MichaelC,

What do you want to do with the radio?

Said another way ... What do you want the radio to do for you?

If you're trying to learn about weather, then a weather radio is far cheaper and provides the emergency warning feature.

If you're trying to get news and local information, then an AM/FM radio would do better than a ham radio or police scanner. Of course, AM/FM radios usually offer weather information too, especially in emergencies.

I have yet to see what I perceive to be a good weather/AM/FM radio combo that provides SAME emergency notification, but I haven't looked too hard. I tend to bring weather radios when I'm outdoors and haven't had much use for AM/FM. At home I rely on weather radios and TV.

If you're trying to broadcast to get help, then a cell phone and/or a PLB does much MUCH better than a ham radio. Of course the PLB isn't the same as a local 911 service through land lines or the cell phone.