Summary
Listen Only
Talk and Listen
Starlink
No power. No phone. No internet. No way to know what’s happening, when help is coming, or whether you should stay or go. For this you need a simple battery operated AM/FM/NOAA radio, your last line of communication when every modern system fails. Clear Channel stations, like KSL-AM 1160 in Salt Lake City, have the ability to broadcast for days on their fuel reserves and back-up generators. They are charged with delivering constant bulletins and updates about the emergency in real time. Plus, NOAA weather channels send emergency alerts, weather updates, and government communications on frequencies that remain operational when cell towers and internet infrastructure go down.
Program your radio before you need it. And, make sure you have extra batteries. Find your local Clear Channel frequency and NOAA frequency, test the NOAA alert function, and make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn on and tune the radio. This takes ten minutes. Don’t wait until the storm hits. Make sure the radio is easily visible and accessible by everyone in your family, not stored away in a closet or drawer.
Don't have a simple battery operated AM/FM/NOAA radio? There are many choices beginning at about $10. (see Which Radio Should I Buy?)
Something most emergency plans overlook is communication between family members when you’re separated. If the power is out and cell service is down, how does your spouse know you’re okay at work? How do you know your kids made it to the neighbor’s house?
A decent pair of GMRS walkie-talkies solves this for local communication. Do you know that we have designated GMRS Channel 17 as the Butler Hill Ward/Precinct emergency channel? In the event of an emergency, tune your GMRS radio to Channel 17 to listen to and talk to your neighbors about what is happening. We have tested a number of GMRS radios and know the signal strength is strong enough to allow communication from and point to any other point in our Stake/District. Also, HAM radio operators monitor GMRS frequencies during emergencies and can relay information long distances. AM/FM radios are listen only so you only know what they are telling you. The value of GMRS radios is that they enable you to talk as well as listen which is especially useful within your neighborhood and city.
Don't have a simple GMRS radio? There are many choices beginning at about $15. (see Which Radio Should I Buy?)
Radios are like many other types of emergency preparedness gear. Having gear but not knowing how to use it effectively when it is needed might be better than not having it, but not a wise choice for an important resource. To make your GMRS radio a useful tool when you need it, practice using it is essential. To help hone radio skills and practice how to communicate via a GMRS radio, the Butler Hill Ward/Precinct holds a monthly radio network test every second Monday at 6:30 pm. Just tune your radio to channel 17 and join in.
A Long Range Communication Option
StarLink offers Internet service from their fleet of low earth orbit satellites. The cost is still a little higher than other options, but getting cheaper all the time. And the speed is now fast enough for everyone but serious gamers. But did you know that you can buy a mini-antenna primarily for mobile use from StarLink for less than $200 and get a roving mobile plan for $50 per month? After one month of service you can put your plan on "pause" for $5 per month but still use the Internet at lower speeds? The benefit of this for long range communication is most recent mobile phones can make calls via WiFi instead of the normal wireless signal from the wireless service provider. So, if you have Internet from StarLink during a severe power/wireless outage, you can still make phone calls. After the initial antenna purchase and one month of service at $50 you can make call all over the world for $5 per month. Want to know more about this and see a demo? Contact: Anthony Schoenfeld, anthony.schoenfeld4@gmail.com
But here’s the more important thing for your family: have a plan. A physical, written-down plan that says, “If we can’t reach each other, we meet at [specific location] by [specific time].” Write the plan down. Put copies in every car, in the kitchen, and in your go-bag. Include out-of-state contact numbers.
Here’s another communication angle most people miss: information management. During a prolonged outage, knowing what’s going on outside your immediate area matters enormously. Is the outage expected to last another day or another week? Are roads passable? Are there boil-water advisories? Is there a shelter open nearby?
A small notebook and pen, analog, old-fashioned, should be in your emergency kit. Use it to log radio updates, track supply usage, and write down instructions. Communication isn’t just about technology. It’s about being part of a network, even a small one.
The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best is today.
(We do not recommend or endorse specific products.)