5 Best Emergency Communications Options to Stay in Touch With Friends and Family in Any Crisis

It's likely that you have a smartphone in your hand right now that you can use for emergency communications. (Ground Picture/Shutterstock)

On Dec. 25, 2020, an RV laden with explosives detonated in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The explosion damaged dozens of buildings, injured eight people, and disrupted communication lines in several states within seconds. On social media, thousands of people attempted to get in touch with loved ones:

“I am in the Nashville area and could not reach my adult daughters all weekend because they have AT&T.”

“My friend in Clarksville, Tennessee says their calls still aren’t really going through and neither are texts.”

“911 was out in places all over the state, including Knoxville because of this.”

In a world where communication and information can be accessed in an instant, an event like this reminds us just how fragile these systems are. In the event of a natural disaster, a long-term power outage, or a similar crisis, how can you stay in touch with your family and friends?

Fortunately, there are several options to help you stay in touch when it matters most.

When natural disasters happen, ham radio operators are often the very first to begin relaying details and calls for help. (supersaiyan3/Shutterstock)

Ham Radio as the Ultimate Emergency Comms

Ham radio, or amateur radio, uses a radio frequency spectrum for noncommercial uses. It allows people to communicate without the internet or cell phones. When natural disasters happen, ham radio operators are often the very first to begin relaying details and calls for help.

It’s also a fun family activity, especially as you begin reaching out and meeting people from all over the country, the world—and even outer space! Yes, you can pick up on conversations from the guys and gals on the International Space Station.

The advantage of ham radio is that it isn’t internet-based or tied to cell towers. In the event of a major power outage, ham radio systems would almost certainly be operational. It’s very handy in the case of local emergencies when other lines of communication are down. Ham operators can stay in touch with each other and convey vital information from emergency responders and government agencies.

The Federal Communications Commission regulates ham radio operators, as the Communications Act of 1934 requires. There are three classes of licenses: General, Technician, and Extra (or Amateur Extra, but usually shortened to simply Extra). Each one has a more involved test than the previous one, requiring more knowledge and skills, and allows access to more of the radio spectrum available for ham operators. Licenses are good for 10 years.

Most people study for the test by using an online app or taking a study course in person or online. There are also resource books available that cover ham radio information in depth. Once the test is passed, you get your own unique call sign.

You can download practice tests at HamExam.org or use the resources at ARRLExamReview.appspot.com. If you have a smartphone, I highly recommend downloading the practice tests and using those to help study.

It takes some time to learn how to use a ham radio, but many communities have amateur radio groups willing to help newbies set up their radios and communicate with others around the world.

Shortwave radio can come in handy for picking up radio stations around the world, something that could come in handy if there is ever a news blackout or failure of our country's power grid. (Benjamin Clapp/Shutterstock)

Shortwave Radio for Backup Communications

Shortwave radio can come in handy for picking up radio stations around the world, something that could come in handy if there’s ever a news blackout or failure of our country’s power grid. Once popular as funky garage radio stations, the use of shortwave has declined due to the convenience of the internet. Still, it’s good to know about this option, and quality shortwave radios are inexpensive and fun to use.

Most recently, in Iran, Radio Farda has helped Iranian citizens stay in touch and up to date with events during a time of state censorship.

So how does shortwave work? On your radio dial, AM/FM frequencies are most common, but with shortwave, the frequencies are shorter and bounce off things such as buildings, water, the ground, and so forth. This allows the waves to travel for very long distances, even around the world.

When you find a broadcasting station, you’re communicating directly in real time with the transmitting antenna. You’re hearing the signal that’s coming across the world right to you, which is very cool.

Unlike AM/FM, you won’t be able to access shortwave radio stations at any time of the day, so take that into consideration. Shortwave frequencies are grouped according to their meters, for example, the “41 meter band” are frequencies in the range of 41 meters.

When tuning into shortwave stations, the general rule of thumb is that when the sun goes up, you can go up on the scale of shortwave frequencies to find broadcasts. Then, when the sun goes down, you'll look for stations further down the scale.

You’ll need an additional antenna for your shortwave radio, along with some patience! Finding the right position for the antenna and at the right time of day or night can be challenging.

In addition to sending text messages instantly, phone apps such as Snapchat, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Slack, and Zello serve as alternative messaging systems. (PREMIO STOCK/Shutterstock)

The Free Zello Phone App

In 2017, when I was volunteering to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery, my team used the Zello phone app, recommended to us by the Cajun Navy. This phone app is free and literally transforms a smartphone into a handheld walkie-talkie that can be used over long distances and isn’t affected by terrain, buildings, or other obstructions.

If you’ve used a walkie-talkie before, then you'll feel right at home with Zello. Once you’ve downloaded the Zello app (Zello.com/personal/download), either to your smartphone or to your computer, you’re ready to begin chatting.

Your family or group can easily create their own private channel. Make the channel’s name memorable and use the QR code provided by Zello to make it easier for people to find it. Add a layer of privacy by using screen names. Keep your messages short and to the point, since there’s a time limit for talking. The message you send will be recorded so that other group members can hear it when they join. You might find this feature useful if you ever need to leave an urgent message and can’t wait for others to join the group.

The big disadvantage to using Zello and relying on it is that it’s completely dependent on the internet. However, short of major internet disruption, it’s an excellent way to stay in touch without spending any extra money on communications gear.

Today’s walkie-talkies can fill a communications need somewhere between yelling out the front door and firing up the Baofeng ham radio.(Cookie Studio/Shutterstock)

The Ubiquitous Walkie-Talkie

Many of us have received a set of walkie-talkies as a Christmas or birthday gift and remember the fun of using it around the neighborhood. Today’s walkie-talkies can fill a communications need somewhere between yelling out the front door and firing up the Baofeng ham radio!

Initially, it might seem that the walkie-talkie is ideal for emergency communications. They’re very reasonably priced and promise to provide communication over many miles. The Midland 50 Channel Waterproof GMRS Two-Way Radio, available on Amazon, is very good quality and has a lot of good features, but the promise of a 36-mile range carries with it a disclaimer: “in open areas of little or no obstruction.” And therein lies the main disadvantage of walkie-talkies—generally a poor range distance for communicating.

The walkie-talkie can be ideal if you live in an area with lots of wide open spaces. If you live on several acres and are often out of the house tending livestock, a garden, or fields of crops, a walkie-talkie might work out beautifully for you. A lot of interference, or static, indicates that your walkie-talkie won’t work in a given setting. In contrast to a cell phone, they don’t rely on the internet, so that can be an advantage.

Smartphones as an Emergency Option

It’s likely that you have a smartphone in your hand right now that you can use for emergency communications. It’s limited by reliance on cell phone towers and the power grid, but short of that, it can be a lifesaver.

In addition to sending text messages instantly, you can use numerous phone apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Slack as alternative messaging systems. When one doesn’t work for whatever reason, try another until your message gets through.

Red Cross emergency apps can send an “I’m safe” message with a single click, and you can customize the apps to the locations of each family member.

With so many different options to help you stay in touch with loved ones before, during, and after a crisis, it’s easy to have multiple backups when the most important thing at that moment is knowing your loved one is alive and safe.