How to Stay Connected When SHTF

Today, it’s all about how to stay connected when SHTF! Prepping for an emergency goes well beyond simply stocking up on enough food and water to cover each of your family member’s needs. That’s right. Staying connected with family and friends, along with hearing information on what’s going on in your region would be very important after an emergency has taken place. In case you missed this post, Parent Emergency Essentials Every Parent Needs

Stay Connected When SHTF

Just because you’re left in the dark information-wise immediately following a major disaster, it doesn’t mean that you have to be when it comes to staying connected with the outside world. Failing to have any form of communication could prevent you from hearing vital information on more of the dangers that may be headed your way.

Not to be overdramatic, but being blindsided could very well cost you and your family their lives. Having several communication methods among our emergency supplies is essential for every prepper. Here are a number of different ways how to stay connected when SHTF.

Weather Radio 

A battery-operated weather radio will keep you informed of any news and updates that are happening in your area, but what are you going to do if that SHTF situation is long-term? Your battery supply will quickly dwindle down to nothing.

That’s why I’d encourage you to get a hand-crank weather radio that doesn’t require batteries, it’s relatively low in cost, and will keep you informed about your area’s current situation. All you have to do is crank and listen.   

Cell Phones

What’s nice about this communication device is that most people have one these days. They’re incredibly handy if you’re dealing with a personal emergency, whether someone you know is experiencing chest pains, or you were involved in a serious accident. Help can be reached and ready to assist you within a matter of minutes. 

However, when it comes to a wide-range emergency, cell phones are about the worst communication option there is. That’s because everyone around you is experiencing the same situation and may be calling for emergency assistance, or are checking in on their loved ones at the same time that you are. This can cause a network jam and you won’t be able to have outgoing or any incoming calls. 

One thing you can try is to send text messages to those that you are trying to reach. For some reason, text messages are less affected and you will have an easier time getting through than trying to call someone.

Due to how unreliable cell phones are during an emergency, this is why they should never be your only form of communication.     

Hand-Held Walkie Talkies 

Hand-held walkie-talkies are great for short-range communication, especially if you have friends or family that live close by in your community. 2-way radios would also be an ideal option if you have a neighborhood survival coalition that’s on the same page as you when it comes to an SHTF situation. Having a method for properly communicating with one another will make your coalition that much faster and stronger and without miscommunication.    

Keep in mind that every walkie-talkie manufacturer and model is different, and they will only cover a certain range from each of them. Trees, buildings, hills, and other obstacles can cause interference, also limiting your range. It’s in your best interest that you don’t wait until an emergency has taken place to find out how well they work. You should discover what those range limitations are beforehand by testing them out and making any necessary adjustments, if possible.  

CB Radio 

The Citizens Band Radio was a highly sought-after form of communication during the 70s and 80s, but not nearly as much today. What was nice about them is that they didn’t require you to get a license, or take a test in order to operate one as the HAM radio did. The CB radio also has a much further range than what you get from a walkie-talkie. 

While a CB radio is capable of covering much further distances, they do have their drawbacks as well. Unless you’re a truck driver, this communication device is generally kept stationary in a particular location in your home. Not only are you unable to move around easily with it like you do with walkie-talkies, but it also experiences interference, especially if you’re living in an urban area. CB radios can still be purchased today and at a reasonable price.   

HAM Radio 

When it comes to communicating with others over a great distance, the HAM radio is probably your best and most reliable communication option. What’s also nice is that you don’t have to rely on cell phone towers to reach those greater distances.    

Unlike the CB radio, there is an equipment and license cost, as well as training that you will have to take so that you know how to properly use it. At the end of all this, there’s a test with a small fee and then you will be good to go. That way you’re not doing something illegal, but if you’re only using a HAM radio to listen in on, there is no license that is required.

This may sound like too much of a process, but don’t let any of this deter you from being a licensed operator because it’s a great communication device to have following an emergency. Another thing to keep in mind is that these rules and regulations will mean absolutely nothing following an emergency situation.

This is one of the most important ways to stay connected in any emergency situation.

How to Stay Connected When SHTF

Final Word

When it pertains to your family’s survival, having good listening and communication devices could possibly end up being the difference-maker. Following a SHTF scenario, you will need to be able to communicate not only with other people locally, but also with those that live a greater distance away.

That way you can reach out to other preppers and survivalists out there to help you stay better informed. Also, knowing what’s going on in your area would be incredibly important as well.  How do plan to stay connected when SHTF? May God Bless this world, Linda.

Copyright Images: Walkie Talkie AdobeStock_87481981 by zhu difeng