Simple → Capable → Resilient
Layer 1 — Family & Immediate Communications (GMRS)
Goal: Everyone can communicate immediately with minimal training.
Licensing & Legal
- ☐ GMRS license obtained from the Federal Communications Commission
- ☐ License info printed and stored with radios
- ☐ All household members covered and briefed
Radios & Accessories
- ☐ One GMRS handheld per family member
- ☐ Spare antenna(s)
- ☐ Belt clip or lanyard attached
- ☐ Waterproof pouch (if applicable)
Programming (Standardized)
- ☐ Primary family channel selected (simplex)
- ☐ Backup family channel selected
- ☐ CTCSS/DCS tones documented (if used)
- ☐ Volume and squelch set for clarity
Training (5 Minutes Each)
- ☐ Power on/off
- ☐ Volume up/down
- ☐ Push-to-talk basics
- ☐ When to keep transmissions short
Layer 2 — Local Area & Vehicles (GMRS Mobile / Base)
Goal: Extend coverage without increasing complexity.
Vehicle & Base Equipment
- ☐ GMRS mobile radio installed in primary vehicle
- ☐ External antenna securely mounted
- ☐ Base GMRS radio (optional but recommended)
- ☐ Coax and connectors checked
Coverage Planning
- ☐ Known local GMRS repeaters listed
- ☐ Repeater tones and offsets programmed
- ☐ Simplex channels prioritized if repeaters fail
Documentation
- ☐ Printed channel card in each vehicle
- ☐ Repeater map saved offline (phone + paper)
Layer 3 — Community & Regional Coordination (VHF/UHF Ham)
Goal: Coordinate beyond the neighborhood when infrastructure degrades.
Licensing & Operators
- ☐ At least one licensed amateur operator in household
- ☐ Callsign written on radios and documentation
- ☐ Family knows who the ham operator is
Equipment
- ☐ VHF/UHF ham handheld
- ☐ VHF/UHF base or mobile radio
- ☐ External antenna available
Preparedness
- ☐ Local emergency repeaters programmed
- ☐ Net schedules printed
- ☐ Familiarity with local ARES/RACES groups (e.g., Amateur Radio Emergency Service)
Layer 4 — Long-Range & Infrastructure-Independent (HF Ham)
Goal: Communicate when everything else fails.
Equipment (If Available)
- ☐ HF transceiver tested
- ☐ Portable antenna options (wire, vertical, end-fed)
- ☐ Coax and adapters ready
Power & Deployment
- ☐ Battery capable of running HF setup
- ☐ Antenna deployment plan practiced
- ☐ Basic propagation awareness
Reality check: HF belongs here only if someone is trained. It’s a force multiplier, not a starter tool.
Power Is Non-Negotiable (All Layers)
Goal: Radios work when the grid does not.
Power Sources
- ☐ Fully charged radio batteries
- ☐ Spare batteries labeled and stored
- ☐ USB power banks (tested)
- ☐ Vehicle charging cables
- ☐ 12V or deep-cycle battery (base stations)
Backup Options
- ☐ Solar panel or generator (if available)
- ☐ Extension cables and fuses
Documentation & Quick Reference
Goal: Remove decision-making under stress.
- ☐ One-page channel/frequency card
- ☐ “Which radio to use when” flow sheet
- ☐ Printed contacts list
- ☐ All documents stored in waterproof sleeve
Practice & Maintenance
Goal: Familiarity beats perfection.
- ☐ Monthly radio check-in (5 minutes)
- ☐ Batteries charged and rotated
- ☐ Antennas inspected
- ☐ Family refresher every 6 months
Final Readiness Test (Pass / Fail)
Before you call it “ready,” answer yes to all:
- ☐ Can every family member make a call on GMRS without help?
- ☐ Can you communicate across town if cell service fails?
- ☐ Do you have at least one regional backup via ham radio?
- ☐ Can you operate for 24–72 hours without grid power?
If the answer is “yes” across the board, your plan is layered, resilient, and realistic.