Advice needed from doomer preppers. Communications.

Hey Ya'll.

Here is my situation. Great husband, five great kids, two married, two serious dating. Two bought the little house next door, two ten minutes away, two 15 minutes away, three 25 minutes away.

We have the designated retreat if the grid fails or another catastrophe happens. Woodstove, fireplace, wood, generator, hand pump on a garden well plus filters, garden. Plenty of food, solar lights, soaps and toilet paper; security is well covered.

We haven't done anything with communication. No walkie talkies or handheld radios. I can see scenarios where we'd want to go somewhere by bike, or even car if there is any gas available. Even walking down the road maybe it would be good to have something if cell phones don't work.

So what should we get? Are there any solar powered devices to communicate several miles away? Or maybe we could just load up on batteries? Have you tried anything and love it?

We have one of those hand cranked short wave radio things where you could listen to whatever is out there, but it isn't for communicating. We don't know anything about ham radio. So any suggestions for walkie talkies or whatever does not need the grid?

Thanks!!