The average person who gets a Baofeng radio will have no idea how to tune in when they turn it on and see an input like 445.000 staring back at them. Pushing the buttons to blindly tune the frequencies up or down doesn’t work like a CB radio, car stereo, or marine radio. You can’t just pick a frequency at random and start using it. First, there will probably be no one to talk to. Second, you could be transmitting on a frequency or in a mode that is prohibited.

My pre-ham radio experience was with VHF law enforcement radios; my agency has 16 channels programmed in on the main ‘A’ bank. For public safety/business use, the FCC assigns frequencies. Not in the ham world. Ham radio does not have defined voice channels like Marine radio, CB, or GMRS/FRS. The concept of saying “Go to channel __” doesn’t exist.

What exists on the ham bands are portions of the frequency spectrum that is generally understood to be used for simplex (radio-to-radio) voice communication. Imagine it as a freeway without any marked lanes. To better navigate that lane-less freeway, radio users have decided to separate portions of each band and dedicate them to specific uses.

Simplex, or radio-to-radio voice, is just a small part of that. In order for the various uses of the ham bands to all get along, local radio coordinators outline what ranges and frequencies should be used for what. These coordinators are unofficial bodies and the plans aren’t legally mandatory, but they are mostly obeyed to avoid chaos, the same way people obey traffic signals when a cop isn’t around.

You can create “lanes” for your own channel plan as long as you play by the rules that everyone else does. This is really no more than agreeing on specific frequencies to use and giving them a name or alpha-numeric designation. Having a channel name or number is for brevity and communication security. “Go to five,” is shorter and more secure than saying “Go to 158.730.” So, within your own group/family, you can know that “VHF channel 1” means 146.415 MHz. Again, this is an in-group thing because there are no public ham channel allocations.
 
How to get startedMy semi-facetious suggestion is become friends with a likeminded, experienced ham and let him provide you with his pre-existing plan. I kid, but there are hams in your community that have already done this and will have saved you a bunch of trouble. Connections can and do pay off. But for the rest of you…
Start by finding the basic band plan[1] for the band you plan to use; in our case it will be 70cm or 420-450 MHz UHF. Note that 420-450 MHz is the basic frequency range for that band; it will be divided up into different groups for various uses, such as Morse code (CW), television, etc. Be sure to review the band plan for frequencies that are reserved for specific uses, such as digital packet transmission only, often noted “no voice.”

Note the bandwidth spacing for each band. For 70cm, this is 25 kHz while in some parts of California it is 20 kHz. For 2m VHF, this is 15-20 kHz. Think of spacing as a separation lane to keep the radio traffic from bleeding into each other. Too narrow of spacing and the radio signals start interfering with each other.
 
Using the no-lane freeway above, technically speaking is the bandwidth separation. As long as the traffic is within the limits of the range and far enough apart from each other, who talks on what frequency is unregulated. You can simply plug in a frequency in the right range, check that the bandwidth is set properly (the radio should do this automatically), and start talking. Shy of SHTF or an emergency this can be a nuisance.

Practically speaking, you need to mind the upper and lower end of the frequencies for both the FCC-defined band and the range for simplex voice. Orderly ham radio depends on everyone coloring (or parking or driving, whatever analogy you prefer) within the lines. One can’t reasonably just start yakking away on any frequency for this reason.

This problem with choosing a frequency at random is you may be talking slightly off a locally defined channel and interfering with that traffic. That’s a quick way to make other hams unhappy, sort of like making the other guy pull off a one-way road so you don’t have to get your car’s passenger side all muddy by driving on the shoulder. What needs to be done is see if there are any local channel plans for the band you intend to use.

Locate your state or regional band plan. These are gentlemen’s agreements by local ham organizations to allocate the different frequency ranges for various purposes to better regulate and coordinate traffic. Many organizations do not coordinate simplex frequencies. In this case, generic spacing and allocations can be used. You will need to Google “[state or region] ham radio band plan” to find this information. Alternatively, you can ask a local ham club.

In the 70cm UHF band, you will want to check your local band plan (down to the county, if there is such an organization) and the repeaters carefully before deciding on using a certain frequency. For example, you may want to start at 445.000 and go up to 446.975 at 25 kHz channel spacing intervals. At each interval you would check that the band plan doesn't reserve the frequency for something like high-speed packet transmission or that it's assigned to a repeater.

Note that you don't want to break the pattern of intervals because your signal will bleed over to other frequencies and cause interference with other traffic. That's rude, like parking in two spaces. It's going to make people mad and if you have a problem that comes to the FCC's attention you will be the at-fault party. So once more, random frequency selection is suboptimal.

Check your local repeaters to ensure that you are not talking on a repeater input/output frequency. Repeaterbook.com is the most popular resource for repeater information. This becomes more of a concern in 70cm UHF because the simplex (voice) range is shared with repeaters. For instance, in Missouri 445.900–445.975 is shared between simplex and packet traffic; at 25 kHz spacing that leaves four voice UHF channels that can be used. Don’t forget to actually listen to the frequency for a while to determine what kind of traffic is used on it.

Finally, remember that the airwaves are all shared and open to the public. There is no privacy or reserving of frequencies. All FCC regulations will apply. Your channels are nothing more than a memory device for certain frequencies and will be specific to your group only. Any outsiders you are communicating with will need to be given the actual frequency to tune to, not your channel number/name.

• Check the basic band plan for the frequency range of the particular band (2m, 1.25m, 70cm) you want to use for the limits of the band and simplex voice operations.
• Check your state/regional/county band plan for local allocations for simplex voice. Some localities may have VHF/UHF voice frequencies listed; others may have a range.
• For 70cm UHF in particular, check local repeater listings to ensure the frequency is not used by a repeater.
• Listen to the actual channel for traffic before deciding to use it.
• Remember that this is a local, personalized list and it will vary outside your area. If you travel or will be going to a distant bug-out location, you will need to make a new list for that area.
• Use programming software like CHIRP to manage your plan and program radios. 

Repeaters
You may want to put repeaters in your channel plan. For instance, my group notes these with an R (Romeo) for repeater, as “31R.” Again, the repeaters are public but saying 31R is easier and more discreet than saying “McClellan Peak UHF” or “W7RHC.” Some notes about programming repeaters in:
For repeaters, the input (receiving) frequency is published. This is the frequency that your radio will talk to the repeater on. You will need to program in an offset so the radio knows what frequency to listen for the output signal (that the repeater is re-transmitting the traffic on). Note the offset for your band; this varies. 70cm uses a 5 MHz + or – above or below the repeater input frequency. 2m VHF is 600 kHz or .6 MHz.
Most radios will automatically set the offset frequency once you note + or – in the software so you don’t need to manually enter the offset frequency. Most repeaters will use a PL tone to activate the repeater. The offset and PL tone will vary on each repeater.
 
Common simplex voice frequencies 
2 Meters (144-148 MHz)
146.400-146.580         simplex
146.520           National simplex calling Frequency
147.420-147.570         simplex
 
70cm (420-450 MHz)
445.000-447.000 simplex (shared with repeaters and other services)
446.000           National simplex calling Frequency
 
Example 2m simplex channels (SoCal)
144.310-144.375 (15-20 kHz apart)
144.405-144.490 (15-20 kHz apart)
145.510, 145.645, 145.525, 145.660, 145.540, 146.445, 145.555, 146.520 (calling freq.)
145.570, 146.535, 145.585, 146.550, 145.600, 146.580,145.615, 146.595, 145.630
147.510
https://www.tasma.org/TASMA-2m-Band-Plan.pdf
Note that the 70cm UHF equivalent of above is extremely uncommon.

[1] https://www.arrl.org/band-plan

Sample band plan
This simple band plan is taken from Los Angeles area information. It includes a Channel of the Day (COD) so each group member knows where to go each day to listen and make contact if necessary. While a real plan would have the frequency order switched up, changing the “main” frequency each day will inhibit any easy monitoring by bad guys. Note that the days must rotate because there are not enough frequencies for a 31-day month.

Channels of the Day will need to repeat, and more often on bands with lesser available simplex frequencies, especially on UHF. Repeaters that are intended to be used are included as well. This method will work for 2m/1.25m/70cm and GMRS/FRS. A similar plan can be made up for CB with the ordinary channel numbers switched up.

The duress channel is an unused frequency that can be switched to if your transmissions are being monitored by bad guys. The code word can be spoke and everyone will know to switch without further prompting. Credit to [redacted] for coming up with my group’s plan, from which I modeled this example chart (because the public isn’t seeing our actual one).

Note: this is an excerpt from my book Basic SHTF Radio: A cop's brief guide for understanding simple solutions for SHTF radio communication, available on Amazon. Also consider NC Scout's "The Guerilla's Guide to the Baofeng Radio" (which I consider to be "Intermediate SHTF Radio."

Federal law defines sub-250 gram unmanned aircraft as “micro” drones. These Group 1 micro-UAVs do not require registration in the US or most countries. They range from toys, to hobbyists’ racing drones, to a novice cinematographer’s flying camera. Top-of-the-line micro-UAVs could make a helpful adjunct to a mobile unit. For small units, these make ideal “periscopes” to see over terrain or scout areas remotely.

While a larger, high endurance and longer-range drone is of course better, they are much larger packages. Sub-250 gram UAVs are smaller, lighter, and faster to deploy than larger models. A very small drone can be easily carried along and used to augment the patrol where a larger drone providing overwatch is not available or to clear or recon areas in lieu of sending in a man. Heavier drones being man-packed will slow a patrol down, will take longer to launch and recover, and will hinder mobility if attacked.

Now why sub-250 gram drones exactly, you may be wondering? Surely heavier ones are better, especially if I’m not planning on man-packing the thing into combat. Let me quote the FCC:

• “All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams).”
• “Beginning September 16, 2023, all drones requiring registration must operate in accordance with the Remote ID rule.”

Remote ID (RID) is a radio transponder system that openly broadcasts over Wi-Fi bands a drone’s location, altitude, and speed, as well as the location of the pilot. If using a COTS drone in a defensive or combat application, RID is a liability because it broadcasts real time location data that could be used to pinpoint the aircraft and the pilot.

• No remote pilot certification or tests required
• Less stringent operating rules and simplified regulations. Legally speaking, they can be flown over people and structures that are not directly involved in the flight vs. larger drones that can't do this (legally). The government's reasoning is because of their lightweight they are less likely to brain someone should they fall out of the sky.
• Did I say no FAA registration? Save yourself $5!
• Easier travel: Micro drones are compact and lightweight, making them easier to carry during travel. They are also less likely to attract attention due to their small size.

 
What still applies?

• You need permission in controlled airspace (such as near airports)
• You're still restricted by TFRs (fly one near Biden and they'll know)
• Maintain visual contact with the drone (you will probably overrun the transmitter range before then)

 
Realistically, unless your drone crashes and injuries someone or the police show up, flying over structures or people with respectable clearance isn't going to cause problems. While you must stay below 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), unless you're near and airport or hit a plane isn't not like anyone is really going to know.
 
As far as drone detectors, these will be present near major airports, military bases, and special events, like Joe Biden’s vacation or a major sporting event. While sub-250 gram drones aren’t broadcasting RID, their unique signals in the Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) band are discoverable by specialized and sensitive detectors. If you fly a drone in a remote part of National Park or something, odds no one will ever know.

Here are the top four sub-250 gram drones, all available between $750 and $140 (depending on the price when you buy).

DJI Mini 3 Pro
Best performance, second best camera, but has all the DJI nerfing and China drawbacks.
Autel Evo Nano Plus
Like the DJI Mini series but with slightly decreased performance but none of the DJI Chinese baggage.
DJI Mini SE
Cheapest DJI model.
Holy Stone HS710
Cheapest, quality model. Perfect for beginners or “stacking” multiples of.
 
DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI is the biggest name in drones, but it comes with a caveat that it has been “nerfed” and is probably a Chinese spy device. Overall, it has the second Best camera and the best performance. Negatives are it is Chinese and omes with geo-fencing problems native to all DJIs, which isn’t why you buy sub-250 gram drones. It’s also relatively expensive than other drones in its class.

• Max flight endurance: 34 minutes
• Max hovering endurance: 30 minutes
• Camera resolution: photo 48 MP 8000 X 6000; video 4k Ultra HD: 3840 x 2160  60 fps
• Battery charging time: 1 hour

 
Autel EVO Nano Plus
This has the best camera, up to 8K resolution. It also does not have the baggage that DJI does. At the price point, it is the most comparable to the DJI Mini with similar endurance.

• Max flight endurance: 28 minutes
• Max hovering endurance: 26 minutes
• Camera resolution: photo 50MP 8192×6144; video 4K Ultra HD 3840×2160 60 fps
• Battery charging time: 90 minutes.

 
DJI Mini SE
This is the cheapest drone so far produced by DJI. However, it only has a "2k" camera so it lacking the advanced camera features or higher quality resolution might be problematic if you want coo video. It also has the negatives of DJI geofencing and probably feeding data back to China.

• Max flight endurance: 30 minutes
• Max hovering endurance: 30 minutes
• Camera resolution: photo 4000 X 3000; video 2.7k: 2720 X 1530 @30 fps
• Battery charging time: 1 Hour
  

Holy Stone HS710
This is the cheapest non-toy option (I got it for $139 at the time) that is ideal for beginners and nearly disposable use. Consider these the Baofeng radios of the micro-UAV level. They are small, light, and can be easily carried by an individual. It has a 4K camera and more advanced camera/flight features that the cheaper DJI options don't have like altitude hold and “follow me” (if you’re into cinematographic video).

• Max Flight Time: 30 minutes
• Max Hovering Time: 30 minutes
• Photo Resolution: 4000 X 3000
• Video Resolution: 2.7K: 2720 X 1530 @30 fps
• Battery Charging Time: 1 Hour

In the world of radio enthusiasts and scanner aficionados, the Uniden Home Patrol 2 stands out as offering unmatched convenience and functionality. With its user-friendly design and powerful trunking capabilities, this scanner is a game-changer for those who want to dive into the world of scanning without the need for a master's degree in radio programming. In this blog post, we'll explore why the Uniden Home Patrol 2 is the ultimate choice for anyone seeking effortless trunking capabilities.

Trunking Demystified
Before delving into the features of the Home Patrol 2, let's briefly understand what trunking actually is. Trunking is a method used by various radio communication systems to optimize frequency utilization. Traditional scanners can struggle to follow these complex systems, often requiring intricate programming knowledge. This is where the Home Patrol 2 steps in, eliminating the need for in-depth technical expertise. Note that your $70 Radio Shack analog scanner CANNOT receive trunked radio systems.

User-Friendly Interface
The Uniden Home Patrol 2 prides itself on its intuitive user interface. It's designed with the average person in mind, making it easy for beginners to get started without feeling overwhelmed. The touch screen display guides users through the setup process and scanning options, ensuring a smooth experience even for those with limited technical know-how.

Simple Set-Up
Gone are the days of spending hours deciphering manuals and trying to configure intricate scanner settings. The Home Patrol 2 boasts a hassle-free setup process. Users can simply enter their location and let the scanner do the rest. The device automatically identifies and loads the frequencies for nearby agencies, making the entire process a breeze.

Database Integration
One of the standout features of the Home Patrol 2 is its extensive database integration. Regular updates ensure that the scanner has the most up-to-date frequency information for various agencies, including police, fire, EMS, and more. This means you'll always be in the know about what's happening in your area.

Dynamic Memory Allocation
The scanner's dynamic memory allocation is another factor that sets it apart. It automatically allocates memory to active channels, optimizing your scanner's performance and ensuring you never miss a crucial communication.

GPS Support
With built-in GPS support, the Home Patrol 2 takes convenience to another level. As you move around, the scanner automatically adjusts its settings to provide you with relevant local channels. This is particularly beneficial for road trips and travel, as you'll always have access to the most pertinent information.

Trunking Made Easy
As our tagline suggests, the Home Patrol 2 is the perfect choice for individuals who want trunking capabilities without the complexities of radio programming. It handles trunking systems seamlessly, allowing you to monitor conversations across different frequencies and agencies without the need for manual intervention.

The Uniden Home Patrol 2 is a game-changer in the world of scanners, especially for those who crave the convenience of trunking capabilities without the steep learning curve. Its user-friendly interface, simple setup, extensive database integration, dynamic memory allocation, GPS support, and effortless trunking handling make it the best scanner for both beginners and experienced users.

If you want a scanner without the need for a master's in radio programming, the Uniden Home Patrol 2 is your best option.

The following is an excerpt from my non-fiction book Suburban Defense. These are critical event categories which examine and catalog the progression of civil disorder. While they focus on violence, the loss of law and order, and the response to it, variations of this chapter can be used for different levels of disasters.

Characteristics

• These incidents occur in residential neighborhoods, either targeted or as a spontaneous spillover from another location. This may be a reaction to police dispersal from another area.
• Mob participants are mostly protesters there to demonstrate verbally and with signs.
  
• Front and unfenced yards are trespassed on, but no entry is made to homes.
• Homes are targeted for repeated doorbell ringing, banging on doors and windows, or surrounded for verbal intimidation.
• Destruction is limited generally to minor vandalism and trampling of landscaping. Broken windows may happen in some incidents, but not as an attempt to enter the home.
• Police are monitoring or following the crowd, but not intervening to disperse the crowd or make arrests.
• The incident usually ends when the mob finishes moving through the area or it self-disperses within a few hours at most.
• Traffic is usually blocked from leaving the area by the size of the crowd or by active intervention from participants.
  

Characteristics

• The unrest during these incidents are geographically isolated, even though the troublesome areas may be widespread or occurring sympathetically in cities across the state/nation.
• Areas in the closest proximity to riots are at highest risk, usually economically disadvantaged areas with high minority populations (the ghetto).
• Suburban areas and adjoining communities far from the unrest are usually unaffected.
• These events usually start in response to a specific event, but the catalyst that starts the riots is incidental to the follow-on effects of lawlessness.
• Violence can be specifically targeted against political opponents, other races, upper classes, etc.
• As violence spirals out of control, the atmosphere is used as a license to burn, loot, rob, beat, destroy, and so on, with little relation to the initiating event.
• Police are often powerless to control the riots or protect the public; sometimes this is because of political decisions at the city/state level.
• The riots continue for several days until law enforcement and the National Guard are able to get a handle on the situation (weather changes have also been a cause for riots to fizzle out).
• The rule of law is still in effect, even if it isn’t being enforced to stop the riots. If you break the law, especially if it is an egregious overreaction or politically unpopular, expect to be prosecuted. Conduct yourself to the legal standards as you would every single day of normal life.
  

Characteristics

• These events are usually in combination with a natural disaster. They could be the beginning stages of a total collapse type situation depending on what is happening nationally.
• The area of the event is widespread across a major metropolitan area, a region, multiple states, or even the entire nation.
• There is usually a failure of the supply chain (stores are closed/empty) and utilities may be interrupted.
• Duration of the event is from several weeks to months. Law-and-order, utilities, and municipal governance are eventually restored. Life returns to normal.
• For all practical purposes, law enforcement is totally absent. Police cannot be relied upon for proactive protection (deterrence) or emergency response.
  • Citizens must protect themselves from attack and theft as well as serve as their own deterrent to crime.
  • Police will not be able to accept citizen’s arrests.
  • Any law enforcement activity is likely to be a sporadic, unhelpful appearance where the officers are unable to do anything.
  • Law enforcement may be actively hostile against armed/proactive citizens.
  • Criminals will take advantage of absent policing to engage in overt criminal activity. Expect greater threats, more aggressive criminals, and persons who wouldn’t ordinarily break the law to commit crimes.
• The personal safety threat shifts from large, rioting mobs or hyper-specific incidents against individuals or their homes/businesses to pervasive and random attacks, usually of opportunity or on soft targets.
• Burglaries, home invasions, robberies, carjacking, looting, theft, and assaults occur at a higher rate than before and outside of traditionally “bad” neighborhoods.
• Your defensive posture will shift from manning a barricade and fronting off a mob (short duration) to patrolling and being alert for surreptitious or aggressive burglaries, home invasions, etc.
• Persons from all walks of life and responsibilities behave abnormally; from failure of those in positions of responsibility to take charge to your fellow citizens behaving irrationally.
• You may feel tempted yourself to behave in extreme ways, such as shooting a non-violent looter, but such action is not appropriate nor justified.
• It seems like civilization has stepped out of the room for a moment.

Characteristics

• The situation is marked by total disorganization and disintegration of the normal social order caused by disaster or war.
• For all intents and purposes, civilized society is non-existent.
• Ordinary commercial, private, and government services are out of business. Often utilities, transportation, and communications have been interrupted.
• Day-to-day life is a survival situation where the final outcome has a high probability of death.
• The situation is regional, with very limited chances of escape, or even statewide or national.
• Local intervention is not possible; i.e. the National Guard isn’t coming to save you. In fact, no one is coming to save you. If you are very lucky, in the late stages aid organizations like the Red Cross may come in, but then it will be too late for many people.
• Morality will go out the window for many people and horrific things will be done, such as cannibalism. Killing will be among the first answers to interpersonal difficulties and criminality. Predators will exploit the situation for their gain or to satisfy their perversions.
• Obtaining food, water, and medical care will be impossible, very expensive, or extremely difficult.
• Power will be exercised by force and not necessarily by police, the military, or good guys. Citizens pledge support to whoever can take over and provide safety, supplies, or just won’t hurt them.

Read the book for more information in each category along with defensive postures, checklists, and tactics.

Now just imagine Chinese sleeper cells in the United States (CONUS) deploy hundreds of these against US Air Force bases. A few pounds of high explosive in the right place employed against a bomber, a C-17 transport, or a KC-135 refueler would destroy the aircraft. Swarms of semi-autonomous drones launched in a surprise attack could devastate the US military's ability to respond to a trans-Pacific war in a matter of hours.

Poor Man's Air Force

While this isn't anything new—the cartels and ISIS have been doing this for about five or six years now—the usage does seem to be increasing.

It is only a matter of time before this becomes a normal part of low-intensity conflicts and terrorism. We WILL see drones used as the insurgent's and terrorist's missile and smart bomb. We WILL see partisans in civil conflicts using drones in lieu of mortars and artillery. We WILL see gang assassinations using drones.

Frankly, it's surprising how a terrorist group or lone wolf hasn't employed these against local infrastructure or larger targets. A few of these could easily start a massive oil refinery fire, wreak havoc at a nuclear power plant, or destroy sensitive military aircraft. If we go to war with China, expect to see smart munitions and small drones (sUAS) used in this manner in CONUS for a total war strategy.

Learn more, including practical defense tips in my book Poor Man's Air Force.

Police are often caught in the unenviable position of being the strong arm executing some dumbass politician’s or bureaucrat’s brilliant idea. That’s what seems to be happening in West Maui following the fire. Police have a checkpoint up and are restricting entry to residents. Make sense, but it all appears to be poorly executed after a MASSIVE public safety and public relations failure. Incompetence compounding upon incompetence.
 
I don’t actually know what the real deal is on Maui, but looters, safety hazards, and crime scene preservation is a real thing. However, let’s assume that the cordon is excessive. So for the SHTF minded folks out there, what can you do in such a situation? We’re gonna go from practical, to civic minded, to um, kinetic.
 
First, have enough gas. In a crisis, you should be filling up daily. My advice on filling up daily under normal circumstances varies from others, but if things are sketchy, you should always have plenty of gas. On an island, you don’t necessarily need a full tank but in the aftermath of a disaster a quarter tank isn’t going to cut it.
 
Having stored gas at home is a brilliant idea. Rotate this out monthly or whatever by using it in your gas tank. Use high-quality, metal gas cans of NATO spec (Wavian is the brand), add Stabil or another long-term storage gas treatment, and label the can. For labels, use a piece of metal, like from a soda can, with the date lightly scratched/engraved/stamped in. You can do this with a pair of dikes and a flathead screwdriver. Some go ever further and use sealant on the bottoms and seams of the can to further protect against corrosion. (Thanks to Commander Zero for this method).
 
Okay, gas problem solved. That leaves access. Roads make great controlled access points especially if the cops/National Guard are smart and establish their checkpoints well. Your job should be to know alternative routes around, such as through neighborhoods, undeveloped areas, and even on dirt roads or off-road. Now if you’re skirting a roadblock, make sure you have some plausible deniability if you’re going around it. Try not to be seen and so draw attention to yourself.
 
“But I am stupid and only know one way to get home.” Chances are, if this is you, you aren’t reading this. Spend some time on Google Earth/Maps and check out some topographical maps of your area. Do an area study. Physically drive and walk around you area to explore it and find alternative routes.
 
Consider getting utility magnets to slap on your vehicle. Wear a helmet and reflective vest; they are stupid cheap preps and “gray man” camouflage to have around. Maybe the cops won’t even look that hard at you and ask to check ID. On the downside, they might suspect you of being a looter in disguise. Maybe be a police volunteer too so you’ll have friends on the force or they’ll just let you through as if you’re a relief worker.
 
Walking and biking (for shortage distances and loads) is another great idea. Bikes are nearly silent and can go pretty much anywhere a person can walk. Cycling and walking is very low profile and allows you to sneak through many places that probably aren’t being monitored.
 
Engage in human engineering. If the cops are being too restrictive, probably at the behest of someone higher up the food chain, start talking to your local politicians. Mayor, city councilmen, county commissioners/supervisors, and even your congressman. You don’t need to be annoying, just let them know what the problem is and ask them (preferably with dozens of neighbors doing the same thing) to remediate the situation. If the local politicians are being asses because they’re covering up the space lasers or the dragon, make noise with the media. Be polite, but be a squeaky wheel.
 
Be sure to film all interactions with police. Don’t shove the camera around like an a-hole or try and hide what you’re doing like a coward. Be sure to capture faces, badge numbers, vehicle numbers, or nameplates. Record the particulars of the roadblock, such as the cone pattern, signage, and vehicle positioning. If the cops are being jerks on their own initiative, this will help your case.
 
Don’t harass the cops. Don’t enter areas that are closed for a good reason. Go to your property or about your business and don’t become a problem. Why? It hurts your case, can cause real safety/evidentiary problems, and gives the authorities an excuse to crack down on entry.
 
On the more exotic front, say if you lived in a totalitarian situation where force would be applicable, let’s note some things. First, we see police, not the National Guard. Soft-skinned police vehicles and no physical barricades. Cops are out, on foot, in soft armor in small numbers without long arms. The checkpoints are probably very few in number. You do the math.  

A fascination seems to have gripped conservative Baby Boomers ("boomer" is largely a mentality, not an age group) regarding the unfolding saga surrounding Hunter Biden. It is a curious observation I have noticed, with older friends constantly providing regular updates, while a dear relatives reliably sends me the latest news reports on the matter. Instead of harboring frustration, I find myself genuinely intrigued by this phenomenon from a sociological standpoint. Is it merely an interest in tabloid-like drama that captivates them, or could it be an indication of a deeper sense of significance, perhaps implying its relevance in the grander scheme of things?

Drawing an analogy of the greatest generation's loyalty to FDR despite evidence he wasn't all that and a bag of chips, one might surmise that these Boomers' attachment to the Hunter Biden issue is born out of familiarity and deep-rooted beliefs. It is possible that this controversy has become an integral part of their narrative, a symbol of their political identity that they are unwilling to let go of easily.

In essence, it is what they know and understand, and changing these long-held perceptions could be akin to challenging the core of their beliefs. Eventually, the country will see the truth and justice will prevail. The courts will mete out punishment and Biden will do the graceful thing and resign, or else he will be impeached. Many of these people were teens or young adults in the Watergate Era so it is logical that they would expect the same rules to apply and a similar outcome.

Nonetheless, what sets this generation apart from others is their seemingly relentless obsession with the day-to-day developments surrounding their favored political characters. Millennials are often criticized for being glued to their devices, but this is a different manifestation of the same underlying phenomenon. These Boomers eagerly await updates, as if each new twist and turn in the narrative promises excitement and satisfaction. It is a spectacle of political intrigue that they are unwilling to miss, akin to a captivating television drama that keeps them hooked episode after episode. Indeed, that is what cable news seeks to do, so that element is not so surprising.

Moreover, it is worth noting that Baby Boomers laid the groundwork for the voracious appetite for news consumption that we observe today. Long before the internet dominated the media landscape, they were the generation that pioneered the art of following news 24/7 through the television. This early exposure to constant updates and coverage has likely played a role in shaping their continued fascination with political happenings, even in the digital age.

In conclusion, the preoccupation of conservative Boomers with the Hunter Biden controversy is a multifaceted and intriguing phenomenon beyond the misplaced hope that our political/justice system will prevail upon the corruption. It represents a complex interplay of entrenched beliefs, political identity, and a long-standing propensity for consuming news relentlessly.

While it may be easy to dismiss it as mere tabloid drama or unimportant in the long run, this phenomenon will come to be an important factor in the unfolding 2024 election. These "boomers" represent the normal, nominally engaged American who will expect that the system will play out, if not fairly, at least according to the unwritten rules of their lifetime. That is, the economic tables will reverse, the government will not become totalitarian, and they will not be persecuted for their right-wing beliefs. This view is naive and inconsistent with the way the Washington establishment, the media, and the Biden Administration has conducted itself.

At its heart, normalcy bias controls this reaction. While the son of the American president being involved in massive corruption and a disgustingly decadent lifestyle while potentially implicating the president himself in decades of graft is a huge news story, the Hunter Biden story itself is small beer. What this group should be concerned about is the lengths to which the media and politicos have been going to to minimize the narrative and the lackadaisical efforts the GOP has made to get to the bottom of it.

As an indicator of things to come, this obsession with "trivial" details like the soap-opera of the Biden family warn of the shock and surprise that the next election will bring. These "Days of Our Bidens" fans will be taken aghast when nothing inevitably happens to the Bidens, or, if it does, is parlayed into some sort of advantage for the Democratic Party. In their mind, the ship will right itself and they cannot possibly conceive of a USA that goes down the path of third-world corruption.

Old narratives have set the wrong expectations. Rather than being signs of impending disasters, a lifetime of "we didn't start the fire" type problems has set them up to assume nothing will get much worse. Today's stagflation is a repeat of that of the 1970s, not the failure of the post-Bretton Woods financial system. The events of the 2020 election was not a coup, but election games that have always happened. Being on the brink of war with China and Russia have always been on the menu since the Cold War started.

So what is the problem here? In short, these people will shit the bed when nothing happens to the Bidens (legal consequences, that is), they'll be astounded when Trump loses, again, and is possibly imprisoned and/or assassinated, while the Democrats finally grab Congress and the White House. As America nose-dives into a depression, tyranny, and WWIII, they are going to be "shocked, just shocked, I tell you!" that all of this seemingly came out of nowhere.

Ultimately, what the Hunter Biden addition represents is a failure to see the forest for the trees. These cable news political junkies are so busy looking at the salacious fine details they can't see the large picture of America beginning to collapse. Thus, like the person who stares at a spot five feet ahead of their front bumper while driving, the "BRIDGE OUT" signs will be quite the awful surprise.