Ok this may have been mentioned before but a cell phone has a wide range of use outside of calls, texts, and twitter.. There is an APP called Zello that turns your smartphone into a 2-way radio and Zello is also available for PC so you can essentially have a dispatch center at home. Some people have also gatewayed their GMRS repeaters and radios into Zello via PC so they all work together over a wide area and you can see this by searching zello for GMRS. Now you do need a GMRS license to use any of those repeaters but to use Zello in your own created channels you do not and the app is free and will work as long as you have internet via wifi or a data service on your phone and/or PC. meaning a phone with no service can use the app as long as it has wifi internet access..
Just though I would put that out there for those of you not interested in getting FCC licenses, taking tests, dealing with antennas, and specialized RF tools.. You literally have a nationwide comms system in your hand if you put the right app on it.