The Big Picture

• Communication Range - How far from it's location can a survival community communicate?  This is the most fundamental element of the entire communications concept.

  • Local - If a community is within about 20 miles of another survival community which also has a radio communications capability, then some or all of the other elements of Figure 1 may be available ... depending upon the communications range of other local communities.  Within a local area of communicating communities it requires only one of these communities to have the capability to communicate regionally or even communicate intercontinentally.  The concepts for extending the communications range of a community capable of only local communications is presented in a latter Lesson.   Local communications can be accomplished using some of the following:

    • Personal Travel - Even without radio capabilities, if an individual can travel a reasonable distance to another survival community then at least some of the more important communications elements of Figure 1 can be realized.

    • CB or Citizens Band Radio - With a good antenna, an inexpensive radio connection with other local communities is possible.  After the Pole Shift, the current crowded CB channels will become quite effective because there will no longer be interference and receiver overload from powerful local radio signals.  Even when the CB frequencies are propagated over long distances, the absence of hordes of other stations will allow the lowly CB radio to be much more effective than can be realized under today's over crowded conditions.  Even so, the CB transceiver is limited to 5 watts output (in the US, unless connected to a linear amplifier).  This limitation directly limits the potential range of communications to about 20 miles under normal conditions.

    • 2 Meter, 1.25 Meter or 70 Centimeter Ham Radio - Much like CB, these transceivers are limited to about 20 miles direct station-to-station simplex communication.  However, there are many advantages over CB radio.

      • Except for the "handy-talkie", which is usually limited to 5 watts output, the modern transceiver on these bands is usually capable of an output power of 60 to 100 watts.  This results in a clearer signal over a somewhat greater range.

      • These transceivers are commonly connected to a computer via a TNC so that they are able to communicate digitally using a protocol similar to the Internet TCP/IP, as well as voice communication.

      • These transceivers are designed so that they can transmit on one frequency and receive on another.  This allows these transceivers to operate through a repeater, which not only can service an area of at least 40 miles diameter; but can be linked to other repeaters such that theoretically an  unlimited area can be served.  Today the whole of New England in the US can be communicated with using only a hand-held "handy-talkie" (with only half a watt of output power) using this technique of linked repeaters.  In addition, when using packet every receiver which can hear a signal can be used as a "Digiapeter" to relay digital communication along a specified path of theoretically unlimited length.

    • HF - Covers the 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10 meter Amateur Radio bands using CW, AM, FM, SSB, and several different digital modes which include packet.  These transceivers almost universally have an output power of 100 watts and can drive a linear amplifier to over 2000 watts.  For local communications the 10 meter band is usually the band of choice as well as the 160 and 80 meter bands.

  • Regional - Regional communications includes the area of several states in the US, like the South East, or Mid-West; or Europe, the South Pacific, etc.

    • Regional communications requires the use of HF equipment and "propagation" of the signal.  An in-depth look at propagation will be presented in a subsequent Lesson, because the understanding and forecast of propagation conditions is critical to the use of HF Radio.   Within a region, 80 meters at night and 40 meters during the day usually works best.  In the winter, when there aren't so many thunderstorms, 180 meters may work.  For longer distances 20 meters is a good choice.

    • Within a region, all modes may be used as appropriate.

    • Within a local area, it is only necessary that one community have the capability to communicate regionally.

    • The exotic propagation possibilities would be useful

  • Inter-continental - For very long distances propagation is the most essential element.  In addition, a high tower and beam antenna such as a yagi are essential for reliable contacts.  In addition, a linear amplifier with 2000 watts output is often required. 

    • Within a region, it is only necessary that one community have the capability to communicate inter-continentally

    • The exotic propagation possibilities would be useful

Types of Communication and Means of Communication sort of go hand-in-hand as they are so closely related.

• One of the most fundamental forms of communication is the "telegram" or "third party message."  Much like the days of yore, when one used either postal mail or went to the local telegraph office to send a relatively short telegram which was hand delivered to the recipient. 

  • Radio "Telegrams" have a specific format which will be detailed in a subsequent lesson.

  • The Radio Telegram is "relayed" from station to station until it reaches a point where it can be delivered to the recipient ... much like the old "pony express" with the US frontier mail delivery.

  • The disadvantage of the Telegram is that communication is "one way" and limited to a relatively short message.

  • Before the PS, this form of "third party" message (sender is one party, deliver is the second party, and the recipient is the third party) is prohibited between certain countries and thus cannot be practiced prior to the PS.   The list of such countries will be presented in a subsequent Lesson.

• Phone Call and Personal Conversation are easily implemented within a local area via VHF/UHF FM and Repeaters.  This is voice one-on-one conversation.  On HF, using AM or SSB, this is also easy within a region.   For a settlement with the right equipment this is also possible and such stations could perform person-to-person voice services by connecting local FM links to their HF transceivers.  Today this is done with a "phone patch" which allows two suitably equipped stations half a world apart to connect to their respective telephone systems to provide toll free communication services.  This is especially popular with the military so that military personnel can make phone calls home at no cost.

• Email and Bulletin Boards are likewise easily implemented both locally and within a region.  Email is no more than a Formal Message, without the format and length constraints, that is communicated using digital modes to a bulletin board where it's put into the recipient's "mail box", very much like email is handled on the internet.

The Purpose of Communication is almost infinite.   Some general areas are:

• Personal

• Administrative

• Emergency

• Access to Information

  • News

  • General Reference

    • Education

    • Specialized Information

    • Encyclopedia

    • Other ...

  • Entertainment

 

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