National Preparedness Month – Ham Radio Supply List

Posted on by

FEMA Recommended Go Kit

https://www.ready.gov/kit

Here we go into another Winter and what will this Winter bring us?  With looking back over this last year people in our area where without power for days this last spring. So if events repeat itself again this year are you ready?

FEMA has always recommend that you are able to survive for at least three days on your own.  Since that is the normal amount of time before support can arrive in your area.  As Ham Radio operators we have to take the extra steps be be able to communicate during those three days.

Click on the above link to learn what you need for your family to to survive for those three days, and as a ham radio operator continue to read below for items you will need to be be able to continue to communicate during those three days.

  • Alternate power sources: Batteries, Generator, Solar
    • 100 Amp Hour LiFePO4 battery have gotten cheaper
    • Generator: Set up away from building for CO2 issues
    • Solar: Keep all your batteries charged
  • Hand Held Radios {HT}: Already programed with ALL neighboring repeaters
    • Programed with the ARES repeaters
    • All National Simplex Frequencies
    • Programed with ALL LOCAL repeaters just not your home repeater
    • Programed with remote location repeater where you might travel to
    • Programed with the National Weather Service Radios channels
  • Back Up Antennas: Those POTA antenna are good for emergencies
    • Can you replace any antenna damage by storms?
  • Extra Batteries: Keep your HT running when your power is out
    • Pick up a spare battery for your HT and keep it charged.
  • Paper Maps: How good is Google when there no internet
    • And know how to read them
  • Full Charged Cell Phone:  Make sure its charged before the storm
    • Charge it before them storm leave them disconnected during the storm
  • Battery Banks: For personnel electronics
    • recharge your phone or kids games
  • Lighting Sources: To operate in the dark
    • Flashlights & Battery Power Lanterns
    • 12V lights that plug into that 100ah battery
    • Gas or propane lanterns – Watch for CO2
  • Paper & Pen: For keeping notes and traffic
    • Be able to keep notes and instructions
    • Be able to leave notes
  • Software: Laptop already loaded with software and knowledge how to use it
    • Winlink: Great program let you send/received email anywhere
    • FL Digi: Digital program that lets you communicate
    • RTTY: An oldie but stilled used for text communications
    • Storage: For documents, instruction manuals, phone list