Another aspect not specified, what is the message content? It's one thing to summon assistance and another to check the status of family members. @hamhanded beat me to this idea while I was typing this response.
There are no sustainability standards for GMRS or amatuer radio. Quite literally, many amatuer radio antennas are supported by string. GMRS repeater antennas are similar in durability to TV reception antennas. 5w handhelds & 4w CBs will be very limited in range, at very best a couple of miles. Don't expect the toy radios mentioned in this thread to have much range at all.
I have assumed this thread is about general public use only. I live up north, never been close to a hurricane. My understanding is cell towers are far more robust than they used to be and bonafide agency phones receive priority QOS. Not to mention a well built Public Safety trunked radio system should withstand whatever Mother Nature conjures up.
9/11/1 is the only day I have ever had a problem with comms. I did not have emergency comms that day, just wanted to comm during an emergency.
Always be prepared to provide your own assistance and perhaps self rescue.
One thing for sure that @RWT1405 and I have in common is training. Next week I'll be participating in a drill for my Nuclear gig, even as my career sunsets. Effective training is never complete.
I'm retiring in the spring, no idea how I got this old so quickly.
There are no sustainability standards for GMRS or amatuer radio. Quite literally, many amatuer radio antennas are supported by string. GMRS repeater antennas are similar in durability to TV reception antennas. 5w handhelds & 4w CBs will be very limited in range, at very best a couple of miles. Don't expect the toy radios mentioned in this thread to have much range at all.
I have assumed this thread is about general public use only. I live up north, never been close to a hurricane. My understanding is cell towers are far more robust than they used to be and bonafide agency phones receive priority QOS. Not to mention a well built Public Safety trunked radio system should withstand whatever Mother Nature conjures up.
9/11/1 is the only day I have ever had a problem with comms. I did not have emergency comms that day, just wanted to comm during an emergency.
Always be prepared to provide your own assistance and perhaps self rescue.
One thing for sure that @RWT1405 and I have in common is training. Next week I'll be participating in a drill for my Nuclear gig, even as my career sunsets. Effective training is never complete.
I'm retiring in the spring, no idea how I got this old so quickly.