communications

An often overlooked, yet critical, aspect of zombie survival is communicating with other survivors and allies.  The exchange of information during the apocalypse will mean the difference between life and death, so contact through any means available will be vital.  Many a team will undoubtedly drive or hike several miles to find a hardware store or loot an Army Surplus store only to find the stores empty or the local zombie threat unmanageable.  Since it won’t be possible to snap on the television for updates or scan the local classified ads, how will a survivor know what’s going on beyond the walls of their own fortification?

CBs, in use since the mid 1940s, are a good option, and have the added advantage of mobility, but they are becoming increasingly rare thanks to the invention and popularity of internet chat rooms, mobile phones, and the like.  One advantage the CB has over its’ modern cousins, however, is its’ use of common airwaves, currently set to use 40 channels, as opposed to the availability of internet servers and satellites.  This would be a great asset during the apocalypse as minimal infrastructure is required.  One of the downsides, of course, would be the limitation of simple two-way communication, although the CB is not the only device with such limitations.   Having a CB in your vehicle as you drive to a safe zone could be useful as a way to coordinate raids and warn other survivors of road hazards and zombie threats.

Walky-talkies have also been around since the 1940s and are also a good portable option, but , in most cases, will rely on the availability of batteries or chargers, and communication will be limited as far as range.  The possibilities are a little broader with these devices since there are many different kinds available.  They can be very cheap models in the shape of a cartoon character on a Wal-Mart shelf, or they can be waterproof marine units, depending on how much a person wants to spend or what can be scavenged.  They are small, light weight, and fairly reliable, although with growing popularity comes limited bandwidth.  This is a great choice for communicating with other members on your team over a dedicated frequency, but it may be utterly useless as to getting news from somewhere farther than across the street.

Ham radio could also be considered, as people with a working knowledge of electronics could construct one,  but parts  may also be rare, and it will eventually require the use of a generator, which means fuel.   It has been estimated that as many as five million people currently operate an amateur radio, so finding someone else who is broadcasting should not be difficult, and it is, in many cases, transmitted as FM signal just like your favorite station programmed into your car stereo.  Do not be fooled, however, by the word “amateur.”  The people who operate this equipment have more knowledge than   the Morse code you learned as a boy scout.  It goes without saying, of course, this  is not the choice for you if your goal is mobility.

Carrier pigeons, smoke signals, semaphores…clearly, there are many options.  How will you stay connected in the age of the undead?

A. Christensen Johnson