Building a Go Bag Radio Kit
Emergency Communications
A radio go-bag is a portable emergency kit that's ready to grab at a moment's notice. When severe weather threatens, power goes out, or you need to evacuate, you don't want to be hunting for batteries and scrambling to remember frequencies. Pack it once, keep it maintained, and it's ready when you need it.
Radio and batteries
- GMRS handheld: Your primary communication tool. A handheld is portable, battery-powered, and works immediately.
- Spare battery pack: At least one fully charged spare. If your radio uses proprietary batteries, get an extra. If it takes AAs, pack a set of lithium AAs (longer shelf life than alkaline).
- AA battery adapter: Some handhelds offer a battery case that accepts standard AA batteries as a backup to the rechargeable pack. If yours does, include it.
Power
- USB battery bank: A 10,000-20,000 mAh power bank with a USB charging cable for your radio. This can provide multiple full charges.
- Small solar panel: A foldable 10-20W solar panel for trickle charging your battery bank during extended outages. See our portable power guide for detailed options.
- Charging cables: The specific USB cable your radio needs. Don't assume you'll have the right one handy.
Antenna
- Upgraded whip antenna: The stock rubber duck antenna on most handhelds is adequate, but a longer aftermarket whip can significantly improve range — exactly when you need it most.
- SMA adapter: If your handheld uses SMA-Female (like most Baofeng/BTECH models), make sure your upgraded antenna matches or include an adapter.
Information card
Print and laminate a card with:
- Your callsign
- Your family's channel plan (primary, backup, emergency channels with frequencies and tones)
- Local repeater frequencies, offsets, and CTCSS tones
- Emergency contacts (names, phone numbers, addresses)
- Rally point locations
Accessories
- Earpiece or headset: Useful in noisy environments and preserves some privacy
- Notepad and pen: For logging messages, frequencies, and instructions
- Small flashlight: For operating the radio in the dark
- Zip-lock bags: Waterproof protection for the radio and documents
Keep it ready: A go-bag is useless if the batteries are dead or the radio is programmed with last year's repeater list. Check your bag quarterly: charge all batteries, verify radio programming, and update your information card. Pair it with your emergency communication plan so your family knows it exists and where it's kept.