Appendix 7 – Radio Networks
This appendix provides information that expands your knowledge on the two types of radio networks your BOL requires to communicate short distances in and around the BOL and the local community as well as long distance.
Short range radio communications takes place in the VHF and UHF spectrum bands and is referred to in the professional community as Land Mobile Radio, or LMR. LMR is used as the primary means of communications for emergency responders, commercial enterprises use to conduct business–such as taxi service, and is what you should use for your BOL communications. The most prevalent use of LMR is in the first responder community, police, fire, and ambulance services. For general prepper planning purposes, you should recruit radio technicians into your MAG that have LMR radio communications knowledge. For specific planning purposes, you should recruit the technicians specifically responsible for the local LMR networks within range of your BOL. Note that, with a ham radio license, you can coordinate with other hams and ham clubs to use their repeaters in the VHF range or install you own repeater, which also requires licensing.
HF radio is your best means of gathering information on what is going on around the world. Long distance communications takes place in the HF radio spectrum, which we discussed in detail in the main body of Absolute Anarchy. You can enter into the ham radio portions of the HF radio spectrum if you have a ham license. The HF radio networking information below provides you with specific networks that are already ongoing and which you can enter, or establish your own. Remember, HF radio allows you to communicate with other BOLs that are too far away for LMR, other survivors all around the country, and with other radio operators in other countries and on other continents.
Review these sites for more information on LMR networking.
https://www.justnet.org/pdf/091123-Outreach-0005-LMR_Webinar_Slides.pdf
http://www.firstnet.gov/network/lmr
http://urgentcomm.com/networks_and_systems/mag/design-lmr-system-definitions-201003
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/LMR%20101_508FINAL.pdf
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=private_land_radio
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a524525.pdf
http://www.firstnet.gov/sites/default/files/firstnet-lmr-factsheet.pdf
Prepper HF Radio Networks
HF Radio Networks is being revised to reflect current information. Please check back in a few days. We apologize for the inconvenience.