“I’ve got a couple of 5 watt hand held MB radios put back for just that eventuality.
But living in the midwest I easily get 4-5 miles out of them.”
I have an older set that we use fishing, hunting, hiking to keep in touch with each other on the beaches.
They work great in the 2-3 mile tests we have done. A younger relative and his boss use the newer and more expensive ones to contact workers and others up and down a 12-15 mile valley.
We've got a few of those Motoroal FRS/GMRS radios that we use from time to time. I get 4 miles or so out of them under good conditions.
The MB radios I have are put back for a day when things may be a bit more 'black' if you know what I mean. The newer models are cheap, reliable, and the better ones are water resistant. That could come in real handy sometime.
We switch them to the 'international' freqs when we use them. We figure that puts us far enough below the radar screen, at least that's what I hope.
As always YMMV.
Best,
L