I volunteer as a ham radio operator at rally events, am rebuilding a Victorian era money pit house and barn, rebuilding a Grumman motorhome, maintaining and using 2 Unimogs, going on excursions with our gem and mineral society, etc.
There is so much to learn about the digital modes of ham radio and the capabilities of it are amazing. Communications half way around the world with just 200 milliwatts!
BTW, if you are a prepper, don't waste a dime buying a radio, study and get your license, and actually learn how to use it, otherwise you will have just wasted money on a paper weight.
My brother who is a ham enthusiast, builds his own hard- and software ham radios is a certified tester, lives 1/2 mile away.
He programmed my Baofengs for me, with the appropriate antenna options WITH instructions for which antenna for which programmed channel/frequency.
I fix and build all things. He was SIGINT and comms in the army.