Communication if the grid goes down ?

[bunklocoempire]

What did that thing set you back?

This one looks pretty sweet, for a throw away.. ($42)

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-...I1KTHFLOJP18QM

-t

Radio was around $370.00, accessories (extra batts, chargers, after market-antenna) set me back another $250.00 or so. It's the accessories that 'get ya'. lol

Those throw aways have their issues but for $42 -not bad.

[TomtheTinker]

^^^^ what sort of issues

[FindLiberty]

...then Klaatu signaled GORT with a borrowed flashlight.

GORT then caused the entire RonPaulForums website to go down for exactly 24 hours.

Forum members still failed to notice the irony of this thread, even after power and communications were restored.

[ghengis86]

...then Klaatu signaled GORT with a borrowed flashlight.

GORT then caused the entire RonPaulForums website to go down for exactly 24 hours.

Forum members still failed to notice the irony of this thread, even after power and communications were restored.

lulz...

not the forum going down, of course.

[bunklocoempire]

^^^^ what sort of issues

I understand that some of the Baofeng & the Wouxun radios (Chinese radios) have ease of programing and accessory issues. Ain't so easy to program them and any after market accessories should be scrutinized.

That said, I've heard folks use the Wouxuns on our community repeaters and they sound pretty good.

I've found radios are a maze of of pros and cons. Best to first determine your needs and how deep you think you might want to get into it.

I picked up my stuff from these guys: http://www.universal-radio.com/index.html

They seem to be pretty upfront about the Chinese stuff.

The Baofeng UV-5R... This radio requires purchase of the USB-02 programming cable and downloading of software prior to use. These radios are certified under FCC part 90 and operate differently from traditional amateur equipment. FCC Part 90 radios do not operate natively in the VFO mode and are not as frequency agile and are best suited when frequencies are programmed into memory and operated in a channelized mode. Although they offer good value, they may not be suitable as a "first radio".

[bunklocoempire]

...then Klaatu signaled GORT with a borrowed flashlight.

GORT then caused the entire RonPaulForums website to go down for exactly 24 hours.

Forum members still failed to notice the irony of this thread, even after power and communications were restored.

I was on 10 meters frantically calling: "Ron Paul Forums QSO, Ron Paul Forums QSO!"

No one QSL'd me. lol

[cbc58]

Thought of this thread as I tried to log into RP forums yesterday. Don't have a HAM or CB so what was I to do if this was a real shutdown. 95% of people don't have off-grid radios or communications and this could be a real problem.

[cheapseats]

...
Forum members still failed to notice the irony of this thread. . .

Not me.

. . . Don't have . . . 95% of people don't have . . .

. . . this could be a real problem.

One tank of gas will only take you so far.

I was on 10 meters frantically calling: "Ron Paul Forums QSO, Ron Paul Forums QSO!"

No one QSL'd me. lol

Good one.

[ClydeCoulter]

Maybe someone already mentioned this, but Tube radios with discreet components are best since they aren't affected by emf blasts, chips can be fried.

edit: perhaps there is some sort of grounded or active shielding that can be done for chip'ed transmitters?

[jdcole]

Clyde - if you possess foreknowledge of when the attack will occur, you could probably protect your electronics through some combination of grounding and the use of Faraday cages.