Baofeng UV-5R handheld radios and their derivatives are among the most popular in today’s market due to its simplicity, versatility and low cost. A Baofeng could be the only communication tool available in a grid-down or SHTF scenario. The Guerilla Guide uses techniques used by special operations personnel but is written with the end-user in mind.
The 411
The guide has seven chapters with three appendices. The topics include field programming and improvised antennas.
Chapter one starts with an introduction to the Baofeng radio and its capabilities and continues with communications basics and the three roles of communication: sustainment, tactical, and clandestine/strategic. The author explains the Baofeng radio’s dual-band operation, which transmits in VHF and USHF. Both bands have pros and cons.
The author covers frequency and memory modes in Chapter 2, functions and field programming. Remember: Any data you enter in your radio could be used against you. The author gives real-life examples of this from his service overseas, stating, “Every Taliban member with a radio in Afghanistan became a target for us.” Any radio captured was given to the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) officer to search the memory and analyze their communication protocols. In short, “Do not, under any circumstances, program the memory of a radio you intend on using for tactical or clandestine purposes.”
Another pro tip by the author is “Lock that keypad!” While conducting night training, a squad leader had an unlocked keypad that resulted in him losing his frequency when his radio shifted on his gear. In the darkness, with no comms in place, a training exercise that had been going well quickly turned sour.
The chapter on the construction and use of improvised antennae in the field is extremely useful, since many people believe that the radio range has a fixed distance. The author breaks down the concepts so that anyone in an improvised setting can understand them. The most critical and often overlooked element while using the Baofeng — or any other radio — is the antenna. In many cases, it’s more important than the radio itself.
Regarding “how much range does it have,” radio theory should be understood. In layperson’s terms, three factors are involved: the operating environment, the obstacles between you and the intended receiver, and the efficiency of your antenna. The author uses minimal technical information so that anyone can understand the basics. He also goes into depth on the pros and cons of various antenna types.
In the chapter on communications, we discuss specific issues relating to each type of communication. The most damaging failure in communication security (COMSEC), is to not understand this principle. If used improperly, the Baofeng radio could save your or kill you. Use codewords and separate frequencies when using the Baofeng for tactical purposes.
In chapter seven, we will discuss the differences between encoding (or ciphering) and encryption. Since the Baofeng doesn’t have any built-in encoding and encryption capabilities, this author discusses how to transpose a message in a code. It can be done either digitally with software or manually using pen and paper.
The Verdict
This guide is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their communications game. It’s a guide that is invaluable to those who want to stay alive in the communications world. The Guerilla’s Guide to the Baofeng Radio will get you on the path to communications proficiency in no time. It’s available in paperback, and a field edition that’s spiral-bound and pocket-sized for carrying into the field is also available.
The author’s pen name is NC Scout. He’s a former member of one of the U.S. Army’s Special Reconnaissance Units and the owner of Brushbeater Training and Consulting. NC Scout provides hands-on instruction. Anyone who is interested in training in communication, or in several other topics, should visit www.brushbeater.org to view his schedule.
About the Book
- Book & Author: The Guerrilla Guide to the Baofeng radio, by NC Scout
- Publisher: Publication by an independent publisher
- MSRP: $25
- URL: Brushbeater.store, or Amazon.com
- Pages: 156
- Rating: Thrive |
Survive|Die
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Editor’s Note: This article is a modified version of the original printed version.
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