Sorry I should have been more specific with my question.  I'm looking into family communication if SHTF and one of us needs to go some distance from home base (or an evacuation forces us apart).  So I'm assuming no cell phone system, or repeaters of any type.  There's zero chance I'll get them to learn/take/pass a ham certification so this leaves the unlicensed voice bands.  I know of four options:

 

CB, 27 Mhz, 5 watts max, 40 channels (not including SSB), close to 10 meter ham so decent distance

 

MURS, 151/154 Mhz, 2 watts max, 5 channels, close to 2 meter ham so decent distance

 

FRS/GMRS, 462/467 Mhz, 50 watts max (1/2 watt for some FRS channels), 22 channels simplex, above 70 cm ham so fairly short range 

 

CB, FRS/GMRS has a wide availability of cheap equipment.  Great if you need to scrounge for replacement equipment after SHTF, and for information sharing with the local community, but not great for uninterrupted point-to-point communication.  You are right that the GMRS-only channels require a license but it covers a whole family so a minor hurdle.  Not to mention that most people that buy the low-powered bubble pack junk don't bother - and I wouldn't care under SHTF conditions for any power.  If I went with higher power equipment under normal conditions I would get the license to CYA - I don't need a ding on my record if I go for the ham license.  I used CB a lot in the 80's and 90's so I'm familiar with that beast.  SSB would be a must in many cases for decent range but getting the family to learn how to dial it in wouldn't be fun.  GMRS at high power and 60 feet tower height (or 20 above attached structure) keeps it in the running for 2nd place.  MURS only has 5 channels and 2 watts max but its frequency helps, and few people have radios for it.  I think it has the same antenna height rules.

Tech - I will add my $.02 and +1 on the Ham license.  FMRS & GMRS, in a SHTF scenario - a lot of CERT teams (Community Emergency Response Teams) use the freqs so, they would likely be crowded.  Plus, I think, GMRS, with it's higher power, requires a license (I think).  The Ham 144mhz and 440 mhz will likely be busy with ARES & RACES activity - both repeaters (if they are still working) and simplex freqs. - depending on the scale of the situation.

 

However, even with an entry level Technician license, you could still likely use 6 meters (50 mhz) or 10 meters (28 mhz).  There's lots of room on both. 

 

I would be willing to bet that you could pass the test with little or no study...given your present knowledge.  There are sites on the Web where one can take "sample" tests.  Give one a try and see how you do!

 

NOTE:  ARES = Amateur Radio Emergency Service

            RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (operates under/at the direction of the    Dept. of Homeland Security)