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"Working with the local and state officials in training also gives you a great advantage of knowledge. Knowledge of their frequencies, PL tones, contingency plans, access to supplies and fuel, as well as who you want to be “friends” with when the SHTF."

Getting a Federal License for a Radio is the same to me as getting a Federal License for a gun.

No thanks. I'll do without both.

Well, at least get a cheap dual band radio, learn to program it, print out your local repeater frequencies and tones so you can listen. Here is a link to a cheap HAM radio but without learning to use it, it's just a paperweight. BTW, I've never met a ham operator that didn't think and talk just like a FReeper. As for getting on a list, we're all on it just for posting here. I got on back in the 80's when I got my class III full-auto.

I have been a ham operator for 36 years. Amateur Extra class.

I don't play the whacker game with ARES and RACES and the like, the yellow vests and dime store badges, car stickers and whatnot are not for me. With all of the money the government takes from me at gunpoint they can buy their own radios and hire their own operators as far as I'm concerned.

BUT I can see the benefit (personally and to my family and neighbors) in being an experienced operator in certain circumstances which may arise and I defend having the license as it is the only way one is going to get the experience to know the ins and outs of the diverse range of equipment, infrastructure, spectrum, external factors and so forth which form the knowledge and skills of a competent radio operator. In short, you are not going to get the time of day from other hams if you are not legit, and without them you will not learn those skills.

I love this forum on ar15.com