EMP Resources Electromagnetic Pulses, Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), and general electronic infrastructure hardening is a major issue facing every aspect of our modern world. Hardening our personal and local stations is a primary and crucial ‘mission essential task’ that everyone needs to undertake. See these resources for more critical information and guidance:
THE REBIRTH OF HF. A primer and introduction to high frequency radio communications. An excellent introduction into how high frequency (frequencies above common AM broadcast and basically below CB frequencies. Commonly associated with Shortwave radio and Amateur “Ham” radio) radio waves work in the atmosphere as they are transmitted from terrestrial (earth based as opposed to satellites for example) stations.
USCG RADIOTELEPHONE HANDBOOK. This radio operators handbook contains many common radio usage techniques any operator will want to know well, especially when working with new and unfamiliar stations in an emergent or disaster scenario.
“The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is a technical reference for emergency communications planning and for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response. The NIFOG includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, tables of frequencies and standard channel names, and other reference material, formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them.”
This document contains a wide array of incredibly useful information about RF communications in the U.S.A. It’s a comprehensive reference of ECOM frequencies and their uses, and should be downloaded and printed out for reference in a grid-down scenario. This cannot be overstated! Whether you’re monitoring or are involved in any first responder role, these frequencies are a must have for your scanner or transceiver.
The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG)
NVIS ANTENNA. The Near Vertical Incidence Skywave antenna is an invaluable and accessible antenna for new radio operators and experienced ones alike. Welcome to the world of radio techno-geekery! Look at Chameleon Antennas in the links sidebar to find excellent antennas at good prices. My first antenna was a Chameleon EMCOMM II and I still use it.
The Yaesu FT-450D High Frequency/50MHZ Transceiver Radio. Once one looks into what an actual transceiver (a more accurate name for a HF radio: it’s a receiver and transmitter and so called a transceiver) costs and the myriad options to choose from, sometimes a single solid suggestion can clear the way to moving forward. Most certainly there are many many informed and experienced opinions as to which first transceiver radio model a person should get. I can’t argue with any substantiated opinion. In my opinion, this radio is a very solid start. I’ve been using it for 5 years without a negative incident or issue. Indeed it has weathered my learning curve and unintended injuries and still works incredibly well across almost all applications it can be used for. You can spend more and there are ‘better’ radios, but if one masters this radio (which is entirely possible) then one will be more than prepared for a radio upgrade. It’s my singular recommendation for any new station operator. (Note: I do not work for Yaesu nor am providing this recommendation for any other reason than I have this radio and it is a competent workhorse. Enough said).
YAESU FT-450D Product Site FT-450D Review on eHam.net, an excellent source to see reviews on almost any radio equipment. I use it whenever I’m looking at radio equipment to purchase.
US SPECIAL FORCES ANTENNA MANUAL A concise, lucid, not-too-technical education on the art and science of electro-magnetic radio waves and how to transmit and receive them. I enjoyed and learned more about this essential component of radio operations from this manual than any of the Ham licensing exam preparations I’ve used. I guarantee you will be more knowledgeable about radio waves and successful radio operations after reading this. Thank you to NC Scout at brushbeater for sharing this. The knowledge and resources he shares on his site are an entire education in itself and is a must read for any aspiring radio operator who wants to serve the Body of Christ and be prepared for challenges in this fallen world.
Q Codes and Z Codes are internationally used 3 letter codes that radio operators use to quickly and accurately transmit and receive information, ask & answer questions, and codify commonly needed information. A Q or Z code in one language means the same thing in another. The average ham radio operator may use a few dozen of the most common codes, whereas a heavy CW (morse code) user will likely use more. Brevity, accuracy, and readability are top aspects of making radio contact and Q and Z codes facilitate that. Generally speaking, Z codes are military oriented and Q codes are commercial/privately used.
Frequency Spectrum is the span of radio frequencies and how they are allotted for use. An individual segment of the spectrum is often called a band, the band tending to share types of users, the type of signal modulation and width, and the characteristics of the radio waves themselves. The files below show charts of how the frequency spectrum is managed and assigned. Notice that there are radio waves of all kinds all around us. This is why a properly programmed scanner (and responsibly used) can create a major component of situational awareness around you and your community.
The Foundation: Squaring Away Communications Basics article at brushbeater blog is a great source for getting started, and even expanding your knowledge and skill set. I could try to recreate it, but it wouldn’t be as thorough and knowledgeable. The scope of topics and skills may seem broader than you may think you need, but don’t be overwhelmed! Set reasonable, achievable goals and work through them one at a time; move with a purpose but don’t be hasty. Make a commitment to start learning and don’t hesitate to ask for help. The primary goal is to get skills and training out to everyone, and I thank NC Scout for his generous sharing. Lord bless us as we serve Him.
The Foundation: Squaring Away Communications Basics
Repeater Directories are publications and websites showing the frequencies, coded tone squelch/digital coded signal (CTSS/DCS) and locations of VHF and UHF repeaters around the world. Repeaters often have an input frequency and an output frequency. The output frequency of a repeater is what an individual radio receives traffic on, the input frequency of the repeater is what an individual radio transmits traffic on. This is called duplex operation. Programming your radio correctly with a repeater’s input, output, and CTSS/DCS signal is nothing less than a force multiplier in community communications as much as doubling a given radio’s ultimate effective range. If you can hit a receiver with your radio, it will retransmit your traffic; as repeaters are almost always positioned at the highest positions in your local topography, they create a wide area of effective use.
Winlink Global Radio Email “is a network of amateur radio and authorized government-licensed stations that provides worldwide radio email using radio pathways where the internet is not present. The system is built, operated and administered entirely by licensed “Ham” volunteers. It supports email with attachments, position reporting, weather and information bulletins, and is well-known for its role in interoperable emergency and disaster relief communications. It is capable of operating completely without the internet–automatically–using smart-network radio relays. Licensed Winlink operators/stations use both amateur radio and government radio frequencies worldwide. “
The Winlink 2000 Radio e-Mail Network
GhostNet is the overarching term for a collection of communications networks set up to allow users around the world to exchange information without relying on pre-established infrastructure. Far from being just an emergency plan, GhostNet is intended to ease the transition of radio technology into everyday life. Though radio networks cannot truly replace the internet, we hope that we can replace a substantial portion of a person’s daily information requirements, and promote a culture of off-grid information sharing.
Sons Of Thunder Signal Corps Ministry 
