Playbooks

Step-by-step operational guides for building and maintaining resilient communication systems.

Playbook 1: 72-Hour Communication Kit

Everything you need to maintain communication for 72 hours without grid power.

Kit checklist:

• [ ] Handheld VHF/UHF radio (charged) — Baofeng UV-5R or similar
• [ ] Spare batteries or battery bank — minimum 20,000 mAh
• [ ] Solar panel for recharging — 10–20W foldable panel
• [ ] Written frequency list (laminated) — local repeaters, NOAA weather, emergency freqs
• [ ] Satellite messenger (charged) — Garmin inReach or SPOT
• [ ] Backup phone with offline maps — Maps.me or OsmAnd downloaded
• [ ] Paper notepad and pencil — electronics fail; paper doesn't

Playbook 2: Setting Up a Local Mesh Network

Deploy a Meshtastic mesh network for your neighborhood or team.

Step 1: Acquire Hardware

Purchase 4+ Meshtastic-compatible devices (LILYGO T-Beam, RAK4631, etc.). More nodes = better coverage and redundancy.

Step 2: Configure Devices

1. Flash Meshtastic firmware
2. Set region (US, EU, etc.)
3. Configure channel name and PSK
4. Set node name and role
5. Enable GPS if available

Step 3: Deploy Nodes

Place nodes at:

• Highest accessible points (rooftops, hills)
• Locations with line-of-sight to other nodes
• Protected from weather (weatherproof enclosures)

Step 4: Test and Document

Test message delivery between all nodes. Document node locations and frequencies. Practice regular check-ins.

Playbook 3: Emergency Communication Plan

A template for household or team emergency communication planning.

Define Your Contacts

• Primary contact person (local)
• Out-of-area contact (often easier to reach)
• Meeting points if communication fails entirely

Establish Check-in Schedule

• Daily check-in time (e.g., 7pm local)
• Frequency and mode for each scenario
• What to do if no contact after 24 hours

Practice

Run a quarterly drill. Pretend your phone doesn't work. Can you still communicate?