This is the “When, Where, and How” to make radio
contact with each other for SHTF. The 333 Radio Plan was designed for
SHTF communications. Versions of it are used by survivalist prepper and
emergency communications groups. It is based on the easy-to-remember
“Survival Rule of Three”. It is often called …
… a Radio Schedule, or a SKED. It is like the communications equivalent
of a Rally Point or Disaster Meet-Up Plan.
Here’s how the 3-3-3 Radio Plan works:
Turn on your radio. Every 3 hours. For at least 3 minutes. Channel 3.
Always use your Local Time for local area communications with the 3-3-3 Radio Plan. At the “top of the hour”, each 3 hours: Noon, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm. Midnight, 3am, 6am, 9am.
At the top of every 3rd hour, turn on your radio. Even if you don’t need to make a call yourself, always turn on your radio and listen for calls for at least 3 minutes. If you have sufficient battery power, or if you have not connected up for a while, then you should listen for 15 minutes. You never know if someone may be trying to reach you, or may need help. If you need to check in, make a short transmission at this time. Say “This is me, just checking in.”
Synchronize your watch with other radio operators whenever possible. If you doubt your watch accuracy, compensate by keeping your radio turned on for a longer duration, before and after every 3rd hour. If you don’t have a watch, try listening to an AM broadcast radio station, they always identify their call letters at the top of each hour.
Channel 3 is CB-3, FRS-3, or MURS-3.
CB, FRS, and MURS are the most common types of radios used by survivalists and preppers. If your organized group has a different designated SHTF channel or Prepper SHTF HAM frequency, you should use it as your 3-3-3 channel. For example: 146.520 FM Simplex, Freenet 3, or PMR466-CH3.
