Ed Brown • May 4, 2024
How will your household communicate and find its way when phones, power, or familiar routes are unavailable? In the second Prepared Mindset class, Ed Brown develops two practical skills: reliable backup communication and land navigation.
Build a communication plan before you need it
Ed compares receiving public information with two-way communication. The teaching explores AM/FM and weather receivers, FRS walkie-talkies, CB, GMRS, and amateur radio, along with the effects of terrain, antennas, interference, and power. He explains repeaters and base stations and discusses possible church communication arrangements.
The practical takeaway is to test equipment with the people and locations in your plan. Agree on check-in times, primary and backup settings, a short message format, and what to do if someone does not answer. Use current FCC guidance and equipment instructions for lawful operation.
Know the map, the compass, and your limits
The navigation portion covers baseplate and lensatic compasses, true/magnetic/grid north, declination, topographic maps, contour lines, scale, bearings, position finding, pace counting, handrails, and planning around obstacles. Ed repeatedly encourages hands-on practice in a familiar area with another person.
Use current map information and local declination, stay on safe permitted routes, and practice with qualified instruction. The downloadable handout includes clarifications for historical statements about radio rules and improvised direction finding.
Watch the full May 4 class
The embedded video is the original 1 hour 40 minute livestream. A separate canning class is mentioned at the beginning, but its demonstration is not shown in this recording. An edited radio-and-navigation recording is also available on YouTube.
Download, write, and practice
Use the eight-page Part 2 handout for a session outline, radio planning worksheets, map and compass practice, pace-count notes, and a four-session follow-up plan. It draws on this class and the original Prepared Mindset presentation.
← Part 1: Foundations of Readiness
Prepared Mindset resource page →
Original Prepared Mindset presentation (PDF)
Household supply list
Open the Household Supply List (PDF) to inventory water, food, health and hygiene items, lighting, backup power, radios, and navigation supplies. Fill in what you have and what to get next. PDFs open in a new browser tab, with save and print controls available there.
