Feb 8, 2014

Making Contact With Emergency Communication Equipment

By Serena Price


During a natural or man-made disaster, you will want to be able to communicate with government agencies and family members . Suggestions for Emergency Communication Equipment for your kit are a ham radio, satellite phone, walkie- talkies, cell phone, or a hand crank radio . Having fresh batteries or choosing equipment that use solar power will ensure you are not left uninformed.

For more than 100 years, the Ham radio, also known as shortwave radio, has proven critical during all types of disasters and crisis. There are several reason why this is so. They use a shortwave frequency that is able to literately bend or curve around the earth because the radio wave is at such a low frequency it bounces off the ionosphere. Also their signals can be sent and received from one continent to another or several thousand kilometers in distance. Most operators know and use Morse code which can be transmitted if voice cannot and they do not require any outside source of power to operate.

A Satellite Phone does not use the same low frequency as a Ham radio nor does it use cell phone networks. It does, however, bounce its transmission off of orbiting satellites. Not a cell phone, but they are still used for voice calls, text messages, and internet service, plus they all have the additional feature of the Global Position System, GPS, which will help locate the nearest town, city, hospital, or emergency services.

Walkie-Talkies are hand held two-way radios. Battery operated, these do not use cell towers or phone lines. As long as there are no large obstacle such as buildings, a mountain, or large grouping of trees, a person can speak with another person 1 mile up to 35 miles away.

Practicably everyone has a Cell Phone. During a disaster, attempts to make a call may fail due to networks being overwhelmed, but you will probably succeed by texting or using your data plan. Text messaging takes less bandwidth than a voice call. In addition, you will probably be able to access the internet to gather vital information, communicate with others, and post your status on social medial pages.

A Hand-crank radio is also a valuable item to have in your bag. Though you cannot send voice message over it, you will be able to gather information from radio and weather stations. This equipment are powered by cranking a handle that in turn powers its internal generator. This is useful not only because it provides its own energy but also because today's units have ports for charging cell phones, they have a reading light, emergency light, and other safety features. Also, most have a solar panel for providing its energy.

Which ever equipment you choose, store plenty of batteries. Check them according to manufactures instructions to ensure they are fresh when needed. Also, invest in a solar converter to ensure you will be able to operate your equipment.

During a natural or man-made disaster Making Contact with Emergency Communication Equipment is going to be vital. Be certain you have been properly trained in how to use your equipment. Also have plenty of batteries and a solar converter on hand in order to keep the lines of communication open.




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