Packet Radio...

[Zombie Axe]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_radio

http://www.packetradio.com/

http://www.tapr.org/packetradio.html

Packet radio is a way you could REBUILD a long range communication network POST TEOTWAWKI in the future provided you had a working radio, a computer, power and someone else to talk to in range of your station.

http://www.tapr.org/aprs.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Position_Reporting_System

APRS is a sub category of packet radio and is mainly used for 'tracking objects or stations on a STRCITLY VOLUNTARY basis'. If one were to use ONLY the text messaging capability of APRS with the GPS data they would have and effective means of SMS...

So just something to think about :)