📻 1. CB Radio (Citizens Band)
Range: Typically 1–5 miles handheld; up to 20+ miles with a base station + big antenna
License: No license required in the U.S.
Cost: ~$50–$150 for a decent unit
Privacy: Unencrypted and publicly accessible — anyone nearby can hear you, but not logged by default unless someone’s specifically listening.
Popular for: Truckers, off-roaders, and local chat.
✅ Pros:
Cheap, easy to use
No license
Quick setup
❌ Cons:
No built-in security or privacy
Limited to line-of-sight or skip propagation (when conditions allow)
🎧 2. FRS / GMRS Radios
Think “Walmart walkie-talkies”
FRS: No license; GMRS: license required, no test
Range: 0.5 to ~20 miles (w/ repeaters on GMRS)
Cost: ~$30–$100
Privacy: Public channels, unencrypted
Usage: Great for local groups, family comms, events
🔇 3. Digital Encryption Tools (Requires Internet or Phones)
If you're okay with using some tech, these are much harder to monitor:
🛡️ Briar (Android)
Uses Bluetooth, WiFi, or mesh — no central server
Works even without internet
Built for activists, journalists, and oppressed groups
Encrypted, peer-to-peer, anonymous
🔐 SimpleX Chat
No user ID or phone number required
Uses anonymous message relays
Open-source and extremely private
🛰️ Meshtastic
Uses cheap LoRa radios (about $30–40)
Sends text messages off-grid up to several miles
Works in mesh networks — messages can hop from node to node
🔍 4. Ham Radio (VHF/UHF + HF)
You already looked at this, but to clarify:
Even a local ham setup can talk to long-distance operators.
If you upgrade to General Class, you gain global text/voice via HF (still pretty cheap gear).
Digital modes like Winlink can send email over radio (no internet).
💡 Which is Hardest to Monitor?
Tool Gov Monitoring Risk Notes
CB Radio 🟡 Low (but public) Anyone can listen nearby, not logged unless targeted
FRS/GMRS 🟡 Low (but open) Short-range, casual scanning possible
Ham (HF/VHF) 🟡–🟠 Logged in contests/emergencies
Meshtastic 🟢 Very low No central server, no logs
Briar 🟢 Very low No server, no SIM needed
SimpleX 🟢 Very low Fully anonymous
