Friday's Thoughts and Other Stuff (Communications)

Dear Preppers and Survivalists,

105-inch Ultra HD Television from LG

photograph by

LG전자

State of the Industry
We (you and your family) know that the classic media is biased. They are lying about critical matters, pushing a reckless agenda, and providing support for organizations that want to destroy our country.

But, ...

Did you know, they are important to you and your family's survival?


Information
No matter the source, you and your family can determine "If"a source of information is being factual. You can do this a few ways.

First, is the story backed up by facts? Take Hurricane Harvey, as an example.

If a source is telling you that Dallas, a gazillion miles inland, is suffering from flooding caused by the storm surge, you know it's probably false.

Second, is the story based on things you can easily confirm? Take a recent telephone scam, the one were my niece was arrested in Las Vegas.

We called her and she was safely in bed.

Third, is the story based on facts, that you all ready know? Take the devastation caused by the alignment of the planets, every thousand years. You know, this story, this story, or ...

Of course, you and your family know, the planets align all the time and the world hasn't ended, yet.

Lastly, is the source 'official,' like the National Weather Service that has no reason to mislead you and your partner.


The Basics
You and your family only need one radio, a ...


Weather Alert Radio
These radio provide official emergency information, covering a variety of natural and technological events, in your area.

They range in price, starting at about $20 for a new radio with battery back-up to over $50 for a crank-powered, battery back-up, solar-powered, AM/FM radio with L.E.D. light

Notice! The Weather Alert Radio, you and your family want to purchase, has a battery back-up capability.

Link:
NOAA - NWR Receiver Consumer Information
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/info/nwrrcvr.html


The Basics, Plus One
The next radio, you and your partner went to get is a battery powered AM/FM radio. This radio provides access to information that isn't broadcasted by the weather alert radio, like evacuation routes, pick-up points, or emergency shelter locations.


Stop
That's it, unless your threat analysis shows the need for a method of receiving international information. For this, you will need a ...


Shortwave Receiver
Before I begin, taking these additional steps are going to cost you some money. How much is up to you and your family.

For about $150, you and your family can buy a serviceable shortwave radio, from there the sky's the limit.

No matter, which one you decide to purchase, there will be limitations. Let me explain.

With a shortwave receiver, your family is trying to listen to broadcasts from foreign countries. Here in these United States, we would try to listen to the English news programs on Deutsche Welle [Federal Republic of Germany (Germany)], Radio France Internationale [French Republic (France)], Sputnik [Russian Federation (Russia)], and others.

These radio stations are located on the other side of the world, so they use various techniques to 'bounce' the shortwave radio signal off the upper atmosphere. The upper atmosphere is unusable during the day, so you and your family can only listen to the radio station at night, late at night.

Needless to say, I haven't done much study on this subject, so ...

This leads to the next step, the ...


Shortwave Transceiver
A transceiver allows a licensed individual to transmit, over the radio equipment, so information can be passed back and forth from distant groups.

Of course, folks like fteter are willing to help new people, like me (you and your family) to earn these licenses, suggest purchases, and ... be really good people that are willing to help you learn!


Avoid
Over at Survival Blog, they recommend folks purchase Vacuum Tube Radios. These radios are, supposedly, resistant to an EMP attack or a natural CME event.

My thoughts?

They are 'rich' people toys better left to folks with too much money and ...

It would be less expensive to purchase inexpensive AM/FM radios, place them in a metal box with a few sets of batteries, and stick the whole thing on a storage self in your basement. Plus, if all the unprotected radios get fried, what do you think will happen to the radio stations?


Cheating
I'm having too much of a good time on vacation, so I had to 'cheat,' just a little bit.