Totally agreed Nomad.

For those whose technical proclivities do not run towards the intersection of radio and IT geekery (like mine do), there are a number of inexpensive receiver options that can pick up public safety bands as well as broadcast radio. Listening to ham radio is completely legal without any license, and can provide first hand information, especially if you're used to listening to it.

Having a receiver in a kit isn't nearly as useful as having a receiver and knowing what is best to listen to locally.