I just ordered 6 more BaoFeng Handi-talkies. I got to thinking that when things get really bad and the other folks nearby realize that there is a radio network operating around them, they will start looking to get in on it and CB is not going to be the best option. Even though I already have a good stock of backup radios, I pretty much want to keep that backup stock just in case I need them. The one thing that jumped out at me was NO FREE SHIPPING. In the past, I always chose the shipping dates that allowed free shipping. Hmmm... That's going to cost me $15 more than the last batch that cost me $0. When and if our radio network becomes necessary, I'm pretty sure most of the group will decide to extend their range by installing BASE STATION antennas even if they have to build them or modify other antennas. The best distance Ive ever gotten out of a 5 watter with a rubber Duck was 14 miles back to my home Base Station. Conditions nust have been good that day because I haven't been able to duplicate it. However, I think Base station antennas up at a decent height could reach out as much as 20 miles to another Base Station antenna. keep in mind that I'm a flatlander and that wouldn't be so good in the mountains unless you were on top of a mountain. I hope these folks don't get it in their head that they want to try Crossband Repeaters because that would draw a lot of unwanted attention from regulators. If I hear any talk about setting up repeaters, I'm going to push really hard to get them to just relay messages. There is a very sketchy and not legal option...... All of the radios have the ability to turn on the SCRAMBLER function. The frequencies that we will be using don't allow the use of Scramblers. At the moment only myself and one neighbor monitor the neighborhood frequency all the time. When I passed out the radios I told them that for the moment, 24/7 monitoring wasn't really necessary. That might change in the near future and I might have to ask them to monitor 24/7. Fortunately, our newly elected local state legislator has gotten a General class Ham license and I can reach him if he's outside his house with his Handi-talkie. Hmmm..... It looks like I might just have to build him a Base Station antenna so he he can operate from inside his home. Crap!! I hope I don't have to give him my backup HF rig if things become necessary. I've gotten so much prepper supplies that I seem to now only focus on Communications in my County.
