You're quite correct that communications are an essential component of any serious prepper's repertoire, and is very often overlooked. I'm sure that Baofeng has sold thousands of their little radios and the vast majority of people stuff them in a Faraday cage and forget about them. True preparedness, at least in my opinion, for communications requires obtaining a license, a radio, and operational experience on HF frequencies. There are several scenarios where the network of ham operators becomes the primary communications system. This absolutely has the potential to be a lifesaver. Radio communications, antennas, operating and electrical knowledge are all skills that have to required and maintained in the same way medical, weapons, and horticulture skills are.