Communication will be a key factor to get information and to get information out. Especially within your own family/neighborhood area.
For disaster planning.
I have always favored ways to incorporate some key ideals that can be used both for everyday life and beyond. You can certainly stash food away but it's painful to find out it doesn't taste good or has gone bad when you need it. At that point, you are stuck with it. Time, money and useless when you need it.
What I mean by this for those considering or are already planning to be prepared is simply start by enlarging your pantry.
Communications:
Besides having car radio and stand alone radios...
So, on the lines for communication I like to recommend a few points to consider.
When talking about communications "aka" radios" - this can become vast and complex.
From FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB, HAM, Digital, Satellite and beyond.
FRS is the family radio - those you bought for your kids. These can run from $5 - $90. The Spiderman or Barbi radio. No license needed.
GMRS is the one I would focus on today.
The rest I'll leave for smaller group discussion or one to one.
HAM is a great hobby all by itself.
GMRS - General Mobile Radio Service
No test. Just pay license fee to FCC - $35 for 10 years.
Used to be $70 a few years ago.
The GMRS license covers the whole family.
One license includes spouse, children, parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents
Your license will give you a call sign that is specifically yours.
Only required to announce your call sign when you first begin and after 15 min if you are really talking that long on the radio. No lingo. Just talk.
ADVANTAGES: one fee. $35 for 10 years ($3.50 a year). Covers WHOLE family, easy to use, buy any off the shelf radio for FRS/GMRS, More powerful than FRS, longer distances 1-5 miles, you can use for camping or off road adventures or just around the house and of course wider disaster preparedness uses.
More info on GMRS
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-div ... rvice-gmrsYou will need 2 accounts. 1 FCC account (free) and then an account to pay the fee (CORES) you'll need to make an account there too.
Easiest way to think of GMRS is the adult version of the FRS radios. More powerful yet still cheap.
As for HAM, etc I mainly rule those out due to cost and also most will require a "test" plus the fees for the test and the license itself.
FRS and CB do not require a license.
GMRS (FCC)
2 accounts
FCC Register New Account - you will get a 10 digit number (your FCC number)
https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htmlPayment to FCC (ULS or CORES) - once you have your FCC number.
You'll submit your GMRS license application. $35
https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.doUse the drop down for new license - "ZA General Mobile (GMRS)"
So, that is how you pay. Then you wait a day or two or three and they will send you an email with your callsign and license
Lots of youtube videos on GMRS radio use and reviews.
GMRS Radio's will cost you anywhere from $10 - $140
Amazon is running about $25-30 depending on type/manufacturer
If by chance you are willing to spend the money. Satellite texting is a great way to go.
If you like to get into another hobby - look into HAM radios. All the gear and technical aspects to keep you very busy for a very long time.
Think about it like reloading…. It’s a huge rabbit hole.