Personal Emergency Communications: Staying in Touch Post-Disaster: Technology, Gear and Planning

I bought the book from Amazon after hearing the author speak at an Emergency Communications conference.As a ham radio operator involved in EmComm, I was already 'on board' with the idea that regular folks needa way of communicating after an emergency that would take out the phone system, such as an earthquake.The book starts off with the 'why' it's necessary, which is re-enforced from excerpts from a novel the authorhas written, and moves forward in logical steps to 'how' to make it happen. While the author is a ham radiooperator himself, he reviews all of the technologies available to the general public besides ham radio, andwalks the reader through building a communications plan. The planning is extremely important, and I'venever seen a book intended for the general public that goes into this necessary level of detail before this one.If someone is waking up to the fact that some sort of emergency planning would be a good idea, this isthe book you should put into their hands first.If I could suggest an improvement, it would be to add a discussion of the ham radio National Traffic System,and how the public might contact a ham who is involved to pass a health and welfare message.

Personal Emergency Communications is an entry level book for someone that is not already familiar with emergency communications in general. If you are not already familiar with ham radio it's a great starter book. Honestly, I was a little disappointed with the broad coverage being an amateur radio operator and being familiar with pretty much all the information in the book. On the other hand there is useful information covering all the basic radio services that are useful in a disaster including amateur radio, CB, VHF/UHF, GMRS/FRS, and satellite phones. Nothing really ground breaking and for $14.95 I felt the book was more in the $9.99 category being pretty thin and light on info. So if you are a beginner definitely checkout this book and others by Andrew Baze. If you are already a veteran of amateur radio then there is little to gain here.

I have been out of the communication field for over 20 years and this book brings you up to speed on what is currently being used. I am personally convinced that a light weight mobile man packable HAM system is the answer for short and long distance communications using low power radios and efficient antennas cut to the frequency you will need for the distance. So get your HAM license if you are serious on having true comms or as you read the book look realistically what you will be needing but remember you will be competing with others to communicate on the simple radio systems unless you are using a frequency hopper radio and communication security will be none existent.Its a good book to start with and give direction on where to go.

Andrew Baze does a great job of helping YOU descide what type of communications gear and what PLAN you need to contact and stay in touch with loved ones during disaster. From a mile away to across the country he describes why and HOW to select the best OPTIONS to stay in touch. Cell phones are often OK...but tell me you NEVER had a call dropped ,or loss of signal. Plus cell service can only handle a FEW calls for an area and will not last long if storms or power outage is part of it...when is it NOT part of an emergency.. Thing is ,you really NEED A PLAN and a written plan that your loved ones can follow so they also KNOW HOW you will contact them when normal options fail. GET THE BOOK,even if you know it all...YOU HAVEN'T made a solid plan.

First-rate overview of emergency communication options. It helps you determine what sorts of emergency comm you need, gives an overview of the available technologies, two-way radio options including CB and Amateur, determining power requirements, designing a "go" bag, etc. Clearly written, with an excellent Table of Contents and links to help you navigate. Glossary for acronyms.I hold an Amateur Extra license (the highest class) and I learned useful things from this book.The only caveat is that the chapter on eXRS appears to be obsolete because the maker of that proprietary technology has gone out of business since the publication date. A minor section of an otherwise comprehensive guide.Highly recommended.

Written by the author of "The Road Home" and "The Day After", this is a non-fiction book discussing various modes of communications, and how to make the most of their use in an emergency. Discussion aren't limited to just amateur radio, though that is included. Satellite phones and CB are also covered. For anyone with a serious interest in emergency communications and survival, this book should be considered indispensable.

This book is good information for a person beginning to be concerned about surviving a disaster, such as an earthquake, or being caught in a major blizzard in the winter. Regarding equipment, the old saying is true: "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

Valuable information for everyone. Plain and simple, what would you do if all of the cell phone and land line communications went down. Trying to contact family members would be near impossible if you do not plan ahead. This book covers a variety of ways for you to communicate with others during an emergency. Family Radio Service (FRS), GMRS, Amateur Radio (Ham Radio), etc. This book will help steer you in the right direction. I use this book as a reference guide when teaching CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Classes.