Radio Frequencies

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Todays post is about radios in general.

There are so many radios out there to choose from, from very cheap to extemely expensive, plus all sorts of different uses, features.  It can be difficult to understand.  At current, I am not a licensed amatuer radio operator, therefore I do not transmit on the bands that require a license.

The different "services" that most people know of, are the FRS, GMRS and MURS.

There are different classifications of radio frequencies, from 0 hertz (hz) to ranging in Gigahertz (one ghz is equal to one billion hertz).  They are generally classified from in low, medium, high, very high, and ultra high frequencies.  There are classifications below low frequency, but for the sake of simplicity, I will include them in low frequency, or LF.   I also won't include above UHF, for the sake of a short article

Low Frequency	LF	0 Hz TO 300 KHz
Medium Frequency	MF	300  KHz to 3000 KHz
High Frequency	HF	3 MHz to 30 MHz
Very High Frequency	VHF	30 MHz to 300 MHz
Ultru High Frequency	UHF	300 MHz to 3000 MHz

Generally, those in the HF range, have much further distances than do those in the VHF and UHF frequency ranges.  You will see in bands mentioned and measure in meters and smaller measuremets.  They are measuring the wavelength of the radio frequency.  Similar to that of electricity of waves of water.


FRS/GMRS

The family radio service, or FRS, and GMRS, general mobile radio service operate between 462 to just below 468 MHz.  They are all limited in range, by many factors, including frequency and regulation.  The FRS is limited to .5 watt

Todays post is about radios in general.

There are so many radios out there to choose from, from very cheap to extemely expensive, plus all sorts of different uses, features.  It can be difficult to understand.  At current, I am not a licensed amatuer radio operator, therefore I do not transmit on the bands that require a license.

The different "services" that most people know of, are the FRS, GMRS and MURS.

There are different classifications of radio frequencies, from 0 hertz (hz) to ranging in Gigahertz (one ghz is equal to one billion hertz).  They are generally classified from in low, medium, high, very high, and ultra high frequencies.  There are classifications below low frequency, but for the sake of simplicity, I will include them in low frequency, or LF.   I also won't include above UHF, for the sake of a short article

Low Frequency	LF	0 Hz TO 300 KHz
Medium Frequency	MF	300  KHz to 3000 KHz
High Frequency	HF	3 MHz to 30 MHz
Very High Frequency	VHF	30 MHz to 300 MHz
Ultru High Frequency	UHF	300 MHz to 3000 MHz

Generally, those in the HF range, have much further distances than do those in the VHF and UHF frequency ranges.  You will see in bands mentioned and measure in meters and smaller measuremets.  They are measuring the wavelength of the radio frequency.  Similar to that of electricity of waves of water.


FRS/GMRS

The family radio service, or FRS, and GMRS, general mobile radio service operate between 462 to just below 468 MHz.  They are all limited in range, by many factors, including frequency and regulation.  The FRS is limited to .5 watts of transmittion power are required to have a non detachable antenna, and do not require a license to transmit.  The GMRS requires a license, but can be operated at high transmittion power, possibly up to 5 watts.  The FRS and GMRS shart close frequencies, if you operate on the shared FRS/GMRS frequencies at no more than .5 watts, then you don't need a license.  If you do operate higher than .5 on the shared frequencies, then you are legally required to have a license.

MURS

The multi use radio service, or MURS, operates in channels between 151 MHz and just above 154 MHz.  It is the least regulated overall.  It can have a detachable antenna, is limited to 2 watts of transmittion power and does not require a license to operate in.  A lot of business still use these frequencies.  They used to be used by business almost exclusively.  I prefer these frequencies for use by non licensed individuals.  I do, however, suggest highly that you do get your amatuer license, its cheap and no one will talk to you on amatuer frequencies if you do not have a license.

Amatuer/HAM radio

A big subject to get into.  There are multiple levels of licensing.  Do your research and study for this.  It would be a very good idea to get your license.  If you wish to discuss further, please message me, or speek with your local amatuer radio operator.  They aren't as weird as they may be portrayed or seem.  Their hobby is just more technical.

In the next segment will be different radios, accessories and others of the like.  Stay tuned for more.


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Ammunition and electronics

Here are a couple of areas that you can purchase ammo and electronics for use in the field or if you just wish to help people fund themselves while working out in the community, down on the border or however you can help. You can also follow the banner:

Or even another way is to use the following search box.

Help and Support

Please support those who want to make things better. One way that you can help is that while you gear up, purchasing things from people who support constitutional militias and like people. Or if you can't ruck or patrol, you can help as well. Lakeland Tools is a supporter of many of the militias and the owner works in the community. You can call them at 480.336.8714 or 623.738.4544. You can also follow the banner:

Or even another way is to use the following search box.

Gear

Gear, to some extent, is individual.  I don't go completely by the military standards for gear, mainly because one size may fit many, but not all.  Remember gear does NOT replace being fit and in shape.  If you can't move, you will be ineffective.  Get regular pt, preferably every day of the week, and get your diet to where you will be able to maintain being fit.  Gear also does not replace training either.  If you don't use your gear, you will be unfamiliar with it when the time comes.  Plus, if you don't use your gear, you wont knows the weekness' of it as well as what needs to be fixed for you.  Plus, if you loose weight, gain muscle or many other things, it will need to change, even if ever so slightly.
Radios:
For hand held radios, right now, I prefer the Baofeng UVR dual band Radio with a better than stock antenna, like this 7.5 inch antenna or this antenna.  I prefer the UV-5R primarily because of the low price and it seems really durable. It is a dual band radio, it works on the 2m and 70cm, roughly 144 mhz and 420 mhz ranges, vhf and uhf.  It can be both programed with a computer or manually.  Manually can be difficult at times, and sometimes hard to figure out.  With the longer and a more durable antenna, my  UV-5R radio has been able to reach repeaters approximately 20 miles away.
Another decent radio is the BF-888 from Baofeng, it's lower in price, but it also has less functionality.  It only is able to work on the UHF 420 mhz band.  It can only be programed via the computer cable for the radio and only has 16 channels to use and can't have a frequency manually input.  It is compatible with most frequencies that are being used, except for the murs frequencies in the VHF area.  MURS is the multi use radio service, which is the least restrict as far as power antennas and who can use them.  A few members of the Arizona 1st Pathfinders use this radio
The UV-82 seems decent, but I don't have any first hand experience with it, nor have I seen it.  It has an expanded UHF frequency range, but is at least $10 more than the UV-5R.

Clothing and shoes:

Get a good pair of shoes, this is really important as your entire body rides on your feet and ankles, make sure they are adequately supported.  This usually means no big box shoes from the local cheap place.  Make sure that your clothes blend in to where you will be working.  When I'm in the desert, just camping or such, I use something that's close to the color of the desert floor.  Get clothing that is as quality as you can, but don't go crazy.  As with anything do your research.

Weapons

I suggest having a long gun and a sidearm, with the long gun being primary and the sidearm being the secondary.   Ar style rifles have their places as do ak's, mosins and similar weapons, I no longer get into the which gun is better debate.  It's usually a preferance and which weapons and ammunition are most widely available, both in emergency and non emergency situations.

Recommend at least five reloads for the primary weapon if it is a rifle, I have not used a shotgun for a primary, because it is so close range and so wide of a shot, unless using slug rounds.  Also, at least 2 reloads for the secondary weapon.  The shotgun can be used in a team/squad formation as a close range weapon, but it's not really a long range weapon, at least in my opinion.

Make sure that you regularly inspect your weapons, even the most reliable and the weapons that need the least cleaning, still need to be cleaned occasionally.  The AR15/M16 style weapons do need to be cleaned, even if just a wipe down and re lubricated.  They should be cleaned, even after only firing a few rounds.

Water:

Water is the thing that the human body needs the most besides oxygen.  It is very important, especially in the desert, it gets really hot, as anyone who lives in the desert, or every been deployed to one.  From vets that have served in the middle east or other deserts, they say it gets extremely hot.

Some sort of water bladder is necessary.  Even thought most teams use something similar to a camel pack, they still carry at least one canteen on them as a reserve.  Get a reliable and rugged way of carrying water.  Also, learn how to acquire water while in the field.  This very well could save your life.  This also goes into fitness.  The more weight you carry as a result of fat, means the more water you will need.  While more beneficial than fat, muscle is much heavier than fat.  More gear also means more weight, which can result in increased water requirements.  I suggest some short of pack that has a bladder area within the pack so that you can put a bladder in there.  I suggest something with a quality bite valve so the water doesn't leak out, you want to use that water, not give it to the plants.

Food.

While out on shift type of patrols, I don't carry a lot of food with me.  I carry no more than two days worth of food on regular daily patrols.  Mainly as a just in case method.  Start learning the edible/non toxic plants and animals in your area, so that you can get food in a pinch and to extend your food supplies in a long term mission.  Make sure the food is actually nutritious.

  Here are a few products that have come in with decent reviews and that seem to store well:

      Chef's Banquet All-purpose Readiness Kit
      Chef's Banquet Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Bucket-300 Servings
      Chef's Banquet Freeze Dried Vegetable Variety Bucket-320 Servings

Food

After air and water we all need food.  As a general rule human will die within three minutes without air, three days without water and three weeks without food.  These are variable depending on fitness and overal health as well as many other factors.  Those that are older or less fit, will typically need air before 3 minutes and water before three days.

I keep extra water on hand at home as well as in my vehicle, which I prefer to store in glass, because plastic leaches chemicals into the water when heated and vehicles get very hot in the desert.  I also keep some extra food at home and in the vehicle.

One  item that seems good is the Chef's Banquet All-purpose Readiness Kit.  There are many products and do some research on your own and what meets your needs.  A roughly 2,000 calorie diet.

Here are a couple more:

Chef's Banquet Freeze Dried Fruit Variety Bucket-300 Servings

Chef's Banquet Freeze Dried Vegetable Variety Bucket-320 Servings

Operation Cold Nights

Operation Cold Nights is an effort spearheaded by the Arizona 1st Pathfinders to help those in need, namely the homeless, but others as well. Donations are accepted for blankets, jackets and other clothing items as well as other miscellaneous things. For this and other information, please call 1.602.730.5145.

Pathfinders

The Arizona Pathfinders are always looking for volunteer opportunities. If your church or non profit organization needs help, post here.

Arizona Pathfinders

Arizona Pathfinders exists to protect and serve the citizens of Arizona; to defend their right to Life, Liberty, personal property, the pursuit of happiness, from all enemies, both foreign and domestic; to defend the welfare of the greater community by upholding the rule of law as defined by the constitutions of Arizona and that of the United States; and to ensure the safety of, and the provision for, the family. The Pathfinders role is not offensive in nature, but completely defensive. And as such, our preparations and training focus on the possibility of a National Defense Emergency, or other situation, that depends on a network of local people for sheer survival. We are a legally-organized, community focused, privately-funded, all volunteer, Constitutional Militia, which exists to defend our rights as ordained by God, ranted by Common Law and guaranteed by our Constitution(s) to citizens of the state of Arizona. We are dedicated to the sanctity of life, the consecration of personal liberty, the inviolability of of personal property, and to preserve the ability of the individual to pursue their own course of happiness. To these ends does each Pathfinder mutually pledge the sacrificial oath of "My Life, My Fortune and My Sacred Honor!"