So which Portable Ham Radio Model Would You Recommend for TEOTWAWKI

I've learned from another thread people answered that I definitely should have a Portable Ham Radio to monitor for an end of the world situation. Which one do you have/recommend getting for a TEOTWAWKI? Thanks for your input.

 

Without a license, a good scanner would be a better choice.

 

baofeng are cheap and work

 

I'm probably going to get a snopow m9 phone. Has a built in 1w 400Mhz 2 way radio if I remember correctly.
It won't go very far, but a hell of a lot further than every other non 5g cell phone.

At minimum have a battery powered am fm radio.

 

If you can only have one transceiver I'd suggest the Yaesu 817 or 857 (more power) and rig as a man portable system. These transceivers cover HF to UHF. Note (like most other non handi talki ham equipment) require batteries, power supplies and antennas. This YouTube channel has a lot of good information: OH8STN . Look for his video that shows a 817 based system using a Chameleon antenna. He gets some pretty amazing results and a reasonable lightweight setup.

You are still probably better off with a scanner unless you are willing to spend some quality time learning radio theory and gaining familiarity and practical operation of your equipment.

EDIT: Looks like the 817 has been replaced by the 818, which per Yaesu is an 817 with upgrades including a better oscillator

 

Get your license first. If not, then a good SW radio w/SSB capability. The VHF/UHF cheapies are great for local line of sight stuff but won't really inform you of what's going on in the world

 

During an actual emergency a license is not required ,but you best not use it unless it is an actual life threatening emergency .during normal times the FCC will come down on you like a ton of bricks .But post SHTF most every one is understanding.
Something you should know is that,
1 .license is not hat hard. I passed it
2. without actually working the radio you have no idea what your doing ,they are NOTHING like a CB or GMRS or Child's walkie-talky . It can take a while of use to understand how to navigate them. but then they have so many capabilities , so navigating in a congested atmosphere can be possible. where as any other form of communication being channelized is pretty much stuck with what they've got .
If you don't understand antenna versis frequency , even if you try to do 2 way communications with the wrong antenna you fry the finals and your all done.
hand healds are good for several miles unless linked with a repeater, post SHTF EMP or CME ,,repeaters might not be running .
3. the ham community know one another by call sign and voice I know every one of my friends with out hearing their call sign it's just SOP to be repeating it for those that are listening not participating in the conversation .
Part of FCC licensing is the call sign that links you to your location. It is federal jurisdiction ,so laws broken are federal .
There is nothing stopping you from owning a radio , but I can tell you from personal experience that if you dare to use it without a license they will find you. I know because I participated in such searches . And by "THEY" mean other hams . they do police their own , and turn over their findings to the feds.
Not trying yo scare you away , but you should realize these things in the beginning.

 

Scanner? Not familiar with this. Please elaborate. Thank You

Thanks. What is a scanner? Another person mentioned this as well. I have no idea what this is. Please elaborate. Thanks

 

A "scanner" can refer to at least a two different things:

1. a device that scans emergency channels as well as weather and perhaps a few other things
2. a function on a radio (shortwave or other) that searches for active frequencies much like the scan function in your car's radio.

Probably other definitions as well.

 

Thanks Any particular portable scanner you'd recommend?

You're the only survivalist I know who will die the first day in a survivalist group because no one can stand you and wants you gone permanently.

 

No experience with them at this point, so I can't make a recommendation.

 

Don't let people tell you that CB (technically an 11 meter "ham" radio) can't teach you about ham radio. All the calculations are the same, just the numbers are different. A cheap CB radio and a spool of wire can teach you a lot, IF you study the theory. You can get a working CB for $5 to 10 at thrift stores and yard sales, just have to look. Get several. There are plenty of places on the web to study radio theory for free. Do not waste money on what is available for free. Taking all the free ham tests on line will also teach you quite a bit. By nothing but taking the free tests on line, and looking up the things for free that I did not understand, I could pass the est in about a week. Over a year later, I will take several practice tests every other month, just to see, and I always pass. Most that have the magic ticket to use the kings airwaves, think it was some great accomplishment, it ain't. I may get my "ticket" or I may not. I figure about 6 months to a yer after a true SHTF most of the bad azz vigilantly hams that think they own the airwaves will have all ready meet their demise, one way or another.

 

A scanner is a receiver that will scan through many different channels that are stored in memory or search for active in-use frequencies. Most all cover aircraft, police and fire, Ham, etc.

Best Rated in Radio Scanners & Helpful Customer Reviews - Amazon.com

 

I really like my two baofengs, one handheld, one mobile. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FMIYEKW/?tag=survivalmonke-20 and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XK83VRV/?tag=survivalmonke-20. I've used both of them in simulated emergencies for CERT. In SHTF clearly no one will give two craps about who does and doesn't have a license, but I agree there is a lot to be said for live practice. The ham license is easy to achieve and benefits you by introducing you to others nearby who are prepping, too. At the very least getting involved will give you a feel for what local law enforcement plans for SHTF. Personally I'm of the "you do you" perspective of survival and I would never waste my time trying to track down someone who has the audacity of using a radio without the proper government paperwork, but clearly there are nut jobs who have too much time on their hands to be dealt with. I've never personally known of anyone who was jailed for improper radio usage, but maybe that's because the black helicopter guys disappeared them...

 

Believe me, when an idiot without a license running huge amounts of power, vulgarities and then threatens to kill the FCC personnel they DO jail them.

Anyhow, here's one that is small, frequency and mode agile, and isn't terribly expensive:
MFJ Enterprises Inc.

 

Much appreciated. Wow nice array!

 

This BaoFeng company. First I have ever heard of it. From following the links in Seepalaces post, I see these are very low priced radios. Are they really that well built units?

 

Understand that Amateur Radio is the only free FCC license because we are self policing. It is also against the rules to communicate with someone unlicensed. That being said, no matter the situation other than a life threatening injury, I and others I know will not talk to the unlicensed. Not so much because of the rules, but more because someone wants to use privileges we went to the trouble to earn. It's never been easier to become licensed at the technician level so there really isn't much excuse for using amateur bands without one. If the argument is for "emergency" communications, why not buy a Motorola and talk straight to the cops?

We just had a case of an unlicensed operator in the Summerville, SC area that was disrupting nets, making threats, and generally being a pain in the ass. He was tracked down, all equipment in the house confiscated, and will face tens of thousands in fines and jail time for communicating threats. Some of the charges are felonies because of his interference with ARES nets.