Despite the growing popularity of “prepper” websites to cater for those wanting to prepare when TSHTF or TEOTWAWKI, most sensible people realise that the likelihood of any of us having to endure years of living off grid in a post nuclear apocalypse is very, very remote.
However, there is a lot to be said for being prepared for natural disasters. Who would have thought that in the last several years, the population of Australia has had to endure massive bushfires where all local communications systems were destroyed, devastation floods where entire towns were destroyed, a mice plague and a human pandemic where residents were prevented from leaving their homes for months on end.
Some preparation for this kind of endurance test will surely make the experience more comfortable, particularly for us radio enthusiasts.
Here is my equipment list, to comfortably “survive” the next disaster.

1 – An emergency radio receiver. Apart from the obvious advantage of being able to listen to the local radio stations, this model also covers the shortwave bands, allowing access to broadcasts directly from around the world. The emergency radio features a solar panel and dynamo crank to ensure power is always available. It has a torch, personal locator siren, and USB charging capability for other USB powered devices.

Best Emergency Radio

2 – A communications receiver, capable of receiving SSB transmissions. This means you will be able to listen to shortwave stations, weather reports, amateur radio operators, 4WD networks and utility services. There are several receiver models in the range, such as PL-368 . This model is both lightweight and inexpensive.

3 – Shortwave antenna. Even a 10m shortwave antenna would be better than nothing, but our Outdoor MW/SW antenna with matching balun is really what is required.

Tecsun Shortwave Outdoor Antenna

4 – If you are a licensed amateur radio operator, of Xiegu G-90 lends itself perfectly to emergency communications. It covers all the HF amateur bands and has fully adjustable RF power output to help conserve your emergency 12 volt battery power. Match it with our HF dipole antenna

Xiegu Radio detached front with colour monitor on

5 – A handheld UHF CB transceiver. This is an essential item for keeping in touch with neighbours, and the wider radio community. In rural locations all RFDS brigades use UHF CB, as do most farmers. There is a dedicated Emergency channel (Repeater Channel 5) and a road safety channel (Channel 40) when travelling in highways. In the cities there are multiple repeaters allowing us to communicate in an emergency.

Equipping ourselves with some, or all of the above equipment will certainly make an isolating experience more enjoyable, and in the event of a more serious disaster, could make the difference between life and death.