Radio may be the only un-cancellable communications available for a while, so I thought I'd give some very brief advice on how to get started. 1) Sign up on QRZ.com and take practice Technician tests until you pass consistently. This is the exact same question pool that the real test uses. It's easy to do. 2) Find a test location/date at http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session 3) Go take (and pass) the test. 4) At a minimum, get a handheld UHF/VHF radio. However, know that the antenna is just as important as the radio. You may want to go with a base station with more power and a better antenna later, but this is the cheapest, quickest way to get connected. Generally speaking, the technician level license, which is the first level, will give you privileges to use voice on the available UHF/VHF frequencies, and even most of the 6 meter band, which is getting into HF (still OK for local comms and occasional longer range depending on nature). Inexpensive UHF/VHF handhelds are OK for close-range stuff, especially if you're able to hit a repeater, and are decent enough to start with and at least listen to local traffic and learn etiquette/who's on the air. Repeat practice tests above for the general license to get access to a lot of HF voice privileges/frequencies that will enable much longer range communications (this will require an HF transceiver, not the handheld above!). I'm sure there are plenty of more knowledgeable hams on here that can help with more detailed questions, but this a fast/cheap way to get started with the bare minimum.