[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

HAM is best, but not everyone can afford to do it. More affordable however, is a CB (Citizen’s Band) radio. Some here at FR laugh at suggesting CB during SHTF times, but CB WORKS even if everything goes down. If there’s an EMP attack, the CB itself could become disabled but otherwise is a cheap way to ensure some communication ability with the outside world.

[MHGinTN]

And if you boast it sufficiently, you can speak to folks inside a house via the speakers on their turned off electronic equipment!

[ErnBatavia]

I just hit this thread, so it's probably posted somewhere else.......but if you've got more than a doggie-dump's worth of hill breaking up the signal, CB isn't a worthy option - unless you need to contact somebody down the street.

Been there, done that.