Gunner Quinn
(Continued from Part 2.)
Low-Power Radio, Communications Planning, and SOI
Several radio types that are relatively easy to use can used to complete a commo plan. To start, choose a primary platform such as either FRS, GMRS, MURS, or CB, and then choose an alternative to standardize on. Then select a primary and alternative channel for both your primary and alternative radio services. Expect to be jammed and be prepared with a set of Signals Operation Instructions (SOI) so that all understand when and how to quietly switch to the alternative channel or radio service.
For longer ranges, GMRS and SSB CB (or standard CB) complement each other. GMRS that can transmit with up to 50 watts requires a license and has only 8 channels, plus a repeater channel. Anyone with a FRS/GMRS could talk to you, or monitor your traffic and over time develop a good understanding of your operation and what resources you may have.
A 23-channel or 40-channel CB requires a large antennas to extend its range out to a practical maximum that might be as much as 12 miles, while a CB with Single Side Band (SSB) puts out a nominal 12 watts of power verses 3.5 watt for standard CB, and therefore will have a much greater range than standard AM or FM CB on whatever antenna is available. Modern handheld CBs are more compact than they once were, but not nearly as compact as an FRS or MURS handheld. FRS radios made after 2016 can have up to 2 watts Effective Radiated Power (ERP) but only on channels 8 through 14 (FRS only). They were formerly restricted to 500 mW ERP.
If it is affordable, big antenna and all, I would step up to a CB with SSB for mobile and base station work. This transceiver gives the common man the most capability, an ability to talk to his region and locally as he chooses and for least amount of money. He also has better COMSEC than GMRS users would. For dedicated security work, I would choose MURS and then CB, and lastly FRS. That is if I must restrict myself to these less-regulated radio services.
As with any radio, it is important during a Without Rulke of Law (WROL) situation to use brevity codes and good radio discipline. Do not use a radio as you would a cell phone. A GMRS mobile with 50 watts of power on a high-gain antenna can have considerable range, upwards of 50 miles to another mobile, or 100 miles with mountain-top repeaters. I can operate a 70cm repeater 80 miles away using only 5 watts. Powered back to only 5 watts, a 10 mile is still possible. It is safer to use a handheld on low power, 2 watts maximum. Again: Deliberately limit the range as much as possible.
Unfortunately, there are many GMRS and FRS transceivers out there that will hear you. FRS/GMRS handheld radios are the most ubiquitous two-way radios in the U.S.. Given this major COMSEC issue with GMRS, a SSB CB would be a better choice for longer distances between the base stations and vehicles. Unfortunately, I know of no handheld SSB CBs currently on the market. But there are plenty of mobile [vehicular mount design] CBs with SSB available. Look for a full-featured 10 Meter converted to CB at Scott’s Radio. I do my own conversions, and so can you.
I would use standard AM CB, or CB with SSB, AM, and FM as a primary, and GMRS as the secondary for ranges outside of a typical 4-mile diameter Area of Operations (AO). CB and GMRS complement each other as long and short-range options that together cover the most operational requirements for the least amount of money. CB is the most cost-effective, yet GMRS mobiles can extend the range of handheld FRS radios as these radio service share channels 1 through 8, where GMRS mobiles and handhelds can transmit with up to 5 watts and FRS handheld can now legally transmit with up to 2 watts ERP on the shared frequencies.
The maximum range given a GMRS base station and a FRS handheld might be as little as 2 miles, and a maximum of up to 8 miles in ideal terrain. AM CB using only 3.5 watts on a good antenna can better cover mountainous terrain, whereas the very short wavelength of GMRS/FRS frequencies is ideal for operations involving buildings and vehicles where no large external antennas are used. Use CB and GMRS/FRS except for security operations if at all possible. The combination of CB and GMRS/FRS complements each other for long and short range contacts between neighbors and the greater local area. At night, CB with SSB might be able to talk to the greater region and into another state, as well.
Unfortunately, there are to my knowledge no handheld SSB CB radios available. But there are plenty of standard (non-SSB) CB handhelds in modern and more compact form. But these typically are relatively large compared to FRS radios. And because of the longer wavelength, and long telescoping antennas needed for useful ranges, these are not practical for everyday carry. However, if a short ‘rubber duck’ antenna is used on a modern handheld CB, the range can be advantageously short, making the handheld CB a better option for security work than either GMRS or FRS radios.
Using handheld CBs as described would be an example of departing from the well beaten path, as few handheld CBs would be in operation in a security roll. The CB handheld typically produces an honest 3.5 watts and can be connected to a full size external antenna of various kinds including those with built-in ground planes and thereby equal the range of full sized CB mobile of up to 12 miles as an extreme maximum. Power down a handheld CB, and use a very short antenna to greatly improve your COMSEC. Keep the maximum range of the signal to within a quarter of a mile and you’ll be safer for doing so. If ‘they’ cannot hear you, then ‘they’ cannot target you so easily.
Modern handheld CBs offer an FM mode and various configurations including remote microphones, and a K-1 data cable jack for use with laptops or tablets or Android phones that have FLdigi or ANfldigi software for data and digital transmission. CB has departed from the old heavy “brick” handhelds of the past. Modern 10 Meter radios with all the options of Amateur Radio transceivers can be converted to CB (11 Meter). I will eventually convert my Kenwood HF set to operate on CB and 10 Meter. I expect that in a WROL situation, most of the actual movers and shakers will be using CB in some form, including the use of Free Band frequencies.
GMRS has only 8 channels, yet in many lightly populated regions that is plenty. And we can use PL tones to block unwanted traffic. If we use brevity codes and limit ourselves to brief exchanges, GMRS would suffice until the threat situation escalates. And because the GMRS 5-watt handheld radios are compact, we can carry a handheld transceiver that can talk to a base station at an extended distances, and possibly to a repeater if there is one in your area. If there is, then you have major advantage and very good reason to choose GMRS as your primary, and SSB CB, or just plain old CB, as a secondary.
The Exceptional MURS Radio Service
But what about MURS? MURS is an exceptional radio service that is best reserved exclusively for a security operation that predominately listens and talks little lest we compromise our tactical surprise, should attackers threaten us. It uses VHF frequencies that propagate well in forested regions, and yet it remains at least somewhat obscure. The compact low-power MURS transceiver is ideal for outdoor work and patrols. Note however, that occasionally other preppers will be found to be using this radio service.
We do not need to program a Baofeng or Business Band radio to use MURS. Pre-programmed handheld MURS radios are widely available and these are a better fit for the novice. Select one with a detachable antenna that can be attached to an external antenna. A good external antenna, omni-directional or directional (Yagi or Moxon antenna) that is compliant with FCC regulations gives MURS advantages that improve COMSEC in ways that most would not anticipate. In my way of thinking, GMRS/FRS could be a suitable primary, and CB as a secondary or primary. But MURS handhelds could be reserved for security operations. MURS handhelds could also be attached to a linear amplifier and could be an alternative option for longer range radio out to 10 miles and complement CB, or SSB CB.
My Favorite FRS Radio
The Midland GTX series of radios has changed little over the past 15 years. My favorite FRS radio is the Midland GTX850. But the current GTX1050 or later models are full of advantageous features that if used can assist in our communications in many unexpected ways, when used creatively. Read the online owners manual when considering this radio and you’ll be impressed by all the unusual features that include vibrate and a whisper mode. The Midland GTX series is the Cadillac or Mercedes of the FRS radios, and is priced accordingly.
The push button animal calls can not be duplicated by other FRS radios and the Extra Talk channels are pre-set with PL tones that can defeat interference and open mic low power jamming attempts. The early GTX850 radio has the now forbidden scrambler (voice inversion) capability. These can be purchased on Ebay at reasonable prices. When this feature is used with less than 2 watts of power, low voice intercept signal intelligence attempts to monitor this kind of traffic is complicated by this combination.
Voice inversion would still be an effective security measure as casual listeners do not have the ability unscramble the signal. Scrambling is an old, or obsolete technique, yet the FCC sees it necessary to ban the technique as few possess the capability to unscramble these signals. Only sophisticated or advanced old school radio operators have the ability to unscramble the voice inversion, even though it is a relatively uncomplicated technology. Scrambling where FCC regulations allow it, is a viable layer of communications security even if it has become obsolete — or a forgotten, unused, and obscure — technique.
The Midland GTX radios are not altogether simple to use, yet if a channel is selected and the keypad locked, then the radio is mostly ‘foolproof’ and made simple to use. Its many usual features employed creatively are built-in aids for the users. For example, any FRS radio that has an alarm call can be connected to a 12 vdc computer-amplified stereo speaker system via its 2.5 mm jack can provide a very loud alarm that can be heard as far away as 100 yards, or awaken sleeping persons in the next room or an entire household.
This same method system could also be used as a wireless P.A. system installed at the entrance gate and be used to issue commands to those who seek contact or access to your property. As another example of an unconventional nature, the proprietary animal call sounds on the GTX series could be used as a sort of ‘brevity code’ or simple signal that is easily activated with the press of a button making it unnecessary for the sender to call for help or otherwise send a voice message. These radios are also water-resistant and popular with hunters, for good reason. They are decent quality overall. Mine, after 15 years of storage still operated like new once replacement batteries were installed. This radio can also use either rechargeable AA batteries or the Alkaline type.
(To be continued tomorrow, in Part 4.)
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