Who are we trying to reach?

That's an interesting paper, and (as it happens), I have some expertise in cryptography and PKI. One-time pads are one of the oldest tools in cryptography, and they are used to this day in systems where the messages have extraordinary need for security: cost factors used in contract negotiations, for example.

I'd be glad to comment more on the white paper at the point where prepper comms and/or the MonkeyNet require secure cryptography, but I'm trying to start a conversation about who preppers should plan to communicate with, rather than any specific method of doing so once the network is set up.

My original question remains unanswered.

William Warren
(Insert funny .sig file here)

 

WW, I am a prepper and ex military nco. Coms are not my thing. Secure short range local coms are something I can highly appreciate. I am a generalist and an organizer about things beyond my primary areas of expertise. My plate is too full trying to prepare on a local tribe level to become more of a communications geek on a personal level. I just do not have the time. I wish I had a coms geek on a local level who I trust who could do this stuff in their sleep. Asking me anything further on this issue when obviously you are heads and shoulders above me on this issue, and since others here have engaged you in conversation on the issue, I will bid you adieu and wish you good luck in finding that which you seek. Some of those who have answered you are among the best we have here at Monkey. Talking down to them will not enhance your quest here. Here you are a newbie. Walk softly, show some respect, and it will do wonders for your efforts. BTW, I am done with this thread for the reasons already stated.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I hadn't thought I was talking down to anyone, but I'm always open for advice.

William Warren

 

Here is a bit of free advice, if you are using your true name here, I would suggest you speak with @melbo, about changing it. true names can be a bad thing in the hands of the wrong people.

 

Perhaps the answer you are looking for is akin to this:
What stations am I going to communicate with and give information that will help them?

Keep in mind that relationships, even as simple as an acquaintance, requires two-way interaction to exist on an amicable level for any length of time. This is the sort of intercourse that should be initiated and nurtured now - before any sort of disaster occurs.

Not trying to be a smart alec, but is this the type of answer you were initially searching? And furthermore (since I missed your intro post) Welcome to the tree!

 

I'll keep that in mind, and thanks.

William Warren
(Insert clever .sig file here)

 

Thanks to all for your ideas and suggestions.

As I said, I'm new at this.

William Warren
(Insert witty .sig file here)

 

Point taken. In my own defense, I would remind people that someone said that search would produce a large number of responses, and I was trying to show that most of them didn't cover the subject that I had asked about, but I'll be more diplomatic in the future.

I didn't mean "me" as "William Warren and no one else". I meant "me" as in "newbie asking for help". As I said in a followup post, I wouldn't ask people to help me or mine if I wasn't willing to return the favor: that's not how I am, and that's not the kind of person I would associate with.

William Warren
(Insert trenchant comment here)

 

While a bit dismissive, I found a point by point listing and synopsis , a scientific approach. but it went down hill for the same reason the thread about the monkey standard AR-15, went down hill. Authority, tried to keep to the subject without allowing for others the same level of authority on the subject. it became "this is what we want, confirm my opinion". so to speak.

IF you had finished the listings, then compiled which listing DID pertain to your question, you may have already had your answer. If not, then would be a good time for a round table discussion as to a specific issue, such as WHO?, or HOW?. or even WHY? There are many experts in many different fields here, and a great deal of knowledge accumulated. I would suggest you use that search function, it works quite well, and with the new tagging, will pull up cross references as well. And as Tac said, welcome to the forum. There some good people here, make use of their knowledge.

 

You're right, and I apologize. I go back so far that we used to write on disks with a chisel, so I thought I was being clear, but now I see that I was rude.

William Warren

 

My use for comms is very selfish

Stay with me here. I have been inside the ES loop for 20+ years, so I have a pretty good view of what is planned for, and what isnt. I also know a good number of the people who will be in charge of "help" in case of emergency or other "event".

To say I hold them in any manner other than contempt would be generous. They are out for themselves, to use any crisis to their advantage, either politically or to take care of who supports them first and everyone else gets whats left.

I want information from the source. That means digital, voice and internet access to the raw data, which if you are a member of the local ham club who is responsible for maintaining communications "after" you have.

To be in the club, you have to know the secret handshake, head nod and lisence class to be "one of the boys".

Therefore, the ham education and the specific areas which allow intercept, df, digital, and secure comms to the rest of your group to ensure "you" survive to come out the other side as well as the chosen few who because of the political and family connections have first dibs on anything.

But, Ive been accused of being a bit critical of people misusing their positions for personal gain before

 

Personally, I want to develop a group of like minded people within a 100 miles or so of my location, who when needed can alert me to trouble heading my way and possibly be in a position to provide assistance if the time comes I need it. My extended family has no interest in comms or prepping, so i plan to gather some cheap beofangs to hand out if SHTF, then they will have interest and those radios are capable of the local stuff.

I do also think it would be of interest to know what is happening around the country and world for that matter, as sooner or later it could impact me.

HAM radio seems to be a very complicated hobby to master ( from the limited time I have been researching it ), so I don't want to wait until I need it to try to set it up and learn to use it correctly, because it will be too late.

 

Ham radio can be very much like the game Othello. It takes a minute (or a couple months) to learn and a lifetime to master. It can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make it (or have the funds, space, ability).

Step one, have a reason even if it's just a hobby. You have to WANT to do it.
Step two, decide what distance you think you are going to want to do.
Step three, get your Tech and a short range HT (Baofeng and Wouxun work well and are inexpensive).
Step four, get your General if you want/need the HF privileges.
Step five, get gear that works on HF.

I would NOT get gear that is used outside of what you are licensed for with the exception of the HT unless you are nearing completion. I've known a number of folks who sunk money into gear they will NEVER use because the desire has petered out on them. The HT is good, however, because it's inexpensive and can be used to learn on without ever hitting the transmit button. You can listen in on rag chews and the nightly/weekly/monthly emergency nets (we have one that spins up just about every time it rains) and learn how things work.

I won't get into the legality of getting a license. I'll let others talk that to death. The biggest reason to get licensed, outside of being legally allowed to transmit is that in so doing you will learn how to use your equipment.

Personally, I'm an Amateur Extra and glad I went all the way, even though I don't have an antenna worth a hoot right now. I learned a LOT during my licensing and will be and am FAR more comfortable with the hardware than I would have been if I just bought it and planned to "go rogue" once the world came to an end.