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10 Ways To Communicate When SHTF, Without Your Phone Or Internet
COMMUNICATION
By
Fred Tyrell
January 6, 2020
In a natural disaster, civil unrest, or other public emergency, being able to communicate up to 5 miles or more is very important.
When there isn’t a working cellphone system or the internet is unavailable, it can wreak havoc. People that take their phone everywhere, or rely on it for all forms of contact with other people will be at a serious disadvantage. Sadly, as we have seen already in some disasters, these individuals can and will mentally shut down or be unable to function at all.
While many people today take their cell phones and internet access for granted, there are other effective ways to communicate in an emergency. Here are some older ways of communication that you should learn how to use.
Types Of Non-Cellular or Non-Web Radios and Phones
Many people today think of radios only in terms of their capacity to receive signals. While this is important for obtaining timely information in a crisis, there are other radios that you can use to transmit information to others that have a compatible receiver.
Codes and Why You Need to Learn Them
- Ham Radios – This is the best radio to use for any type of post disaster communication. Ham operators are regulated by the FCC, user must have a valid license. These radios can be used to communicate with anyone around the world. FEMA uses these radios to pass on vital information during emergencies and broadcast information to hospitals, shelters, police stations, fire stations and other emergence services.
- CB Radios – Even though they aren’t as popular as the use to be, CB radios are still used by truckers and other commercial drivers. The range of the radio depends on whether the transmitter is located in a base station or a mobile unit. Base stations have a longer broadcasting range than mobile units. CB radios must also be licensed by the FCC in order to operate. The average broadcasting distance is between 25 and 50 miles.
- Walkie-Talkies – These are short ranged, hand held, battery powered radios that can be used for emergency communications. Depending on the broadcasting power they may have a range of 1 to 10 miles.
- Hand Cranked Radios with AM, FM, And Short Wave Channels – Although these radios can only receive, they are a big help in getting good reliable news and weather reports. The nice thing about this radio is that it doesn’t need batteries. It uses a crank generator to supply the needed electric power.
- Satellite Phones – These phones work during disasters because they work through satellites instead of cellphone towers. They will work without interruption unless the satellites are jammed. They are expensive to buy and may not work in some situations that would not stop a Ham radio.
- Land Line Phones – Most of these phones are obsolete by today’s standards. There are still a few around in big cities and small towns. If you can find a working phone in a disaster, they are much more reliable than cell phone networks. Be sure to have some change, in case you find a pay phone.
In a major crisis, there may be times when you will not be able to transmit information using voice and words. Instead, you may have to tap out sounds, or use a series of light flashes to communicate important information. Here are two code systems that will be well worth learning. They can be used with anything from drums to flashlights and mirrors as well as for communication over electronic networks.
Morse Code
Was invented by an American Samuel F.B. Morse, and first used in 1844. It is a relatively simple code that turns letters, numbers, and punctuation into a series of dots, dashes, and spaces.
The most important advantage of Morse Code is it’s ability to be used in almost any circumstance. It works as long as it’s possible to make a signal of some sort. Morse Code is usually transmitted by on-off keying of an information carrying medium such as electric current, radio waves, visible light, sound waves, and signal flags.
Morse Code was used extensively from the Civil War through Vietnam, and was also the standard format for ocean communications until the Global Maritime Distress Safety System replaced it in 1999. Most people will tell you that Morse Code is obsolete, and no longer worth learning. As a prepper, however, you may appreciate the following advantages:
5X5 Tap Code
- It is possible to transmit using little more than a wire antenna, some simple electronic parts, and a few small batteries.
- Morse Code signals can be sent over much longer distances with a lower power requirement than voice messages.
- When nothing else works, Morse Code will work.
- It’s much easier to filter out background noise and hear weak signals.
- Since it is obsolete, there is a chance you can send messages that unintended listeners may not be able to decipher. That being said, an additional layer of encryption would also be helpful.
This code was originally used as a way for prisoners of war, penal incaceration, and others to communicate with each other without individuals outside group knowing what is being said. It’s a short range communications system that only travels the length of the medium being sent on.
5 x 5 Tap Code is similar to Morse code in the sense that alphanumetric characters must be translated into a system of taps. The sounds can be made by tapping on anything available such as pipe, metal bars, the walls of a room or cell, or any object that can transmit the tapping. It can also be used with a Morse Code on-off sending key.
The code itself uses a square to make a 5×5 grid of letters in the English alphabet. Since the alphabet has 26 letters, C and K are both located in the top row third column spot to avoid an uneven grid.
In order to interpret the message, a listener must be able to gage the timing of the taps.
How To Use The Tap Code
To use this system each letter is identified by tapping two numbers.
As an example, to specify the letter “O” tap three times, very short pause, then tap four times, and a little longer pause.
- The fist number designates the position in the down row, and is followed by a short pause.
- The second number designates the column number, and is followed by a longer pause.
- The letter X is use to break up sentences.
- The letter K is used to acknowledge the message.
- You can expect abbreviations in order to reduce the amount of time required to send the message.
To Spell Out The Word “HELP” In The 5X5 Tap Code
H E L P
2,3 1,5 3,1 3,5
.. … . ….. … . … …..