Getting Families Started in Emergency Response Communications (ERC)

Before getting started with ham radio and emergency communications, take time to ponder and pray about the counsel we’ve been given to prepare for the last days and for emergencies. The Lord can help anyone understand subjects that feel unfamiliar—even electricity and radio work. Seek His help as you learn, and rely on Him as you practice. In a disaster, we will all need to adapt and improvise; it is far easier to learn those skills now than in the middle of a crisis.

We’ve been encouraged at every level—individual, family, ward, and stake—to be ready for emergencies. Even a well-prepared family is isolated without communication; a lack of contact cuts us off from our greatest resources: each other and the Church. (Hunters should already be excited about this.)

Baofeng UV5R radio

Internet, telephone, cellular, and satellite systems can all fail. Ham radio remains the most widely used, versatile, and resilient emergency communication tool. Our stake goal is for every family to have at least one radio they know how to use so they can receive emergency information from the Church or government when other systems are down.

15" antenna

The saints have been admonished to be frugal in their preparations.  The goal is to get as many members involved as we possibly can for the lowest cost possible.  

A recommended radio is the Baofeng UV5R handheld radio with a 15" antenna (~9-15 miles transmission range) or an Abbree "tactical" 42-48" antenna (20-30miles transmission range). The radio runs around $15, the antennas run around $10.The stock “rubber duck” antenna is very durable but poor for long-range use, which is why upgrading the antenna is the first recommendation. This setup has worked well across most of the southern Ontario Stake, including Weiser, Parma, and Vale for basic operations.

Our best range on the 15" antenna was 71 miles from Ontario to Silver City through the War Eagle repeater.  The 15" antenna is a bit easier to maneuver and use carrying around, the longer "tactical" antenna can get a lot longer range, but is a bit more difficult to use (keep it vertical while extended so it doesn't bend or damage the connector to the radio). 

Hold it vertically so you don't stress/break it.

While more expensive handhelds exist, the UV-5R is sufficient for basic operations to at least be able to receive communications and communicate locally. 

A $200 handheld with extra features may be attractive, but for the same cost you can outfit nine people with UV-5Rs or install a basic mobile radio in your vehicle (which would definitely expand your capabilities).

There are different models of the UV5R that are advertised as being "high power" with "long-range" having 8 watts or so of power out of the box.  In the ham radio world, 8 watts is not a lot of power, especially when we consider that some ham radio operators use over a thousand watts in some systems. 

Power is only part of the equation, if you have a hill in your way or there is radio interference, spending more money for three more watts is not going to do you a whole lot of good. You can also have the most amazing radio in the world but if you have a lousy antenna it's not going to do you any good.
 

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The stock battery lasts roughly 24 hours when just listening (monitoring). Monitoring uses the least power, receiving uses more, and transmitting uses the most. For 72 hours of operation, you’ll need multiple batteries or an extended-life option. Extended batteries include a charging port at the top; some come with USB-charging capability. Always check availability and keep receipts.

If you wished for your radio to run 72 hours, you'd need at least 2 regular batteries to be able to rotate through charging options, or you can buy an extended life battery here (one option).

This one will run approximately twice as long as a regular battery, it has a port (hole) in the top of it (see right photo) where a charger can be put in it. 

I like to think of the UV5R as the radio equivalent of the old handcarts that were used by the Saints to trek westward when they were short on conventional or traditional modes of transportation like regular wagons (the handcart of ham radio, an economical entry-level starter into amateur radio communications).

Mobile radios (vehicle-mounted) offer far more range and power, while large base stations—running in the $300+ range can operate worldwide. HF (High Frequency) radios require separate licensing and equipment and bounce signals off the ionosphere. 

In emergency preparedness we say, “Two is one, one is none.” Acquire equipment as you are able without causing financial strain. If you can only afford one radio, get one. If you can afford one per family member plus a spare and feel prompted to do so, follow that prompting. If you feel guided toward mobile or base-station options, we can assist you. For now, the goal is simply to get members basically outfitted and basically operational. 

You can contact your ward ERC specialist if you want help (check LDS tools under additional callings) or have further questions, and don't forget to pray!