Prepping with Amateur Radio:
Why It Matters and How to Get Started
When disaster strikes, communication is often the first thing to fail. Cell towers go down. Power grids fail. The internet goes dark. And when that happens, the only people who can still talk to each other are the ones who prepared for it — and many of them are using amateur radio, or ham radio.
For preppers, communication is not just a convenience — it’s a lifeline. Whether you're bugging out, sheltering in place, or trying to reconnect with loved ones after a disaster, ham radio gives you a way to do it when every other system fails.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly why amateur radio is a core tool in prepping, how it works, what gear you need, and how to get licensed and active. This isn’t theory — it’s practical advice from real-world use.
Why Amateur Radio Belongs in Every Prepper's Toolkit
1. It Works When Everything Else Fails
During hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, cyberattacks — whatever the threat — the modern communication infrastructure is fragile. In major emergencies, cell networks get overloaded or completely wiped out. Even landlines (yes, they're still around) can go down. Ham radio doesn't rely on centralized systems. Operators can communicate directly, from radio to radio, or via repeaters and nets if they're still operational.
2. You’re in Control of Your Own Comms
Unlike cell phones or internet-based services, ham radio is decentralized. That means you don’t need permission from a corporation to use it. You own the gear, you control how you use it, and you’re not relying on outside infrastructure. That independence is exactly what prepping is about.
3. It's Legal and Global
Amateur radio is legal and regulated — you do need a license to transmit — but it's a global network. You can connect with people across the country or across the world. In a large-scale event, that reach matters. You might be the only source of news and information for your local area if everything else goes offline.
4. You Become an Asset to Your Community
This isn’t just about your own survival. Licensed ham operators are often the only line of communication between disaster areas and the outside world. You can help coordinate relief, relay emergency messages, or just share what’s going on. That kind of role builds trust and value in any community.
How Ham Radio Works: A Quick Breakdown
Amateur radio uses radio frequencies allocated by the FCC (in the U.S.) for non-commercial use. Licensed users can transmit voice, digital, and Morse code communications over a variety of frequencies, from local to global.
There are three main license levels in the U.S.:
Technician: Entry-level. Grants access to local communications (VHF/UHF bands) and some limited HF (long-distance) privileges.
General: Opens up most of the HF bands for global communication.
Extra: Full access to all frequencies. More privileges, but also a tougher test.
The tests are multiple-choice and don’t require Morse code. You can study online and take the test through a local amateur radio club or volunteer examiner team.
The Basic Gear You Need
You can get started in ham radio without spending thousands. But like any prepping investment, you want gear that works when it matters.
1. Handheld Radios (HTs)
Examples: Baofeng UV-5R, Yaesu FT-60R
Use: Local communication within a few miles; can talk to repeaters for extended range
Cost: $30–$200
Handhelds are great for bugout bags, local check-ins, or scanning weather alerts. They're limited in range (typically 1–5 miles without a repeater), but for short-range use, they're reliable.
2. Mobile Radios
Examples: Yaesu FT-2980, Icom IC-2730A
Use: Vehicle or base station. Higher power (up to 75 watts), better range.
Cost: $150–$500
Mobile radios can hit distant repeaters or talk directly over 10–50 miles depending on terrain and antenna setup. Perfect for in-vehicle bugout comms or as a semi-permanent home setup.
3. HF Radios
Examples: Icom IC-7300, Yaesu FT-891
Use: Long-distance communication across states or countries.
Cost: $600–$1500+
This is where global communication happens. HF radios need more setup: antennas, grounding, and power considerations. But if you want to hear and be heard over hundreds or thousands of miles, this is the gear you’ll need.
4. Antennas
Antennas matter more than the radio itself. A $30 handheld with a good antenna beats a $500 radio with a bad one. For portable use, look into whip antennas or roll-up J-poles. For base use, a quality outdoor antenna (even a simple wire dipole) can make all the difference.
5. Power Options
No power = no radio. So redundancy here is key.
Battery backups
Solar panels with charge controllers
DC power banks
Vehicle power adapters
If you're running a base station, consider a deep-cycle marine battery and a solar panel system. For handhelds, keep extra charged batteries or a way to recharge via solar.
Prepping-Specific Use Cases
1. Local Coordination
Whether it’s coordinating a neighborhood watch, a supply run, or a medical emergency, ham radio lets you communicate even when phones are dead. Simple VHF radios can link up people across a town or valley, especially if you have a repeater or someone acting as a relay.
2. Situational Awareness
Amateur radio operators monitor and share real-time information. Weather updates, road closures, local incidents — you’ll often hear it on ham nets before it hits the news (if it ever does). During wildfires and hurricanes, this kind of intel can mean the difference between bugging out in time or getting trapped.
3. Emergency Alerts and Nets
Organizations like ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) and RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) organize emergency nets during disasters. If you're licensed, you can check in and pass traffic (messages) during events. Even if you're not formally part of those groups, being able to listen to their frequencies is valuable.
4. Long-Distance Contact
If the grid is down across multiple states, HF radio is how you find out what’s going on. You can talk to someone hundreds or thousands of miles away, exchange information, and coordinate support. In a real collapse scenario, it could be your only connection to the outside world.
How to Get Licensed
Getting your ham license is easier than most people think. Here’s how:
Study: Use free resources like:
YouTube channels like "Ham Radio Crash Course"
Take the Test: Find a local exam session through ARRL. Tests are multiple choice, 35–50 questions depending on the level.
Get Your Call Sign: Once you pass, you’ll receive a call sign from the FCC. You’re now legal to transmit.
Start Talking: Join local repeaters, practice with friends, listen to nets. The more you use it, the more comfortable you’ll get.
Common Prepping Mistakes with Ham Radio
1. Thinking Baofengs Will Save You
Yes, they’re cheap. Yes, they work. But many people buy a Baofeng UV-5R and never learn how to use it. In an emergency, that’s a paperweight. Learn your gear now.
2. Not Practicing
You need muscle memory when the pressure’s on. Program your radios. Know the local frequencies. Practice calling your family or checking into a net.
3. Ignoring Licensing
Some preppers think they’ll just "use it when SHTF" without a license. Technically true — the FCC allows unlicensed emergency transmissions if lives are at risk — but if you’ve never used the gear before, you won’t be effective. You prep to be ready. That means training, not just owning gear.
4. Forgetting Redundancy
One radio. One battery. One antenna. That’s not a plan — that’s a risk. Backups matter, just like with food and water.
Building a Ham Radio Comms Plan
Every prepper should have a basic communication plan. Here’s a simple model:
Primary Comms: Local simplex or repeater channels with family/group (VHF/UHF).
Secondary Comms: HF contact with trusted groups or distant contacts.
Fallback: Pre-programmed frequencies and protocols if separated.
Create laminated cheat sheets with:
Frequencies
Call signs
Local repeater info
Emergency nets
Simple code words or time check-in slots
Practice using these regularly — monthly or quarterly drills are ideal.
Final Thoughts
Amateur radio isn’t just for hobbyists or old guys in basements with giant antennas. It’s a practical, reliable, decentralized way to communicate — and for preppers, that makes it essential.
In a world where systems can collapse overnight, ham radio gives you a voice, a network, and a level of independence that no app or cell plan can offer.
Learn it. Practice it. Prep it.
Your life — and others' — might depend on it.
Ham radio, or GMRS, or CB radio, is just one aspect to your family plan or disaster plan. Like having a fire escape plan, have drills and practice. Radio isn't a pull out of the drawer and use it, like you would a flashlight or candles.
Coordination is the key. No ham should key up a mic during a true local or regional emergency without knowing what frequencies and/or repeaters are in a Master Plan for such an occurrence. We would be foolish to be known as those who clogged the airwaves with nonsense like, "Wow - didya feel that earthquake?" Get involved with local clubs, the American Red Cross, and local and county agencies and be effective comminicators.