Most people do not understand the interdependencies of critical infrastructure on electricity.

Figure 1: Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies (Ehlen, 2013)

Even those that do, most people do not comprehend the cascading events and effects that a disaster can have on the infrastructure. Damage to roadways, such as a broken water main, can damage communications cables that typically nearby as the surrounding ground is washed away. Hurricanes and floods cause water to enter underground vaults where power and fiberoptic cables (carrying data and voice services) run. The collapse of a bridge can result in complete disruption of power, communications, water and other infrastructure that is also carried along the bridge structure. The power of water is greatly underestimated. Disruption in data communications can cause additional disruptions in power distribution as control systems are unable to communicate. Disruptions in communications systems can hinder emergency response services. Very few people understand and appreciate the domino and ripple effects, and they can be catastrophic.

Figure 2: Infrastructure Interdependency following a Disaster (Infrastructure Interdependencies Simulation (I2SIM))

Of the different aspects of preparedness, or resiliency, communications seems to be the one that most people leave to last, or even not at all. After all there is a lot to think about and plan for in a comprehensive plan, and we have cell phones and can communicate from almost anywhere to anyone right?

The Preparedness Master Planning mind map is available in its expanded form as a poster

There are a number of options when it comes to having resilient communications, i.e., methods that do not rely on cellular networks. As we have seen, again, with hurricane Ian the infrastructure is not as resilient as most people think. Most of it relies on power, and even if it has backup power that runs out of fuel, or can’t get enough sun, or is wiped out along with the infrastructure itself. Even if cell towers stay powered up and isn’t damaged the sheer volume of people trying to use it can overload the network. Also, in the case of cell towers, many use wires, cables, to connect to the regular phone networks, so if there is any damage to any part of that connectivity it won’t work. Trees can easily, and do, bring down power and phone lines.

Communications fall into two broad categories; tactical and long-range.

Tactical, or local, communications typically use a hand held, or perhaps a base station, and voice communications. They are usually using frequencies in the VHF (144-160 MHz) or UHF (440-470 MHz) frequency bands.

Long-range communications, without infrastructure, use short-wave, or high-frequency (HF) signals.

TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS

Typically, we are talking about hand-held radios, but you can also set up a mobile, or a base using a mobile (runs on 12-volts) with a higher antenna, to extend the range. A hand-held radio is typically 5-watts maximum power, whereas a mobile radio can be about 50-watts.

Replacing the stock antenna on hand-helds with one from Signal Stuff will improve the range and reception. They are also very flexible and light, which reduces the strain on the connector on the radio. They are also American made and the proceeds support hamstudy.org as well as the program that is used for computer based and online exams they provide for free to ham test teams.

RADIO SERVICES

There are several different radio services that you can use: Citizens Band (CB), the Family Radio Service (FRS) and the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS), do not require a license. However, they have lower power limits than other services. The FRS is limited to 2-watts on some UHF frequencies and 0.5-watts on others. MURS is limited to 2-watts on five VHF frequencies (151-155 MHz).

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) uses 22 frequencies in the UHF band (462-467 MHz). It requires a license, however it is a no-test license, for $35 and valid for 10-years. The one license covers everyone in your household. The power limits are higher than FRS, up to 5-watts for some channels and a few channels you are permitted to use 50 watts, these are mostly for repeaters (see below). The FRS and GMRS use the same frequencies, just different power limits and GMRS can have mobile radios and repeaters (see below).

CB uses frequencies in the 26-27 MHz range (11-meter band) and these fall into the HF range. Thus CB is better for longer-range communications.

All these services come under the Personal Radio Services (Part 95) rules from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). For more information on these different services and their applicable use rules please go to https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/personal-radio-services/

A repeater is basically two radios, one receives the signal and the other transmits it on a different frequency, usually with more power. A repeater is typically set up at a high elevation, a mountain top, or a tower, and provides a wider coverage than you can reach than trying to talk one radio directly to another. You can also link repeaters together, increasing the coverage. Some systems cover an entire state, such as the SARNET system in Florida, the Colorado Connection (in Colorado) and the K-Link system in Kansas.

HAM RADIO

The Amateur Radio Service is known Amateur Radio, or ham, and a license opens up access to a lot more frequencies across multiple bands including HF, VHF, UHF and microwave.

At the Technician (entry) license, you are allowed to use the 2-meter (144-148 MHz), 70cm (420-450 MHz) and 1.25-meter (219-225 MHz), which are available in hand held radios. In addition, you have access to the 6-meter (50-54 MHz), 10-meter (28-29.7 MHz) and portions of several other high frequency (HF) bands. Each of these bands have different characteristics, which is beyond the scope of this article, but consider the 2-meter, 70cm and 1.25-meter bands for ‘line-of-sight’ use.

Figure 3: The Amateur Radio Band Plan with notations for GMRS/FRS, CB and MURS frequencies

Using a radio and communicating effectively, efficiently and proficiently is like any aspect of preparedness and resiliency, you need to practice the skills. Passing a message clearly, and potentially while under stress, takes thought. The ability to receive and understand a message also takes skill and practice. In addition to using a radio to pass voice messages there are a lot of tools available to hams to pass digital messages and even images. Understanding the nuances of radios and the associated tools allows you to develop and efficient and effective communications plan as part of your family or group emergency plan.

The FCC currently issues three levels of ham license, the Technician, General and Amateur Extra (commonly just called Extra). The Technician and General exams are 35-questions taken from a pool of about 400 questions. There are numerous tools available for you to learn the requirements to pass the Technician exam. The questions are reviewed and updated on a three-year cycle, with the latest pool effective July 2022.

STUDY AIDS

There are numerous books available to study from with differing formats. Some give full explanations of the principles, without necessarily referencing the questions that are on the test. Others give the test question with an explanation of why the answer is the correct one. There are also several different styles of “cliff notes” versions, which provide just the knowledge that is required to pass the test. KB6NU provides a free cliff notes version for the Technician exam at https://www.kb6nu.com/study-guides/ . There is a full review of the available material at https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/amateur-ham-radio/amateur-radio-learning-resources/ Get what works for the way you learn best.

One of the best tools that I’ve come across to help you prepare for the test is hamstudy.org You can do practice exams and flash cards on their site or with an app for smart phones. Once you are scoring 80% consistently then you are ready to find a test.

I’ve often said that learning how to use the radio isn’t the purpose of the test, it is to give you a basic understanding of the rules and principles. Learning begins when you press the ‘push-to-talk’ button and start to use it. By using the radio you will understand that the theory on how far a radio will reach is just that, theory, practically can be much different depending on a number of factors, including your antenna, your battery power, your location, the terrain and more.

FINDING A TEST

Test teams are organized under Volunteer Exam Coordinator (VEC) groups, there are 14 approved by the FCC. The Laurel VEC group teams are the only ones at this time that do not charge for exams. Others charge between $12-15. If you pass the Technician exam you can take the next one for free, but if you fail you usually have to pay the fee again. To find exams the first place I suggest looking is on hamstudy.org Teams that list exams there are usually using the free computer-based testing that the folks behind Signal Stuff and hamstudy.org provide for testing teams. That program allows them to provide testing on laptop or tablets, instant grading of exams and electronic submission to the FCC, which means you usually get your license issued the next business day. You will find both in-person and online exams available on the hamstudy.org site. The other place teams list exams is on the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL) site at https://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

Once you pass your test you will receive a file number from the FCC. You will them have to go to the FCC web site and pay a $35 fee before your call sign is issued.

SOME BASIC TERMINOLOGY

Analog and digital are two different types of signal that radios utilize. There are a number of different types of digital signal used by hams; Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio (D-STAR), Yaesu System Fusion, Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and Project-25 (P-25). For a more detailed explanation of these please see my web page at https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/analog-digital/

Frequency is the actual numbers that represent the operating frequency. With repeaters there are two sets of numbers, the frequency the repeater transmits on (the frequency your radio listens to) and the frequency the repeater receives on (the frequency your radio transmits on). It is common for a repeater frequency to be listed as that you listen to, with a + or – to indicate the offset, the difference between receive and transmit. So a repeater might be listed as 145.110 – This means the transmit is a negative of the receive frequency. For VHF this is usually 0.6kHz. For a UHF frequency it is usually 5 MHz, i.e., 450.000+ would transmit on 455.000 MHz.

There can also be a sub-audible tone (correct name is Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System (CTCSS)). This is used to reduce interference on a repeater. For a more detailed explanation of CTCSS please see my web page at https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/comms_library/ctcss-and-dcs/

There are different parameters when using any one of the digital modes and these will be discussed in a future article.

A talkgroup is a virtual radio channel that exists on digital radio systems, most commonly DMR.

LINKED REPEATER SYSTEMS

You should also consider what linked repeater systems there are. Linked repeaters can extend your “coverage” especially when you have family and like-minded friends in other areas. While there is no guarantee these capabilities would be able post disaster many have several layers of resiliency built in, including backup power. In normal times you have the capability to practice.

The Internet Relay Linking Project (IRLP) links analog repeaters through Voice over IP (VoIP). You can “dial” a repeater by using the touch tones on the keypad of your radio. Echolink also uses VoIP technology and can also utilize an app on smart phones. Each of the digital modes have their own connectivity to other similar systems. More information on the digital systems can be found on my web page at https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/analog-digital/ You can also see the extent of some DMR linked system by going to my web page, under communications and then down to Digital Mobile Radio Networks.

Another method to reach other places in a Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem (MMDMV). This is a small radio that utilizes a Raspberry Pi. In becomes the interface between your digital radio one of the digital networks. With this device you can create your own talkgroup whereby you and all your like-minded friends can connect. I set up such a talkgroup, we call it “Stump Knocker” after the call sign of a character in a book series by an author that is a very good friend of mine. When hurricane Ian was impacting Florida most of the folks in our group still had internet, if they had power. With some pre-planning, such as putting your router on an uninterruptable power supply, many were able to maintain contact through the brunt of the hurricane. Even with sporadic connectivity at times we were able to maintain communications with our friends in Florida and pass along information to others through regular communications means.

A digital radio signal uses very little bandwidth and so works when using your cell phone as a hotspot even if you can’t make a voice call. Post landfall they were quickly back up and able to check in.

One of the purposes of the talkgroup is to encourage folks to get their license so they can participate in our weekly net (a scheduled time to check in on the radio) as well as provide a way that they can practice their radio skills with like-minded people. Because of the way we have it set up it does not go over a regular repeater, so you have to have the correct configuration to be able to talk, thus it is difficult to intercept. For more information on MMDVM’s please see https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/preparedness-book-of-knowledge-2/communications/mmdvm/

WHAT RADIO TO BUY?

You can get a radio before you are licensed. What radio you get depends on a number of difference considerations.

First of you need to consider the use. What do you want to be able to do, tactical or long-distance. Most people start with a hand-held radio because there are systems that allow you to repeater systems that allow you to connect to other parts of the country, or even the world using the linked systems mentioned above.

You also need to consider what repeaters are in your area that you could use. These fall into two basic groups; analog and digital (see above). Analog repeaters can be used with the Baofeng and similar radios. These are cheap radios with basic capabilities and a limit of 128 memories to store frequency information in.

To determine what repeaters are in your area go to repeaterbook.com and search your area. You can also use their app which gives you direction and distance from your location. You should do this for every place you regularly go to, such as work, school etc., as well as other family and friends. Develop a matrix of repeater and distance so you can determine what ones you might be able to commonly use to keep in touch, this will form part of your communications plan, an annex to your Family Emergency Plan (for copies of the Family Emergency Plan workbook go to https://fortunefavorstheprepared.com/ )

As you look at the repeaters note whether they are analog or one of the digital modes. If you have digital repeaters in your area you might want to consider getting a capable radio. With one exception the digital radios are system specific, i.e., you cannot purchase a radio capable of DMR as well we D-STAR. All the digital radios will do analog signals.

If you are looking for a DMR capable hand-held radio I highly recommend the Anytone 878UVII. Look at the specifications on radios, some DMR radios will only all 16-channels per zone and also have lower capabilities on the number of channels and talkgroups.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Go find a test date now and set that as your goal. Many people can cram with a few days of studying and take the exam within a week or two. Don’t wait until it is too late.

Look at setting up a MMDVM and talkgroup to keep in contact with like-minded resilient folks so you can exchange information and practice communications skills.

Find those in your group that more interested in ham radio and go on to get your General class license and HF radio equipment so you can communication hundreds of miles without any infrastructure (a future article will look at HF communications).

References

Ehlen, M. A. (2013). Multi-hazard, multi-infrastructure, economic scenario analysis. Retrieved from ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257560357_Multi-hazard_multi-infrastructure_economic_scenario_analysis

Infrastructure Interdependencies Simulation (I2SIM). (n.d.). Retrieved from Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of British Columbia: http://i2sim.ece.ubc.ca/research.html