Worlds End SP |
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Yak
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113 |
Topic: Worlds End SP Posted: 25 Apr 2013 at 9:16pm |
In Sullivan Co PA, paid a visit to my favorite campground over the weekend. At most there were 10 sites being used. Here's a little vid from the weekend. Sorry it's not a Pod
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 25 Apr 2013 at 9:35pm |
Hey Yak, glad you checked in. I liked the vid, cool idea. Just today I was looking into MURS vs. GMRS for long-distance communication in case of SHTF. We've had cheapo FRS/GMRS radios for years so I know how crowded those bands can be when everyone around you has them too. Few have (or even know about) MURS, and with frequencies in the 151-154 Mhz range it should have decent propogation with little absorption, not so much for GMRS at 462 Mhz. But MURS is only allowed to max out at 2 watts vs. 50 for GMRS. Any thoughts? |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Yak
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113 |
Posted: 25 Apr 2013 at 10:18pm |
True propagation has little to do with VHF or UHF and are line of sight communications. GMRS allows repeater use, MD has about 14 open repeaters listed. If I remember GMRS allow added antennas 50 watts and a high antenna can do a lot. But..... from reading your posts and talking to you a ham license is just a few weeks of studying away
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Posted: 26 Apr 2013 at 7:09am |
Yak - Thanks for the video....COOL! (from an ex-Podder). Tech - I will add my $.02 and +1 on the Ham license. FMRS & GMRS, in a SHTF scenario - a lot of CERT teams (Community Emergency Response Teams) use the freqs so, they would likely be crowded. Plus, I think, GMRS, with it's higher power, requires a license (I think). The Ham 144mhz and 440 mhz will likely be busy with ARES & RACES activity - both repeaters (if they are still working) and simplex freqs. - depending on the scale of the situation.
However, even with an entry level Technician license, you could still likely use 6 meters (50 mhz) or 10 meters (28 mhz). There's lots of room on both.
I would be willing to bet that you could pass the test with little or no study...given your present knowledge. There are sites on the Web where one can take "sample" tests. Give one a try and see how you do!
NOTE: ARES = Amateur Radio Emergency Service
RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (operates under/at the direction of the Dept. of Homeland Security)
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 26 Apr 2013 at 12:52pm |
I definitely need to look into the Tech license - wouldn't take much review for me to pass it. Getting a ham rig needs to be a priority on my prep to-dos (I've been working on supplies for a while), for communication with the outside world.
Sorry I should have been more specific with my question. I'm looking into family communication if SHTF and one of us needs to go some distance from home base (or an evacuation forces us apart). So I'm assuming no cell phone system, or repeaters of any type. There's zero chance I'll get them to learn/take/pass a ham certification so this leaves the unlicensed voice bands. I know of four options:
CB, 27 Mhz, 5 watts max, 40 channels (not including SSB), close to 10 meter ham so decent distance
MURS, 151/154 Mhz, 2 watts max, 5 channels, close to 2 meter ham so decent distance
FRS/GMRS, 462/467 Mhz, 50 watts max (1/2 watt for some FRS channels), 22 channels simplex, above 70 cm ham so fairly short range
CB, FRS/GMRS has a wide availability of cheap equipment. Great if you need to scrounge for replacement equipment after SHTF, and for information sharing with the local community, but not great for uninterrupted point-to-point communication. You are right that the GMRS-only channels require a license but it covers a whole family so a minor hurdle. Not to mention that most people that buy the low-powered bubble pack junk don't bother - and I wouldn't care under SHTF conditions for any power. If I went with higher power equipment under normal conditions I would get the license to CYA - I don't need a ding on my record if I go for the ham license. I used CB a lot in the 80's and 90's so I'm familiar with that beast. SSB would be a must in many cases for decent range but getting the family to learn how to dial it in wouldn't be fun. GMRS at high power and 60 feet tower height (or 20 above attached structure) keeps it in the running for 2nd place. MURS only has 5 channels and 2 watts max but its frequency helps, and few people have radios for it. I think it has the same antenna height rules.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Yak
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113 |
Posted: 26 Apr 2013 at 7:59pm |
I'll take the high antenna for $500 Alex
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 26 Apr 2013 at 9:27pm |
Well, same height rules (and both allow external antennas unlike FRS) so it comes down to frequency and wattage. Any recommendations for programmable mobile and handheld units? |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Yak
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113 |
Posted: 26 Apr 2013 at 9:52pm |
OK, you saw the antenna on the back of my camper, it's called a J-Pole. Using that antenna and less than a watt I can work the repeater in Paoli from French Creek on 2 meters, 50 miles??
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 27 Apr 2013 at 5:59pm |
Good to know. I assume the repeater's antenna is fairly high.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Yak
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 113 |
Posted: 27 Apr 2013 at 8:51pm |
Yes
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