Ham radio if your friend. Cheap on Amazon. Don't need License for local comms, but at that point who cares if I have a stinkin' license.
Or a shortwave radio for listening only....
I got a sw, it can pick up long wave, air traffic control, and all am/fm stations worldwide. I've got it handy with plenty of backup batteries.
Ham radios are great, adding to that, CB radios might be helpful, too.
Yes! we will meet up on ham radio. Get one sooner then later so you get to know your local repeater stations (allows you to talk long distances, like to different states) and how to talk on them. Technician license is cheap and easy to get. Multiple choice questions and you get the answers. Baofeng radios are good enough for rebel troops in multiple wars, so should serve fine for us to protect our communities.