SHTF neighborhood tac comms

[randy]

I am sure Randy will offer his thoughts on this.

Secure comms work well on a limited basis. In a true SHTF situation the first casualties are comms. The more complex, the worse they fare. KISS comes into play. Simple two-way comm is most important, security can be developed. Privacy is another matter, but can be dealt with too.

+1. There is no legal affordable means of encryption on the so far discussed systems (Ham, CB, FRS/GMRS, MURS, Marine). Yes, if the S has HTF, anything goes, but if you haven't practiced with it and field tested it during "normal" times, it will fail when you need it, and since playing with encryption on these modes is illegal, I'm sure as hell not going to recommend it.

Which doesn't mean you can't enhance your security.

Put less effective antennas on your radios and work with lower power to limit the detection/interception range. Use terrain/building/body shielding and directional antennas to limit how wide an area you can be monitored. basically shape your RF profile to cover your area of operations and as little outside that as possible.

Use code words and phrases to describe key elements of terrain, equipment, actions.

In the amateur world we can use packet radio (such as with Kenwood and Yaesu APRS handhelds) to send text messages that a scanner without proper software and a computer is not going to be able to decode.

And ALL of these will require regular practice to ensure you can make use of them in an emergency.

[randy]

I'm thinking you could set one unit up at each side of the conversation as if they were using repeaters but one with positive and the other with negative offset. Nothing says the offset has to be 600kHz, either, I'd think. Wouldn't a decent scanner pick up both sides, though? I have to admit I don't have a scanner, so I don't know how they work.

A good scanner or 2 receivers once they figure out what you're doing, which any ham or scanner hobbyist will in short order, but the average Reaver/Goblin probably won't.

[randy]

Now, one possible method of secure comms in a limited area might be text between tablets/cell phones using a dedicated WIFI router with an antenna in a good location. Might be good for fixed locations such as sentry points/OPs or between houses. Maybe even VOIP?

I know CINCHOUSE and my tablets will talk directly to each other over WIFI without a router, but I haven't played much with it.

[Weetabix]

but the average Reaver/Goblin probably won't.

You can't stop the signal, Mal.

[The Wizard]

Now, one possible method of secure comms in a limited area might be text between tablets/cell phones using a dedicated WIFI router with an antenna in a good location. Might be good for fixed locations such as sentry points/OPs or between houses. Maybe even VOIP?

I know CINCHOUSE and my tablets will talk directly to each other over WIFI without a router, but I haven't played much with it.

That's actually a good idea, when I was in the sand box my buddies and I set up an ad hoc network and used a .txt file viewable and modifiable by all those connected to the network to act as an expedient messaging service because we didn't have Internet at the time and were too lazy to constantly walk between each others CHUs all the time.

In times of TSHTF (only) I'd imagine that a satellite antenna and some duct tape might boost the useable range of something similar, and of course except in the event of a zombie apocalypse all applicable laws apply

[randy]

In times of TSHTF (only) I'd imagine that a satellite antenna and some duct tape might boost the useable range of something similar,

Way overkill. Get some Pringles cans

[The Wizard]

Ah that's very cool, I was just applying Harris radio tricks to wifi but that seems even better.

[Aesop]

What Randy said.

For absolute plug-and-play ease of use, a shoebox full of the Motorola FRS/GMRS rigs (with earpieces/headsets!) would do the trick with minimal expense and training.
(FWIW, do a GoogleEarth distance check of the Disneyland venue: I've routinely used sets of them to herd cats of family & friends at Disneyland/CA Adventure from the far parking structure to anywhere inside the park, and within both. Probably a mile or so, give or take, through buildings, castles, dragons, Matterhorns, etc.YMMV based on model and output. Broadly speaking, UHF stuff works better in ground clutter/concrete/steel building, and VHF over open outside ground. In both cases using someone on high ground to relay point to point is a great aid and distance booster. The "privacy mode" nota bene keeps you from hearing other people, it doesn't in any way prevent other people from hearing you. They usually also have silent modes, and several choices of alert tones, giving you options for routine vs. emergency flash traffic alerts.)
We don't use those on the border, but the Minutemen @$$clowns do; the reason we don't is because Pedro & the cartels use them too, so it's pretty much a party line. We keep some handy to listen in, not to broadcast.

For a bit more power and range, CB with sideband like this will get you pretty good local comms for cross-town/cross-county use.
Something like the Cobra can also be rigged with a motorcycle battery or two to make half-assed but fully functional civilian-equivalent PRC-77-type squad backpack radios.
To emphasize again, both methods are utterly non-secure.

Messr. ,Rawles of survivalblog.com typically also touts the use, esp. by the inland land-locked folks, of marine band portables and base units, when TSHTF.
Such use is of course outside of FCC regs unless you're broadcasting from your rowboat on a body of water, so YOYO if you go that route.
A plus is the handhelds typically give you power choices, like 1/2 a mW for short range, and 5W or even 25W for longer range, giving you some help with COMSEC by not blasting stuff to the stratosphere on "High" if you don't need it.

If I was worried about a local problem where the authorities still were or would shortly be back in control, I'd work through the existing options.
If all hell has broken loose, do whatever you think you oughta.

[Cybrludite]

One version of commsec that might violate the letter of the law, but would be hard to prove would be code words or phrases, particularly if they can be passed off as inside jokes if asked about. Operating as a numbers station or using obvious code phrases ("John has a long mustache. The chair is against the wall.") would get the FCC's attention. "Jose is over by Bob's place", would not.

[Yogimus]

One version of commsec that might violate the letter of the law, but would be hard to prove would be code words or phrases, particularly if they can be passed off as inside jokes if asked about. Operating as a numbers station or using obvious code phrases ("John has a long mustache. The chair is against the wall.") would get the FCC's attention. "Jose is over by Bob's place", would not.

when SHTF, security will be irrelevant.

Either your opponent will triangulate and obliterate you, or they will care so little that it isn't worth the effort.