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Intelligence Gathering - Determining Who Has Two-Ways; Intelligence gathering methods for determining local radio operators
Topic Started: May 14 2016, 01:32 AM (27 Views)
Michigan Swampbuck
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One of the survival skills I've been working on recently is gathering intelligence information. Because I include communications in my preps, I've been studying the potential uses of unlicensed 2 way communications in a citizens network. I've been gathering intelligence on this subject in a number of ways and for a number of years. One of my primary concerns has been the locations of radio operators on the citizen's band, on the other unlicensed frequencies (MURS, FRS) and some licensed operators on VHF frequencies.

To determine who was on the air, I've been monitoring two-way communications and keeping an eye out for antennas. I've found that there are at least six CB base stations and four mobiles within a few miles of my home, a rural area where most people live at least a quarter mile apart. You can add even more people who have systems in disuse and disrepair.

To find these stations, the best method would be to use two radios with directional antennas to triangulate on the radio signal and find it's general location. Then have two mobile units comparing signal strength as they drive around the location. Eventually, when they begin to converge on a signal and they are really close, unplugging the antenna (while receiving) will only allow the signal to be heard when you are right on top of the transmitter.

As I travel around my area, I see a few cars and trucks with CB antennas and notice a CB base antenna about every ten miles. I've heard chatter in the nearest big cities that have a lot more people on CBs than in my area. In my log book I have forty seven stations listed. Those stations are between 30 to 50 miles from my home and too far away to contact from my base station without improving my antenna setup and using the side band for the extra output.

I have a major highway not far away that I can hear truck drivers on the CB for about a 40 mile stretch. I've listened to road workers directing traffic, local campground workers, deer hunters and stores in town using the handheld FRS radios. I even heard a neighbor using marine channel 9 for their deer hunting operation (not legal for use on land). I've also been monitoring a number of licensed VHF stations including EMS, fire departments, county and city police. If I cared to program the stations, I could be listening to utility pole workers and a number of local businesses too.

All these frequencies have provided local live intelligence information. The CB will occasionally provide information from all over the U.S., Canada and Mexico when skip conditions allow reception. When I listen to the licensed amateur radio operators on the local VHF repeaters, I can get live regional information as well. So it seems that my intel gathering is supporting the premise of establishing an open source, two-way network during a communications blackout.

Regarding a local area WiFi "meshnet" network, I've located nine public WiFi hot spots that range in distance of under two miles up to twelve miles away. There are many private household WiFi users in my area that are as close as a quarter of a mile. I see a great potential for a local community, ad hoc WiFi network for use during a long term communications blackout. I must study this idea more and include it in my intel gathering.

Parting message: There are two simple ways to gather intelligence on two-way communications, look (for antennas) and listen (to the broadcasts).
Edited by Michigan Swampbuck, May 14 2016, 10:59 PM.
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