As an add-on to Para's radio thread, I thought I'd mention maps; I think they're important. A situation that has us relying on the radios discussed in Para's thread is a situation that is almost certainly without convenient GPS and satellite imagery access. We're used to having this stuff at our fingertips, either in our smart devices, or integrated into our vehicles. A road atlas is a darn good thing to have, and local topographic maps are available and not terribly expensive. Any number of hypotheticals have networks and/or internet unavailable to us; some hypotheticals would make travel by road likely quite dangerous. Having both road maps, and maps that enable more competent overland travel and route planning is a good idea, IMO.

This is a source for proper USGS topographical maps. It is pretty easy to use their search function, by entering names of towns in close proximity to the areas of interest. You can download and view/save/print the maps for free. You'll want to be sure and print them at a usable scale, if you want to properly use navigation tools with them. If the first map you try doesn't actually show the area you're after, use the adjoining sheet key at the bottom, to refine your search. If you opt to order a map, they are of excellent quality, and pretty affordable, at $15 a sheet.

https://store.usgs.gov/maps

This is a site that offers tools and quick reference guides for utilizing paper maps.

https://www.maptools.com/

If you opt to invest in something more than an atlas, make sure it has a UTM grid, and get the proper protractor to use with it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KSGM,

Thank you for the link!

I've long said in a full blown Hollywood style apocalypse, the man with a map will be king.



(that and printed pornography with be currency lol)

KSGM - Thanks Sir for this timely post. A significant gap in our plan to prepare for the unknown.

Interesting idea, would the Sat GPS system go down in an apocalypse situation, how would the satellites be taken down, do they requires some land based controls to maintain position.

Wouldn't a hand held gps still be able to gain signal, provided it hasn't been exposed to an EMP, but we all will have faraday cages setup for our electronics, other wise those hand held radios won't work either after a blast.

GPS devices and satellite phones would certainly retain their functionality longer than other devices, in many circumstances. However, without a paper map for reference and planning, the GPS device's functionality would be limited, right? I suppose it depends on the device, and what is pre-loaded into it. My experience with GPS devices is limited.

I would also add, similarly to medical stuff and radios, practice is necessary to be able to actually get from point A to point B overland using a map a compass (or even GPS).

It isn’t incredibly difficult, but it’s something that is not easy without a little training and practical experience.

There are ample resources out there to learn how to use a map and compass, and there are clubs or recreational orienteering opportunities, good exercise, too.

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practice is necessary to be able to actually get from point A to point B overland using a map a compass

Indeed. I'll say that, even for someone with little or no practice, the quick reference material available at maptools.com will enable proper navigation, assuming you have the proper protractor and compass.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
...would the Sat GPS system go down in an apocalypse situation, how would the satellites be taken down, do they requires some land based controls to maintain position.

Assuming that the constellation hasn't been obliterated by a solar storm, Chinese anti-sat weapon, etc...

The GPS constellation is maintained daily (by 2 SOPS) with minor corrections in the satellites' clocks and position. Without these corrections, the quality of the information you get from your GPS receiver will gradually degrade. If you're curious the current state of the GPS constellation, look here.

Also important to this conversation is the fact that very few "GPS" receivers are truly GPS-exclusive. The USSR developed a competing system, GLONASS, which predictably got very bad in the 90s. However Russia has put a lot of resources into reconstituting GLONASS and it's now nearly as good as GPS. The European Union once sought for the US to turn over GPS to international civilian control. We thankfully did not acquiesce, and the EU developed their own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS, the generic term for these things). The EU's Galileo is also highly capable. Not to be outdone, China has their own GNSS which they call Beidou (it means compass). There are also regional augmentation systems in Japan, India, and likely others I'm forgetting.

So the next time you're looking at a "GPS" receiver, dig into the specs. There's a near-100% chance that device will track GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. Receivers that track Beidou are becoming more common as well.

It's worth knowing how to change the settings on your receiver to track only GPS should that become necessary. It's fairly trivial on a standalone Garmin. On a factory-installed vehicle navigation system or smartphone it may not be possible. As a side benefit forcing your receiver to GPS-only will increase battery life, though under nominal conditions where all the GNSS constellations are operating correctly you'll get a less accurate position, especially in areas without a clear view of the entire sky (i.e. a natural or urban canyon).

best thing to do is bet a series of Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer books for your anticipated area of operation. Get a compass and learn how to use it.

There is a whole generation of Americans that cannot navigate using a map. I remember studying map reading in school.
On the rare family trip my Mom would tell my Dad where to turn using the paper map. He got really mad when my Mom when give him incorrect directions and we would end up on a dirt road in Kansas.

I used to use Thomas Guide maps back in the 80's. Are they still around? Haven't seen one in years.

I used to get Thomas books for LA and OC when I was working out there a lot - this was before in-car GPS were common

I've not seen a Thomas Street Guide in at least 15 years

About 10 years ago when I used to go hunting every year I took a map & GPS course from the USGS in Denver. The course has since been discontinued. By far, the #1 item I took out of that class was learning Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system. UTM breaks the maps down into 1,000 meter grids. You can order the maps with the UTM lines or just the ticks and draw your own lines.

The UTM system is way better/easier than using hours and minutes when trying to navigate. Most GPS handhelds have an option for turning on UTM. I've been in some very remote areas of Colorado using my GPS and a USGS map with UTM and never felt worried.

If you get a USGS map, get it with UTM tick marks at a minimum.

[URL=What is UTM]https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-are-utm-coordinates-measured-usgs-topographic-maps[/URL]

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If you get a USGS map, get it with UTM tick marks at a minimum.

Yes. I should have been more specific, in the OP. I'll edit it.

Free state maps are available at state border "welcome centers" in every state I've visited in the past 40 years or so. Hey, you're going to stop to pee anyway, might as well pick up a map or two.

Get a DeLorme map. You can then copy the page(s) of particular interest.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
best thing to do is bet a series of Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer books for your anticipated area of operation. Get a compass and learn how to use it.

This is the mindset I subscribe to. I keep atlases for the four states I would travel to. I already know where I'm going in NV, and if I have to go elsewhere it's my belief the other three atlases will get me to where my other friendlies are.

I still have my Rand McNally Road Atlas and a couple of Brunton Compasses around.

I probably should get some new inner tubes for the bicycle too.

Good post and good resource...thanks for the link! I love paper maps!