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Re-voted(yes)

It probably was more useful before internet and cell phones for sure(when repeaters had an autopatch(make a phone call via your radio, via a repeater that was plugged into a phone line-very cool back then). These were typically simplex(or semi-simplex) similar to any regular radio traffic when only one person can talk at a time and the other had to listen(taking turns communicating). Think old school a.m. walkie talkies from radio shack when you were a kid.

You might possibly help out when there's an emergency situation and the cell towers are either off the air or are overwhelmed with traffic. And/or communicate information to emergency agencies either via VHF/UHF frequencies, provided radio towers or tall buildings where repeaters are typically located are still available. Otherwise, you can just rag-chew with others as you travel to work(if you wish) or listen to others rag-chew(if you wish, too).
You can pick up a Chinese-made VHF/UHF handy talky cheap-$50 and just see what's happening. I listen to local emergency traffic(Police/EMS) mostly on mine-like a scanner.

my 2..good luck with it if you pursue it.

Had my tech for a long while, back when you had to copy five(5) wpm code to get it. Currently have a couple Chinese HT's (2m/70cm) for goofing off with, but not much of a participant.