Hello Everyone! Since no one seemed to take the lead on that millitia Radio net, I'll DO IT! I'll slap, nail, screw and duct tape it together, and super-glue it to make it last forever :-)

This is to prepare for the case that the Internet and phone systems go down, when the SHTF. 

Everyone who wants to join, send me a private message with your

1) City,

2)State, (ZIP code optional), and

3) your patriot handle (like bluedog, rascal, pretty boy, etc.)

4) Email (optional, won't show on the map)

I'll put it on a map and we'll go from there, like how to setup contacts and verification.

 Here's a current map:

View Patriot Radio Net in a full screen map

http://batchgeo.com/map/af4340a9bd6c0168576e7d1d874b8175 

 Anyone can join, both licensed and unlicensed. Those without a ham license can use the VHF MURS radio band that can be used by anyone. Plus, it's used by many businesses such as fast food drive-ins, Walmart, etc, so transmitting on that band will also inform the public, and help 'alarm and muster' other patriots. Here's more info about that:

http://wramsite.com/forum/topics/no-license-ham-radios 

Here's more info about how the No license VHF MURS radios compare, that someone posted:

"I have been an avid MURS user since the service was first developed. It is THE perfect service for my family and friends particular use. We are in a very hilly and forested region. GMRS radios are just awful around here even with repeaters.All of the law enforcement and fire departments in my area use VHF high band (150-160) at around 50 watts tpo (I know this as I am involved in Fire/Rescue). The only agency nearby that uses UHF is a school. They run 25 Watts on a tower 1400 feet up and their performance is about the same as or maybe a bit inferior to when the fire guys run simplex mode. I don’t know about you, but I cannot afford to rent a 1400-foot tower for my communications needs and my 60-foot tower wouldn’t nearly perform well enough in GMRS mode to justify the repeater expense.

So, I stick with MURS. Now I am limited to 2 Watts TPO, but no restrictions on antenna gain or type. It just cannot exceed 60 feet on my tower or 20 feet above a structure. Here is the deal. I can go about 1/2 the range I was able to when I was a talking simplex mode on my 35 watt mobile VHFpublic safety. I know it sounds crazy…2 watts being equal to 1/2 the range of a 35 watt radio, but let me explain it is almost ALL in your antenna!!! On the handhelds (MURS is 2 Watt, Public Safety was 5 Watts) I have noticed little to no difference in range. On both radio’s I recommend putting a good after market antenna if it comes with a stubby. That alone will make a noticeable difference in range.

On the Mobiles, I am getting about half the range, perhaps even a little further. For the base station I have nothing to compare it to, as we did not have a base station only a repeater dispatch on a much bigger tower than my 60 footer. Mobile to Mobile I am getting about 10-20 miles. I just put up the base station so I will get back with you on that. Now as far as how it compares to CB. Mobile-to-MobileI was only able to get about 5-15 miles consistently.This of coarse was in AM mode with a quality CB (I was always partial to Cobra 29 and 148) with a properly tuned and grounded 102 stainless steel whip antenna. The thing you will find out about CB is that its range is highly dependant upon channel congestion and atmospheric conditions. MURS is not affected by the atmosphere nearly as much. MURS also does not have to contend with the solar cycles in the way that CB does.

In conclusion from my experience, where I am located (Hilly, forested terrain) MURS has slightly better range than CB (AM) and much better range than FRS and GMRS."