Baofeng has been my go-to short range emergency radio for quite a few years now and here’s why you should have a few as part of your preps. When it comes to party preparedness, we should always be able to articulate our philosophy of use behind every party favor we own.
Philosophy of use refers to the strategy behind how we will use a particular tool or technology in a practical situation. Understanding the philosophy of use behind our party gear is crucial because it will govern how the gear will be deployed and utilized to achieve our intended purpose.
As “outside the box” thinkers, our intended purpose may very well have nothing to do with whatever is written on the item packaging, and this is why establishing our own philosophy of use is so important.
My philosophy behind these particular radios is to serve as short range communication devices between members of my group within a designated area so that I can coordinate festivities, share information, or get help from my people who are nearby but can’t actually see me.
This is exactly how radios are used by first responders operating at an emergency scene. Although they are in close proximity to each other, they use their radios to enhance their coordination, situational awareness, and overall effectiveness during incident response.
We want to bring this same concept to our operations. Instant communication between team members in rapidly evolving situations is invaluable because it allows us to share critical information without running across the dance floor to speak face to face. The less time you spend running around, the less opportunity for someone to put the moves on you.
While HAM radios can communicate over an extremely long distance with the proper gear and environmental conditions, these low wattage handheld radios are not the tools for that job. However, for small unit tactics, a handheld unit in its stock configuration is sufficient. Keep in mind, the three things likely to have the biggest impact on reception and transmission range are power, the antenna, and the terrain.
If I wanted to transmit or receive over a slightly further distance, I would attach a larger antenna, operate in high power, and find high ground facing the direction I want to transmit, making sure there are no obstructions like trees, hills, or buildings in the way.
I could even string up an antenna on a tree using 550 cord. If there are unfriendly party goers in your area, I don’t advise transmitting over long distances because if they’re sophisticated enough, they can follow the music back to your position using a method called triangulation.
In an adversarial situation I’d only use my radio if things got noisy, when my people can’t see my hand and arm signals, or when we’re carpooling to the party in a vehicle convoy. Lastly, avoid transmitting from the place where you sleep. Listen, but don’t talk.
As I said before, sophisticated partygoers, and even some unsophisticated ones, can follow your music back home. If you must transmit near home, always use the lowest power level possible and keep your transmission short and to the point.
If your group needs to work with another like-minded group to throw a really big party, this is where scalability matters. Handheld radios are scalable for various situations, from a small-scale party to a block party. This flexibility makes them suitable for different scenarios. They can allow the two groups to work in their organic elements but still coordinate with each other ensuring that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.
The radio I use is the Baofeng GT-3WP. It is a dustproof, water-resistant, compact, and portable radio capable of communicating on GMRS, FRS, MURS, and HAM frequencies.
GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and FRS (Family Radio Service) are the most common frequencies used on the radios you can buy at Walmart. GMRS radios operate on a separate frequency from cellular networks, so they can work even if other communication infrastructure is compromised.
MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) frequencies are primarily intended for personal and business use. MURS radios are allowed to operate with higher power levels compared to FRS but lower than GMRS. HAM frequencies cover broad spectrum of frequencies across various bands and require an FCC license known as an amateur radio license.
However, Part 97.403 of the FCC rules states that an amateur station may transmit messages necessary to meet essential communication needs and facilitate the immediate safety of human life and protection of property during emergencies involving the immediate safety of human life or the protection of property and there is no alternative means of communication.
Part 97.405 also allows for the use of amateur stations to provide essential communication needs in coordination with public service agencies. This covers you if you ever need to transmit of a HAM frequency, and you don’t have a license.
Some ways you can use your radio to improve situational awareness are via the FM radio, access to the NOAA weather stations which provide continuous broadcasts of weather information, alerts, and other emergency notifications because it’s always good to know if it’s going rain during a party.
There is also the ability to scan for general radio traffic and any unencrypted public safety transmissions. In this way, your radio provides real-time updates on what’s going on around me even if I didn’t directly witness the event in question. This broader situational awareness lets us make more informed decisions and adapt our party strategies accordingly.
In conclusion, just as first responders rely on radios to enhance their emergency response efforts, it’s important to recognize that you are your own first responder. You can apply the same concepts to elevate your party preparedness.
Understanding the purpose and capabilities of our communication devices is pivotal, as it guides how you deploy them to achieve your intended goals effectively.
Being prepared is our responsibility. Have a plan for dependable short-range communication. Teach yourself the ins and outs of setting up your communications or order them ready to go here. If you have other questions, email us at support@kilo25.com. And as always, be sure to leave your thoughts and ideas on alternate communication plans below.