By Serena Price
Making Contact with Emergency Communication Equipment during a disaster is crucial. Being able to connect with loved ones, staying informed as to the situation, and possibly coordinating with relief crews is vital to your safety. Most communication channels will be down during a crisis so having a ham radio, satellite phone, walkie-talkie, cell phone, or hand crank radio in your preparedness bag can give you peace of mind and even save your life.
The one option used for over 100 years during every disaster in the United States of America is the Ham Radio. They operate on a wide variety of frequencies ranging from above the AM broadcast band to the microwave region. These are short wave bands and bounce off the ionosphere from the transmitter to the antenna of the receiver's unit. In order to transmit longer distances, they use a repeater which receives the signal then rebroadcast it over and over again. Also some operators use Morse code which can often get through when voice transmission cannot. The Short Wave Radio has an internal battery or generator so outside power is not required.
A Satellite Phone does not rely on cell networks in order to operate. Instead they connect to orbiting satellites and provide the same functions a cell phone offers. These are voice, short messaging and limited internet. Any overload to the cell phone network will not have an effect on this option. As long as the satellites are orbiting the earth you will be able to make use of this option.
A Walkie-Talkie does not use cell networks or phone lines either. It is a portable and hand held two-way radio that uses radio waves to transmit voice. They are battery operated and do not need an external power source. These are best used for distance of 1 mile to almost 35 as long as there are no obstacles in the 'line of sight', such as a mountain, buildings, or trees.
A cell phone can still be useful during an emergency or disaster. Even if the network becomes overloaded, you can still send and receive text messages because that feature uses a different bandwidth. In addition, if you have a data plan, you should still be able to access the internet to gather information, send messages, and post to social media regarding your condition.
A Hand-crank radio will not allow you to send voice messages but it is a most useful tool. First it provides access to information being transmitted on AM/FM and weather stations. Modern units also have a built-in port for charging cell phones, they can be used as a flashlight, reading light, have emergency flashing light, and many other important extra's. In addition, the energy it needs to operate is fulfilled provided by turning a crank by hand or from the solar panel that most have now.
Be sure to include in your disaster kit plenty of batteries. Make certain they are the size needed and change them out according to manufacture instructions to ensure freshness when they are needed. A solar converter and panels are also smart investments for your kit.
Emergency communication equipment Is Important to the safety and peace of mind of your family and yourself during a disaster or crisis. Put together a preparedness bag that includes not only food, water, and medical supplies, but also one of the suggestions from above.
The one option used for over 100 years during every disaster in the United States of America is the Ham Radio. They operate on a wide variety of frequencies ranging from above the AM broadcast band to the microwave region. These are short wave bands and bounce off the ionosphere from the transmitter to the antenna of the receiver's unit. In order to transmit longer distances, they use a repeater which receives the signal then rebroadcast it over and over again. Also some operators use Morse code which can often get through when voice transmission cannot. The Short Wave Radio has an internal battery or generator so outside power is not required.
A Satellite Phone does not rely on cell networks in order to operate. Instead they connect to orbiting satellites and provide the same functions a cell phone offers. These are voice, short messaging and limited internet. Any overload to the cell phone network will not have an effect on this option. As long as the satellites are orbiting the earth you will be able to make use of this option.
A Walkie-Talkie does not use cell networks or phone lines either. It is a portable and hand held two-way radio that uses radio waves to transmit voice. They are battery operated and do not need an external power source. These are best used for distance of 1 mile to almost 35 as long as there are no obstacles in the 'line of sight', such as a mountain, buildings, or trees.
A cell phone can still be useful during an emergency or disaster. Even if the network becomes overloaded, you can still send and receive text messages because that feature uses a different bandwidth. In addition, if you have a data plan, you should still be able to access the internet to gather information, send messages, and post to social media regarding your condition.
A Hand-crank radio will not allow you to send voice messages but it is a most useful tool. First it provides access to information being transmitted on AM/FM and weather stations. Modern units also have a built-in port for charging cell phones, they can be used as a flashlight, reading light, have emergency flashing light, and many other important extra's. In addition, the energy it needs to operate is fulfilled provided by turning a crank by hand or from the solar panel that most have now.
Be sure to include in your disaster kit plenty of batteries. Make certain they are the size needed and change them out according to manufacture instructions to ensure freshness when they are needed. A solar converter and panels are also smart investments for your kit.
Emergency communication equipment Is Important to the safety and peace of mind of your family and yourself during a disaster or crisis. Put together a preparedness bag that includes not only food, water, and medical supplies, but also one of the suggestions from above.
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