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John wrote:I picked up some new portable radios (mine got wet last year). The old ones were FRS and the new set is FRS/GMRS. The cost was about $15.00 and they are good for 5 miles.

According to the instructions, you have to have a license to use the GMRS channels and the GMRS channels have a longer range then the FRS (5 miles vs. 2 miles). I checked the FCC home page and the license is $80.00 for 5 years.

Does anyone really get an 80 dollar license for a 15 dollar radio? Seems a little ridiculous.

Yes officially you are supposed to get a license to operate GMRS. If you use GMRS for boating or use it for business purposes then I would get the license. I'm not sure it's really that enforceable otherwise.

KBCraig wrote: Everyone needs one of these:

http://www.delorme.com/atlasgaz/

And it's a good idea to have them for neighboring states, to which you might need to evactuate.

Kevin

Thanks for the link! I've been thinking about getting something like that. So it has GPS coordinates on the maps? That would be a major plus for me.

John wrote: Last year, a set of 2-mile Motorola radios came in very handy during the evacuation, but these have since gotten wet and need to be replaced. I noticed a set of 5 mile units being advertised last week for $25.00, so I may pick up a new set of these.

During Rita, my "2-mile" FRS radios came in really handy. They were some of the most important gear we used. The radios were essential for coordinating our 4 car "convoy." I had a pair for my wife and I and had also given a pair to my wife's parents, so there were enough for each car. We had/used spare batteries too. My radios were "Cobra"-brand, that also had weather radio... but any FRS or GMRS radios should do.

I hear that HAM radios are much superior, but they do cost more and are a bit harder to get ahold of.

It seemed to me that during the evacuation, the basics were the most important. Well maintained vehicles with plenty of fuel, lots of water, someplace to go, money, proper home insurance, and communication were key factors.

Of course timing and picking a good route were also important. One of my buddies didn't listen to me about leaving with our family on Wed. morning. He delayed and delayed and got stuck in traffic on I-45 for what I'm sure was the experience of his life (At least he did listen to me about picking up some gas and water while he could)

Diode wrote: Can you send me the FEMA Emergency bag list or where ot find it?

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/basic_preparedness.shtm

Look at the section "Assemble Disaster Supplies Kit"

John wrote:Have you done any hurricane preparations?

Great minds think alike. I've been thinking about it since Rita. Rita was my first personal experience with a hurricane and things went pretty well... although there's plenty of room for improvement in my plan/preps.

Since last year I've been keeping more water on hand, much more food (Canned, MRE, Mountain House), purchased a siphon, more gas cans, spare lithium batteries, more XM193 ammo for my AR, and assembled a FEMA-recommended emergency bag. I also upped my flood insurance a bit.

I was very pleased that both the government and the media are being active this year telling people to prepare and be ready to be on their own for several days.