Blackout: radio & communication in the event of a power failure
Created: 2022-10-16 07:56
By: Nina Dudek
Without electricity, we have to rely on other options: crank radios and two-way radios then do a good job.
© chaoss/PantherMedia
How does communication work in the event of a power failure?
How to best prepare yourself in the event of a blackout: the best options such as emergency radio, radios, etc.
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In our comfortable, digitized world, mobile phones and telephones or chats on the laptop have become indispensable.
We communicate via social media and an invisible network carries our messages across the world.
This becomes a serious problem in the event of a blackout.
Because all of this works exclusively with electricity.
If the power grid collapses, for example in the event of a crisis or environmental disaster, all lines are literally cut off.
Time to prepare in time for the event of a disaster.
What options do private individuals have to communicate with each other even during a blackout?
Here you can read the most important information about communication in the event of a blackout - clear and easy to understand.
Two-way radio in the event of a power failure: the classic for blackouts
Many concerned citizens create emergency packages for power outages and exchange views on the Internet about the best way of communicating in an emergency.
The very clear tendency: everything indicates that sparks are the means of choice.
Ever since radio technology was commercialized in the 1920s, it has been one of the most reliable ways of exchanging messages.
No wonder that secret services, the police and the military also rely on this technology.
Even if it has been on the market for over 100 years.
In the meantime, however, the radio technology has improved a lot, from which even "normal consumers" benefit.
Because today you can get usable radios for everyone at reasonable prices.
Can everyone use a radio in an emergency or blackout?
In Germany, everyone has the opportunity to use hobby radios freely in an emergency or as a precautionary measure without any examination, approval or fees.
There are two-way radios for very different purposes and applications, digital or analogue.
Two categories of radios can be roughly distinguished: so-called "everyone's radios", which do not require registration and fees, and radios for amateur radio operators and professionals that are subject to registration.
Special case amateur radio
In contrast to the amateur radio network, which is open to all, the worldwide amateur radio network achieves large ranges thanks to the high transmission power of the devices and antennas.
In order to be able to use it, a license is required, which can be purchased from the Federal Network Agency after successfully completing a fee-based course.
Emergency radios: digital radio or analog radio?
There are basically two types of radio: analogue and digital.
The well-known
analog radios
have been around for over 100 years.
They work with so-called frequency modulation, which transmits everything without encryption and usually only allows one conversation at a time.
Analog devices often use the PMR 446 frequency.
The disadvantage here is the short range, because the signal can be lost over longer distances.
Digital
radios differ from analogue radios in that they transmit signals digitally on the so-called binary numbers 1 and 0.
This significantly improves transmission and reception, and digital radios with end-to-end encryption are considered tap-proof.
Digital radio is transmitted on the channels of the DMR standard, which are far less crowded than PMR 446.
Which radio is the best?
CB radio, PMR and DMR
If you want to broadcast without a license and costs, you have various options in Germany.
But which type of radio is which?
Here is an overview of the different methods that are allowed for everyone to communicate without power in the event of a blackout.
CB radios:
These short-antenna, anyone-only radios do not require registration and are free of charge.
They transmit in the end range of shortwave at 27MHz and can be operated at home or in the car.
CB radio is the typical radio used by truckers, who use it as an important source of information in their trucks.
The range of CB radios is around 0.5 to 5 kilometers and depends on various factors such as antenna location, transmission power, antenna design and the surrounding buildings.
PMR446 – radio devices:
This frequency range, which stands for “Private Mobile Radio PMR 446”, can also be used free of charge and without a license for hobby users.
Since 1999 devices of this "Jedermann Funktechnologie" have been on the market in Germany.
The compact handheld radios transmit in the UHF frequency range between 446.000 and 446.100 MHz, which in turn is divided into eight individual channels.
Radios of this type have a range of 3 to 5 kilometers, depending on the location and environment.
However, good PMR radios can also achieve a range of up to 10 kilometers from elevated positions.
Freenet radio devices:
These license-free devices may only be operated in Germany.
Freenet was originally a product name of the Motorola company.
Today Freenet stands for a radio application for everyone, which transmits on frequencies from 149.021875 to 149.115625 MHz with 6 channels of the former mobile radio network that have become free.
Advantage over the similarly functioning PMR radio devices: They can be supplemented with an external antenna and the radio range is more extensive in built-up areas.
DMR446 - radio devices:
These everyone's devices are the advanced digital version of the PMR 446. Their frequency range is between 446.1 and 446.2 MHz with 16 channels.
However, there are currently hardly any DMR 446 devices available on the market.
SRD/LPD radio:
Such short-range device radios can also be used by anyone, but due to their particularly low output power, they only achieve short ranges of 0.5 to 2 kilometers.
In the meantime, however, they are being increasingly replaced by more powerful PMR radios.
The best radios for power outages
If you also decide to buy a two-way radio, we have already made a small selection for you here.
These radios were rated very well, both by users and by the experts from the magazine
Computerbild
or from
testreports.de
.
So the price-performance ratio is definitely right.
Motorola TLKR T80 Extreme
Motorola Talkabout T82 Extreme with a range of up to 10 km © Amazon
Order Motorola T80 Extreme
In the best outdoor conditions, this walkie-talkie can cover a whopping 10 kilometers.
The IPX4 weather protection ensures that the device works reliably even in an emergency and under the most adverse conditions.
The XL set includes 2 Motorola radios in a case, 1 charging station, 1 power pack, 2 lanyards, 2 belt clips, 2 headsets, 2 batteries and a user manual.
Midland G9 Plus in a set
Midland G9 Pro 2 suitcase set with practical emergency function © Amazon
Order Midland G9 Plus
The Midland G9 Plus works on both PMR446 and LPD and even manages 12 kilometers under ideal conditions.
An emergency button reaches all radios in range - even if they are set to other channels.
The suitcase set contains 2 walkie-talkies, 4 AA batteries (1,800 mAh), 1 belt clip, 1 charging station with power pack and a user manual.
Albrecht Tectalk Deluxe
Albrecht Tectalk Deluxe with eavesdropping protection © Amazon
Order Albrecht Tectalk Deluxe
A range of up to 10 kilometers and 52 CTCSS/208 DCS encryption tones for undisturbed conversations are possible with this device.
You transmit on PMR446 on 16 different channels, the 1000mAh lithium-ion battery lasts up to 20 hours.
Including protective bag, USB charging cable, neck strap and instructions.
Walkie-talkies for communication in the event of a power failure
Walkie-talkies or one-hand radios, like radios, do not need a connected power source.
However, since walkie-talkies only transmit over a limited range, the people you are talking to have to stay within a certain radius.
But there are now devices like the UV 5RE Walkie Talkie Dual Band VHF/UHF that can cover much greater distances.
UV 5RE Walkie Talkie Dual Band VHF/UHF
UV 5RE Walkie Talkie Dual Band VH with extended antenna for better reception © Amazon
Order Walkie Talkie Dual Band
With 5W high power range, the handheld radio can reach up to 5 kilometers.
24 Months Warranty, Supplied with battery, high gain antenna, charger, wrist strap and belt clip.
Special radios for emergencies: listening to the radio in the event of a blackout
Especially in times of crisis, it is important to be as well informed as possible at all times.
But what to do if the power supply is interrupted?
Rechargeable batteries and reserve batteries also give up at some point.
In order to be able to continue to receive information via the radio, as long as the stations are still able to generate electricity for transmission themselves, special radios help.
In an emergency, a world receiver with a solar and crank dynamo function can be of great service - in addition, some devices can even be used to charge cell phones.
DEGEN DE13 crank radio
The crank radio can charge cell phones and has a flashlight © Amazon
Order DEGEN crank radio
This radio works in four different ways: battery powered, solar powered, hand cranked power generation and solar powered charging.
The reception can be tuned to FM/WM/SW, there is also one with an alarm function, a flashlight function and it can even charge mobile phones via USB.
Nigecue solar radio
Nigecue solar radio with crank function © Amazon
Order Nigecue solar radio
Radio devices & Co. charge during a power failure
The extent to which we are dependent on electricity is shown by the fact that radio devices and the like, which can send signals without a functioning power supply, also need electricity in order to be able to work.
But there is also a solution for this in the event of a blackout.
There are now highly effective diesel or petrol emergency generators that can be used to charge these devices.
The possibility of using solar power from your own balcony power station to generate electricity and thus to charge radio devices can also be an ideal solution in the event of a power failure.