Setting up a communications system for when the SHTF

[Rael]

The other thread got me wondering about ways we could setup a comminication network, especially with friends and loved ones. If the phones/internet are down, I want a way to communicate with my family, most of whom are about 30 miles away but a few others are indifferent states. What options do I have? Shortwave radio maybe?

And what about the internet? Is there some way a powerful radio system could be setup to allow internet communications? Is there a way an individual could have some sort of powerful transmitter that could link up with other computers without going through an ISP (which could be shut down by the government)?

I think this is a huge weakness. We need to keep the internet and communcations avaliable, the tyrants could shut down the existing system easily.

[gaazn]

Nextel, assuming Sprint doesn't go bankrupt.

[Crowish]

Get your ham radio license and join a local amateur radio club and participate in Field Day every year. It's in the summer; you run on emergency power.

http://www.hello-radio.org/

[silverlinkx2]

Ham radio is the way to go. I"m actually workin on a small cube satellite that uses it, maybe I can program it to take in inputs (right now it only gets sensor data and transmits it).

[gls]

This is just the prototype. I'm working on a longer one but I'm afraid the Feds might find a way to tap into it.

[Captain Bryan]

There was a pretty long thread on this a few months back, I remember reading it when I was on vacation, but I forgot to save it.

[Rael]

License? I would rather not be in another government database. What are the chances of getting caught/penalties for not using a license?

Could ham radio be used somehow to transmit data for computer communications?

[jdmyprez_deo_vindice]

We can always keep the forums alive by using smoke signals.

[Rael]

Aha! This looks promising for the internet...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_radio

[Elwar]

Ok, I was a telecommunications major so I have a pretty good handle on radios. It would mainly depend on what it is that causes things to go down.

If it's an EMP burst where all electronics break down then we go back to the days of flag towers. At their hayday they could send messages at speeds that rivaled early computer modems. They basically consist of towers (we'd probably take over the unused cellular towers) with someone on top with a telescope and flags. You tell the first guy what to send, he flashes the flags to the next tower who sends it on and on, etc.

If the electronics still work then you might be able to do HAM radio with generators.

Then there will probably be some sort of postal system that will go back to just sending letters.