Comms, trackers & kits
Radios, walkie-talkies, AirTags and grab kits are readiness gear, not gadgets. Targets below scale with your survival group and feed straight into inventory and the shopping list.
Comms & kit readiness
0%
Must-have gear for 2 members.
Items still missing
26
Per-member gear (handsets, whistles, grab bags, ID cards) re-targets automatically when the group grows.
By category
Radio, tracking & kit checklist
Add anything missing to your inventory in one click.
| Item | Target | In stock | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMR446 / FRS walkie-talkieRadioMust-have | 2 unitsone per member | 0 of 2 | Licence-free short range comms for the street, the shelter and supply runs. One per member plus a spare. | |
| Handheld VHF/UHF transceiverRadioNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Longer range and repeater access. Needs a licence to transmit in most countries — legal to own and receive. | |
| Wind-up / solar emergency radio (AM-FM-SW)RadioMust-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Your only guaranteed inbound news when the grid and mobile networks are down. | |
| NOAA / weather alert receiverRadioNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Automatic alerting for severe weather while everyone sleeps. | |
| Rechargeable radio battery packs / AA cellsRadioMust-have | 3 packs | 0 of 3 | Radios die first. Hold at least two full sets per handset and rotate them every 3 months. | |
| Spare high-gain antennaRadioNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | A better antenna adds more range than more power, and stock antennas are the weakest link. | |
| Earpiece / mic headsetsRadioNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Keeps traffic quiet when noise discipline matters and frees your hands. | |
| Apple AirTagTrackingMust-have | 3 tags | 0 of 3 | Tag every grab bag, vehicle, tool box and pet. Finds gear that walks off, and locates a bag left behind in a move. | |
| Samsung SmartTag / Tile trackerTrackingNice-to-have | 2 tags | 0 of 2 | Cross-platform cover so Android members can also find shared kit. | |
| Spare CR2032 tag batteriesTrackingMust-have | 1 packs | 0 of 1 | Trackers run about a year. Without spares your whole tag network goes dark at once. | |
| GPS tracker with SIM (vehicle)TrackingNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Live vehicle location that doesn't depend on a crowd-finding network. | |
| Child / vulnerable member wristband trackerTrackingNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | For children and anyone with a medical condition who could become separated in a crowd or evacuation. | |
| Paper ID & contact cards for each memberTrackingMust-have | 2 cardsone per member | 0 of 2 | The lowest-tech tracker there is: name, group, meeting point and two contacts in every pocket and bag. | |
| 72-hour grab bag (per member)KitsMust-have | 2 bagsone per member | 0 of 2 | One packed bag per person by the door: water, food, layers, light, meds, documents, cash. | |
| Vehicle kitKitsMust-have | 1 kits | 0 of 1 | Jump pack, tow strap, blanket, water, tyre plug kit and a paper map for when you have to leave fast. | |
| First aid trauma kit (IFAK)KitsMust-have | 1 kits | 0 of 1 | Tourniquet, pressure dressing, chest seal and gloves. One in the home, one in the vehicle. | |
| Everyday carry kit (EDC)KitsNice-to-have | 2 kitsone per member | 0 of 2 | Knife, torch, lighter, whistle, small cash. What you actually have on you beats what is in the cupboard. | |
| Document & cash pouch (waterproof)KitsMust-have | 1 pouches | 0 of 1 | Passports, deeds, insurance, medical notes, USB backup and small notes in mixed denominations. | |
| Repair kit (tape, zip ties, cordage, multi-tool)KitsMust-have | 1 kits | 0 of 1 | Keeps everything else in this list working once shops are shut. | |
| Pet go-kitKitsNice-to-have | 1 kits | 0 of 1 | Food, bowl, lead, carrier and vaccination copy — shelters turn away undocumented animals. | |
| Emergency whistleSignal & powerMust-have | 2 unitsone per member | 0 of 2 | Carries far further than a voice, costs nothing and never needs charging. | |
| Signal mirror & glow sticksSignal & powerNice-to-have | 1 sets | 0 of 1 | Daylight and night-time signalling for rescue or marking a route. | |
| Headtorch with red modeSignal & powerMust-have | 2 unitsone per member | 0 of 2 | Hands-free light; red preserves night vision and doesn't advertise your position. | |
| Solar / crank USB chargerSignal & powerMust-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | Keeps radios, phones and trackers alive when the power hub is rationed. | |
| Satellite messenger or PLBSignal & powerNice-to-have | 1 units | 0 of 1 | The last-resort link out when cell and radio both fail. Subscription needed for messengers. | |
| Laminated comms plan cardSignal & powerMust-have | 2 cardsone per member | 0 of 2 | Channels, call signs, radio check times, rally points and out-of-area contact — memorised is best, carried is essential. |
Comms plan & protocols
Print this, laminate it, and put a copy in every grab bag.
Primary channel
Agree one PMR/FRS channel and privacy code as primary, and a second as fallback if the first is busy or jammed. Write both on every comms card.
Radio check times
Scheduled checks at 08:00, 13:00 and 20:00. Radios off between checks to save batteries unless a member is away from base.
Call signs, not names
Give every member a short call sign. Faster on air and it doesn't broadcast who and how many you are.
Rally points
Name three: one at home, one in the neighbourhood, one out of the area. Everyone knows all three without looking them up.
Out-of-area contact
One person in a different region who everyone reports to. Local networks fail together; distant ones usually don't.
Message discipline
Who you are, where you are, what you need, when you'll next call. Keep transmissions under 15 seconds.
Tag audit
Once a month, open the tracker app and confirm every tagged bag, vehicle and tool box reports in. Replace any tag showing low battery.
Battery rotation
Every 3 months: recharge all handsets, swap tracker cells, and test the crank radio for 60 seconds.
Monthly drill
- Radio check from every rally point, not just the kitchen table.
- Confirm every tracker reports in and swap low cells.
- Weigh and re-pack one grab bag — they always creep heavier.
- Rotate meds, batteries and cash out of the document pouch.
- Have one member run the whole drill without your help.