[thecabal]

I would urge everyone here to get their hands on a battery powered radio that can receive AM/FM/Shortwave. Another good thing to have is one of the hand cranked generator radios, like the Baygen.

As far as news from overseas or across the country, ham radio would be the only thing working without electricity...since it requires no wires or generators.

The main thing is to have an emergency power source. Right now, mine is the alternator and battery in my truck!

Indie, do you have a HF transceiver? Since you are a Tech Plus, you would only have to take the General written test to get access to a lot more HF spectrum.

[Indie]

Yes. Have a Ten-Tec Scout with 10-15-40-80 meters. I love that radio and it's US made :)) Also have DC->AC converter as well as plain DC power from batt for it and my VHF units, 55W mobiles and 5W HT's.

Even as Plus, I still get enough of the HF for usability. And in an emergency, of course, the rules wouldn't apply. I'd be using any freq I darn well wanted. :)