Emergency comms means staying reachable when cell towers die — GMRS for the family, licensed ham for longer reach, and satellite messengers when you're off every network. I've watched entire counties go dark on mutual aid; the stack that works is boring, practiced, and sized for who is actually in your household.
Written by Mike, a union power lineman with 22 years on the job and mutual aid plus storm restoration deployments after Sandy, California wildfires, Texas winter storms, and Gulf Coast hurricanes.
Wireless networks can fail during disasters from power loss, congestion, and physical damage — backup communications are part of FEMA readiness guidance. — Ready.gov — Emergency Alerts / Communications
Receive-only NOAA weather radios need no license. For two-way family talk, FRS is license-free but short-range; GMRS needs a cheap FCC license covering the household. Ham (like Baofeng) needs a Technician license to transmit legally.
GMRS is the family pick — simple radios, one license for the household, good enough for neighborhood and convoy distances. Ham wins for trained operators who want more bands and modes. Most households should start GMRS, then add ham if someone will study for the test.
Different jobs. GMRS talks to people near you when local cell is down. Satellite messengers (inReach, Zoleo) reach people anywhere with a view of the sky — SOS and check-ins when you're off-grid or traveling. Serious kits often run both.
A charged GMRS or FRS handheld, spare battery or power bank, written frequencies/contacts, and a whistle. Add a compact sat messenger if your bug-out route leaves cell coverage. Practice before you need it — day-of is the wrong time to learn the menu.