MURS: 2 Watts, 5 Channels, & Miles of Range
Prep Comms
In Episode 2 of the Prep Comms MURS Mini-Series, Caleb Nelson dives deep into what really determines your performance on MURS. Spoiler: it’s not power. It’s your antenna, your coax, your terrain—and how well you understand what you’re working with. This isn’t theory. These are real-world setups from real users—from the hills of Pennsylvania to the silence of Utah. You’ll learn exactly what works and why, including gear recommendations that Caleb personally uses on his family farm and in mobile scenarios. Topics Covered: Real listener feedback on MURS performance The truth...
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MURS: The Underdog That Still Works
Prep Comms
Most people don’t even know what MURS is—and that’s exactly why it works so well. In this first episode of the Prep Comms MURS Mini-Series, Caleb breaks down the quiet power of the Multi-Use Radio Service: a license-free, analog-only VHF service with just five channels and a lot of practical potential. You’ll learn about its roots in the old business band, what the “Color Dot” frequencies mean, why MURS is legal without a license, and how it fits into a low-key family comms plan. Privacy, power limits, antenna rules, and gear you can actually use—it’s all covered here. Listen...
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APRS: ALL About It! A HR360 Replay pt.1
Prep Comms
The listeners have spoken—so I’m breaking my own rules and releasing this episode out of sequence. I’ve been getting a lot of APRS questions lately, and instead of trying to answer them all on Instagram or Facebook, I figured it was time to bring this one back. This is a replay from the HamRadio 360 podcast, where I sat down with Kenneth W6KWF to talk about APRS—an old-school messaging system that works without any infrastructure. No cell towers, no Wi-Fi. Just radios doing what radios do best. It’s simple, powerful, and way too overlooked. If you’re into emergency comms or...
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Hurricane Helene: AAR Upstate SC pt2
Prep Comms
After the storm, getting the generator going early and setting up the hand pump for the well made all the difference. A quick project with leftover well pump wire turned into a solid clothesline—an unexpected but handy addition that Carla LOVED. Through it all, AT&T held strong, and Starlink was exceptional. If you're interested, see below for a link featuring a free month for both you and me. It felt like living a real-life episode of "Prep Comms." The antennas are outta sight—thanks, Deric! While the local 2m repeater was down, it didn’t hold us back; we had the gear ready, so...
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Hurricane Helene: AAR Upstate SC pt1
Prep Comms
Here's a timeline rundown from our Helene Prepping and Recovery After preparing gas and propane midweek, we ensured all equipment was charged and ready. At 0400 on the 27th, my mini comm hub was active. By 0630, local repeaters went offline, and at 0730, we lost power. With severe winds raging, we canceled work, activated our generator at 0800, and monitored fire and ham bands on the BTech 6X2Pro. Once the rain subsided, we utilized the Simple Pump, though filling the tub beforehand had slipped my mind. We assessed farm damage, surveyed nearby areas, then focused on family, using GMRS almost...
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CB Radio for Preppers pt 4
Prep Comms
In this episode of Prep Comms Podcast, Caleb wraps up his road-trip into the critical role of CB radios for preppers. He addresses a listener question and breaks down the legal implications surrounding unauthorized radio modifications. Remember your antenna will make or break your communications platform. thanks for listening and sharing the show, 73-K4CDN
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CB Radios for Preppers: pt 3
Prep Comms
Continuing the CB Radio for Preppers and Caleb looks back to his teens and how CB Radio was what lead him to Radio Shack, FM Radio and Ham Radio and eventually Podcasting. CB isn't what it was, but it's a Very Practical Comms Tool you should consider for your preps! is the Offical Show Sponsor of the Prep Comms Podcast! The 11-meter band sits within the **high-frequency (HF)** spectrum, and its properties significantly affect the performance of CB radios. Frequencies within this range can travel through the ionosphere, especially during favorable atmospheric conditions, making **skip...
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CB Radio For Preppers pt. 2
Prep Comms
Brought to you by CB (Citizens Band) radio remains a popular communication tool for hobbyists, truckers, and preparedness enthusiasts. Offering a way to connect over short distances without needing a license, CB radios operate on the 11-meter band, a frequency range that holds unique significance. In this episode we get into the practical use of CB's for Preppers (a prepper should had a CB Radio!) as well as a great deal of my past use of the platform (almost 45 years) Free eBook: CB radio is an essential tool for preppers because it's cheap, easy to access, and many people already own one....
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CB Radio For Preppers pt. 1
Prep Comms
**TLDR Summary:** New Series: CB Radio for Preppers - Part 1 - Citizen's Band (CB) Radio has a rich history, rooted in the mid-20th century as a form of local communication. - This episode will explore how CB radio grew in popularity, especially among truckers, hobbyists, and emergency responders. - We’ll discuss how the technology of CB radio evolved and its lasting legacy in modern communication. - Topics will cover its uses, limitations, and role in the preppers plans. Citizen's Band (CB) Radio has played an essential role in the evolution...
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Let's Start Talking
Prep Comms
After nearly a dozen episodes, Caleb finally gets around to talking about 'talking'. That said, he still remind us about the importance of listening. Preppers talking on radios should be more than just a handheld radio from Amazon passed around the neighborhood and we're preparing to go deep on the topic-stay tuned. The conversation goes from listening to talking with a hint at the upcoming series: CB Radio's for Preppers! Get your copy of Caleb's free and recently updated eBook : A How-to Guide to Get On The Air before the Apocalypse: Visit our Show Sponsor: Thanks for...
info_outlineContinuing the CB Radio for Preppers and Caleb looks back to his teens and how CB Radio was what lead him to Radio Shack, FM Radio and Ham Radio and eventually Podcasting.
CB isn't what it was, but it's a Very Practical Comms Tool you should consider for your preps!
Hub City Mercantile is the Offical Show Sponsor of the Prep Comms Podcast!
The 11-meter band sits within the **high-frequency (HF)** spectrum, and its properties significantly affect the performance of CB radios. Frequencies within this range can travel through the ionosphere, especially during favorable atmospheric conditions, making **skip propagation** possible. Skip propagation allows signals to bounce off the ionosphere, potentially reaching hundreds of miles beyond their typical range.
However, not all conditions favor such long-distance communication. Atmospheric disturbances, solar cycles, and interference from other devices can limit the effective range of CB radios operating in the 11-meter band. For most users, this range averages between **1 to 15 miles**, depending on the terrain and other factors.
AM vs. SSB Modes: Performance and Usage
CB radios typically operate using one of two communication modes: **Amplitude Modulation (AM)** and **Single Sideband (SSB)**. Both have their advantages and trade-offs, impacting how CB users experience clarity, range, and performance.
AM (Amplitude Modulation)
The AM mode is the default communication method for most CB radios. It works by modulating the amplitude of the radio wave to carry the audio signal. AM is relatively simple in terms of technology and is favored by truckers and casual users for local communication. However, it has limitations, particularly in clarity and range.
AM transmissions are more susceptible to **noise interference** from electrical devices, power lines, and atmospheric conditions. The sound quality tends to degrade over longer distances, and the range can be limited, typically extending no further than **5 to 10 miles** in most conditions. While convenient for general communication, AM may not offer the performance needed for long-distance or emergency communication.
SSB (Single Sideband)
SSB mode offers a significant upgrade in performance, allowing CB users to achieve greater range and clarity. Unlike AM, which transmits a full signal that includes a carrier and both upper and lower sidebands, SSB transmits only one sideband (upper or lower), removing the carrier. This makes SSB more **efficient** in terms of power and bandwidth usage.
In practical terms, SSB can extend communication range by **50 to 100%** compared to AM, making it ideal for those who need to cover larger areas. It also provides clearer audio, especially in noisy or interference-prone environments. The trade-off, however, is that not all CB radios support SSB, and it requires more precise tuning for optimal performance.
What is SSB?: YouTube
Beware/Aware: Most CB Radio Traffic is Rated R