Few questions about volunteering

[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.

[David Roberts]

Heads up, I have a meeting in Devizes this Friday 7-9pm so will try to get along after that

Welcome Ben

[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.

[Ben Vallack]

Thanks for that - couldn't find anyone to give me a CB radio! Just ordered a Maxon CM10 which looks like a nice little unit for £59. I have a pair of old PMRs as well. Didn't know roaming sim cards existing - presumably they need to be used in a unlocked phone though?

[Chris Walley]

Originally Posted by benvallack

Thanks for that - couldn't find anyone to give me a CB radio! Just ordered a Maxon CM10 which looks like a nice little unit for £59. I have a pair of old PMRs as well. Didn't know roaming sim cards existing - presumably they need to be used in a unlocked phone though?

Yeah can't go wrong with a CB really.

I'm not sure about locked network phones and Manx Sims, you can get simple unlocked mobile phones so cheap now, might have to keep a spare, I'll have to check.

[Mario Caves]

Originally Posted by benvallack

Thanks for that ...

Not sure which post you're replying to there...
so note that Wessex don't use PMR as a radio of choice. we use CB and amateur.

[Ben Vallack]

Originally Posted by WessexMario

Not sure which post you're replying to there...
so note that Wessex don't use PMR as a radio of choice. we use CB and amateur.

Ah right ok no prob- thanks for clearing that up.

[Chris Walley]

Sorry for confusing things, I've got keyboard diarrhea today

[Peter Keane]

Which team you likely to be in - ie what area you live in?

PMR - I have two handheld ones in the car purely so I can give one to my passenger and they can contact me if needed.

Dont worry too much about kit, you just sort of accrue it as you go along, most of it you'll probably never use....

Cheers

Pete

[Dave S]

Originally Posted by Pete Keane

PMR - I have two handheld ones in the car purely so I can give one to my passenger and they can contact me if needed.

You might want to expand on that one. Unless you drive a 4x4 Limo.