🚨 CB radio and PMR are often the last working communication in disasters.
No license, no fees, no infrastructure needed.
1. CB Radio (Citizens Band) – 27 MHz
CB radio is freely usable in Germany (AM/FM, 80 channels):
- Range: 5-20 km (daytime), 50-100 km (night, via ionosphere)
- Devices: Mobile CB radios (80-200€), handhelds (30-80€)
- Antenna: Magnetic mount antenna for car, rod antenna for home
- Emergency channel: Channel 9 is used internationally as emergency channel
- Power: 12V (car battery) or power supply
2. PMR446 – The Walkie-Talkie Standard
- 16 channels: 8 analog, 8 digital (dPMR)
- Range: 1-5 km (open field), 200-500m (city/buildings)
- Power: 2-3 AAA batteries or rechargeable, lasts 10-30 hours
- Price: 15-50€ per device
- Subchannels (CTCSS): 38 tones – filters out foreign conversations
3. Amateur Radio – For Advanced Users
The amateur radio range offers the greatest range and reliability:
- Class E: Entry-level exam, VHF + shortwave up to 100W
- Class A: Full scope, all bands, up to 750W
- Devices: Handheld radios (Baofeng UV-5R: 25€), shortwave transceivers (100-500€)
- Antennas: Dipole, vertical, long wire – depending on band
- Relays: Automatically forwarding stations on mountains (great range)
4. Radio Protocol in Emergency
- Call sign: "Delta-One to all stations, emergency message"
- Short and concise: "Flooding, corner Mainzer Street, 2 people on roof, urgent help needed"
- Wait for acknowledgment: Don't keep talking until "Understood" comes
- Keep channel open: Wait 10 seconds after sending (avoid double conversations)
- Save power: Sending consumes 10x more power than receiving
5. Checklist: Radio Equipment
- ☐ CB radio or PMR walkie-talkies (at least 2)
- ☐ Spare batteries / rechargeable batteries / charger
- ☐ Antenna (for CB: magnetic mount or rod)
- ☐ Headphones / headset (discrete communication)
- ☐ Frequency list printed
- ☐ Emergency channel marked (Channel 9 CB / Channel 1 PMR)