HF portables are difficult to operate if not oriented. A good SW receiver with SSB (sideband) for easy reception. A couple of vhf/uhf 2m/440, radios with extended antenna, extra batteries will work local. Cost for all under $200.

Depending on what you’re trying to do - just listen vs communicate - you might try looking into GMRS radios. They would be best if you wanted to communicate amongst say, a small neighborhood sized group of friends. They’re not as powerful as ham radios, but they cover a greater distance than CB radios. Also, getting a license from the FCC requires no test (just about $70) and that license applies to your entire household. Something worth checking out as they are less complicated than a ham radio setup, and something even your kids could operate. As they aren’t as popular as ham and CB, this wouldn’t be so good for listening however

I bet a lot of people were doing online searches on that topic today - me included. ;) Thanks for asking the question.

https://amrron.com/ channel 3 project, all patriots, don't re-create the wheel

I have a yaesu 5000 with an ameritron amp. It appears that ham radio items are getting difficult to find (for about the last year or so)

Check out Ham Radio Crash Course or Ham Radio 2.0 on YouTube. Those two are pretty good and will probably have a video for any of your questions.

Unless you have a HAM radio operators license (issued by the FCC) a HAM radio won’t do you much good because you can’t broadcast. The best thing to get is a shortwave radio. That way you can listen to HAM radio operators and others that are providing emergency information, IMO.

Ima run on the CB side bands, more legal power and can talk legally up to 150 miles, but would probably need a linear for that. Nothing crazy or stupid like back in the 70's...

It is worth spending a bit of time researching which frequencies are used by hams for which purposes. There are more than a dozen different bands of frequencies, ranging from down near AM commercial radio, through shortwave, and higher frequencies above commercial FM, and on up into microwave frequencies. The latter are good for line of sight or across town communications, the shortwave freqs can dependably reach world wide.

Many rush out and buy cheap chinese hand held units, then are disappointed to learn they only handle line of sight frequencies, and rather poorly at that.

The shortwave frequencies require physically larger antennas and somewhat larger equipment generally in the few hundred to few thousand price range, depending on features. There are lots of books, magazines, and websites discussing all aspects of the hobby, including satellite communication, building and repairing equipment, making antennas, mixing computers and ham radio, the various transmission modes and protocols used, etc. Many areas have local clubs that meet regularly and are great local sources for answering questions and getting started.

Ham operator here: technician class. Get a small portable baofeng dual band. An aftermarket antenna, batteries, and some sort of training and use are invaluable. Get two, if you can, with batteries and antennas. An extra gives you a line to someone else you need or want to contact.