Small group Comms?

[Eric D.]

How do military units communicate within themselves and with central command when outside the wire? Whether at the squad/platoon/etc. level does everyone have a mic that allows the group to talk to each other?

I'm curious because I've been trying to figure out how my family/group would communicate locally in a SHTF situation if we were on the move. Is there any type of radio that a whole group could be outfitted with so that whenever someone talks, everyone else can hear it? I figured you could do it with a bunch of 2-ways on the same channel but only 1 person could talk at a time and you have to hold the button. Is there anything like a 2-way radio that is constantly open for small group communication like this?

[TunaFisherman]

Something FM or VHF. I use Motorola handhelds. U have diff Ch and can make them private somewhat. You can have as many as you want as long as they are set with same frequency.
On the water we use ICOM or Standard Horizion handheld VHF. VHF offers DCS which is private (txting) between sets. for messages and sending GPS coordinates privatly

[Eric D.]

Is there any licensing involved?

[TunaFisherman]

I dont know any one who has.
The DSC you need to register so that it gives each reciever a "phone" number. Not sure what info you need to give for that.
You can buy FM and VHF and use without having to register with the FCC.
http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...=ship_stations

according the above if not commercial no need to register

You do not need a license to use marine VHF radios, any type of EPIRB, any type of radar, GPS or LORAN receivers, depth finders, CB radio, or amateur radio (an amateur license is required). Ships that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraphy must continue to be licensed by the FCC.
Radios with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Capability
If you have a marine radio with DSC capability, you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit. Each vessel needs only one MMSI number. Prior to obtaining an MMSI number, you will be asked to provide certain information about your ship. It is important that you obtain an MMSI number because the U.S. Coast Guard uses this information to help speed search and rescue operations.
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC you will obtain an MMSI number during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC.
If your vessel does not require a license you may obtain an MMSI by contacting either BoatUS, Sea Tow Service International, Inc., Shine Micro, or United States Power Squadrons. The contact information is contained in the Public Notice (pdf) announcing agreements with and the procedures for private entities to apply to issue MMSIs.
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC after you have obtained an MMSI number from BoatUS, Sea Tow Service, Shine Micro, Inc., or United States Power Squadrons, that MMSI number cannot be used during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC. MMSI numbers issued by other authorized entities are valid only for ship stations that do not have FCC-issued licenses. Since the ULS will not accept the MMSI that was issued by another entity, you should not enter anything on FCC Form 605, Schedule B. Leave the field blank and the FCC will issue you a new MMSI number.

We use the DSC to communicate anything we do not want to broadcast on open air like GPS and other info. IF you were to send a SOS the CG will have the info you register like name and address if its registered to a handheld vs. a vessel

[QuietShootr]

I dont know any one who has.
The DSC you need to register so that it gives each reciever a "phone" number. Not sure what info you need to give for that.
You can buy FM and VHF and use without having to register with the FCC.
http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...=ship_stations

according the above if not commercial no need to register

You do not need a license to use marine VHF radios, any type of EPIRB, any type of radar, GPS or LORAN receivers, depth finders, CB radio, or amateur radio (an amateur license is required). Ships that use MF/HF single side-band radio, satellite communications, or telegraphy must continue to be licensed by the FCC.
Radios with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) Capability
If you have a marine radio with DSC capability, you must obtain a nine-digit maritime mobile service identity (MMSI) number and have it programmed into the unit before you transmit. Each vessel needs only one MMSI number. Prior to obtaining an MMSI number, you will be asked to provide certain information about your ship. It is important that you obtain an MMSI number because the U.S. Coast Guard uses this information to help speed search and rescue operations.
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC you will obtain an MMSI number during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC.
If your vessel does not require a license you may obtain an MMSI by contacting either BoatUS, Sea Tow Service International, Inc., Shine Micro, or United States Power Squadrons. The contact information is contained in the Public Notice (pdf) announcing agreements with and the procedures for private entities to apply to issue MMSIs.
If your vessel requires licensing by the FCC after you have obtained an MMSI number from BoatUS, Sea Tow Service, Shine Micro, Inc., or United States Power Squadrons, that MMSI number cannot be used during the application/licensing process when you file FCC Forms 159 and 605 with the FCC. MMSI numbers issued by other authorized entities are valid only for ship stations that do not have FCC-issued licenses. Since the ULS will not accept the MMSI that was issued by another entity, you should not enter anything on FCC Form 605, Schedule B. Leave the field blank and the FCC will issue you a new MMSI number.

We use the DSC to communicate anything we do not want to broadcast on open air like GPS and other info. IF you were to send a SOS the CG will have the info you register like name and address if its registered to a handheld vs. a vessel

Do NOT listen to this guy.

Sir, you are giving advice akin to "Just buy one o' them Pre-81 DIASs out of Shotgun News, it'll be fahn. Aint nobody gits in trouble for that."

Please, for the children, just stop.

[TunaFisherman]

I use an older version of this style radio for hunting, hiking...
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Motor...motorola+radio

[TunaFisherman]

Do NOT listen to this guy.

Sir, you are giving advice akin to "Just buy one o' them Pre-81 DIASs out of Shotgun News, it'll be fahn. Aint nobody gits in trouble for that."

Please, for the children, just stop.

READ THE FCC website it is legal to use, I was incorrect in my first post. I use VHF ever day for work, do you?

He asked for info, I gave him info on comms I use. I was always under the impression one was supposed to register. My bad for trying to help. DO the research, YOU WILL FIND I am correct.
I recommend FM handheld radios for land use.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...p_stations#Who Needs a Ship Station License

[QuietShootr]

READ THE FCC website it is legal to use, I was incorrect in my first post. I use VHF ever day for work, do you?

Taxi drivers use VHF every day for work, too. That doesn't mean they know how it works or the legal issues.

Gee...where to begin.

1) It's illegal to use marine VHF for non-marine purposes.

2) you clearly have no understanding of what DSC actually is and how it works...but you go right on ahead thinking it's 'private' if you want to.

[QuietShootr]

READ THE FCC website it is legal to use, I was incorrect in my first post. I use VHF ever day for work, do you?

He asked for info, I gave him info on comms I use. I was always under the impression one was supposed to register. My bad for trying to help. DO the research, YOU WILL FIND I am correct.
I recommend FM handheld radios for land use.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/ind...p_stations#Who Needs a Ship Station License

You missed something important. No license is required if you are operating aboard a vessel that is NOT required to carry a radio, not "No license is required to do whatever you want with the radio."

ETA:

Section 80.369 of the FCC's Rules states that VHF
Marine Channels...<snipped> Prohibited communications include:
false distress or emergency messages, superfluous communications, messages containing obscene, indecent, or profane
words or meaning, general calls (calls not addressed to a particular station), routine messages and radio tests, and
communications when your ship is on land (for example, while the ship is on a trailer).

[TunaFisherman]

Taxi drivers use VHF every day for work, too. That doesn't mean they know how it works or the legal issues.

Gee...where to begin.

1) It's illegal to use marine VHF for non-marine purposes.

2) you clearly have no understanding of what DSC actually is and how it works...but you go right on ahead thinking it's 'private' if you want to.

You sir are wrong. MMSI are private. You transmit to a number registered to a radio. We use to transmit our Lat and Long to sister boats. If it wasnt private you would have every one show up especially during tournaments. But then I have been on the water my whole life, I know nothing.
Again maybe I am wrong on the handheld but we use them every day and also talk to the CG all the time and have never had them or Fish and game ask if I had a license to use it.

If its a SHTF time who cares if you are using CB VHF or FM to talk.
You make it sound like I am advising someone to rob a bank.