Emergency Communications Kit
Building your Radio Kit
If something happens, a natural disaster or terrorist attack, and we lose cell towers, how will you communicate to your family? You may want to consider developing a communications kit for each person in your family. What I am presenting here is for local area communication (2-3 miles) and not for long distance.
Before going further, I want to share that I have a Ham Radio license which allows me to use small handheld radios that are much more capable than a Family Radio Service (FRS) or a General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). The FRS are set up to be radio to radio, you cannot change frequencies. GMRS will give you some variations of what channels you can listen to and typically perform a little better than the FRS systems. Ham radios, depending on your license, can have a significant number of options and are more challenging to setup, but can allow you to get weather, monitor some community emergency frequencies etc. They Ham Radios typically have a bunch of options so you can make it fit your needs very well.
Below is the kit that I have put together. Again I use a Ham radio, but you could do the same for a FRS or GMRS radio. Be aware that many of the accessories may not be available for a FRS or GMRS system. I have provided links but I do not make any money off them. These are my recommendations.
Why I like it: The cost of this radio is less than $70 at the time of this writing. I am not going to be upset if it gets stolen or destroyed. It is very popular so there are a ton of accessories, videos on how to set it up and more.
Extra Battery: B-Tech BL-5L 3800 mAh Amazon Link
Why I like it: It gives me a more time. It is also comes with a USB charger so it can plug into my other power sources.
Be mindful: If you get a case for the radio, it will typically fit either a regular or an extended battery. So you may want the same battery size.
Separate Speaker/Mic: Commountain Heavy Speaker Mic Amazon Link
Why I like it: This allows me to have the radio in a case or attacked to the outside of a pack but I can put the speaker/mic closer to me ear allowing me to better hear it or communicate quicker. Be sure to get a quality set. The first one I got had a terrible speaker, this one seems much better.
Storage Case: Maxpedition Fatty Pocket Organizer Amazon Link
Why I like it: This gives me room for all the things that I want to include in this kit. It is well built and a great value.
Be mindful: You may want more or less items in your kit, so be sure you account for that when sizing your case.
Antenna: Iron Spear Outiitters – Maximus Link
Why I like it: This aftermarket antenna works much better. The antenna is flexible but won’t break. They claim it is unbreakable.
Be mindful: Be sure to order the correct fitting for your specific radio.
Other things that I have in my kit:
Write in the rain note pad and pen. This includes frequencies that I will be communicating on, call sign etc.
MIRKIT – This is an adapter that I can plug into a laptop and using an application can program my radio with a ton of presets and more.
Additional items worth consideration:
Car charger. Be sure that it includes a battery eliminator so that you don’t get interference. This would stay in the car rather than be carried in the kit.
Carrying case. I use the Raptor PMR BAOFENG UV-5R EXTENDED. You can see them here.
I would urge you to consider a Ham Radio license. I will do another article on that topic, but there are incredible resources to help you study for free. There are a bunch of clubs throughout the US that will be more than willing to help you get comfortable using one. Just remember that everyone that has a Ham Radio must have a license to transmit. You do not have to have one to listen, but you cannot talk until you get licensed. It is very inexpensive and not too much effort.
Hope this helps you to be more prepared.