Guide to Emergency Survival Communications

Rating:
Summary: How to stay connected in a time of crisis
Review: Communications in a time of crisis is crucial to survival. This book is a straight-forward, easy to read guide on low-cost and effective survival communications.

I am not a techie and was therefore pleased to find clear and simple explanations of what is required for one to be prepared to remain connected during a time of a catastrophic failure of traditional communications infrastructure.

This book contains information and availability of an wide range of radios and other devices that will help keep you in touch with news, weather and government sources of information.

There are even descriptions and reviews of high-tech, hand-cranked radios that never require batteries.

Rating:
Summary: Useful information on receiving news and staying in touch
Review: This is one of the books Michael Hyatt recommends for your Y2K library. It is more than an overview of this often overlooked subject, but not really a reference.

In cases of emergency, access to news can be critical, as well as the ability to communicate with others in your group or possibly people outside your area. This book covers most every practical way of receiving and transmitting information.

As an overview, it is very good, listing all the bands along with their uses, requirements and quirks. There are even descriptions of many of the models of equipment available, and even some build it yourself antennas. However, as a true reference, it is somewhat thin and inconsistant. Also the organization is a little weak, with some subjects being discussed in multiple places. It should be considered a guide to what the options are and a good start on getting the equipment.

If you don't know much about the airwaves, this would be a great introduction. But if you already have the basics, this book might be of limited value to you.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable instruction in emergency communications.
Review: When an earthquake, tornado, terrorist bomb or simple power outage leaves you without electricity, water or a phone, things can get very difficult very quickly. This book is an exceptionally thorough guide to building and maintaining your own emergency communications system. The book covers a range of subjects: communication equipment such as shortwave, citizen's band and satellite radio; alternate power sources from solar and wind power to battery generators; how to scan for emergency, police and government broadcasts; how to get weather information and, most importantly, where to get all this stuff, how to put it together and maintain it. Don't wait; plan ahead to keep you and your family safe and in touch during emergencies.