First the worst case scenario:
1. Your neighborhood has been through a natural disaster, a
weather event perhaps.
A. The cell phones aren't working.
B. The land lines are down.
2. Now, one of your neighbors is in serious need of immediate
medical attention, perhaps one of those fractures where you can see
bloody bone sticking out.
A. The cell towers are down in this
scenario, so you'll have to wait a bit to upload a video of the
bloody mess.
B. Store it while the batteries are
still charged, put the phone away, and do something constructive!
3. What do you do?
A. How do you call for an ambulance?
B. Are you good at first aid?
Radio, that's the answer to A.
Training, that's the answer to B. This is a whole separate topic.
Regarding calling for an ambulance: In order of my personal
preference (I'm a ham, so I'm biased).
1. Ham radio.
- Advantages.
- Ham can get through when all others can't.
- It is a fun hobby in more settled times.
- Disadvantages.
- Ham radio requires obtaining a license. This requires study
and work.
- If the power is down, you will need a generator or battery
backup - advance planning required.
2. CB radio.
- Advantages.
- The entrance requirements are minimal. CB radios are easy to
get, simple to use, and there is not really a licensing requirement.
- Disadvantages.
- The CB bands might be unable to reach far enough, depending
on conditions.
- You can chose antennas and transceivers that will get
through, if you plan in advance.
- If the power is down, you will need a generator or battery
backup - advance planning required.
3. Load the injured into the backseat of your car and drive them
to the hospital.
- Or try to depending on road conditions.
- Good luck, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
I never knew Archie, the beloved comic book teen, was involved
with ham radio. Recently, the author of this comic died, which
brought it to my attention.
Scroll down for a PDF of the entire
issue. My anti-virus says it is free of virus or malware.
