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Long-Range and Off-Grid Communications
Sale
Garmin inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator, Hiking Handheld, Orange - 010-02602-00
If you're going into the backcountry, especially with family, the InReach mini is the best option I've used after trying various things. You get the ability to send pre-defined messages (think 'I'm OK'-type stuff), or all in rescue services if things go horrible wrong. You also get a website where you can share you location automatically. This is a game-changer for peace of mind when I take the kids out on an extended adventure where there's no cell service.
$339
Buy on Amazon
Short-Range
Sale
Retevis RT45P Waterproof 2 Way Radio, Long Range Walkie Talkie, IP67, 1000mAh, NOAA Weather Alert, SOS Alarm, USB-C, Rechargeable Two Way Radios for Kitesurfing, Beach 4 Pcs
At around $20 a unit, I like these radios when we're travelling as a group or family, say on a bicycle trip or hike where the group might get spread out over a few hundred yards. They're faily robust, have decent sound quality, are easy to operate, and charge via a USB plug, albeit somewhat slowly. With the low cost, they're easily replaceable if one gets lost or broken and are much better than phones for communicating with a group. Don't believe the hype around many miles of range. All these low-powered FRS radios are good around a mile or less in real-world conditions.
$93
Buy on Amazon
Sale
SAMCOM FPCN30A Walkie Talkies Long Range for Adults with Earpieces,5 Watts 2 Way Radios 10 Miles Programmable UHF Business Two Way Radios with Group Call（6 Packs）
If you need a bit more range and sophistication, I've had good luck with these radios. There's more power, a better antenna, and the ability to use GMRS Frequencies and repeaters. To stay 'legal' you'll need a GMRS license in the US. I wish these could be charged via USB-C or simlar, but it would likely make the charge time unbearable.
$239
Buy on Amazon
YAESU Yaesu FT-5DR C4FM/FM 144/430MHz Dual Band 5W Digital Transceiver with Touch Screen Display Black
Amateur radio, often called 'ham' radio, is a level up in the radio game. It requires a test that's not difficult but will require study of some radio principles, but allows you to use things like repeaters, which can extend your communications range from a mile to 30+ miles. It's also a bit of a communications tool of last resort should the mobile infrastructure shut down during a natural disaster. This Yaesu does everything I want in a compact package. The user interface is more MS-DOS than iPhone, but that's par for the course in the radio world, unfortunately.
Yaesu FTM-500DR C4FM Dual Band Digital and FM 50W Ham Transceiver
I have the previous generation (FTM-400DR) in my truck and like it a lot. The new model adds a speaker in the head unit, but apparently the screen is a bit smaller and harder to use.
