Updated 2020-12-08 added hyperlinks
When we think of communications in the context or preparedness and SHTF events we normally think about radios. But radios can be heard over a scanner, and if you are in a fixed position, such as home or other “bug out” location it is fairly each to direction find your location. For a fixed location you can use wired phones.
In this article we’re going to discuss something that is probably forgotten about in this day of smart phones, internet, etc., a landline or hardline phone. Fewer and fewer people have one in their house any more, relying on their cell phones and internet connection for everything.
Under our area intelligence section, and in other communications articles, you will have seen terms such as signals intelligence (SIGINT), monitoring for electronic radio signals (ELTINT), communications security (COMSEC) and other techniques to listen in on what is going on around you. If you read Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles then you may recall that they used TA-1 field phones at their ranch from the observation/listening post (OP/LP) to the house. To listen in on a wired phone you are going to have to locate the cable, which if done correctly, has been buried, splice it and use a similar device that the people on the phone are using.
The types of phones commonly used for local communications, where it is relatively easy to runs wires to, are military field phones. The most common ones you can find on the surplus market are the TA-1 and the TA-312. Some models have been around since the Vietnam War. For a more in-depth article see here.
In the members section we will provide detailed information on the field phones including;
- models and how they work
- switchboards
- installation techniques and tips to prevent discovery of your wires
- types of wiring configurations
- sources of field phones and wire
- maintenance and repairs