Few questions about volunteering

[Ben Vallack]

Great, will see if I can make it! Bob mentioned the amateur radio stuff, sounds good. Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

[Dave S]

Originally Posted by benvallack

Great, will see if I can make it! Bob mentioned the amateur radio stuff, sounds good. Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

Get CB as this is good for short range comms. 2M and 70cm is good for long range, so better not to tie it up with short range traffic. So, ultimately, the answer is both, ideally.

[Chris Walley]

Originally Posted by benvallack

Presumably though a CB is still going to be the best bet until most people all have ham radios? i.e does it make the most sense for me to get a CB radio first and then think about ham radio a bit later on as finances allow etc?

I don't think there's a 'best bet' with comms, I believe it's best to spread your options.

In the WM4x4R we recommend:
Mobile phone + 12v adapter + Backup Manx network roaming SIM card
PMR radio + 12v adapter
CB radio

We state set channels and advise members set their equipment to default to those.

You can get a Manx Sim card for £5.00 with £5.00 pre loaded credit and just keep that somewhere safe in case you need to use your phone in an emergency and don't have coverage on your network.

PMR radios can be found for less than £50.00 and you can find CB's being pretty much given away.

Of course all the above is useless unless the equipment is tested and members trained in how to use it, something our group is intending to do with all responders at the end of the month.