Is something like Baofeng UV-5R useful?
That sounds like something your mom would threaten to wash your mouth out with soap... lol
Sure, if you are interested in local communications thru what is called repeaters, you can listen to anything going on in the area, I suspect local ham operators will be talking up a story in a SHTF situation, if you don’t have ham radio repeaters in your area or if they are shut down, then you will be limited to other ham operators with a range of a couple of miles at most.
They’re good for hitting your local r3peater.
I never got licensed, but my husband did, and a little hand-held like that isn’t expensive.
I’m glad to have it when he goes away, because if things go down, I can at least listen to what’s happening around the region even if I can’t legally transmit.
Good for about 5 miles without a repeater.
They certainly aren't the best available but in general they get the job done and they are relatively inexpensive. I prefer my Yaesu FT-65R with Signal Stick antenna. But if it works it is hard to argue with success.
Look up common frequencies in use in your area - repeaters, clubs, etc. Write them down on paper now and tuck it in a drawer. Just in case.
Get a GMRS license and use your local repeaters.
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For local communications, yes. Especially if the repeater stations are still functional. For worldwide communications? NO. Completely useless.
For short range and local repeater use.