors with a kenwood convertor.

I guess it depends on what you define as SHTF. Under my definition, most laws wouldn't be worth the paper they're written on. In that case, I wouldn't worry too much about FFC regs. I'd worry more about not dying.

 

[gll]

I guess it depends on what you define as SHTF. Under my definition, most laws wouldn't be worth the paper they're written on. In that case, I wouldn't worry too much about FFC regs. I'd worry more about not dying.

Emergencies are an exception to the license requirement. I would think SHTF would qualify...

My opinion, if you don't want to make HAM radio a hobby, don't get a license. A license puts you in the public FCC datatabase, including your address (you can license to a P.O. box). If you need SHTF practice on radio get it on FRS...

Communicating (transmitting), especially at a distance is like a beacon to your location for the experienced operator. You can receive all you want...