communication

[fester_hicks]

All this talk about weapons, well what about communication?

Let's tackle this subject!

Will you pull something like Will Smith in "I AM LEGEND" and broadcast on all AM freqs, looking and praying for survivors?

What's YOUR plan?

[AN OLD SHOE]

well i say we designate a frequency and a channel on walkie talkies...just a thought

[Faran Brigo]

Ham radio? great plan, doesn't take too much power or supplies.

[AN OLD SHOE]

yeah ham radio and CB radio..if they arent the same thing...we designate a frequency or channel that all ATZ members use...and walkie talkie channel 1 for example so we can communicate with near by ATZ members if we dont have cb or ham radio

[detpat]

my only priority on communications is local.

[DarthJoe8]

smoke signals.:loon:

[AN OLD SHOE]

lol smoke signals wont work...everything is gonna be on fire anyways :lol:

[Z-Day is very soon]

lol smoke signals wont work...everything is gonna be on fire anyways :lol:


lol well id try to get someone on the police cb frequency i mean people with talkie walkies and radios are probably try to get the police or somethin:drinking::poo:

[mil-collector]

communications related. if this is in the wrong spot, or can be merged with another thread, please do so.
Does any one monitor the RSOE EDIS emergency disaster information center for potential outbreaks?
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?area=usa&lang=eng
they list up to the minute biological, nuclear ,hazmat, accident, weather, volcanic, earthquake,solar-storm, and infectious disease outbreak information for the general public.
i'm sure many listen to police scanners and watch the news / radio for local stuff, but what do you do for worldwide monitoring? or is everyone just waiting to hear about it on the 10 o'clock news?

[Akward afternoon]

Well, communicating all depends on what works.
I would try and call everyone I knew on the telephone.

[Darkness]

"No Problem, mil-collector." :)

"Done, and done. Oh, and for future reference, I have created an Index Thread, that tell Thread Titles, and gives a brief description of each topic. (Yes, this is new.) It is stickied, so it will ALWAYS appear as the first thread. This is for your convenience, and my sanity." :)




"Sorry for the interruption, folks. You can go back to your topic now." :)

[mil-collector]

thanks darkness, ( s aw the sticky, but didn't want to hijack anyone's thread :) ).

so what do you do when you realize the phone/computer/power/cell is out?

[UseYourHeadCutOffTheirs]

Am signals would probably be better but how would you create the signal without being in a radio station? I know nothing about making a radio broadcast so someone fill me in

[Zombie Buffet]

Phone or walkies, whatever happens to be working.

[fester_hicks]

i'd seriously go with pigeons...

[zombieuprising]

I agree id try to find a cb radio it would be easier than finding a radio station to broadcast over.

[mattifikation]

My mouth. Morse code. Sign language. If somebody is too far away to see or talk to, why should I trust them by giving away my position over some radio?

[fester_hicks]

Don't forget mirrors for signals

[surviveordie]

there is a local national public radio station near by that reaches most of my state. i would definitely hit that up, as for a power source. i would use a large generator and broadcast maybe once a week to let others know were i am how to get to me and what ive been doing.

[RogueAI]

Its not hard to locate the transmission point of a wireless signal. I'd be worried about gangs attacking. After all, if I have a working radio, what other wonders do I have?

/me votes personal hardline communication setup pre-WWZ, or accessing satellites if you have high hills on all sides of you.

[Shadowalker191]

Medium range, moble, 2-way is my choice, less chance of raiders getting a fix on you.

There are Motorola 2 ways that have about a 25 mile range without the use of signel boosters. A few of them would be useful.

[DBCooper]

2-way radios are OK... but I think it would be better to use a string and a few soup can.. . . :evil:

[Lian]

Well CB's and two way's can set you up in terms of short range communication. Could be useful as your out checking your perimeter. Personally I'm thinking more along the line of a hard line set up hopefully ran off solar or some other low maintenance energy source, just to get the phones working.

Also got some plans on a LAN and wifi set up. We'll communicate Via instant messenger inside base. :)

But who knows...soup can and string may work between the top of the tower and the bottom before you open the door up to let someone in.

[RogueAI]

Ooo! Ooo! I just got a great idea! infrared laser! You'd have to be spot-on precise though. And, I think it would have to be custom built. The military is planning an experiment with a spaced-based version of this soon, but the land version should be significantly easier due to reduced distance and fixed location. As a reminder, the human eye cannot see infrared light.

Take an infrared laser pointer, they do exist, and attach it to the outside of your house. Redo the power supply so that it is controlled by the flashes coming from a fiber optic cable. I.E., when a 1 rolls down the cable, the laser pointer flashes. Now, go to where the signal is meant to be received. Assume it is a straight line. Attach an infrared sensor. After a few hours of aiming the laser pointer, every time the laser pointer receives a one from the fiber optic cable the sensor receives a one from the laser pointer. Instant data transmission that is not visible to the naked eye, nearly impossible to intercept, and won't give your position away to raiders.

Option #2 (If aiming the laser pointer ain't your thing); Instead of trying to use a laser pointer and an IR sensor, use a IR spotlight and a IR camera. No aiming, though I don't know if the spotlight can turn on/off fast enough, nor do I know if the camera can record such rapid flashes.

I see using radio signals as a great way for raiders to locate your safe house during a global zombie infestation.

[Lian]

You talking fiber optics without a cable? In which case that would be damn tricky to set up, easy to break, but arguably impossible to track.

[RogueAI]

You talking fiber optics without a cable? In which case that would be damn tricky to set up, easy to break, but arguably impossible to track.

No. There, I redid it. It was late at night. I agree it would be tricky to setup, and easy to break. The reward is worth the risk, and protecting against breaking would be relatively easy. Tracking is not required as both the signaler and the receiver are at a fixed location.

[ZombiesArePeopleToo]

Well, communicating all depends on what works.
I would try and call everyone I knew on the telephone.

Haven't you read the zombie survival guide? Phones are a no-no. They lines will be blocked and you using them will just add to the blockage and not get anything accomplished. Avoid the phone.


Teh lazorz!


Sounds like a great idea, but in the PAW it just won't be feasible. I don't know about you guys but I just don't have lasers and all that stuff just sitting around.

With that having said, long distance communication shouldn't really be a concern because civilization has crashed, and it would be cluttered with the thousands (millions?) of other people with the same idea.

However as far as communication goes some walkie talkies from Radio Shack or some sort should be considered for team based operations and short range communications. Simple, easy to use, and common.

[RogueAI]

Haven't you read the zombie survival guide? Phones are a no-no. They lines will be blocked and you using them will just add to the blockage and not get anything accomplished. Avoid the phone.



Sounds like a great idea, but in the PAW it just won't be feasible. I don't know about you guys but I just don't have lasers and all that stuff just sitting around.

With that having said, long distance communication shouldn't really be a concern because civilization has crashed, and it would be cluttered with the thousands (millions?) of other people with the same idea.

However as far as communication goes some walkie talkies from Radio Shack or some sort should be considered for team based operations and short range communications. Simple, easy to use, and common.

You probably do have a laser pointer sitting around, I even have one on my key chain. They cost less then 10 dollars, and are not high powered lasers. They are generally used in offices draw people's attention to the part of the visual aid the speaker is talking about. They can be bought or easily modified to be IR emitting. Aside from that all that is required is an IR receiver, about 10 dollars, some optical cable, and two decoding devices (computers, normally) to turn the flashes into data.

It is also not meant for long range communication. Its more for sending signals to/from a camera, a neighbors house, or the like. The reason it is superior to wireless communication like HAM radios or CBs is because those are easily received by passers by and it is easy to find where the signal is coming from. While zombies can't do this, raiders can. If you have a working radio they will probably wonder what other goodies you have.

Edit; For an idea of the range of laser pointers. When they first came out people would shine them at plains. The dots distracted pilots and a couple of people were arrested. Homeland Security looked into it to see if it could be considered terrorism and used to crash planes. All this from something sold at nearly every convince & office supply story in the country.

What are laser pointers? I can has link? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_pointer)

Also, what is PAW? Performance Automotive Warehouse?

[ZombiesArePeopleToo]

You probably do have a laser pointer sitting around, I even have one on my key chain. They cost less then 10 dollars, and are not high powered lasers. They are generally used in offices draw people's attention to the part of the visual aid the speaker is talking about. They can be bought or easily modified to be IR emitting. Aside from that all that is required is an IR receiver, about 10 dollars, some optical cable, and two decoding devices (computers, normally) to turn the flashes into data.

It is also not meant for long range communication. Its more for sending signals to/from a camera, a neighbors house, or the like. The reason it is superior to wireless communication like HAM radios or CBs is because those are easily received by passers by and it is easy to find where the signal is coming from. While zombies can't do this, raiders can. If you have a working radio they will probably wonder what other goodies you have.

Edit; For an idea of the range of laser pointers. When they first came out people would shine them at plains. The dots distracted pilots and a couple of people were arrested. Homeland Security looked into it to see if it could be considered terrorism and used to crash planes. All this from something sold at nearly every convince & office supply story in the country.

What are laser pointers? I can has link? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_pointer)

Also, what is PAW? Performance Automotive Warehouse?

Oh, PAW is a acronym used a lot on this other website I frequent, it means Post Apocalyptic World.

What I'm saying is that it would require a lot of unnecessary things, like you said, you'd need two different computers. What are you going to use to keep those going? It's just a waste of resources. And if you need cable, why don't you just set up some wire that conducts electricity, run it camp to camp and connect the wire and disconnect it to send morse code. That seems easier with the same result, and all you'd need it a light, battery, and wire. I'm sure any wire that would conduct electricity would be easier to find than optic cable, which I don't even think I've ever seen.

[RogueAI]

Oh, PAW is a acronym used a lot on this other website I frequent, it means Post Apocalyptic World.

What I'm saying is that it would require a lot of unnecessary things, like you said, you'd need two different computers. What are you going to use to keep those going? It's just a waste of resources. And if you need cable, why don't you just set up some wire that conducts electricity, run it camp to camp and connect the wire and disconnect it to send morse code. That seems easier with the same result, and all you'd need it a light, battery, and wire. I'm sure any wire that would conduct electricity would be easier to find than optic cable, which I don't even think I've ever seen.

The two computers are not required, two decoding devices are. These would most likely have microprocessors in them, and are thus computers in the same way your car, dishwasher, TV, or hand held radio is. I said "Computers, normally" because just using your desktop is the easiest way to go. Second, the cord is required would only be to connect the sending/receiving devices to the decoding device; very short. To keep almost anything going you need electricity. Post TEOTWAWKI it won't be any harder to get then it is now if you prepare ahead. No wasted resources. Computers, even PAW, will have lots of uses (AutoCAD 4tw).

If you read up a little ways my original solution was just using cables. Lasers is just a cooler way to do things. It is doable, however, 99% of the time, just running a wire will be better.

TEOTWAWKI; The End of The World as we Know It. Come to think of it, I like PAW better. TEOTWAWKI is normally used in non-zombie related survival groups. :/ To bad it's so long.

[Lian]

No. There, I redid it. It was late at night. I agree it would be tricky to setup, and easy to break. The reward is worth the risk, and protecting against breaking would be relatively easy. Tracking is not required as both the signaler and the receiver are at a fixed location.

Oh duh I know what your talking about now. You weren't too clear I suppose but I was drunk too. So...damned if you do damned if you don't. I do have to admit I didn't realize you could use those long range though, though as I think of it why not. I know my laptop has IR lasers for linking up with other Laptops short range, but Setting it up I foresee would be more than a slight pain in the ass, I swear the one in my lap top never works unless your sitting across from each other at the same damn table. :x

Something else just dawned on me for your general long range communications, thinking in terms of between two different groups of survivors. How about a "Pony Express" system?

[RogueAI]

Something else just dawned on me for your general long range communications, thinking in terms of between two different groups of survivors. How about a "Pony Express" system?

I'd fear raiders and zombies might get in the way too. For long range communication I think the best plan is HAM radios in the newly opened 2mw* range. You could talk to people at quiet a distance; from the East cost to the West (though relays may be required).

A more techie solution. Pre-Satellites the United States Navy (and probably others) communicated by bouncing eletronic signals off the moon so that they could communicate with people beyond the curvature of the earth. I imagine my medium-range IR plan would be easier.

*I may have the value-tag on the end wrong.

[Lian]

I suppose HAM does have it's uses, just trying to think outside the box. :)

[jim96sc2]

I'd fear raiders and zombies might get in the way too. For long range communication I think the best plan is HAM radios in the newly opened 2mw* range. You could talk to people at quiet a distance; from the East cost to the West (though relays may be required).

A more techie solution. Pre-Satellites the United States Navy (and probably others) communicated by bouncing eletronic signals off the moon so that they could communicate with people beyond the curvature of the earth. I imagine my medium-range IR plan would be easier.

*I may have the value-tag on the end wrong.

I thought ham bounces off the atmosphere anyway?

[Darkness]

"How about those old fashion, hand cranked, telegraph machines. Didn't those come out before we had real telephone lines? Anyone here know how they actually worked?" :think:

[RogueAI]

I thought ham bounces off the atmosphere anyway?

I wasn't talking about HAMs during that portion of the post. I honestly don't know what communication technology the Navy was using at that period.

As for HAMs themselves, I believe they are carried by a certain layer of the atmosphere, particularly in the 2mW wavelength. I am, however, not a communications guy. I just know that a particular wavelength that is 2 multipled by it's unit of measurement has an exeptionally long range and was recently opened by the FCC to the public.

If it is important to you, I can find out.

[jim96sc2]

"How about those old fashion, hand cranked, telegraph machines. Didn't those come out before we had real telephone lines? Anyone here know how they actually worked?" :think:

They require lines which may or may not be up.

[RogueAI]

They require lines which may or may not be up.

You could setup the lines easily though. They don't even have to be suspended above ground if you want a cheap survival job. They just don't last so long on the ground so you'll need to know how to repair them because some criders do chew on them.

Modern lines have a high enough voltage running through them you risk a fire if they are on the ground. Plus, electrocution if they are sitting in water and something has chewed on 'em. That is why you always see 'em on poles.

[ZombiesArePeopleToo]

They just don't last so long on the ground so you'll need to know how to repair them because some criders do chew on them.

Modern lines have a high enough voltage running through them you risk a fire if they are on the ground. Plus, electrocution if they are sitting in water and something has chewed on 'em. That is why you always see 'em on poles.

I think I just found a new hunting technique....

[Behemoth]

"How about those old fashion, hand cranked, telegraph machines. Didn't those come out before we had real telephone lines? Anyone here know how they actually worked?" :think:

They did indeed have lines that would have connected the house ( although it was rare for a house to have a phone in the good old days ) to an exchange, the handle was cranked to create the current from the dynamo inside the phone, so you cranked the handle, spoke to the operator who would put you through to the number you required.

[Darkness]

They did indeed have lines that would have connected the house ( although it was rare for a house to have a phone in the good old days ) to an exchange, the handle was cranked to create the current from the dynamo inside the phone, so you cranked the handle, spoke to the operator who would put you through to the number you required.

"So it didn't need electricity already running through the lines to work? If it didn't, this could be something we could use." :think:

[RogueAI]

"So it didn't need electricity already running through the lines to work? If it didn't, this could be something we could use." :think:

For extremely long ranges you *might*, but between two close towns/homesteads/fortresses you shouldn't. If you did run out of range you could easily build a relay station that'd only require a small solar panel for power.

[DBCooper]

In the PZAW communication should be kept at minimal use.

[Behemoth]

"So it didn't need electricity already running through the lines to work? :
Correct. However modern phone lines ( mostly in big cities ) run through fibre optic cables, the current from a dynamo is erratic at best not sure if modern cables would cope.

[DBCooper]

They did indeed have lines that would have connected the house ( although it was rare for a house to have a phone in the good old days ) to an exchange, the handle was cranked to create the current from the dynamo inside the phone, so you cranked the handle, spoke to the operator who would put you through to the number you required.

The “CRANK” provided enough electricity to ring the bell at the operator’s console nothing more. Those old phones used batteries for normal operation not the crank. The wires on the gound. . .LOL

"Modern lines have a high enough voltage running through them you risk a fire if they are on the ground. Plus, electrocution if they are sitting in water and something has chewed on 'em. That is why you always see 'em on poles. "

That is not it at all....rofl..... It is to prevent the lines from being "GROUNDED" so the LOW voltage can be transmited....


Now they have what is called a SOUND POWERED phone. . .

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/21-75/Ch7.htm

[Behemoth]

"Modern lines have a high enough voltage running through them you risk a fire if they are on the ground. Plus, electrocution if they are sitting in water and something has chewed on 'em. That is why you always see 'em on poles. "

Err, "modern" lines are on the ground, or rather in it, incased inside a plastic pipe, as already mentioned "modern" telecomunications are all in one ie, internet, tv & phone through one cable.

[Slash Maraud]

These are all greate ideas but don't HAM radios require moderately large antennas? There is a HAM guy on the way into town that has a 20foot tower atached to his house. That stands out quite a bit and may become a focus for marauders and looters.

For fairly close range what about FM/GMRS radios available just about anywhere including Radio Shack and then for close range, run some WD-1 wire to the old hand crank field phones. That would work house to house or safe house to OP/LP site. Easily obtainable at most surplus stores and online.

Second choice would have to be the CB radio. Anyone can find one of those in almost any town or knows someone who has one.

The problem to all the above except the hand crank phone system is power.

[Behemoth]

The problem to all the above except the hand crank phone system is power
The phone does not need power, however the switchboard would, you could not direct dial with the old 1920's style phone, you needed to give the number you wanted ( ie oxford 932 ) & the operator would put you through.
The rest of your post is spot on.

[Slash Maraud]

The phone does not need power, however the switchboard would, you could not direct dial with the old 1920's style phone, you needed to give the number you wanted ( ie oxford 932 ) & the operator would put you through.
The rest of your post is spot on.

This is not the household hand crank phone, these would be the hand crank military field phone system that require no switchboard just WD-1 wire to run between them. When you crank the handle you spin a small dynamo that generates just enough power to send your message. They can purchased online, through E-bay, or at any major surplus store. Watch any war movie to see what I'm talking about. I believe you misunderstood and thought that it was the old style hand crank phone popular in homes about 1920-1940 that required operator assistance to place any call.

[Darkness]

"I was just talking about the old hand cranked telegraph machines. The kind that require morse code." :)

[Behemoth]

This is not the household hand crank phone, these would be the hand crank military field phone system that require no switchboard just WD-1 wire to run between them. When you crank the handle you spin a small dynamo that generates just enough power to send your message. They can purchased online, through E-bay, or at any major surplus store. Watch any war movie to see what I'm talking about. I believe you misunderstood and thought that it was the old style hand crank phone popular in homes about 1920-1940 that required operator assistance to place any call.
Artillery units generally had 20-line switchboards, with 40-line ones used at smaller HQs and 200-line ones at major HQs. Artillery regiments had a large number of cable laying vehicles operated by their signals section and regimental signalers in the batteries. The regimental section carried 15 miles of cable.
The phones you are speaking of, were used by battery command (or other units ) to receive firing positions, the reason for using this type of equipment in the two world wars was due to the lack of security offered by wireless comms used at the time. So if you would like to watch a war movie you would see the hand unit only being used to communicate with a fixed phone, if a film shows you any different it is bunk!

"I was just talking about the old hand cranked telegraph machines. The kind that require morse code
Never seen a hand crank telegraph machine, all the early ( 1880's ) ones i've seen used low current & ground.

[Darkness]

Never seen a hand crank telegraph machine, all the early ( 1880's ) ones i've seen used low current & ground.

"Thank you."

[Slash Maraud]

This is what I was referring to when I mentioned military field phones. This model does not need a switchboard ro be effective and has a considerable range, excellent to use between house to house and safe hosue to OP/LP.

The U.S. Army Field Telephones EE-8, EE-8A, and EE-8B is a portable field telephone designed for use on either local or common battery telephone systems. The talking and signaling range varies with the type of wire used, the condition of the wire (dry, wet, frayed) and whether the wire is on the ground or in the air. As a local battery telephone, a talking range of 11 to 17 miles is typical, suitable for Corps area usage.

The phones are contained in a case approximately 9.5 x 7.75 x 3.5 inches weighing about 9.75 pounds including battery. The EE-8-A and -B are a little larger than the EE-8. The main difference between the EE-8 and the other models is that a section of the case lid has been cut out and replaced by flexible material to enable the handset to be hung on the case in a position to hold down the lever switch.

At the start of World War II, the EE-8 in a leather case with a leather strap was standard issue. However, experience in the Pacific showed right away that leather did not hold up and the EE-8 leather case was replaced by an olive drab canvas case with web strap. The EE-8 and EE-8A utilize an aluminum chassis while the EE-8B chassis is sheet steel.

At the top of the phone, exposed when the cover is opened, there is a terminal block. All control switches and binding posts for wire are contained on the terminal block. The lever switch is curved and spring loaded so that it is depressed when the weight of the handset is rested on it (EE-8 is off line, switch open). The EE-8 comes on the line when the handset is lifted (switch closed).

A 90-100 volt, 20 Hz hand-cranked ringing generator GN-38 is contained in the case of an EE-8 or EE-8A while the GN-38A or GN-38B is used with the EE-8B. The crank is operated from the side of the case. The TS-9-F Handset connects to the EE-8 or EE-8A and is stored in the case, in an open area accessible when the top cover is open. The EE-8B has similar handset TS-13-E.

Two BA-30 1.5 volt D-cell batteries are installed in the battery compartment reached from the terminal block area at the top-inside of the case.

Operation of the phone is the same with all models.

Point to Point Operation of the the EE-8 Field Phone. In point to point circuits, local battery operation is used and the pair of phones on each end of the circuit are connected directly together (no switchboard). The hand-cranked generator is used to signal the other station. Ranges up to hundreds of miles are possible under ideal conditions with high quality wire.

Switchboard Operation of the the EE-8 Field Phone. Switchboards may be used in local battery mode or common battery mode. In local battery operation, all EE-8 phones are connected to the switchboard which can connect any pair as necessary. The hand-cranked generator is used to signal the switchboard. Several local battery switchboards can be connected together by trunks; any telephone of any of the switchboards can be connected to any other phone. Use of a switchboard in local battery mode reduces the distance that the signals will carry.

Common battery mode switchboard operation involves common battery signaling and local battery transmission. The local EE-8 must have batteries and the handset switch must be operated when talking. The lever switch of the telephone is used to signal the switchboard operator.

EE-8 Field Phone Accessories:

The EE-89 Telephone Repeater may be used to increase the distance between EE-8 field telephones, up to double. The EE-89 is powered by a single BA-40 (See TM 11-2006).

In arctic weather, the BA-2030/U Battery should be used in place of the BA-30.

The technical manual for the EE-8 phones is TM 11-333.

Successor Equipment to the EE-8 Field Telephone:

The rugged light-weight Telephone Set TA-312/PT was the main successor to the EE-8 field phone. As another analog 2-wire phone, it will interoperate with the EE-8. The TA-312 was used from the 1950s, while the EE-8 was still in service, through the 1980s.

These models are available on E-bay at select times or through major surplus stores and require no switchboard to operate. Power becomes the problem if batteries are not obtainable or can't be retrofitted to facillitate the using of this equipment.

Next option would be sound powered phones.

[Behemoth]

This is what I was referring to when I mentioned military field phones. This model does not need a switchboard ro be effective and has a considerable range, excellent to use between house to house and safe hosue to OP/LP.

Ok. I am gonna look on ebay, the only time i have seen these phones ( British ones ) was in my youth, my work colleagues and i used to use them to play practical jokes on the apprentice workers ( we used to ask them to get us some tool, it would be linked by wire & crocodile clip to the output of the phone when the handle was cranked, zzzzap.:evil:)
I wish i had known back then that there would be this crazy invention called the internet. I would have kept one & the manuals.

[Commander Ambrose]

Human powered, huge radio's that are in the military;and the back-pack ones too. That would be good. Backpack ones have a power force to last 5 hours in continous use

[garthaman]

I'd pull out the old HAM radio and hope some other people out there will use theirs as well. HAM isn't the most popular communication vehicle, but there is bound to be someone using theirs in this situation.

If HAM doesn't pull in enough results, I'd switch over to satalite phones. They won't stay up for long, but they will last long enough to reach vital points, such as loved ones and emergency services at the very start of the outbreak.

If all else fails, there is always long-range walkie talkies. If I have enough time to, I would definately distribute them amung every friend within range. This would allow for a gauranteed contact every time (as long as they keep changing the batteries).

[DemonChild]

Hmm, maybe so. But It's a good plan. What about wireless internet.

[Umbrela]

I think checking radio channels periodically would be a good idea, but sending out messages or listening for prolonged periods could be dangerous.

[DemonChild]

good point. Radio is much more readily available to your average citizen, I mean, even in 3rd world hell holes like Honduras they have radios.

[JakAttak]

radios would be smart but don't broadcast much just listen. phone lines will be jammed up so don't even try. who knows morse code i mean really. and as for military phones they are heavy and call me when find one.

[DemonChild]

Ring!....Ring!....Hey found your phones. :mrgreen:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=140081

[JakAttak]

damn that was fast.

[DemonChild]

I know. I thought that bookmarking that would come in handy one day.

[JakAttak]

do you just book mark random stuff

[DemonChild]

yup, pretty much. Came across this place off of a banner ad I found on infectiousthreads.com ...weird huh?

[JakAttak]

yea how much does it weigh though

[mattifikation]

I noticed that phone cannot be shipped to Canada. Are they really so neutered up there that they can't even use military phones, or does the site just not do business with Canada?

[Dave Of The Dead]

Why not just use multi-frequency radios? Newer ones can transmit up to about 20 miles away. The smaller size is better and you can also carry more batteries because of it.

[kiltedninja]

My main concern is finding survivors, I'd keep it simple, I'd use my radio, walkie talkie, and spray paint. The paint is to mark your location, something simple like "ALIVE HERE!" And then keep a radio and walkie talkie handy.

[homelitexl]

cb radio, flare gun and a brush fire.

[Stryker]

Walkie-Talkies from Best Buy (or similar from any tech store) with headsets. The ones I had claim to work at ranges up to 5 miles, but actually only work well up to about half that. That range might improve once the sun goes down, I haven't really tested the range at night. Of course after Z-Day the majority of EM interference will be gone, which could also help with the effective range. The key to these handhelds is that the range is long enough to be useful to scavenging parties, but not so long that others far away will hear you. I'm not sure I want others to hear us. I'm just not that trusting. I'd be too worried about who was listening to do much with long range communication. I'd try to have someone scanning the CB and Ham frequencies, but I wouldn't be broadcasting! At least not on a regular basis.

[Dave Of The Dead]

When you read the small print on your walkies, they say that they work up to a certain range only if you are in a large wide open space with nothing to disrupt the signal, like buildings or something like that. I've seen up to 30 miles at radioshack, but still, thats in the best conditions possible... which are almost impossible unless your in the great salt flats or something.

[VideoJunkie]

I'm thinking I'll just help myself to the radios left behind by all the LEO's that responded to the initial outbreaks. At least something good will come of that tragedy.

[DBCooper]

The problem with using Law Enforcement/EMS/FEMA radios is they all work off a repeater system. During disasters portable repeaters are brought into an area to aid in communications. These "repeaters" are operated and manned continuously until the local infrastructure is repaired.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_repeater

Repeater towers will not work or will stop operating during an outbreak and without a repeater you can not transmit nor receive communication.

[VideoJunkie]

Well, that sucks for me then! I knew that police radios use a repeater system, but I had heard that they can also work stand alone. Oh well, I guess I'll be doing a little looting at the HHGregg (electronics store) instead!

I know that at the Battle of Yonkers in WWZ too much communication was a source of trouble, but I still think that being able to talk to one another would be vital to any team operating outside of their base. Even in the base it would be important to be able to communicate with the sentries. Short range communication is a must have item for any group serious about survival.

Long range communication is another matter. I'm not convinced that it's a good idea. The risk of unfriendly ears picking up your signal and using it to locate you is too high. (I think...) Honestly, I have no idea how easy it is to locate the source of a radis broadcast. I assume that with a directional antenna it wouldn't be hard at all, but I've got no experience to back that up. I think the most I would be comfortable with would be a cb back at the base with a disguised antenna. I'd only use the base cb to receive messages from our parties in the field. I suppose we could send back very short messages in reply to what they told us. Something like "Copy that" or "Return to Base" or other messages that would happen so quickly that on one could get a fix on our location. I'm a little paranoid sometimes, so maybe I'm worrying over nothing, but I'd take every precaution to avoid detection by other groups. I wouldn't risk such contact until I was sure they could be trusted.

[DBCooper]

Stealing from WW2 and LE, you could always have prearranged code phrases, LE uses 10 codes. You could develop your own codes and limit chatter and the bad guys would never know what you are talking about. 10-4?

[Bob]

Batteries for any type of radio is going to become a problem.

[DBCooper]

Take a look at these..........

http://www.rei.com/product/770230

http://www.nextag.com/619214788p/zz2zB4z23/prices-html

I bought 3 of the solar panels…. This will meet most of my recharging needs. Then there is plan “B”

Oops… I linked you to the wrong panel, the correct one is, http://www.rei.com/product/770231

[DarthJoe8]

How well do those crank radio's work?? That would get around the battery issue. :think:

[DBCooper]

I don’t know about those that I linked. I have a cheaper pair and they work well. Noisy cranking…

[VideoJunkie]

I don't think batteries are gonna be a problem for the first couple of years. Also, as long as we still have gas we'll be able to use generators or our vehicles to recharge our batteries. I'm not sure what we'll do after that, but at least for a few years we should be able to stay in touch.

[Bob]

Those solar rechargers look pretty neat.
How long to a full recharge.

[DBCooper]

These panels can be hooked in a series of 3 panels into one charger. I was able to recharge 8 batteries in 3 or 4 hours.

Oops… I linked you to the wrong panel, the correct one is, http://www.rei.com/product/770231

[ninja steve]

Got a couple of questions for anyone who knows the answers. How could raiders find your positon if you use a radio? I know it's possible I'd just like to know. Also would there be anyway of fooling them?

[homelitexl]

easy work a code out with your budies example south=north and blue= means west brown=east and west=south then hawk shop means store. im bout 4 miles blue and north of the hawk shop. see only you and your buddies would know what it meant.

[Dave Of The Dead]

easy work a code out with your budies example south=north and blue= means west brown=east and west=south then hawk shop means store. im bout 4 miles blue and north of the hawk shop. see only you and your buddies would know what it meant.

Find a code for miles, then it works.

[Birdman44]

Im not a real good person with communications, but could anyone tell me the range of a cb radio? If there is any set range at all even? And does it vary from the quality of radio you buy?

[dudeskis]

A mobile CB radio that has been "boosted" would be the best choice for communication.

You can find info and CB products here:
http://www.bobscb.com/bobs_cb.htm

And you should go to a trucker shop or small electronics store to get it "illegally boosted" so that you can broadcast hundreds of miles.

Also don't think that one car CB radio is enough. You should have one "boosted" (info on boosting: http://ehelpfultips.com/high_power_cb_radios.htm ) car CB and at least 2 hand held units that you can give to those with you to keep in touch if you're forming separate hunting parties or grazing for supplies.

http://www.aerostich.com/files/images/detailed/3070_1a.jpg

[Birdman44]

I see now, thanks.

[Xombie11]

i'd seriously go with pigeons...

few probs with that
1.training. where are you gonna find a pigeon thats pretrained i know you can get them but what are the odds??
2.they've gotta rest at some point in which case a cat or summat could eat it
3.some one could shoot it to stop your message or if there hungry

[J Dub]

did i have a post removed or am i loosing it???:loon:

[NotoriousDIT]

what did you expect? that goatse thing was totally nsfw (but also totally hilarious).

[J Dub]

what did you expect? that goatse thing was totally nsfw (but also totally hilarious).

it was a bit of a stretch :evil:

glad some one got a kick out of it though :lol:

[NotoriousDIT]

it was a bit of a stretch

i CAN'T BELIEVE YOU EVEN WENT THERE

[Darkness]

"It was removed, if you want to know why PM me."

"Now please get back on the proper topic for this thread."

[Gemtech Oasis]

For me stealth is the key. I dont see myself looking for anyone. All my weapons would be suppressed and Id keep on the down low like turbo charged!

I go out into the Washington Cascades every summer for weeks at a time. Im used to being alone.

[homelitexl]

miles= waffles

[kiltedninja]

I can go for waffles at a time man!

[homelitexl]

well now we have a code

[The Voice Of Desperation]

To tell you the truth I wouldn't have the slightest idea what to do if I lost communication. But I'd probably go to the nearest market and get a radio and scan for emergency broadcasts or survivor messages. Not the best plan but hey you've got to start somewhere right?

[NotoriousDIT]

everybody should have walkie talkies.

why would the internet go down in case of the z-day? who keeps the internet running?

[kiltedninja]

Whoever runs servers.

[Noc]

Could the servers run by themselves for a while? If so internet would be a great way to communicate

[mattifikation]

In theory, if nothing goes wrong, they can run for as long as power keeps going to them. In practice, that power would probably stop flowing after a few days. Also, things would certainly go wrong. Hackers, glitches, exceeded bandwidth... well, you have a computer, you know the ups and downs.

[Comander Shaw]

I would only worry about communication in long ranges if looking for survivors.
Other wise only communication I would have is with my group via walkies.

[mrlaughingman]

ham radio and go raid radio shack for a satelite phone if all power goes out normal cell phones wotn work due to the fact that they rely on the cell phone towers however satelite phones link up with satilites and always have reception.

[Darius]

lol smoke signals wont work...everything is gonna be on fire anyways :lol:

Colored smoke then? green,red,blue i dont think that houses or cars burn that way. also the sky lanterns tie one to the ground and it will be floating in the air for a while.also signs in the streets with addresses to go to.

[Groth]

Ok, realisticly, how long do you think the internet and cell phones would still be operational? In any "What would you bring" Thread, some mention cell phones/computers and I'm curious as to what my fellow zedslayers think.

Personally, I think about 3 months after it has reached epidemic status. But I'm not completely sure how the satellites and ISP's work.

After that I'd say landlines are your surest bet.

[manaketes]

i wouldnt say that long. especially afer the people needed to keep it all running would be zed-ified.

[LiftWidget]

I've thought about it also. I mean, electricity, internet, even water. How long would it last? I mean, a small emergency at some waterpipe and we're screwed. I have no idea how automatic these things are either, so it would be great, if someone gave us some professional information.:roll:

[J Dub]

if humans evacuate the cities when shtf, communication will be short wave only i reckon.
land lines and cell phones will crash, but i think the power girds would be the first to go.

maybe this and the "keeping track of your people" thread should merge. i see lots of interesting discussion possibilities.

[Groth]

Agreed.
What about like military satellite phones?
I would think land lines would still work, we had a big power outage and our phone still worked. hrm...professional help would be very nice

Any professionals out there?!

[Crombie]

Just look at the blackout from 2003 that took out the Northeast. Now imagine a few power stations going out causing the same cascading effect. I would wager that at least 70-80% of the electrically powered world would go dark within the first week. Cellular communications would only last as long as their alternate sources of power lasted.

The only reason landlines lasted in that outage (from my understanding) is because there was a stronger infrastructure in place to keep the phones running. That structure is still temporary in nature without an active power source.

Here in Nova Scotia we had Hurricane Juan run through, and I heard reports that there were people looting generators from the phone company. I am guessing that outside of small isolated pockets of power you would be lucky to see electrical service, and communications last more than two weeks.

[Lian]

Hours at best inside urban centers, through a combination of power failures, telephone poles getting taken out, relay stations being destroyed, and potential looting of emergency generators. Cell's might last a little longer but when the panic sets in I wouldn't place money on the ability to make a phone call. Interestingly enough a text message might be a better way to go since it requires less resource and signal to send one, it might be able to sneak through.

Maybe a little longer on localized calls in rural area's, but it's doubtful that you'll be able to make a call across the country. Switch boards will be overloaded excluding area's where they are flat out inoperative due to power outages. Most power will go out within two days for most of the US since most US power still runs off coal and petrol. From there you'll have about 10 hours until the emergency systems on landlines fail.

Those lucky enough to be hooked up to hoover dam will see power until the automated systems fail, hence they'll be able to maintain communications, if someone is there to watch it. And assuming that the sudden burst load on the dam's systems don't cause it to overload. And anyone running off nuclear will have power until they shut down the system to prevent a meltdown, or have a flat out meltdown.

[Groth]

I never thought about the switch boards being over loaded, looting, and the fact we still run on petrol and coal. What about HAM radios? i mean those things are ridiculous.

[zombiesatemycookies]

I would find like a massive bright flood light or something like that and shine it up into the sky every night. But I would call everyone I know to see if they were alive.

[Hurshem]

I would say them trucker radios :O