Hi, my daughter lives in NYC. She asks me what walkie talkie she could buy (without license/ callsign) for a emergency kit. Please could anybody help me PMR, CB, FRS … what else, what is the best choice. Tnx. 73
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I suppose FRS is the easy and inexpensive route. I’ve got an old Motorola set but here is a modern example:
The “privacy codes” don’t provide privacy from others hearing you; they’re more to reduce nuisance interference when receiving.
Not sure how useful they’d be in an emergency. Can you persuade her to get a US technician ham license? 
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No license free radio is going to be very useful in an emergency. If the goal of the radio is to get information, a simple battery powered AM/FM receiver will be best.
If the goal is to communicate with others, get an InReach or similar satellite messenger. It’s expensive but how much would you pay to get a text message from her that says “I’m ok” during a disaster?
Or she could take up sota or pota as a hobby and get an HF rig 
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I have looked into different types of radios for different activities. My family not interested in going the ham route so we got GMRS radio’s for skiing & Jeeping. As WU7H said, for an AM/FM is the best, some are shake so batteries don’t need to be charged. In an emergency a satellite phone is your best bet but pricey, InReach is dependable as well. FRS radios are usually less than advertised 5 watts some have limited use, GMRS are better - $35 license for 10 years, (Baofeng GMRS are usually 5 watts & inexpensive with simular range of a 2 Meter HT but may collect dust till an emergency then everyone would be on and maybe usless). Ham HT’s better, if power is gone many repeaters may work with battery backup for awhile. NYC may be challenging with radios with out repeaters and not knowing anyone else with a simular set up, plus a lot of RF in the city as I’ve been there with an HT, may need filters. Most people today have a cell phone on them all the time with generally good service even in emergency situations till batteries run out, may be the best bet and hope for the best. AL N1SMB
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