Prepared Before I Leave the Holler

Sometimes travel is just part of the job. Living in Southeastern Kentucky, a meeting or conference can mean two hours on the road before I even get to work. A family outing isn't much different. The miles take us over ridges, around hollers, and through places where cell service isn't guaranteed.

Map screenshot showing the winding roads through Floyd County, Kentucky.

I don't want to turn every drive into an expedition. I just want a communications plan that takes a few minutes to prepare and gives me options if the usual ones fail.

A Library That Travels With Me

I started with files for just a few counties. Each trip gave me a reason to add another, and now my Google Drive library covers most counties and cities in Kentucky. I keep CSV and CHIRP configurations organized by place, ready to download to my phone. You don't have to build the whole state in a weekend. Start with the roads you actually travel.

For today's meeting, about two hours away in Eastern Kentucky, I didn't have to start from scratch. I travel toward Prestonsburg often, so the file was already there. I downloaded it to my phone, opened Field Programmer, and sent the channels over Bluetooth to my UV-5R Mini.

A few minutes later, I had 99 channels loaded, including weather broadcasts, FRS and GMRS channel frequencies, and other local resources. Some are there to monitor, not transmit on; knowing the rules and using authorized equipment still matters. If I'm headed somewhere new, I can research the area through RadioReference, build a file, and add it to the library for next time.

UV-5R Mini on the Road

Layers, Not Luggage

My cell phone is still my primary method of communication. The handheld radio gives me another capability where appropriate, and I carry two Meshtastic nodes as well. One stays with me. The second can go with a teammate or be positioned to help relay messages, depending on terrain and how the nodes are configured.

That's the beginning of a PACE approach: Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency. It isn't enough to have four gadgets; the people you're trying to reach need a plan, too. We work through that bigger picture in class.

The setup stays simple: USB-C rechargeable devices, a small USB-C power bank or car charger, and a compatible radio programming cable in the kit as a backup. I don't have to spend an afternoon preparing for a drive. I charge, download, program, and go. The routine—and the library—gets better every trip.

That's the whole idea behind A Box of Useful Things. Capability beats collecting gear. The best preparations are the ones simple enough to actually use.

Gear Ready To Go, On the Move

Learn to Build Your Own Communications Plan

Want to learn more about grid-down communications, team planning, and practical PACE strategies? Hollercraft Academy offers Grid Down Communications classes in the spring and fall. You can also host a class for your family, group, or team.

Visit HollercraftAcademy.com to learn more.