Off-Grid Communication Capabilities for Disaster Prepping
It’s better to be ready when SHTF
Note: I originally wrote this as a post in a Filipino prepper group. More events have transpired after, including the onslaught of typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco), which flooded many parts of Metro Manila and Cagayan Valley and again struck the Bicol region only a couple of weeks after Rolly. This has been edited for clarity.
This is in response to a call for the establishment of an off-grid or emergency communications capability, in light of typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) and its devastating effect, particularly on the Bicol region.
True enough, power and communication lines were down, and among the first to get connected to other regions were radio operators. particularly radio amateurs.
H.E.R.O., or Ham Emergency Radio Operations, was in operation during that time, under Condition Red. HERO is activated every time there is a disaster.
HF radios have long-range and off-grid capabilities, being able to bounce signals off the ionosphere. These can operate on 12-volt batteries.
HERO also has localized operations on VHF. Amateur clubs are also tapped to use our networks or infrastructure like repeaters as an additional resource.
Now, on to prepper groups having our own network.
There are four options, possibilities, or scenarios.
1. Short-range radio service (SRRS)
In the Philippines, the legal license-free radio option is the SRRS or Short Range Radio Service. This runs on the 325 MHz UHF band and requires certified equipment. Each certification costs PhP 1,000 for the device, which is registered with the NTC and comes with certification (or a list of serial numbers certified by the dealer/manufacturer.
There is no individual license required for SRRS. It can be used by families, companies, security agencies, etc.
The main disadvantage is power and range. Maximum legal output is 2.5 watts, and antennas cannot legally be upgraded/changed.
Cost is a bit higher than the cheap Baofeng or WLN radios.
- Cignus CG325 FreeTalk: ~PhP 2,200
- Cignus FreeTalk XT (mini): ~PhP 1,500
Versa has more expensive radios, but they have basically the same functionality. I even prefer Cignus due to its support of all 40 SRRS channels compared with Versa’s 16 pre-set channels (unless programmed on PC).
You can look for GadgetAddict’s reviews of these devices.
One consideration is that in an SHTF scenario or when “The Big One” comes, you need to be in touch with your family or loved ones. SRRS can work, but only in short ranges, e.g., 1–2 Km in the city or around 5 Km in open air.
Beyond that, it will be ineffective. It can be used for coordinating localized activities, such as convoys, during camping, or when securing your perimeter.
2. Amateur Radio
This is my preferred system for emergency communication. Why? I will cite several reasons.
First, licensing makes it legal and legitimate. The airwaves are a public resource, and thus need to be regulated by the state. True, in a SHTF scenario, this might be rendered moot, but let me explain further in a bit …
Secondly, amateur radio operators practice and improve on our capabilities every single day. I think that being part of preparedness in an emergency comms situation is knowing the capabilities of your gear and your capabilities as a communicator.
Hams use our radios every day (or at least regularly). We participate in regular conversations (or “QSO”), and we also run regular nets. A net lets us gauge our range, know who other regular communicators are, and this enable us to practice relaying communications and recording messages.
Hams are also part of community-building. We have clubs, and even those who are not part of clubs know each other from regular communications. This means that we can watch out for each other when the time of need arises.
Now, here’s why I think going legit is important. Imagine you have a bug out vehicle. It’s fully mechanical, so it won’t get fried during an EMP blast. You keep it in your garage and make sure it’s stocked. But alas, you don’t have a license, and it is not registered. So you cannot practice driving it. And being in your garage for so long, you don’t know if it will suddenly break down when an emergency arises.
It’s the same with radio communications. You can stock up on Baofengs all you want, but if you are not practicing communication protocols, and if you do not know how to reach others or how to get contacted, it will be useless.
In an SHTF scenario, government licensing will be the last thing people will need or ask. You might be able to use your portable radio for short-range comms.
But if you don’t know how to filter signal vs. noise in communications or relay, or if you can’t reach your loved ones because you are both out of range, then your devices might be likewise useless or at least not as useful.
Third, amateur radio is also about experimentation. Through practice and mentorship, we can build antennas from scratch, and improvise using different devices.
You don’t necessarily have to be an electronics expert. There are different aspects to amateur radio. What’s important is the legitimacy of using radios as off-grid and emcomm systems, which makes it easy and effective when the need arises.
What’s good is that we don’t necessarily have to establish a formal group or entity. Amateur radio operators can operate independently and individually, and perhaps congregate around a certain frequency or club repeater as the need arises.
Through a grey area and with precedent (there is an NTC memo about this), a licensed operator can be a control operator and talk to a “second operator” such as a family member for example. Some might argue against this, but I have encountered having to call back home to my station during an emergency situation wherein they lost cell signal at home due to outage.
Licensing is cheap, but equipment costs may vary.
NTC has suspended exams due to covid, however, so many who have taken the amateur radio seminar have been stuck with having no schedule for the foreseeable future.
I have a workaround: The FCC (yes the USA regulator) runs exams through volunteer examiners for around $15. A minimum of 3 volunteer examiners makes your exam valid. There is a VE team in the Philippines. There are also virtual exams. You only need a U.S. address and register for an FRN (FCC Reg Number) to apply for an exam. Look up the GLAARG virtual exam sessions if you like.
Technically, you cannot operate in the PH with an FCC license alone. You need a reciprocal permit. But given the covid situation and having no NTC exams, it may be the closest option to get licensed as a ham. Your FCC license will work in other countries with agreements with the US, though, without the need for extra permits. Interestingly, Philippine licenses are automatically valid in the US. Go figure.
3. Civic organization
Another option in my mind is to get established as a civic organization that has its own RSL, with members then having restricted land mobile or RLM licenses. It’s like how Civicom or REACT-CRS does it. It’s only the organization that has a license, and members only have to attend a seminar to get a sub-license.
It will require an effort on the group’s part to incorporate as such an organization.
Another option is to run as a commercial organization. It has the same need for a main RSL and RLMs for individual users. It is more expensive to apply for a commercial license and frequency allocation than civic or amateur, though.
Many civic organizations focus on civic activities or operations, such as relief efforts or security augmentation. A lot of civic operators are also technically adept, but most focus on using radios in aid of their activities rather than their main activity (as opposed to amateur radio).
4. We ride on the infrastructure and license of another group
Can be a civic or commercial organization that already has an RSL. Members can attend a seminar and get an RLM.
Remember, though, that with an amateur license, we get privileges on a wider band and frequency allocation. With civic or commercial, it is limited to frequencies assigned to that group only.
To summarize
SRRS: very limited, short range, can be used by families, businesses, etc., without license.
Amateur: Individual license, can ride on club repeaters, and can participate in regular communications.
Civic: Purpose-built, requires formal/incorporated organization.
Commercial: Purpose-built, might be more expensive.
