Communications When the Grid Goes Down
Have more than one way to hear and be heard. Charge everything before a storm.
1. A radio to hear
A battery or hand-crank AM/FM radio for official information. Know your local emergency stations.
2. Walkie-talkies to talk
FRS/GMRS radios for family within a few miles. Agree on a channel ahead of time.
3. A check-in plan
Pick a check-in time and an out-of-area contact everyone calls — local lines jam first. Keep messages short to save battery.
4. A whistle, no power needed
A whistle carries farther than your voice and costs no battery. Three blasts means help.
Common questions
What's the best way to communicate when the power is out?
Layer it: a hand-crank AM/FM radio to receive, FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies for family nearby, and a pre-agreed check-in time with an out-of-area contact. Keep a whistle for signaling.
Do walkie-talkies work when cell towers are down?
Yes — FRS/GMRS radios talk directly device-to-device and don't need cell towers, though range is limited to a few miles.
Why we give this away: free, in the open, no sign-up, no tracking. We're the ones who won't trade your data for "free" tech — and we can prove it.
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General preparedness information, not professional advice. For medical, structural, or dangerous situations, get real help when you can.