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All technologies

Radio

Voice and data radio technologies that work without internet or commercial infrastructure — from $25 handhelds to global HF links.

Analog FM (VHF/UHF)

Voice. Works everywhere. Zero infrastructure.

rangeLocal–regional
bandwidthVoice only
cost$25–200
licenseGMRS / Ham
powerLow

The simplest and most universal transport. Every handheld radio speaks analog FM. No digital infrastructure required. Intelligible even at low signal levels.

Best for: Everyone's baseline — a $25 handheld works when nothing else does
Limits: Voice only; range limited to line-of-sight without a repeater

LoRa / Meshtastic

Long-range text mesh. No infrastructure needed.

range2–15 km/hop
bandwidth~5 kbps
cost$20–60/node
licenseNone (ISM band)
powerVery low

Meshtastic turns commodity LoRa hardware into a self-healing text mesh. Messages hop node-to-node (default 3 hops). AES-256 encrypted private channels. Bluetooth to your phone via iOS/Android app. Longest documented link: 254 km mountain-to-mountain.

Best for: Neighborhood text messaging, GPS tracking, situations with no cellular
Limits: Text only — no voice or images; requires dedicated LoRa hardware (not just a phone)

AREDN Mesh

High-speed IP network. No internet. Amateur bands.

range1–30+ km/link
bandwidth10–100 Mbps
cost$50–300/node
licenseHam (Technician+)
powerMedium

Open-source firmware for off-the-shelf WiFi hardware that creates a high-speed amateur radio mesh. Operates under Part 97 rules, allowing higher power and directional antennas for 30+ km links. Runs any IP-based service.

Best for: EOCs, hospitals, shelters — runs VoIP, video, email, and file sharing
Limits: Requires Ham license and technical expertise; specific supported hardware only

Ham HF Radio

Global range. No infrastructure. All weather.

rangeGlobal
bandwidthVoice / data
cost$500–2,000
licenseHam General (for HF)
powerMedium–high

HF radio (3–30 MHz) uses ionospheric reflection to communicate globally without any infrastructure. The most resilient long-distance communication available — cannot be blocked geographically.

Best for: Long-range coordination when all local infrastructure is down
Limits: General class license required; large antenna; propagation varies with solar conditions