COMMUNICATIONS
| Several bands and modes are available that meet the Militia needs. UHF-High Band / VHF-Low Band and the Freeband. UHF-High Band UHF is strictly limited range, line of sight communications better suited for the urbanenvironment. UHF signals penetrate buildings and metal clutter well, but the signal is attenuated or absorbed by dense folliage and heavy terrain. |
BAND AND EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW
| Citizen Band (CB) |
| Licensing: License by rule making. The FCC asks if you previously held a license to use that as your callsign, if you can remember it. Maximum legal power in 4 watts input to the antenna. |
| Relatively inexpensive: a mobile system can be set up in car or truck for less than $150. |
| Distance: Local out to about 10-15 miles when using Amplitude Modulation (AM); when using Single-Side Band (SSB), distance increases out to about 50 miles. |
| The previous restriction on talking no more than 155 miles has been dropped by the FCC in 2017. |
| Family Radio Service (FRS) | |
| Licensing: License by rule making. The FCC now allows two power levels: 300-milliwatts (low power) and 2-watts (high power). The restriction on requiring the antenna be nonremovable is still in effect. Shares 15 frequencies with GMRS. | |
| Relatively inexpensive: a bubble pack with two radios can be purchased for less than $100. | |
| Distance: out to about 1.5 miles. | |
| General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) | |
| Licensing: Pay a fee of $75 (as of 1 November 2021). License length is ten years and is good for all family members living with you. Handheld radios are limited to no more than 5-watts, base station radio are limited to no more than 15-watts, mobile radios are limited to no more than 50-watts. | |
| Relatively inexpensive: 2 5-watt handhelds can be purchased for less than $100. | |
| Distance: handhelds can get out to 5-7 miles without using a repeater; base stations, 15-50 miles without a repeater; mobiles, 30-40 miles without a repeater. Using a repeater can boost your range by 50-60 miles. | |
| Licensing: Currently, $15 to take the test; the FCC is in the process of setting it up to charge an additional $35 (per instructions from Congress). License length is ten years. Recommendation for the general public: get your Technician Class license; for communications people, get a General Class or Amateur Extra license. Doing so allows you to get outside the local area in case of an emergency. |
Relatively inexpensive to get started: a handheld ham radio can be purchased for as little as $30; |
| Distance: handhelds can produce 4-8 watts and can get out 5-7 miles without using a repeater; mobiles and base stations can get out 30-60 miles without using a repeater. Using a repeater allows you to extend your range out to 90+ miles. |
ALERT LEVELS
| Level 1 "RED" (Highest alert rating) |
| Incident In Progress: Nationwide Comm. Network in operation and monitored 24/7. Local and State Nets activated. Emergency Deployment Plan activated and All units mobilized. |
| Level 2 "YELLOW" (Credible Threat) |
| Rapid Alert System activated and all Local, State and Nationwide nets in "open mode" operation 24/7. All units at pre-assigned locations and awaiting further orders. |
| Level 3 (Potential Threat) |
| All equipment packed and ready to go. All members stay in daily contact with Team Leaders via the Local Radio Network. Local Nets make weekly contact with the State Net. Monitor ERPN on schedule. |
| Level 4 (Minimal Threat) |
| All equipment available. Members maintain standard contact with Team Leaders through the weekly Local Radio Net. |
| Level 5 (Standby) |
| All members monitor shortwave, ERPN and local freqs. for developing situations. |
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