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GMRS needs an FCC license ($35, 10 years, no exam, covers your immediate family, per fcc.gov). FRS needs no license. Not legal advice.
Hand-crank/solar NOAA radio with USB out
Get alerts with no cell service and top up a phone.
72-hour kit: Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
How to use it: Smoke Days at Home: AQI, a Cleaner-Air Room, and Daily Habits · Using Your Winter Car Kit (and What to Do If You're Stranded) · Wildfire Go-Plan: Evacuation Quick Steps
ShoestringRunningSnail hand-crank NOAA/AM/FM radio with flashlight~$15.99 · Amazon
Trail-TestedKaito KA500 5-way powered emergency radio~$49.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfMidland ER310 emergency crank weather radio~$79.99 · AmazonAlert mode.
Index cards + permanent marker
Write down key numbers and a meet-up spot.
72-hour kit: Starter · Fully Loaded
How to use it: A Family Walkie-Talkie Channel Plan · The Family Meeting and the Planning Binder · When to Call 911 (and What to Say)
ShoestringPen+Gear ruled index cards 3x5, 100-count~$0.72 · WalmartAdd a permanent marker (not priced).
Trail-TestedOxford heavyweight ruled index cards 3x5, 100~$3.89 · AmazonAdd a permanent marker (not priced).
Top ShelfRite in the Rain weatherproof index cards 3x5~$18.95 · AmazonWeatherproof; pencil works wet.
Safety whistle
Carries farther than your voice, with less effort.
72-hour kit: Starter · Trail-Ready · Fully Loaded
Role add-on: Ramrod (Leader)
How to use it: The Family Meeting and the Planning Binder
ShoestringOzark Trail floating marine safety whistle with lanyard~$2.97 · Walmart
Trail-TestedFox 40 Classic pealess whistle~$8.00 · Amazon
Top ShelfStorm Safety Whistle~$9.75 · Amazon
Dual-band ham handheld (starter radio)
Listen to local repeaters and nets now; transmit once licensed.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
ShoestringBAOFENG UV-5R dual-band handheld~$17.16 · AmazonAmateur license needed to transmit.
Trail-TestedTIDRADIO TD-H3 handheld, app programming~$34.38 · Amazon
Top ShelfYaesu FT-65R dual-band handheld~$182.99 · Amazon
FCC GMRS license (10 years)
Required to transmit on GMRS.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
How to use it: GMRS Radio Basics for Families
About $35.00 · FCC
FRS walkie-talkies, pair (no license needed)
License-free short-range radios for the household; GMRS radios can talk to them.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
How to use it: A Family Walkie-Talkie Channel Plan · GMRS Radio Basics for Families
ShoestringCobra RX385 FRS walkie-talkies, pair~$57.88 check size · Walmart Trail-TestedMidland T71VP3 X-Talker FRS radios, pair, rechargeable~$89.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfRocky Talkie Mountain Radio FRS, 2-pack~$240.00 · Amazon
GMRS handheld radio
Longer range than FRS and talks to FRS radios too.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
How to use it: A Family Walkie-Talkie Channel Plan · GMRS Radio Basics for Families
ShoestringBAOFENG UV-5G Plus GMRS handheld, 2-pack~$64.99 (2 per pack) · AmazonFCC GMRS license still required.
Trail-TestedRetevis Ailunce HA1G GMRS handheld, IP67~$48.99 · Amazon
Top ShelfMidland GXT67 PRO 5 W GMRS handheld~$219.99 · Amazon
Signal mirror
Flashes a signal miles away on a sunny day.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
ShoestringUST StarFlash Micro signal mirror~$7.99 · Amazon
Trail-TestedUST StarFlash floating signal mirror~$14.38 · Amazon
Top ShelfCoghlan's Survival Signal Mirror, glass 2 x 3 in~$24.67 · Amazon
Upgraded whip antenna for the ham handheld
Noticeably better range than the stock antenna.
Role add-on: Lookout (Comms)
ShoestringABBREE AR-771 dual-band whip, SMA-female~$7.99 · Amazon
Trail-TestedNagoya NA-771 genuine whip, SMA-female~$20.98 · Amazon
Top ShelfDiamond SRJ77CA dual-band HT antenna~$25.99 · AmazonConfirm SMA-female for Baofeng/TIDRADIO.
