The ability to establish reliable communications when “normal” communications systems are down can easily make the difference between surviving a disaster – or not. Many in our group are licensed ham radio operators. Here are some resources that you’ll want to be familiar with.
Shortwave Radio Schedule (Rev. 05/27/2024)
Volusia County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
Prepper Frequency List – The VCP Comms Plan uses parts of the 3-3-3 plan described here.
https://kk4z.com/ – Ham radio resources
Much of the following is from the Communications Plan used by GMAG (Glenwood Mutual Assistance Group), and modified for wider use.
ICE – In Case of Emergency
About the 3-3-3 Radio Plan
The 3-3-3 Radio Plan is a well-established plan among the preparedness community and will be used by GMAG.
Here’s how the 3-3-3 Radio Plan works:
Turn on your radio. Every 3 hours. For at least 3 minutes. Channel 3.
When: Every 3 Hours
Always use your Local Time for local area communications with the 3-3-3 Radio Plan. At the “top of the hour”, each 3 hours:
Noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm.
Midnight, 3am, 6am, 9am.
• The GMAG Situation Report (SitRep) will be broadcast during the 6:00 pm time slot.
• The Midnight and 3am time slots will typically not be used.
How Long: At Least 3 Minutes
At the top of every 3rd hour, turn on your radio. Even if you don’t need to make a call yourself, always turn on your radio and listen for calls for at least 3 minutes. If you have sufficient battery power, or if you have not connected up for a while, then you should listen for 15 minutes. You never know if someone may be trying to reach you, or may need help. If you need to check in, make a short transmission at this time. Say “(Name or callsign or just ‘Me’) just checking in.” Make it a habit – even if you don’t hear anyone else replying.
Where: Channel 3
Channel 3 is CB-3, FRS-3, or MURS-3. CB, FRS, and MURS are the most common types of radios used by survivalists and preppers.
• The 2-meter freq. for GMAG is 146.420 FM Simplex – the AmRRON calling frequency.
• GMAG will mainly be using CB-3 (AM mode) due to its longer (though very limited) range.
• Use FRS-3 or other “walkie talkie” radios to keep in touch with your neighbors.
Notes:
• Any hand-held radio (“walkie-talkie”) has a very limited range.
• Trees “soak up” RF signals.
• CB, even with a tall base-station antenna, typically has a maximum range of about 5 miles or less.
The Bigger Picture
Understanding what is happening when normal modes of communications (Internet, telephone, news media) are unavailable can be vital for planning and decision making; it also does much to relieve the anxiety caused by the unknown. Sharing information with others outside our own area through an organized communications network, and then passing analyzed and compiled information along to others is a fundamental part of why we’re here.
GMAG has Ham Radio capabilities, and regularly participates in HF Digital radio nets that allow us to gather on-the-scene news from across the country and throughout much of the world, as well as reporting our own local situation as a part of that effort. In addition, we participate in an annual nation-wide communications readiness exercise called T-REX (TEOTWAWKI Readiness EXercise).
Monitoring shortwave radio broadcasts from other countries can provide news and information that, for various reasons, is not available to a domestic audience. Relevant news will be distributed using CB radio and other low-tech methods.
Communications is a two-way street, so we ask that everyone do their part by being observant and passing along relevant and reliable information that they observe so that we can send it up to those who will compile and analyze the bigger picture that is, in turn, sent back down to us.