Thought-provoking replies, friends.
It seems to me that the FCC is strangely, still allowing low power radio stations to exist in the midst of all the technological wonders of the world.
They've even won a pretty recent case to PROTECT low power, community-based stations from encroachment by the larger, more highly powered stations.
Low Power Radio Stations Saved by D.C. Circuit Court
Ruling
I seem to remember something about a citizen being able to run a radio station and broadcast FM, provided his power was not over 1 watt. I'm
wondering if this wouldn't be a a viable option.
I found this link that
might be a good place to start.
A low powered FM radio station is not going to reach out very far and as stated before, the equipment would probably be useless if not Faraday
shielded in the case of a large CME or EMP situation. But if those don't happen, it might be an option.
Another thought I just had it wireless networking. Out here in rural areas, there are a lot of microwave towers used to traverse very substantial
distances with data. The power consumption of these devices will certainly be an issue, but most are backed up with generators.
We've talked a lot about what we need to have in the way of supplies and skills, but it seems to me that it almost always focuses on immediate family
and self. Though these are of tantamount importance, I don't feel there can be any real hope of long-term survival without the contact and assistance
of our fellow man, provided they are like-minded.
This seems to me to make a really strong case for the need to have people in your groups that are versed in methods of cumminication, both voice and
data, so that information can be exchanged between surviving enclaves. Strength in numbers.
Although a stationary broadcast facility, however small, will certainly be a target of opportunity, or oppression, we'll need to figure something
out.
What is you opinion? Hide out for a good while, until something like radio chatter makes you think it's safe?
I don't know a lot about history, but recent events have underscored the need for and the importance of communication. We've watched as one
oppressive government tried, unsuccessfully, in my opinion to limit access to communications media. It's a given that to successfully oppress, you
must eliminate the opportunity of the people to collaborate.
I would be really, really interested in hearing fro anyone that is currently running underground or pirate radio, or even just a low-powered or
high-powered FM broadcast system. What type of investment was required?
Any hacks in the common knowledge base here for modifying something like a small FM transmitter for your Ipod to increase its range? Hacks for the
small FRS?
Like this one to increase the range of FRS by adding
a repeater element.