LoadClear, I've managed to set up QSOs with a few Campfire Hams drop me a PM if you'd like to try that. Finding a time and frequency is challenging though.
Are you familiar with Echolink? I haven't used it much but the last contact I made was with a woman driving truck up in the Yukon. I think there is a way to set up a chat room rather than using a specific repeater. Yeah I know not "real radio" since it uses the Internet, but it's free and a Technician operator doesn't have any restrictions....
Oh and if the Internet is down because the dark overlords don't want us talking bad about them they might call in a drone strike if you go out to pull their monkey wrench out. So, that would be bad
