I recommend getting an amateur radio license so that you can transmit as well as receive. Morse code is no longer required. The first grade is Technician which allows use of many FM repeaters along the Front Range from Trinidad to Cheyenne. There are repeaters in the mountains as well. There are classes available if you need a jump start. The next grade is General which gives you privileges on the amateur short wave bands (called high frequency). You can even send and receive email with ham radio. Most equipment is designed to run on 12-volt batteries. I bought a solar panel kit to charge 12-volt deep cycle batteries.