COM-01 · Lesson 3 of 5

Communications Systems for PACE

Every system available to your group — classified by tier, infrastructure, and failure mode

BLUF: Before you can assign systems to PACE tiers, you need to know what each system actually is: how it works, what it depends on, what kills it, and what license or subscription it requires. This lesson surveys every category of communications system available to a preparedness group — from GMRS handhelds to push-to-talk-over-cellular apps to amateur repeaters to satellite messengers — and gives you the criteria to place each one in the right tier.

Prerequisites

Complete Lessons 1 and 2 before this one. You need the four tier-assignment criteria (infrastructure dependence, power dependence, range, skill threshold) to evaluate the systems in this lesson.

The First Sort: Direct vs. Infrastructure-Dependent

Every communications system falls into one of two categories before you evaluate it against the four tier-assignment criteria:

Infrastructure-dependent systems require external systems — cell towers, internet backhaul, repeater sites, or cloud servers — to function. They are more capable and convenient under normal conditions. They are the first to fail when infrastructure is stressed. Primary and Alternate tiers.

Direct systems operate without external infrastructure. They fail only when the equipment fails or the batteries die — controllable failure modes. They are less capable and less convenient. Contingency and Emergency tiers.

The first sort: what does it depend on?

Infrastructure-dependent

Needs cell towers, internet backhaul, repeater sites or cloud servers to work.

Most capable and convenient day to day; first to fail when that infrastructure is stressed.

Belongs in Primary or Alternate.

Direct

No tower, repeater or internet between you and the other end.

Fails only when the equipment or batteries fail, which are failure modes you control.

Belongs in Contingency or Emergency.

Sort every system by what it depends on before anything else; that dependency decides which half of the stack it can occupy.

The Critical Rule

Your Emergency tier cannot share any infrastructure dependency with any higher tier. If a single event — grid outage, internet failure, cellular network congestion — would take out two of your tiers simultaneously, those two tiers are actually one tier. Apply this check to every system you assign.

Knowledge Check

Lesson 2 required the Alternate to fail differently from Primary; the critical rule applies that test to every tier. A group’s Contingency is a messaging app on home Wi-Fi and its Emergency is a second app on cell data. What does the rule say about this pair?

A. It is acceptable, since home Wi-Fi and cell data come from different providers and so fail separately. B. It is acceptable, since two different apps give members two independent ways to reach each other. C. It is acceptable, as long as both apps are tested monthly and every member has both installed. D. They count as one tier, since a single internet outage would take both of them down at once.

Infrastructure-Dependent Systems

These belong in Primary or Alternate. All depend on external systems outside your control.

Cell Phone, SMS, and Data Apps

The universal Primary for most groups. Every member already has one, knows how to use it, and carries it. Texts sometimes succeed when voice fails because they require less bandwidth. Data apps (Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage) piggyback on the data network and may deliver when SMS queues are saturated.

Cell fails in major disasters through two mechanisms that often coincide: network overload (simultaneous demand from the entire affected population) and infrastructure damage (towers lose grid power, exhaust battery backup, or are physically damaged). Do not put cell in any tier below Primary.

Push-to-Talk Over Cellular (PTToC)

PTToC systems — including Zello, WAVE PTX, ESChat, and dedicated PTToC devices — deliver walkie-talkie-style group push-to-talk over the cellular data network or Wi-Fi. They offer significant advantages over standard voice calls: instant group communication, no dialing, low latency, and operation over both cellular and Wi-Fi. Some systems support encryption.

PTToC in Your PACE Stack

PTToC is best placed as Primary or a strong Alternate — it multiplies the utility of your cell connection by adding group PTT capability. It fails whenever your data connection fails. A dedicated PTToC device (a push-to-talk-over-cellular, or PoC, radio) may have a SIM card on a different carrier from your phone, giving marginal additional resilience, but it is still cellular-dependent. See the FFTP Preparedness Pillars for a full breakdown of PTToC options: Communications: Radio Over LTE

App-Based Communication: Signal, Zello, and Similar

Encrypted messaging and PTT apps deserve specific treatment in PACE planning because they are often confused with more resilient systems:

Signal — Encrypted messaging and voice/video calls over internet. Excellent operational security. Completely dependent on internet connectivity. When cell data and Wi-Fi are both unavailable, Signal does not function.
Zello — PTT over cellular or Wi-Fi. Widely used in preparedness and disaster response. Works on both iOS and Android. Like all PTToC, it fails with the data network. Free tier available; paid tiers add management features.
GroupMe, WhatsApp, Telegram — Group messaging over internet. Useful for normal operations and as part of a Primary tier. All fail with internet connectivity.

Security Note

For MAG communications with any operational security requirement, Signal or an encrypted PTToC platform (ESChat, WAVE PTX) is the appropriate Primary. Standard SMS, unencrypted Zello channels, and GMRS voice are all plaintext. The right system for your Primary depends on your group’s OPSEC requirements as well as capability.

Knowledge Check

Cell data and Wi-Fi are both down in your area. Which of these still works?

A. Signal messages, because end-to-end encryption lets them route around the damaged parts of the network. B. None of them, since Signal, Zello and group messaging apps all depend on internet connectivity. C. Zello, because push-to-talk traffic uses far less bandwidth than calls and gets through first. D. A dedicated PTToC device, because its SIM card connects it to a separate private carrier network.

GMRS — General Mobile Radio Service

GMRS is the most practical entry point for preparedness radio for most groups. A single FCC license ($35, no exam, covers your entire immediate family) grants access to 22 channels including dedicated GMRS simplex channels and access to GMRS repeater networks.

GMRS handhelds — 2–5 watts typical; direct simplex operation; no license exam required. Range 1–3 miles in typical terrain, more with elevation.
GMRS mobile/base — up to 50 watts; much greater range; connects to GMRS repeater networks with appropriate CTCSS tones.
GMRS repeaters — community-owned repeaters operating on designated GMRS repeater pairs. Some are open; others require membership. A GMRS repeater network provides Alternate-tier coverage of 20–50+ miles with the right infrastructure.

GMRS in Your PACE Stack

GMRS simplex belongs in Contingency for most groups (direct, no infrastructure). GMRS via repeater belongs in Alternate (repeater-dependent). A group with a solid GMRS setup might use: P = cell/PTToC, A = GMRS repeater, C = GMRS simplex, E = satellite. No amateur license required at any tier.

Amateur Radio Via Repeater (VHF/UHF)

Amateur VHF/UHF via repeater provides 20–100+ mile coverage, access to linked repeater systems (like AllStar, EchoLink, and regional networks), and the disciplined net structure of amateur emergency communications (ARES, RACES, NTS). Requires a Technician class FCC amateur license (no Morse code; written exam only).

The limitation is the repeater itself — a single infrastructure site that can lose power, be damaged, or go offline. Place repeater-linked amateur radio in Alternate. The repeater is your single point of failure at this tier.

Remote Base and Linked Systems

Some groups operate remote base stations — radios connected via internet to allow distant operators to key up a local radio over the web. These extend your effective range but add an internet dependency. See the FFTP Preparedness Pillars: Remote Devices for setup options and PACE planning implications.

Knowledge Check

A family holds a GMRS license and handhelds, and a community GMRS repeater is nearby. Where do the two uses belong?

A. Repeater use in Alternate, since it needs the site; handheld simplex in Contingency, since it is direct. B. Both in Contingency, because GMRS needs no exam and every family member can run it with little training. C. Repeater use in Primary, because it has the greatest range; handheld simplex in Emergency, as the last resort. D. Both in Alternate, because one GMRS license covers both uses and both run on the same handheld radios.

Direct Systems — No External Infrastructure Required

These belong in Contingency or Emergency because they function independently of towers, repeaters, and internet connectivity.

VHF/UHF Simplex (Amateur and GMRS)

Direct radio-to-radio on a shared frequency. No repeater. No internet. Works when everything else is down, limited only by terrain and radio power.

Amateur simplex — 146.520 MHz national calling frequency (Technician license required); group moves to a working frequency after contact
GMRS simplex — 462.675 MHz national calling; additional simplex channels available (GMRS license required)
Range — 2–5 miles typical with handhelds; 10–20 miles with mobile power and elevated position

HF Radio (Voice and Digital)

HF (1.8–30 MHz) provides regional to global range without any infrastructure. Signal propagates via ionospheric skip, not line-of-sight. HF is the most capable infrastructure-independent system available to civilians — with the highest skill and equipment threshold.

Voice (SSB) — Regional nets on 40m and 80m; direct contact 50–500 miles
Winlink/VARA — Email over HF without internet; connects to a global network of Winlink gateways via RF only
JS8Call — Low-power digital messaging; keyboard-to-keyboard direct without any internet dependency
License — General class amateur license for most HF sub-bands

Satellite Messaging

Satellite messengers communicate directly with satellites — independent of all local infrastructure. No cell tower, no internet, no repeater. Works anywhere with an open view of the sky.

Garmin inReach — Two-way messaging over the Iridium satellite constellation; tracking; SOS capability
SPOT — One-way or two-way messaging depending on model; Globalstar network
Limitations — Subscription required and must be kept current; one-to-one or one-to-many messaging only (not group voice); latency in minutes not seconds

Runner / Courier

Zero infrastructure dependency. Cannot be jammed or electronically intercepted. The true Emergency tier when all radio systems have failed. Practical range is a few miles; practical speed is walking pace. Include in your Emergency tier for short-distance, time-insensitive communication when everything else is gone.

Knowledge Check

Which of these can reach a station 300 miles away using only the two radios and the ionosphere?

A. Amateur VHF simplex, run from a mobile radio at full power with an elevated antenna. B. GMRS simplex on the 462.675 MHz national calling channel from a 50-watt base station. C. JS8Call on HF, sending keyboard messages directly from one station to the other. D. A satellite messenger, sending a text message through the Iridium constellation overhead.

System Reference Table

Use this table when completing the companion guide systems worksheet and when evaluating your family or group’s equipment inventory.

System	Typical Tier	Infrastructure	License	Key Limitation
Cell / SMS	Primary	Cell + internet	None	First to fail — overload and infrastructure damage
Signal / WhatsApp	Primary	Internet	None	Fails with internet; adds encryption and group features
Zello / PTToC	Primary or A	Cellular or Wi-Fi	None (subscription varies)	Fails with data network; best group PTT option over cell
PTToC devices (dedicated)	Primary or A	Cellular (SIM)	None	Cellular-dependent; SIM on different carrier adds marginal resilience
GMRS handheld (simplex)	Contingency	None (direct)	GMRS (FCC, family)	1–3 mile range; limited by terrain and power
GMRS via repeater	Alternate	Repeater site + power	GMRS (FCC, family)	Repeater is single point of failure
Amateur VHF/UHF simplex	Contingency	None (direct)	Amateur (Technician+)	Short range; line-of-sight only
Amateur VHF/UHF via repeater	Alternate	Repeater + power	Amateur (Technician+)	Repeater is single point of failure
HF voice (SSB)	Contingency	None (HF antenna)	Amateur (General+)	Higher equipment and skill threshold
Winlink / VARA (HF)	Contingency	None (RF to gateway)	Amateur (General+)	Requires digital setup; gateway must be reachable by RF
JS8Call	Contingency	None (direct)	Amateur (General+)	Low bandwidth; keyboard messaging only
Satellite (inReach/SPOT)	Emergency	Satellite only	None (subscription)	Subscription must be current; one-to-one; slow
Runner / courier	Emergency	None	None	Range and speed limited by human endurance

PACE Plans Are Relationship-Specific

The right system for each tier depends on who you are trying to reach and how far away they are. Most families and groups need at least two plans:

Relationship	Range	Practical Stack
Household / immediate team	< 1 mile	P: cell/Zello — A: GMRS handheld direct — C: FRS simplex — E: runner
Neighborhood / block group	1–5 miles	P: cell/Zello — A: GMRS repeater or simplex — C: amateur VHF simplex — E: satellite
Regional / county MAG	10–50 miles	P: cell/PTToC — A: amateur VHF repeater or GMRS repeater — C: HF voice/Winlink — E: satellite
Out-of-area check-in	100+ miles	P: cell/Signal — A: Winlink HF — C: HF voice — E: satellite

Companion Guide Exercise — Systems Inventory

Before the next lesson, open the companion guide to Part I, Chapter 3 and complete the systems inventory for your group. List every communications device you actually own or have access to, classify each one by tier using the four criteria, and identify any gaps. This inventory is the input for the PACE plan you will build in Lesson 4.

Knowledge Check

Your out-of-area family contact is 400 miles away. Which stack fits that relationship?

A. P: cell. A: GMRS repeater. C: GMRS simplex. E: runner to the household rally point. B. P: cell or Signal. A: Winlink over HF. C: HF voice. E: satellite messenger. C. P: Zello. A: amateur VHF repeater. C: VHF simplex. E: satellite messenger. D. P: group text. A: GMRS handheld direct. C: FRS simplex. E: runner to a neighbor.

Complete this lesson’s Knowledge Check to continue

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