New to the GMRS world

[WRZK767]

New to the GMRS world, not sure what radio to buy? The biggest reason is for when the cell towers go down, any suggestions? 

[Guest]

I think it’s important to understand: 

GMRS is largely a “bring your own contacts” radio service. This means that in a cell tower or grid down scenario, you’ll likely need to account for the other end of your contacts (family, neighbors, etc) having GMRS radios as well. 
That said, are you looking for portability in a grid/cell down scenario, or are you looking to make those contacts and communications from a car, or your desk in your house?

 Each of those methods makes a difference in the type of radio to look for. 

[WRYZ926]

First welcome to the forum and to GMRS.

@WRZE995 brought up some good points.

You can get started on the cheap with a Baofeng hand held, from there the sky is the limit. I will say that an outside antenna on your vehicle will help any HT (hand held) have better range versus trying to use the stock antenna inside the vehicle.

[WRWE456]

Welcome! Spend some time reading through past threads. You will find tons of info. These questions get asked by new people almost daily.

[SteveShannon]

It’s easy to get started with a cheap Baofeng (many of us did) or you can get something better like the KG-UV9gx that already has SHTF receive frequencies programmed to monitor public agencies in case the worst happens.

https://bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg-uv9gx-gmrs-two-way-radio-shtf-scanner/

The single most important thing is to have a communications plan prepared in advance.

[Guest]

Welcome to the hobby that keeps on ... "taking your money and sanity" !

Relax ! - no, really: Relax !

When it comes to "preparedness", please be aware that you are not just starring down a rabbit hole - what you are looking at is an abyss (and it will stare back at you!

If you are looking for a solution, it helps to define the problem.

Cell-Phone towers "down" is actually not a problem in and by itself, the problem arises when you want to place an order for a pizza, or tell your spouse that you are running late, or call a tow truck because you left your key in the car ...

However, all those scenarios are different and so is their solution.

Your pizza place is unlikely to switch on GMRS to take orders (and even if, their POS terminal is likely down as well - and the internet !?!.

Your significant other is hopefully level minded and realizes that the phones are down and that (sometimes) you are running late (if you run late too frequently, you likely have a crazy job and that is a different problem.)

As for the tow-truck, well, ... don't lock your keys in your car!

I am saying this because there is no "one size fits all" emergency preparedness.

The reality is simple:

Find out what you really are afraid of - what scenario scares YOU enough to prepare for ?!?

Put the fearmongers on MUTE !!! 

In case of a real emergency, your overpriced "prepper radio" will not safe the day - and the time you need to invest to become an expert in using that device and keeping up with changes can be used better.

I live in Southern California / High Desert / Mojave Desert and we recently were "cut off" from the world as our areas fiber optic connection got "attacked" (an area of maybe a million people and we are looking at a simple point of failure to bring all modern-day communication down ... that is something to think about on a sunny day.

In retrospect, that was an intriguingly calm day: No calls, no eMails, no notifications ... people talked to each other in person or read a book or (well, we know what the big NY 1965 blackout is famous for - unfortunately, that baby boom story is not true but still a good tale).

In the meantime, try a cup of tea and a chat with your level-headed significant other - it's worth every moment !!!