Campaign 73: Signal Through the Storm
The Complete Ham Radio, Emergency Communications, and Off-Grid Messaging Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
When cell towers fail, when internet goes dark, when power grids collapse, radio still works. Ham radio operators provided the only communication during Hurricane Katrina, the 2011 Japan earthquake, and countless other disasters. A $30 handheld radio with a $0 license reaches 5-50 miles. A $200 HF radio reaches the other side of the planet using only the ionosphere as a reflector. No infrastructure required. This campaign covers licensing, equipment, emergency protocols, and off-grid communication methods.
Part I: Getting Started
Chapter 1: License Classes (US - FCC)
| License | Exam | Privileges | Cost | Study Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technician | 35 questions, multiple choice | VHF/UHF (local/regional, 2m and 70cm bands), some HF | $35 exam fee | 1-2 weeks casual study |
| General | 35 questions, multiple choice | Most HF bands (worldwide communication) | $35 exam fee | 2-4 weeks study |
| Amateur Extra | 50 questions, multiple choice | All amateur bands and frequencies | $35 exam fee | 4-8 weeks study |
START HERE: Technician license. Study free at hamstudy.org. Pass the exam. You are on the air.
Chapter 2: Essential Equipment
| Equipment | Purpose | Cost | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld (HT) - Baofeng UV-5R or similar | VHF/UHF portable radio | $25-40 | 1-5 miles (handheld), 5-50 miles (with repeater) |
| Mobile VHF/UHF (25-50W) | Vehicle or base station | $150-300 | 10-50 miles (direct), 50-200+ miles (repeater/linked) |
| HF transceiver (100W) | Worldwide communication | $500-2,000 | Worldwide (ionospheric skip) |
| Wire antenna (dipole) | HF antenna, cheap and effective | $20-50 (DIY) | Worldwide with HF radio |
| SWR meter | Antenna tuning | $30-60 | N/A (diagnostic tool) |
| Power supply (12V, 20-30A) | Powers base station radio | $50-150 | N/A |
| Battery (deep cycle or LiFePO4) | Off-grid power | $100-400 | Hours to days depending on use |
| Solar panel (50-100W) | Charges battery indefinitely | $50-150 | Indefinite operation |
Chapter 3: Band Plan Overview
| Band | Frequency | Propagation | Range | License Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 meter (VHF) | 144-148 MHz | Line of sight + repeaters | 5-200 miles | Technician |
| 70 cm (UHF) | 420-450 MHz | Line of sight + repeaters | 1-100 miles | Technician |
| 40 meter (HF) | 7.0-7.3 MHz | Ionospheric skip (night) | 100-2,000+ miles | General |
| 20 meter (HF) | 14.0-14.35 MHz | Ionospheric skip (day) | Worldwide | General |
| 80 meter (HF) | 3.5-4.0 MHz | Ground wave + skip (night) | 50-500 miles regional | General |
| GMRS | 462/467 MHz | Line of sight | 1-25 miles | GMRS license ($35, no exam) |
| FRS | 462/467 MHz | Line of sight | 0.5-2 miles | No license required |
| CB | 27 MHz | Ground wave | 1-15 miles | No license required |
| MURS | 151/154 MHz | Line of sight | 1-5 miles | No license required |
Part II: Emergency Communications
Chapter 4: Emergency Protocols
| Protocol | Purpose | How |
|---|---|---|
| MAYDAY (voice) | Life-threatening emergency | Transmit on 146.520 MHz (2m calling frequency) or any active frequency |
| ARES/RACES | Organized emergency communication | Join local ARES group, train with them, deploy during disasters |
| Winlink | Email over radio (no internet needed) | HF or VHF radio + computer + Winlink software. Send/receive email via radio. |
| APRS | Position reporting and messaging | Radio + GPS + APRS software. Automatic position beacons. |
| Simplex operation | Direct radio-to-radio (no repeater) | 146.520 MHz (2m national calling), 446.000 MHz (70cm calling) |
| Net operations | Organized check-ins on schedule | Join local nets for practice. Emergency nets activate during disasters. |
Chapter 5: Off-Grid Communication Options
| Method | Range | Power Needed | Cost | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRS radios (walkie-talkies) | 0.5-2 miles | Batteries (AA) | $20-50/pair | None |
| GMRS radios | 1-25 miles | Batteries or rechargeable | $50-150/pair | $35 (no exam) |
| CB radio | 1-15 miles | 12V DC | $30-100 | None |
| Baofeng + repeater | 5-200 miles | Battery (rechargeable) | $25-40 | Technician |
| HF radio + wire antenna | Worldwide | 12V battery + solar | $500-2,000 | General |
| Meshtastic (LoRa) | 1-10 miles (mesh network) | Small battery (USB charged) | $30-50 per node | None (ISM band) |
| Satellite messenger (Garmin inReach) | Worldwide | Internal battery | $300 + $15-65/month | None |
Chapter 6: The Practitioner Communications Reference Card
MINIMUM SETUP: Baofeng UV-5R ($30) + Technician license (free study, $35 exam). You can reach local repeaters and communicate 5-200 miles.
EMERGENCY FREQUENCIES: 146.520 MHz (2m simplex calling), 446.000 MHz (70cm simplex calling), 156.800 MHz (marine channel 16), 121.5 MHz (aviation emergency).
ANTENNA IS EVERYTHING: A $30 radio with a good antenna outperforms a $500 radio with a bad antenna. Height and antenna quality matter more than power.
SOLAR + BATTERY: A 50W solar panel + 20Ah LiFePO4 battery runs a handheld radio indefinitely and a mobile radio for hours daily. Total cost: $150-250.
PRACTICE: Join a local ham radio club. Participate in weekly nets. Practice before you need it in an emergency.
MESHTASTIC: New technology. Cheap LoRa devices form mesh networks. No license needed. Text messaging over radio. 1-10 mile range per node, extends with more nodes.
REMEMBER: Communication is coordination. Without communication, a community is a collection of isolated individuals. With communication, it is a coordinated force. A Practitioner who can communicate by radio when all other systems fail becomes the most valuable person in the community. The investment is minimal ($30-200), the license is easy (1-2 weeks study), and the capability is irreplaceable.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete communications sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 73 is complete.