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You might also consider a GMRS (the blister pack radios you see everywhere) radio instead of or in addition to CB. The license is inexpensive and radios are ple

You might also consider a GMRS (the blister pack radios you see everywhere) radio instead of or in addition to CB. The license is inexpensive and radios are plentiful. The range isn't nearly that of CB but you'll probably find a lot more local users. Also look into the sibling comments about Ham radio. The lowest class license is really easy to get and gives you pretty wide permissions on various bands.

chris-metcalf 5y ago
The combination of both a ham and a GMRS license is actually pretty nice. I got my General class license for ham a couple of years ago, and it's a fun hobby that does lend itself to disaster preparedness. My sub-$1000, battery-powered HF setup easily allows me to reach out and make contact across most of North America, and I frequently make contacts in Japan, South Korea, and eastern Russia. And with my cheap Baofeng and AnyTone radios I can tap into the awesome regional repeater network we have here in the Puget Sound. However, with those radios I can only talk with other hams. In contrast, my $75 for 10 years GRMS license allows my entire family (the rest of which are not licensed hams) to talk on GRMS channels at up to 50 watts, instead of the 2 watt max you have with FRS. And here in Seattle we get access to some awesome GMRS repeaters, so we can basically communicate with each other anywhere across the city.
- freediver 5y ago
  How does this setup look in practice? I am imagining a multiple remote controls setup for TV. Can one antenna and one device do all this and you can switch between HAM and GMRS or you need multiple devices?
  - sitzkrieg 5y ago
    gmrs is in the 460s UHF range so 99% of cheap ham handhelds can cover it
- mosseater 5y ago
  Do you have any specific advise for getting setup in the Puget Sound with GMRS (as I suppose the HAM portion is universal) ? Like OP I'm also interested in dabbling in this stuff.
bitbckt 5y ago
> the blister pack radios you see everywhere These are FRS radios, which share channels with GMRS but are not capable of txing on GMRS-only bands, repeater use, or higher output. That said, get a GMRS license. $70 (soon to be lowered) for 10 years, and no test required.

chris-metcalf 5y ago

The combination of both a ham and a GMRS license is actually pretty nice. I got my General class license for ham a couple of years ago, and it's a fun hobby that does lend itself to disaster preparedness. My sub-$1000, battery-powered HF setup easily allows me to reach out and make contact across most of North America, and I frequently make contacts in Japan, South Korea, and eastern Russia. And with my cheap Baofeng and AnyTone radios I can tap into the awesome regional repeater network we have here in the Puget Sound. However, with those radios I can only talk with other hams. In contrast, my $75 for 10 years GRMS license allows my entire family (the rest of which are not licensed hams) to talk on GRMS channels at up to 50 watts, instead of the 2 watt max you have with FRS. And here in Seattle we get access to some awesome GMRS repeaters, so we can basically communicate with each other anywhere across the city.

freediver 5y ago
How does this setup look in practice? I am imagining a multiple remote controls setup for TV. Can one antenna and one device do all this and you can switch between HAM and GMRS or you need multiple devices?
- sitzkrieg 5y ago
  gmrs is in the 460s UHF range so 99% of cheap ham handhelds can cover it
mosseater 5y ago
Do you have any specific advise for getting setup in the Puget Sound with GMRS (as I suppose the HAM portion is universal) ? Like OP I'm also interested in dabbling in this stuff.

bitbckt 5y ago

> the blister pack radios you see everywhere These are FRS radios, which share channels with GMRS but are not capable of txing on GMRS-only bands, repeater use, or higher output. That said, get a GMRS license. $70 (soon to be lowered) for 10 years, and no test required.