My small portable communication and charging station

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Maverick

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Location
Washington State - between 2 mountains and a river
I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

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I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

View attachment 3794
View attachment 3795


Maverick...great job. Hope Lisa likes the recharging cells on the Goal Zero...maybe one day, she will get you to buy the higher end Goal Zero 1250 with solar panels...they work great and recharge just about anything...including medical apparatus.
 
The only thing I would suggest is to have 2 bf radios & a wind up radio that you can receive shortwave on . The gmrs radios will have very limited range w such short antennas .
 
The only thing I would suggest is to have 2 bf radios & a wind up radio that you can receive shortwave on . The gmrs radios will have very limited range w such short antennas .

I was thinking of getting another B/F radio mainly for backup, the GMRS radios on the other hand I don't want long distance but short 1/4 mile or less. My requirement for the radios including shortwave radio is the capability to charge from the solar panels preferably with USB similar to my Ambient emergency radio, I agree a shortwave is important! when one comes out that gives me the ability to use solar panels for charging and that it also includes an external ANT connection I will certainly purchase one.
 
As with all HT'S aka walkie talkies.They come with crappy rubber duck antennas.I but replacement antennas at my local ham radio shop.You will increase you radios capability for sure.
 
As with all HT'S aka walkie talkies.They come with crappy rubber duck antennas.I but replacement antennas at my local ham radio shop.You will increase you radios capability for sure.

I ordered the comet sma 24 friday, should be here wednesday, the group my wife works with recommended this antenna for this radio.
 
I too would like to learn more about Basic communications and equipment for when SHTF. I don't much like or care to hook up a VHS/DVD player little alone think about needing to know how to work much more complex radio equipment.

I would be no different then a Ground Hog who sticks his head above the ground and say's, YUP, another six weeks! LOL

Is there any basic simple communication equipment for a prepper like myself? So simple, A Caveman could even figure it out.

Depending on what horrific event takes place, I know some forum of communication will be needed.

Last... Who is a person going to tune in to? Is there going to be a specific frequency that will give play by play of the events as they unfold? This Amateur Radio stuff is all new to me, so all helpful information will be very much appreciated! :)
 
Start SIMPLY Sir, In the US one of the easiest and most useful two way comms systems is CB radio, a simple device of 4 watts output power, 40 simple numeric channels a simple press to talk microphone. You can also get Hand Held Walkie Talky CB Radios and Household Base Stations. You can go to places like RadioShack / Tandy and get a very simple how to guide on CB operation. By default you should be able to contact other motorists, hobby CB users, Truckers and some police departments. Normally a family of preppers would put a CB in each of the family vehicles and another ( or a simple receiver scanner) in the house.
 
Last... Who is a person going to tune in to? Is there going to be a specific frequency that will give play by play of the events as they unfold? This Amateur Radio stuff is all new to me, so all helpful information will be very much appreciated! :)

Amateur radio is a different critter and not to be taken lightly, hook up with someone in your community that is a Ham! in a pre-SHTF you have many rules, if your not going to get the license DON'T TRANSMIT, the last thing you want is a bunch of radio operators knocking on your door, if its a life or death situation then it may be forgiving, these guys take licensing very seriously don't challenge them. You can program the radios using ARES/RACES frequencies, in my area CCARES/RACES frequencies. ;)

You are not going to get a play by play with Ham, in a crises if the Ham operator is needed they are not going to clog the airways with a play by play description, if that's what you want then a police scanner would be a better choice and don't discount the CB for a communication device.
 
I do understand Amateur Radio/ Ham operators are in a class of their own and there are special qualifications for the operation of that type of equipment and talking over the air. I also know Ham operators do a lot with emergency communications for storm chasers etc. A very much needed service for when other public services only have a limited capability of reaching others.

I have never taken an interest in this type of Hobby/electronics, so I just know little from others who do. I am not opposed to it and I think it's a great idea to having some type of basic receiver/scanner devise to be able to keep in the loop as to the SHTF.

I have been surfing over an overwhelming amount of information on the Forum about communications. For someone like myself who doesn't understand a lot about it, I was hopping there might be some simple basic, easy to use, radio equipment that I should be looking at to invest in ?
 
A number of HTs radios can be programed using a computer, most HTs buttons are a 3 functions design making it difficult to program by hand even for experience users, most users manuals are not easy to follow and/or leave out important information, it's better to download a second parties written instructions for a given radio ;) The Baofeng is considered a disposable radio but much is written about it with a lot of second party support making it the best buy for the buck, its built pretty good with a lot of after market accessories!
 
Certain radios designed ORIGINALLY for Hams and Radio enthuisiasts can be modified very simply and very easily to give you are high quality reasonable power radio that technically does not require a Ham licence.

EG in the UK the Baofeng UV5 can be simply reprogrammed using a CHIRP PC program to only use the UNLICENCED PMR channels ( That's our version of your FRS service) So with a better clip on antenna, bit of quick reprogramming you can have ultra compact two way radios that put out 5 watts and can reach ( depending on topography) very good distances.

Others like the Intek MT50-50 can be easily modified to give more channels, more power and other stuff
http://radios-uk.com/intek_mt5050.htm

mods
 
Normally a family of preppers would put a CB in each of the family vehicles and another ( or a simple receiver scanner) in the house.

Pretty much our first step of the communications solution.
 
Don't be afraid to venture into the Ham world. It is a lot of fun. 90% of ham operators are more than happy to help you.
All the members of our group got our tickets. Now we do comms checks every week to work on constant and reliable comms between members.
We are constantly upgrading and improving our capabilities.
Some of us are working on getting our general ticket so we can go HF. This will allow for longer range comms.
 
I 2n what Texas Patriot said.I'm no electronics or electrical Guru.But I have been a Ham since 2008.I have a General ticket.kb1pyb.I have found almost all Hams to be nice people.And like me they sure like to chat.You can get into the hobby with not a lot of cost.It's fun,give it a try.And I almost forgot.I have had a Cb radio as well.Just bought a new Uniden 980.Cb radios have there place in communication/David
 
I'm not much into electronics but Lisa being a concern mother she along with the preppers community convinced me otherwise, I am not sure if I want to expand further then what I already have here? If y'all can think of anything not listed let me know.

Goal Zero and Anker portable solar panels w/ various interface cables
Goal zero AA/AAA charging and battery pack station w/AAA conversion
Anker astro e5 battery pack station
Midland GMRS/FRS radios w/extra batteries & 12v charging cable
Baofeng Radio w/extra battery, AAA battery pack & 12v charging cable pre-programmed w/ARES/RACES freq
spare iPhone, the kids know to call this phone in a major emergency
Eneloop AA/AAA rechargable batteries

Not in the picture is the GPS, alkaline batteries & emergency radio

The panels will charge everything I have including the Ambient emergency radio, everything fits in a small water proof bag.

View attachment 3794
View attachment 3795
Huge fan of the Goal Zero products as well as eneloop batteries!
My kids all have Baofeng UV-5RE's (yes, they are licensed)
 

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