Gun Control

[phoneman 10+ year member]

Frost just made me realize that I have no radio gear, I need to get some

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

At the very least, a good portable shortwave radio will always make sure you can listen in to long range communications in times when things really hit the fan. International broadcasters, amateur radio health & welfare traffic out of disaster areas, and military communications are some things that you can hear on SW. I used to own one of these: http://www.rffun.com/catalog/portable/0400.html before I got my base station setup, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good "do-everything" radio for keeping informed.

For local stuff (EMT's, the local and state fuzz, fire, local amateur radio traffic between shelters and the Red Cross and such), you need a VHF/UHF receiver: http://www.rffun.com/catalog/scanners/0898.html

Now, if you want to talk to other people, you're either looking at CB or amateur radio. CB is limited to 40 channels, and has limited usefulness off the highway. Amateur radio is infinitely times more useful (not to mention much more of a hobby with many more facets than just emergency communication)...but you need a license for it. No big deal. There's also FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Repeater System), but those aren't really useable unless you're talking to a buddy within a mile or so.

 

[phoneman 10+ year member]

So how much would a decent amature radio cost and how do you get liscensed for it?

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I don't agree with everything this organization puts out, but http://www.arrl.org has some good info on how to get licensed. Basically, you need to pass a 35 question written exam for the entry level license - that gives you VHF/UHF access, basically good for communications 50 miles out. Pass a 5wpm Morse Code test, and you can talk to anyone worldwide.

Handheld radios are anywhere from $75 to $300, mobile radios are anywhere from $150 to $500, base rigs can be found for a few hundred and go up from there.