Need advice on radios

[Zedhound]

OK, so in the event of an emergency my wife would like to be able to communicate if the cell towers go down.

so we need something that works at least 30 miles,
preferably something that doesn't use repeaters (i'm using that term as a novice, i heard it recently),
something mobile that can hook up and run on the cars preferably with an antenna that can be put up and down easily.


thanks in advance

 

[htperry]

That's a very tall order. Simplex operation, no repeaters, isn't always going to reliably meet these specifications due to varying conditions beyond your control. I have talked that distance many times on 2 meter simplex and other times have trouble at half that distance. HF operation is even less reliable as that distance falls inside a donut short of skip operation and outside the immediate vicinity, but is probably doable via NVIS operation below 10 Mhz and with more skill/knowledge.

There is no simple answer or plan to meet your need. If in this range of operation, I would rely on 2 meter with repeaters if available and simplex if not. In a grid-down situation, it will be the experienced radio operator that is most successful in comms. The best advice I can give you is to get your ham radio license, buy radios and gain experience before you need it.

 

[Zedhound]

lets say we get hit with a very bad hurricane or where power is out in the county. would the repeaters still be operational? that could remove that requirment.

 

[Jaysq]

To operate on the Amateur Radio bands, you will need to be licensed. The exception to that would be emergency communications. This would be true emergency communications, not just something for convenience

 

[noway2]

I agree thst this is one of those things for which your best option is to obtain your ham licenses. I have been pushing my wife to get hers for this reason as we face the same issue with communications.

You are beyond the range of any non licensed citizen radio and clearly into ham territory, which requires licensure under normal circumstances. Even if it were an emergency, negating the regulatory aspect, communicating at thst distance isn't going to be a pick up a radio, push transmit and talk. Rather you will need to practice your comm plan before the emergency occurs.

 

[htperry]

lets say we get hit with a very bad hurricane or where power is out in the county. would the repeaters still be operational? that could remove that requirment.

The ability to use licensed radio services in emergencies is a dire personal emergency, not national or area emergency. Radio regulation is not abandoned in a national or regional emergency. If anything, in a wide spread emergency, radio communications may be more restrictively regulated to insure essential services.

 

[htperry]

lets say we get hit with a very bad hurricane or where power is out in the county. would the repeaters still be operational?

Many repeaters are located on the same towers as essential services and will survive many situations. For example, the 444.450 repeater in Dallas is on the WCNC TV tower @ 1500' and wired to the tower traffic light system. This insures that the lighting on the emergency power system will also power the repeater. The station has over a week of fuel for full operation and plans for ongoing priority fuel replenishment in an emergency. As an emergency broadcaster, WCNC keeping their station and tower lights operational insures that the 444.450 is operational. Actually, there are at least 3 amateur radio repeaters on 2 meter, 1.25 meter and 70 cm on that same tower.

In urban areas, such as CLT, the number of emergency powered repeaters is numerous.

Many non-hams would be surprised at how prepared ham radio operators are for lights-out communication.

 

[georgel]

Many non-hams would be surprised at how prepared ham radio operators are for lights-out communication.

For many, it's what they live for.

It's funny how ham operators are perceived as nerdy, not with it, individuals, but have actually lead the way at the forefront of movements. They arguably pioneered one of the first forms of social media (Listen to a rag chew about some one's day and their doctor visit. Just like Facebook.) and have long been involved in preparedness, among other things, including international foreign relations.

Back to the OP's concerns. Cell towers are incredibly durable things. Have you ever noticed that many news in hurricane/tornado reports come via cell phones in the effected area? What you hear more of are system overloads when everyone in an area is making or receiving calls.
Radio communications has a learning curve just like shooting. First you have to understand your needs and what investment it will cost in time and money to become proficient in using those tools.

I'm obviously a believer in amateur radio, but and alternative for your described need, albeit an expensive one might be Sat phones.

Another thing to consider is a predefined comms and action plan. Where will you go or what will you do if you cannot communicate to each other directly. What about contact with a 3rd party outside your effected area? Say your cell phone service is out but someone else’s works or you find a land line active. Have everyone, kids too, call, for example, Aunt Martha who lives out of state. Let her be the messaging center. Not everyone may be able to get to some form of comms at the same time. This would allow some form of check in to let the others know everyone is OK or not.

This could even be expanded to ham radio as a messaging center. Think Red Dawn and Radio Free America.