I suggest a little education!
http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training
Complete information on obtaining your license. It isnot hard as they have removed the Morse Code requirement. As smart as you all are could probably pass the multiple guess theory inside of a month.
I volunteer my time at the EOC of the County performing communications tasks and building a real Ham station in a hardened bunker. We now have a 100’ tower atop a big hill populated with antennas for all bands from DC to light.
I also have an old tube type transmitter/receiver in case of EMP. I believe we are not far from anarchy in the streets. We saw what happened in Iran when things went bad. They shut down access. Or tried to :)
I have started on the Ham journey having received my Tech license. Bought a couple of old Heathkit HF sets for EMP. Interested to know more.
Ham will never replace FR but could be a viable emergency preparation.
BBS’s aren’t viable because most computers don’t have a modem anymore. Yes, you can buy a modem but many people are even getting rid of landline phones because of cell phones.
Face it! If the shtf there is NO replacement for FR. Even Ham radio can be commandeered if the gubmint really wanted to. And don’t forget if you get your license you agree to certain legalities. And, yes there are FCC monitors out there that listen for law breakers. And also, the FCC KNOWS WHERE YOU LIVE when you fill out those license forms.
Of course if a “One Second After” or “Patriots” scenario occurs then it won’t matter anyway. The government will be just as ineffective as you are. That’s when Ham tube equipment will be handy.
An aside for those buying shortwave radios. Make sure you buy one that receives all the Ham bands and that it has a “BFO” so you can decode the upper side bands or lower side bands used in HAM. I’ve owned several short wave receivers over the years and it’s informative to tune into foreign broadcasts. I’ve listened to China, Cuba, a couple of old eastern block nations. Problem is now many of the old SW biggies like BBC aren’t broadcasting anymore. Maybe they think because of the Internet why bother?