Since my exhortations months ago, I wonder if anyone has gotten licensed.

My husband has been a ham radio operator since the tender age of 13.

Then let me extend the invitation: http://amrron.com

I have a beofang programmed with some channels in case of emergency and a CB radio. I know I can't broadcast on some of those channels unless I have the ham license. Are CB not that popular anymore? I feel like it's more accessible and usable for comm needs.

Sorry that I missed your question until now.

Yes, CB radio has declined in popularity. The physics of line-of-sight and the legalities of limited power severely limit the range of CB radio.

A Technician-class (beginner) ham can use VHF/UHF (Very High Frequency = 30-300 MHz and Ultra High Frequency - 300-3,000 MHz) repeaters and internet links (e.g., D-STAR, EchoLink, etc.) to talk to people around the world... until the internet is down. Then you will need a General or Extra class Ham license to use HF (High Frequency = 3-30 MHz) for regional, trans-continental, and trans-oceanic communications.

See this somewhat-dated* article: http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/resistance-101-why-you-should-consider-ham-radio-for-communications-02212014

*The physics isn't dated, but better gear has been released since the article was penned in 2014.

A ham radio would be great and is on my wish list. I do have a short wave radio.

Did you have a specific radio or budget in mind?

Quote from: Mark 79

Quote from: Alexandrina1

A ham radio would be great and is on my wish list. I do have a short wave radio.

Did you have a specific radio or budget in mind?

Cheap but serviceable. What do you suggest?

New cheap? ... or used cheap?

The least expensive option is to scrounge used radios at "hamfests." You can search for nearby hamfests here: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests-and-conventions-calendar

If you are unfamiliar with the gear, you should have an experienced and trustworthy ham help you evaluate any prospective purchase. Last year I was reaching for my wallet about 3 footsteps behind a guy who bought a nice used HF radio for $75, but don't expect such deals to be common. Too often I think such relics are over-priced, especially since used radios have no warranty and parts for repair may be hard to find.

As for new radios, "cheap" is relative.  Currently I think the best "bang for the buck" is the recently released ICOM IC-7300. If you wait a year for all the excitement to die down, the radio will probably be $500 cheaper. The 7300 is the first "SDR" (Software Defined Radio) from a major manufacturer. It uses inexpensive software to accomplish (or exceed) what older radios do with expensive hardware, hence the radio is a bargain at half to a third of the cost of equivalent radios.

Oooh, pricey. I just checked out EBAY. I don't believe I could go for one anytime soon. Maybe it'll have to wait. Thanks.

Then hamfests are the way to go.  There won't be many of the $75 miracles, but plenty of $300-$600 serviceable radios. Just be sure to go with someone trustworthy and knowledgeable.