Forward Observations Vol. 2: A Case For Comms

This article was originally published in FORWARD OBSERVATIONS VOLUME 2.

In the minutes and hours following the deadly terrorist attacks of 9/11, New York City faced a “mass call event” — millions of New Yorkers trying to locate and call their family members all at the same time. This massive influx of phone traffic caused service to go down across New York and other parts of the East Coast. For many of the victims that day, a 9-1-1 call center was the only number they were able to reach to say their final goodbyes. It took FEMA and city officials almost four days to bring in “Cell Towers on Wheels” or, “COWS,” that would restore cell service to the area and provide communications for rescue and recovery workers.

The United States has changed in many ways since that day, but is still somewhat fragile when it comes to emergency communications for civilians. A Verizon corporate spokesperson once stated that the over-engineering required for their network to support huge surges of calls during emergencies was “not appropriate or feasible.” Since 9/11, there have been other examples of essential communications (like cell phones) breaking down.

Just twenty minutes after the 2007 San Francisco Alum Rock Earthquake, the call volume of Santa Clara County alone jumped from an average of 300k calls on a normal day, to over 2.3 million, completely overloading the network.

After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the FCC reported that 25% of cell towers across 10 states had been disabled, including an “unspecified” number of 9-1-1 call centers.

In the hours following the 2013 Boston Bombing, network calls were completely unavailable, with only limited capacity for text messages. Desperate Bostonians pleaded for local businesses to open up their WIFI so that they could contact their loved ones.

More recently, over 1600 cell towers were out of service during the California wildfires of 2019. This made it impossible to coordinate help for friends and family who were in the path of the blaze, and even more importantly, made it impossible to receive evacuation orders through the state’s emergency alert text system. In addition to these outages, power shut-offs caused multiple FM and AM radio stations to go down, with 454,722 subscribers of landline phones, cable television and internet also losing service. One person described it as an “apocalyptic picture of millions of people and emergency response teams left in the dark, shockingly without any form of communication.”

You can probably see where I’m going with all this. Having a reliable backup means of communication during an emergency gives you an incredible advantage. Being able to communicate and coordinate in real-time can make all the difference.

Even outside of large-scale catastrophic events and emergencies, there are several good reasons to consider alternative communication methods. Many of us travel through or live in rural areas and encounter “dead zones” quite frequently. Plenty of us enjoy off-roading and overlanding, far from the reach of local cell service. For those who live in colder climates, getting your vehicle stuck on a snowy highway or mountain pass at night without cell service can be a very serious situation indeed.

There are also occasions where your own local or federal government can be the cause of cell network outages. At least two official cases of cell phone “jamming” or disabling have been reported in recent history — one in 2005 when officials in New York shut down service in New York’s Lincoln, Holland, Queens and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnels (after concerns that a terrorist attack could be carried out with remotely-detonated devices,) and another in 2011 when officials in San Francisco shut down cell service in the BART rail system in an attempt to stop protesters.

From these examples, it’s easy to see why you might consider some form of “backup” communications. Many of us are dedicated to maintaining a supply of firearms, ammo, and medical supplies, but comms are not usually given the attention they deserve.

One of the best tools available for the job is a handheld radio. There are as many variables in selecting a radio as there are in selecting firearms, but what I will do here is cover some of the essential information you need to get started in the right direction. When I refer to handheld radios, I’m referring to the small dual-band transceivers that are typically meant for amateur radio use. I’ll cover what these terms mean shortly.

There’s one radio in particular that’s been in the spotlight — The Baofeng UV5R (pronounced “bow-fung,” or most commonly “bo-feng” or “bow-fang”.) The FCC issued a public statement in September of 2018 (DA 18-980) saying that the radios “could not be imported, advertised, or sold unless they complied with the commission’s rules”. The problem dates all the way back to 2013 when the FCC received a complaint that Baofengs were essentially “open” radios and could transmit on bands they weren’t supposed to (basically like the guys who call the ATF and ask for opinions on things.) This enforcement advisory muddied the waters in a serious way, creating a sea of conflicting interpretations and blog posts from radio owners online. Even the FCC contradicted itself and back-peddled on earlier statements. The ARRL got involved about a year ago and there haven’t been any real updates since. Word spread quickly that the supply of these Baofeng radios was going to dry up and a panic-buy ensued (if you ever want to guarantee that gun dudes buy something, just tell them they can’t have it anymore). It’s definitely not a bad reason for buying a radio, it’s just that many of these folks don’t really know what to do with them now that they have them. Fast forward to today, the radios are still being sold on Amazon and eBay, they’re just marketed slightly differently now. They’re still capable of operating on a wide range of frequencies, even if they’re not certified to transmit on them (more on that later.) Are they legal? The short answer is yes, as long as you use them only on the amateur bands they’re approved for (FCC part 90.)

Before we go any further, a few quick legal disclaimers: I am not a lawyer, and none of this is considered legal advice. You should always operate your radio legally and follow all local, state, and federal laws, abiding by all FCC guidelines. It’s your responsibility to understand current rules and regulations. You’re solely responsible for the operation of your radio. Make sure to obtain any required licenses or permits for the bands you intend to operate on.

With that out of the way, it’s important to note that listening on your radio is usually fine, but a license is usually required to transmit. However, there are exceptions to these rules in times of emergency — FCC §97.403 states that “no provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.” The FCC rules are probably the last thing you or I would be thinking about in a life-or-death situation like that, but just know that there are protections in place if normal means of communication are not available.

The technical performance of these small Baofeng radios is impressive for the cost. For around $23 you get much of the functionality of a radio four times its price. What this lower price point means is that almost anyone can afford to have one (or a few dozen) tucked away somewhere. There’s not a big barrier to entry for those who are curious about trying one out. They’re also cheap enough that if I drop one in a river while hunting pigs here in Texas, it’s not really a big deal. They’re surprisingly robust and get even better with some additional accessories. If you’re interested in a more “premium” hand-held radio, check out options from Yaesu or Icom.

Dual-band means there are two primary bands that the radio operates on — VHF and UHF. There are about 8 bands that radio waves travel on in total in the world around us, with VHF and UHF being two of the most common. VHF frequencies are around 136-174 MHz with a radio wave size of about 2 meters, and UHF frequencies are around 400-480 MHz with a wave size of about 70 centimeters. This information will come in handy when selecting a frequency for your environment. UHF is better at penetrating obstacles like buildings and trees. If you’re in a city or urban environment and have a choice between the two bands, go with UHF. This can be handy to know when communicating directly with someone radio-to-radio (called “simplex” operations,) and even sometimes when using a repeater (called “duplex” operations.) Repeaters are like large base stations, and many of them have a UHF and VHF option to choose from.

The first thing you’ll want to do when you get your radio is replace the factory antenna (called a rubber duck.) The performance on these is average at best, and there are some really decent Nagoya brand whips on Amazon that will greatly improve the reception of your radio. I’ve been using their NA-771 whip for the last four years. For someone who needs to be more covert than a giant whip antenna sticking out of their backpack on the train to work, Nagoya also sells the NA-810 “Mini Whip” that is a little 2.5” stubby antenna that can bend back on itself. Its performance is on-par with the factory antenna, but its flexibility and durability make it very useful. I keep a small UV5R with a stubby antenna in the center console of my car at all times. The antenna is flexible enough that I can throw it in there (or on a plate carrier) and know that it’s not going to break off. Many people I talk to about radios are drawn to the ABREE blade antennas on Amazon because they look like the ones made by Thales and Harris. In my experience the performance on the shorter 18.8” version was average (there are some decent tests on YouTube that indicate the 42” version is better,) but they look cool, and we all know looking cool is rule number one.

The difference between a good antenna and a bad antenna is resonance. An electromagnetic radio wave has to be able to resonate out of your antenna to transmit effectively. If it can’t do that, its performance is severely limited and can even damage your radio at higher power (look up Standing Wave Ratio or SWR if interested.) To make an antenna more resonant it should be tuned for the frequency you’re operating on. If you were making an antenna yourself, the length of the antenna would play an important part in tuning it. The good news is most of the standard dual-band antennas you can buy online are already tuned and have acceptable gain (see below). For dual-band antennas, the longer the antenna the better. Some antennas have folds and coils that lengthen the antenna without increasing its overall footprint.

Gain is important when buying a quality antenna. Gain is a factor of directivity and electrical efficiency, i.e. how efficiently the antenna uses the power its given and the direction it focuses the RF pattern. The Nagoya NA-771 has 2.5dBi of gain and has noticeably better performance compared to the stock antenna. A negative gain antenna can result in less power output from your radio due to loss. There isn’t much point in buying an 8W BF8HP only to leave the stock antenna on and waste that extra juice.

Another technique for making sure your signal resonates correctly is using a counterpoise. If you were setting up a very large vertical antenna, this would essentially be a long grounding wire that you would measure out to balance the SWR correctly. On a small handheld radio this is rarely a problem, since your body acts as the other half of the dipole and also grounds the radio as you hold it in your hand (you can also place a radio with stubby antenna on your thigh if you’re driving and you will notice an immediate improvement in reception). This doesn’t hurt your body at all, but remember to never grab your antenna while transmitting at high power. You’ll feel a shock, or what they call an “RF burn.” You can experience an RF burn by putting your Baofeng on low power mode, removing the antenna, placing your finger on the exposed threads, and hitting the TX button (transmit). Just kidding. Don’t do this.

Another question I get often is the expected range from a radio. There are obviously a lot of variables that go into this. Since we’ve already covered antenna effectiveness and which frequencies penetrate obstacles the best, the next variable on the list is power output (which can range anywhere from .5 watt, to 8 watts on the more powerful Baofengs.) The general rule of thumb is to only use as much power as needed to make contact. Don’t TX with 8W next to your head if 3W is all it takes. “More power” is not always the solution — antenna efficiency, line of sight (obstacles), and elevation all play a role. FM radio waves travel in a straight line (unlike AM waves that use the ionosphere to circle the globe). Hypothetically speaking, because of the curvature of the earth, even with unlimited radio power your signal would only reach about 40 miles away if you were standing at ground-level. Getting to higher elevation to make transmissions almost always increases your range. The final variable is obstacles: buildings, trees, and sitting in your car all inhibit your range. My local repeater is 4.5 miles from my house in the suburbs, and I can hit it at ground level with a quality radio (a Yaesu handheld with good internals and transmitter) and a good antenna. A standard Baofeng out of the box might only get a mile in the same environment. You’ll be able to listen loud and clear, but your signal won’t have enough reach. On the other hand, in a completely open environment, you could reach well over 10 miles with a baofeng and a good antenna. Getting into radios is all about testing and experimentation, so learn what is possible in your environment.

If you’re someone who is looking to connect their Baofeng radio to their coms-compatible headsets (Like Peltor Comtacs or MSA Sordins) for close-range communications in a team environment, you’ll need an amplified PTT. I recommend the PTT from Disco32.com that has a Kenwood two-pin plug that is compatible with Baofengs. This should be the go-to for Peltor owners. They use a true Nexus U94 PTT, not a cheap knock off you’ll find on Amazon, and the input is a standard TP-120 for the down lead input. SRS Tactical also makes a great PTT for headsets using electret microphones. If you’re using the Baofeng for “tactical” comms, you might also want to consider a vest-mounted antenna that can be woven around and through the molle on your plate carrier. Disco32 has one called the VMAS, and Caatail Antennas also have a version. These generally give you more mobility when working in close proximity to your team, since you don’t have a large blade antenna or a whip in your face.

Now that we’ve covered some radio hardware basics, let’s get into some specific frequencies and channels you should know about, both inside and outside the Amateur Radio Service (ARS). The information below pertains specifically to the American Band Plan. The specific frequencies for these services can be found by googling the service’s name. Make sure your radio is certified to operate on these bands before doing so.

The first common set of frequencies is FRS: The “Family Radio Service” is a selection of frequencies reserved for use by walkie-talkies and other commercial devices like RC toys, baby monitors and door sensors for security systems (for an interesting hack of these sensors using a Baofeng radio, check out “SimpliSafe Alarm Bypassed With a $2 Device From Amazon”) You can find the frequency list for channels 1-15 online, with some additional FRS channels overlapping with GMRS. FRS is handy to use in groups with multiple commercial walkie talkies (such as overlanding, camping, hunting, and other outdoor activities.) The frequencies are free to use and do not require a license for FCC approved devices. Unfortunately, Baofeng radios are not usually approved for FRS transmissions under normal conditions (FCC Part 95) because their power output is too high (well over the .5 watt limit,) and they have a detachable antenna (a seemingly arbitrary rule that feels a lot like the NFA.)

As a general note on all “illegal” transmissions: There’s always the possibility that local radio operators in your area might fox hunt you if you’re transmitting illegally on the amaetur frequencies they use (i.e. using their repeater when you clearly don’t have a callsign.) This is done using two directional antennas in a cross pattern to find the source of the transmission. The FCC typically will only issue a fine after they receive a complaint from someone about you. You can see all of the fines that the FCC has ever issued by googling “FCC Field Notices.” These are typically issued to businesses and schools that have been transmitting illegally for some time and at high-power (you really have to draw attention to yourself to get noticed and reported to the FCC.) Instances of individuals receiving a fine for operating on FRS (or other reserved frequencies) illegally with a handheld radio are pretty rare, but it’s always a possibility. Just remember, as the operator you are responsible for all transmissions. Even on the “low” power setting, a transmission from your radio might extend over a mile. Be smart. Be safe. Be legal. I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice.

GMRS, or the “General Mobile Radio Service” is a licensed set of radio frequencies. Licenses are issued for a ten-year term and cost around $70. One license includes the individual and their immediate family members. The power limit on GMRS is much higher than FRS (up to 50 watts.)

MURS, or the “Multi-Use Radio Service” consists of five channels (including “Blue Dot” and “Green Dot”) that were previously in the industrial/business radio service. No license is required, but the MURS transmitter/radio must be certified by the FCC. Most Baofeng radios are not approved as MURS devices, you will need to check your specific model number. The BTECH MURS V1 is a MURS approved radio I have recommended in the past. It’s basically a high-powered walkie talkie (2 watts) and looks just like a BaoFeng UV-82HP. You can use it all you want on the pre-programmed MURS channels without the hassle of licenses. It’s a great solution for team comms.

NOAA Weather Radio (from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the country. The broadcasts include warnings, watches, forecasts, current weather observations, and other hazard information, 24 hours a day. NOAA has eight different channels that are used across the country. You are likely to only hear one (maybe two) for your area. It’s also good to look up the “Skywarn” frequencies for your area so you can hear the storm spotters when something develops.

Ham repeaters are larger stations that a group of Ham radio operators have joined together to build as part of their club. They’re often large towers with a large antenna and are licensed by the FCC (hence the callsign name you will see for each one). For a full list of amateur radio frequencies see the American Band Plan. Repeaters are higher power than handheld radios, and can therefore be used to “repeat” or amplify your transmissions using duplex operations over a much larger area. Listening to Ham radio is legal (and can be beneficial in obtaining local traffic and weather information from people around the city,) but transmitting requires at least a Technician Class license. Answers to the Ham radio tests are all published online and the test fee is only $15. HAM radio operators often hold “nets” in the evenings that you can listen to.

Repeaters are an important information source in times of emergency, since some Hams are trained weather spotters and also members of civil service groups like ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) that can relay real-time information over the air. A close friend of mine reported hearing updates on the movement of a tornado in our city almost 5 minutes before local television could report on it. When a tornado is pointed at your house, you want all the extra time you can get. My own family has spent more than one night sheltered in an interior bathroom downstairs, listening to the updates on tornadoes approaching our neighborhood on the radio.

I would highly recommend getting your Ham license. The hobby is in need of younger people who are willing to join. I’m hoping that with more Baofeng radios in peoples’ hands, a younger crowd will be motivated to join and eventually change the perception of Ham radio from “a bunch of crotchety old guys” to something far more appealing. Here are a few Youtube Channels I recommend: Ham Radio 2.0, Ham Radio Concepts, and Ham Radio Crash Course. I wish I had had these resources (or had known about them), when I was getting into radios back in the day.

Lastly, let’s talk about frequencies for emergency services — Police, Fire, EMS, etc. Many large cities across the country have moved their police departments over to trunked systems or use something like P25 digital. This means that without an approved radio device, you’re not going to be able to hear the digital or encrypted. A standard Baofeng radio is basically analogue, without any encryption capabilities (CTCSS and DCS are just filters, they do not make your transmissions private.) If your city is still using analogue radios, you might be able to hear Police, Fire, and EMS frequencies by scanning, or, by searching for the frequencies online on one the sites listed below. These can be handy for hearing updates on accidents on the highway, and even listening to dispatch responding to events in your neighborhood. Do not, for any reason, ever transmit on or interfere with these frequencies. Interfering with emergency radio frequencies is a serious offense.

Frequencies can be programmed into your radio using free software called CHIRP. A programming cable will cost you around $20. There are plenty of fake cables on eBay and Amazon, and they’re almost always the culprit when people are having trouble programming their radios. The chipsets inside these fake cables are junk and they use old prolific drivers (more info on getting the right drivers here). When your Mac or PC installs the latest drivers by default, the cable doesn’t work. If you get a lemon, send it back and don’t waste your time. Get an authentic FTDI cable here, or here. Any free cable that comes with a small CD is usually garbage.

There are a number of websites you can use to find local frequencies in your area. Repeaterbook.com is great for finding repeaters, and RadioReference.com is great for finding civil service and emergency frequencies. From there, copy or import that data into CHIRP and build your list. Make sure to input the correct PL tones. CHIRP has the ability to disable transmitting on certain frequencies, this can be a useful feature to avoid illegal transmissions. Just be mindful of functions you might need if you were in an emergency situation.

As a community, I think we’ve done a great job of promoting the importance of firearm classes and medical training over the last few years. We’re even seeing an increased emphasis on the importance of body armor and night vision for civilian shooters. My hope is that communications becomes the next item on that list, and that everyone can have at least one radio they’re familiar with in their home.

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