Complete guide to emergency communications using two-way radios. Covers radio types, licensing, range, and building a communication network.
When Cell Towers Go Silent
Modern society depends heavily on cellular networks that are surprisingly fragile. Natural disasters, power outages, network congestion, and infrastructure damage can render cell phones useless precisely when communication is most critical. During Hurricane Katrina, the 2021 Texas freeze, and countless other disasters, cell networks failed for days or weeks. Two-way radio systems provide reliable emergency communications independent of cellular infrastructure. Understanding radio technology, selecting the right equipment, and building a communication network before disaster strikes ensures your family and community can coordinate effectively during any crisis. This guide covers the three main types of two-way radios available to civilians and helps you choose the right survival communications solution.
FRS and GMRS Radios: The Easiest Starting Point
Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service radios are the most accessible entry point for radio preparedness. FRS radios require no license, cost $25-75 per pair, and provide reliable communication within 1-2 miles in urban areas and up to 5 miles with clear line of sight. Popular models include the Motorola T800 and Midland X-Talker series. GMRS radios offer significantly more power and range, reaching 5-25 miles depending on terrain and antenna height. GMRS requires an FCC license costing $35 for 10 years, but the license covers your entire immediate family. The Midland MXT275 mobile GMRS radio with an external antenna mounted on a vehicle or building can communicate over impressive distances. For most families, a combination of handheld FRS radios for short-range and a GMRS base station for extended range provides excellent emergency communications capability.
Ham Radio: The Ultimate Communication Tool
Amateur ham radio provides the most powerful and versatile survival communications capability available to civilians. With the proper license and equipment, ham radio operators can communicate across town, across the country, or around the world without any infrastructure. The entry-level Technician license requires passing a 35-question multiple-choice exam and grants access to VHF and UHF frequencies with ranges of 5-50+ miles using repeaters. The General license opens HF frequencies for long-distance communication spanning hundreds or thousands of miles. Affordable handheld radios like the Baofeng UV-5R cost under $30 and provide impressive capability for the price. More capable mobile and base station radios from Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood offer superior performance. Ham radio operators form organized emergency communication networks like ARES and RACES that activate during disasters.
Building Your Communication Plan
Having radios without a communication plan is like having a phone without knowing anyone's number. Develop a family radio preparedness plan that includes designated frequencies, scheduled check-in times, code words for sensitive information, and rally point coordinates. Program all radios identically with your chosen frequencies and label them clearly. Establish a primary and backup frequency for each radio type you use. Schedule regular check-in times such as the top of every hour during an emergency. Create simple code words for common situations: a word meaning everyone is safe, another meaning immediate help needed, and another meaning relocating to the bug out location. Practice your communication plan quarterly with your family to ensure everyone is comfortable operating the equipment and following procedures.
Antennas: The Most Important Upgrade
The single most effective upgrade for any two-way radio system is a better antenna. The rubber duck antennas included with handheld radios are designed for convenience, not performance. Replacing them with a longer whip antenna can double your range instantly. For base station use, a J-pole or ground plane antenna mounted on your roof or a mast dramatically improves both transmit and receive performance. A quality external antenna can turn a $30 handheld radio into a capable base station. For GMRS, the Midland MXTA26 antenna mounted at 20-30 feet provides remarkable range improvements. For ham radio, a simple wire dipole antenna costs under $20 in materials and outperforms any handheld antenna by a wide margin. Invest in quality coaxial cable to connect your antenna, as cheap cable introduces significant signal loss that negates antenna improvements.
Power Solutions for Your Radio Equipment
Your emergency communications equipment is useless without power. Plan for extended operation by stocking spare batteries, rechargeable battery packs, and solar charging capability. Most handheld radios use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last 12-24 hours of typical use. Stock at least three batteries per radio and a 12-volt charging cradle that can connect to a vehicle or solar panel. A small 20-50 watt solar panel with a charge controller can keep your radio batteries charged indefinitely. For base station radios that draw more power, a deep-cycle battery with solar charging provides reliable operation. The goal of radio preparedness is communication capability that lasts as long as the emergency, which could be weeks or months. Solar-powered radio systems provide truly indefinite survival communications capability that no amount of stored batteries can match.
Patricia Wells
Patricia is a licensed ham radio operator and emergency communications coordinator who has provided comms support during multiple natural disasters.