By ke4sky The general public needs to be aware that cellular or PCS portable telephones may not “work” during an emergency when everyone tries to use them at once, because the system becomes “overloaded.” CERT, Neighborhood Watch and families should consider alternative means to check on each other’s kids, elderly neighbors or keep in touch to
Read MoreBy Bryan Black Cell phones have become our primary communication devices because of their versatility, portability and ease of use. However, the problem with relying on them too heavily is that during an emergency, the likelihood of them failing can become a big concern. If we think about contingencies and recognize the limitations of the devices
Read MoreBy ITS Guest Contributor Amateur (aka HAM) Radio has proven time and again to be an invaluable option when existing communication infrastructure fails due to natural or man-made disasters. This article is the beginning of a series of four articles providing guidance on what to do after earning your HAM Radio license. This series will include tips
Read MoreBy Matthew Sharp Fresh off the heels of ITS Muster IV, I’ve taken some of what I learned on building a Bolt Bag and applied it to my home “Bolt Bag,” which generally speaking, I always have with me. A Bolt Bag contains mission essential equipment that you’d never want to be without, no matter what your
Read MoreBy Nick H. The ability to navigate terrain with a map and compass is a skill-set that’s become lost in recent years due to technological advances like GPS and its integration into our smartphones. For many of us, navigating a city without a GPS would simply seem ridiculous. In a sense, we’ve become so used to
Read MoreBy Bryan Black My previous article on radio communication was a primer that went into detail about why you’d want to learn about radios, the way they operate and what frequencies are available for you to operate on. Today I’m going to address what kind of radios are out there for you to use with those
Read MoreWant to hear all the action at the races but you’re not sure where to start? You’re in the right place. This guide will help you find the best way to listen to all the action at the races. Short answer: All scanners we sell will work at any race track. This is the best lower cost option. Racing Radio Ultimate Guide Covers: Chapter
Read MoreLooking to listen to railroad communication, but not sure where to start? You’ve come to the right place, my friend. Rail scanning and all the technical terms surrounding it can be a bit overwhelming, so we gathered all of the information you need to choose the best rail scanner. Still have questions once you’ve read through this article?
Read MoreWhether you’re what’s called a plane spotter, an aircraft enthusiast who sits outside of airports and monitors air traffic, or just a garden-variety scannerhead, aviation is a rich and rewarding subsect of the scanning hobby that often gets overlooked. You can listen to approaches and departures, air traffic controllers directing pilots as they lift off, requests
Read More“Yagi” antennas like this one are easier to mount and have high gain for their size, but their frequency range is somewhat limited. Bet you didn’t know that less than 5% of all police scanner sales include an antenna. Police scanners always come with a stock “rubber duck” antenna that receives about 30 miles of range (which
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