The Guerrilla's Guide To The Baofeng Radio (book)

1351 Views 48 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Captjim_NM, 3 mo ago

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

2

I've only read the first two chapters (just got the book today) but I already know it's going to be a great guide to using a Baofeng and emergency communications in general. It'll probably be required reading for our CH3 group.

It has just about everything a non-radio noob needs to know and still has a lot to offer old radio geeks.

...description from the amazon page:
The Guerrilla's Guide To The Baofeng Radio is a handbook for those finding themselves in an austere environment, an underground resistance, or going into harm's way with one of the most common pieces of communications equipment in the world. Going far beyond simple programming or what's written from the Amateur Radio perspective, this manual goes in-depth on how to communicate, creating a communications plan, improvised wire antennas, digital operations and encryption in an easy to follow, step-by-step format based on combat proven methods. Whether you've just invested in a few of the inexpensive radios for an uncertain future or find yourself in rough corners of the world, this manual covers how to create communications where there otherwise would be none.

Organism Font Poster Pattern Publication

Ecoregion Vertebrate Natural environment World Organism

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justinsane

· #2 · 3 mo ago

This morning I ordered this book.
This afternoon I passed my Technician class license test.
I took the General test as well but fell one question short, which isn't bad since I hadn't studied for it since around this same time in 2020, when they stopped giving tests before I had a chance to take it.
I only now finally got around to taking the exam.
I have 3 HTs, 2 Baofeng UVR-5 & a Radioddity GA-520. I also have a TYT TH-9800.
I am planning to create kits for family members and bug out partners, in Apache cases which contain a programmed HT and accessories (antennas, xtra batteries, chargers etc) along with instructions indicating which frequencies to use, when, why and how.
Now that I have obtained license I can gain actual personal experience which will guide on writing the instructions.
I will study for the General license and retake the test soon.

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Kauboy

· #3 · 3 mo ago

justinsane said:
I am planning to create kits for family members and bug out partners, in Apache cases which contain a programmed HT and accessories (antennas, xtra batteries, chargers etc) along with instructions indicating which frequencies to use, when, why and how.

That's an amazing plan!
The effort alone will mean so much to those who receive this gift. The peace of mind they will have the first time they have to use it, and hear your voice respond back, will be immeasurable.

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #4 · 3 mo ago

justinsane said:
This afternoon I passed my Technician class license test.

Congratulations! You opened the door to tremendous resource to have when the SHTF. If you want any help from a well established, nation wide group of ham and non-ham prepper comms folks let me know.

If you didn't already know there are a couple of groups in MO that would also be happy to assist in any way they can:
Missouri Newton MURS/CH3 151.94 Voice Every Tuesday 1900 hrs local
Missouri Willow Springs 2m 146.42 Voice 1st & 3rd Thursday 1900 local
There are certainly more groups by now, these are just the ones I have on my (outdated) national list.

When you get your General make sure you get plugged into the national HF prepper nets.

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paraquack

· #5 · 3 mo ago

Considering how big the digits are on a guerrilla, how do they push those little tiny buttons on the keypad?

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Back Pack Hack

· #6 · 3 mo ago

paraquack said:
Considering how big the digits are on a guerrilla, how do they push those little tiny buttons on the keypad?

They program them using CHIMP.

Oh, wait... that's CHIRP.

Reactions: 3

Demitri.14

· #7 · 3 mo ago

Once you get your kits together, please post the results.

Reactions: 1

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #8 · 3 mo ago

You could start a CH3 net with the folks who are going to be using the kits. (Channel 3 Project)

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justinsane

· #9 · 3 mo ago

NMPRN said:
You could start a CH3 net with the folks who are going to be using the kits. (Channel 3 Project)

This is essentially at least in part what I meant though I did not know there was such a thing as what you have posted it seems really well put together and thought out.
Though the addition of some OpSec options I believe is in order as well. (forgive me if there is that included in the CH3 project that I have not yet gotten to).

EDIT: I've added the CH3 Project website to my favorites and look forward to learning from it. Thanks

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #10 · 3 mo ago

There are two parts to our local net. There's open traffic where we just make sure everything is working and everyone can get in touch with everyone else. It's all open and in the clear. We also pass a Net Word Of The Week (NWOTW) every week. If something happens during the week, the NWOTW becomes one of three "keys" required to read certain messages. There's also a national NWOTW that comes out on the national nets.

This book (in post #1) goes into some good detail on how it all works. ...but none of it does any good if folks don't know how to really use a radio

justinsane

· #11 · 3 mo ago

justinsane said:
This is essentially at least in part what I meant though I did not know there was such a thing as what you have posted it seems really well put together and thought out.
Though the addition of some OpSec options I believe is in order as well. (forgive me if there is that included in the CH3 project that I have not yet gotten to).

EDIT: I've added the CH3 Project website to my favorites and look forward to learning from it. Thanks

Book arrived today😎

Reactions: 1

Kauboy

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Order placed.
I've got 6 Boafeng radios. I might as well have all the knowledge I can get.

Reactions: 2

justinsane

· #13 · 3 mo ago

justinsane said:
Book arrived today😎

Today I got my license from the FCC I also today received my call sign from AmRRON (CH3 project) for obvious reasons I am not posting my FCC amateur radio call sign, however I can post my AmRRon assigned call sign which is:
Delta Romeo 527
Thank you to NMPRN for making me aware of this initiative.

Reactions: 3

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #14 · 3 mo ago

Great! Hope to see you on the air
Whiskey Zulu 17

Kauboy

· #15 · 3 mo ago

justinsane said:
Today I got my license from the FCC I also today received my call sign from AmRRON (CH3 project) for obvious reasons I am not posting my FCC amateur radio call sign, however I can post my AmRRon assigned call sign which is:
Delta Romeo 527
Thank you to NMPRN for making me aware of this initiative.

I guess we all signed up for the AmRRON CH3 project, eh?

It's a neat idea I'd never heard of. Thanks for the link @NMPRN!

Reactions: 1

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #16 · 3 mo ago

The neat thing about the Channel 3 Project is no one has to be a member of anything. The CH3 Project, in one form or another, pre-dates AmRRON by many years. AmRRON is just providing an organized way for local individuals and groups to communicate with each other at the regional and national level.

There are advantages to becoming a core member of AmRRON and they've got a lot of great stuff going on, but just so folks know, you don't have to join anything to take advantage of it.

By my outdated list, there are almost 100 groups (MAGs) around the country that run local CH3 project nets on non-ham and ham bands that can communicate with each other. Most preppers would agree that there are advantages to belonging to a MAG. Imagine the advantages of having that MAG communicating with 100 other MAGs.

Kauboy

· #17 · 3 mo ago

NMPRN said:
By my outdated list, there are almost 100 groups (MAGs) around the country that run local CH3 project nets on non-ham and ham bands that can communicate with each other. Most preppers would agree that there are advantages to belonging to a MAG. Imagine the advantages of having that MAG communicating with 100 other MAGs.

I wasn't aware of this.
I knew of HAM nets, and have listened to a few in my area. But I never knew there were any non-HAM freq activities happening regularly. The point is made in the AmRRON info, the vast majority of citizens are not HAMs, and reaching them is nearly impossible through HAM means. I need to do some more research and see what sorts of non-HAM comm activity is going on in my local area. When I eventually distribute my collection of pre-programmed radios, I'd like to give the recipients some info on what to listen for.

NMPRN

Discussion Starter · #18 · 3 mo ago

Kauboy said:
When I eventually distribute my collection of pre-programmed radios

You might consider distributing those radios now and starting your own "friends and family emergency chat group". That's all a basic, simple CH3 net is. ...they get more involved and much more powerful/useful from there but that's all you basically need. But even a simple net takes pratice. You'd be amazed at how hard it can be to successfully get 3 or 4 people to be able to communicate when there's no emergency and everyone has a cellphone to sort out all the little problems that noobs have with their radio.

Kauboy said:
I'd like to give the recipients some info on what to listen for.

It's deliberately simple: if the phones aren't working turn on the radio and turn to FRS Ch3 or MURS Ch3. If they have a CB, turn to CB Ch3. If power is an issue and you have conserve your battery, only turn the radio on from 10 minutes before the hour to 10 minutes after the hour. Just talk in plain english. (also if the commercial FM stations go off the air, scan the FM band at the top of every hour anyway and listen for "Radio Free Republic" broadcasts that will pass news and information and help local groups get in touch with each other)

It's an order of magnitude more likely to work if everyone has practiced it a few times.

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Kauboy

· #19 · 3 mo ago

Kauboy said:
Order placed.
I've got 6 Boafeng radios. I might as well have all the knowledge I can get.

Order received.
Bigger than I expected, which I'm pleased about. Thought I was getting a little booklet, but this is coffee table material right here.

Reactions: 1

dyna962007

· #20 · 3 mo ago

NMPRN said:
Congratulations! You opened the door to tremendous resource to have when the SHTF. If you want any help from a well established, nation wide group of ham and non-ham prepper comms folks let me know.

If you didn't already know there are a couple of groups in MO that would also be happy to assist in any way they can:
Missouri Newton MURS/CH3 151.94 Voice Every Tuesday 1900 hrs local
Missouri Willow Springs 2m 146.42 Voice 1st & 3rd Thursday 1900 local
There are certainly more groups by now, these are just the ones I have on my (outdated) national list.

When you get your General make sure you get plugged into the national HF prepper nets.

Hey guys, this is such a weird coincidence to see this post. I have ONE only Baufeng radio that I bought years ago and have never used. model UV-5R. I dont even remember why I bought it. Does it have any value being only one radio for a SHTF scenario or would I need to have more of them? I dont even know fully how it works until I find the manual again. thank you

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