PACKING COMMUNICATIONS ITEMS FOR YOUR QUICK RUN BAG (QRB)
* Phone with charger. Cell phone or mobile phone is the most common primary mean of communications. Plan for at least 72 hours of power, whether it is through selecting simpler phones with low power consumption or power bank with sufficient charge for smartphones.
* Back-up batteries/ power.
- Power Bank. You have to plan to carry enough charge for communications equipment to use them as required for 72 hours, as you might not have access to external power source (grid power, car battery, or even sufficient sun light). One good option could be USB/solar battery charger. It can be used as power bank, or taken apart for batteries as required, as well as provides option of using sun (when available) to replenish energy. (e.g: http://www.camelion.com/en/products/chargers/environmantally-conscious-charger/)
* Phone with charger. Cell phone or mobile phone is the most common primary mean of communications. Plan for at least 72 hours of power, whether it is through selecting simpler phones with low power consumption or power bank with sufficient charge for smartphones.
* Back-up batteries/ power.
- Power Bank. You have to plan to carry enough charge for communications equipment to use them as required for 72 hours, as you might not have access to external power source (grid power, car battery, or even sufficient sun light). One good option could be USB/solar battery charger. It can be used as power bank, or taken apart for batteries as required, as well as provides option of using sun (when available) to replenish energy. (e.g: http://www.camelion.com/en/products/chargers/environmantally-conscious-charger/)
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- Solar power. Considering portable solar chargers is always a good idea, but they should not be relied upon (as you may not always have access to sufficient sun light to use it).
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- Chargers. Carrying chargers for your electric devices and rechargeable batteries in your QRB is always a good idea. This should include adapters for different types of sockets that might be available in area concerned, USB chargers, car chargers, and power banks. You can considerably reduce clutter in your QRB, as well as weight, if you have USB-charging cables for your equipment and power bank; you can then carry USB adapters for electric socket and car to be able to use the same charging cable with different sources of power.
Note: If you plan on power saving strategies, such as more power-sufficient phones or hand powered radios and/or flashlights, it reduces volume of charge you need to plan for.
Note: If you plan on power saving strategies, such as more power-sufficient phones or hand powered radios and/or flashlights, it reduces volume of charge you need to plan for.
* Extra SIM card and top ups. Consider having an extra SIM card, as in emergency some providers may have better coverage for areas and/or times than others. In some situations SIMs on roaming are more useful, as they would pick up any local network available. In other cases though roaming coverage for your provider in that specific country/area might be limited to one local provider support or not supported at all. You will have to find out the terms of your roaming in advance. And in most situations having local SIM is usually a good idea.
With SIM cards you also have to ensure you have way of replenishing your credit when needed, unless you have unlimited post-paid plan.
* AM/FM portable radio. Portable radio to stay tuned on current developments of concern. AM radio should always be considered when legal (in most of the contexts) and budget is not a concern. Consider having a back-up capability by downloading radio app to your smartphone.
* Satellite phone. Before considering satellite communication options, you have to first check if it is legal to carry/ operate it in country/area concerned, and if you need special permit.
There are number of options available for satellite coverage, you can choose from based on your preference:
- Standard satellite phone. Can look for older models for cheaper price or newer ones – for more functions and less weight. (e.g: https://www.iridium.com/products/IridiumExtremeSatellitePhone.aspx?productCategoryID=1)
- Dual SIM satellite phone (http://www.thuraya.com/thuraya-xt-dual)
- SatSleeve, allowing to transfer you smartphone (Android or iPhone) into Satellite Phone when needed (e.g: http://www.thuraya.com/satsleeveandroid)
- Iridium Go! ® can be considered as solution for Teams, to provide voice and data coverage to up to five smartphones and/or tablets (http://www.thuraya.com/satsleeveandroid).
* VHF radio*/ walkie-talkie* Before considering packing radio, you have to first check if it is legal to carry/ operate it in country/area concerned, and if you need special permit. You will also need to have frequencies pre-set and be familiar of using procedures and context-specific information with it (channels, network purposes, call signs, etc.).
* “Point it” book or phrase group. In context where you do not speak local language (or not all of them), you should consider planning ways of face-to-face interpersonal relations. Some options may include phrase book or dictionary (printed and software) or “point it” book for visual aid.
With SIM cards you also have to ensure you have way of replenishing your credit when needed, unless you have unlimited post-paid plan.
* AM/FM portable radio. Portable radio to stay tuned on current developments of concern. AM radio should always be considered when legal (in most of the contexts) and budget is not a concern. Consider having a back-up capability by downloading radio app to your smartphone.
* Satellite phone. Before considering satellite communication options, you have to first check if it is legal to carry/ operate it in country/area concerned, and if you need special permit.
There are number of options available for satellite coverage, you can choose from based on your preference:
- Standard satellite phone. Can look for older models for cheaper price or newer ones – for more functions and less weight. (e.g: https://www.iridium.com/products/IridiumExtremeSatellitePhone.aspx?productCategoryID=1)
- Dual SIM satellite phone (http://www.thuraya.com/thuraya-xt-dual)
- SatSleeve, allowing to transfer you smartphone (Android or iPhone) into Satellite Phone when needed (e.g: http://www.thuraya.com/satsleeveandroid)
- Iridium Go! ® can be considered as solution for Teams, to provide voice and data coverage to up to five smartphones and/or tablets (http://www.thuraya.com/satsleeveandroid).
* VHF radio*/ walkie-talkie* Before considering packing radio, you have to first check if it is legal to carry/ operate it in country/area concerned, and if you need special permit. You will also need to have frequencies pre-set and be familiar of using procedures and context-specific information with it (channels, network purposes, call signs, etc.).
* “Point it” book or phrase group. In context where you do not speak local language (or not all of them), you should consider planning ways of face-to-face interpersonal relations. Some options may include phrase book or dictionary (printed and software) or “point it” book for visual aid.
* Money. “Money talks” and emergency is no exception. J Amount equivalent of around USD 500 would be about right amount to carry in small denominations and split into different places in bag, belt, pockets, etc. You have to consider which currency would help you better in specific environment. In some contexts you might need to carry local currency. In most cases though, USD would be accepted more happily. Packing USDs is also more useful if you are planning on using your QRB in multiple different environments.
