Frequency list for SHTF

**rci2950** · 01-11-2015, 06:39 PM

we talked about how having a scanner on hand is good in a storm, power outage or SHTF. But what frequencies would we want to have on hand?

1. Local Power company
2. Municipal services
3. FRS/GMRS Frequencies

What other suggestions do we have?

**Krupski** · 01-11-2015, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by rci2950

we talked about how having a scanner on hand is good in a storm, power outage or SHTF. But what frequencies would we want to have on hand?

1. Local Power company
2. Municipal services
3. FRS/GMRS Frequencies

What other suggestions do we have?

Get an ICOM IC-78. It's a transceiver that runs on 12 volts DC and covers the frequency range of 1.6 MHz to 29.999 MHz (transmit) and 0.030 MHz (30 KILOHERTZ!!!) to 29.999 Mhz continuous (no gaps).

TX power is adjustable from 2 watts to 100 watts (CW and SSB) and 2 to 40 watts AM.

This is, of course, for SHTF comm. If you want to LISTEN to VHF and UHF stuff (government, police, utilities, etc...) just buy any old scanner.

The IC-78 isn't for sale in the US because of the full range TX coverage. They sell an IC-718 which is the same radio with diodes programming out the non-ham bands.

But, a real IC-78 can be purchased from overseas (like the UK where I got mine), or an IC-718 can be easily modified by changing the programming diode pattern to match an IC-78 (info is available online).

IC-78 picture

It's a really nice, well built radio. It's got AMAZING sensitivity, it's rock stable and everyone says it sounds great (both SSB voice and CW keying quality).

They cost around $800 US, which isn't bad for a radio of this quality.

And with a lead-acid battery, a solar panel and a dipole antenna that you can string between two trees, it makes a great portable "off the grid" communications system.

Hopefully I'll only need to use mine connected to an AC powered power supply.....