Replies

Get your GMRS license first, covers the family. Today's version of CB radios, but includes repeaters. That's really the big learning curve, though not much. Handheld radios are $30-100. Higher watt radios for home or in a car, $100-$300.

Same radios will work with the amateur licenses, so no need to trade up, though there re higher power radios once you have the licenses.

BaoFeng UV-82 High Power is great handheld. On Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RSWFT2K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

BTECH UV-50X2 (Second Gen.) is great mobile (for house use you will need to buy a power supply). On Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XK83VRV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lots of other brands and choices...

I have a couple GMRS handhelds upstairs. No batteries installed as I don't want them damaged with a battery leak. Last night I applied for a GMRS license. I used my FRN at the FCC that goes with my Amateur license. When it came time to pay the fee, I had to establish a "username" with a password and a complete user profile. My e-mail address had to be validated and 2FA established. At that point I arranged to have that username managing my FRN. I was then able to access the "pay my bills" link to pay the $35 GMRS license fee. I'm waiting on the issuance of the license.

There is one GMRS repeater in town. It is on an office building. Nothing close to the coverage of the ham 2m repeaters on Chinese Peak, Kinport and Scout Mountain. I'm probably going to spring for two of the B-Tech GMRS Pro handhelds. They use USB C charging. They support the repeater offsets on channels 15 to 22. There is an internal GPS and ability to send text messages between GMRS Pro handhelds (simplex only). My wife has Bluetooth hearing aids that can pair with the B-Tech GMRS Pro, so it is a good fit for her specific needs.

Same radios will work with the amateur licenses, so no need to trade up, though there re higher power radios once you have the licenses.

You have to be careful with the cheap Chinese radios. They are happy to key up on frequencies where they don't belong. GMRS/FRS has very specific channel assignments with power limitations and deviation limits. An "unlocked" Chinese radio might easily violate the GMRS rules. Likewise, it might invite a GMRS user to operate on ham frequencies without a proper license. Many large cities have instances of GMRS licensees coming up and giving the GMRS license ID on a ham frequency. Since there is zero training requirements for GMRS, many are unaware they are in violation of FCC rules.

Reno891519 is correct.

The BaoFeng UV-82 High Power kit is great handheld, on Amazon for $34.19. It has two 2800mAh Batteries, Hand Speaker Mic and Programming Cable, plus a longer whip antenna. A real deal!

I tested my UV-82 High Power watts with a digital SWR meter. using its longer antenna:

Watts on High = 5.90, Med = 5.03, Low = 2.61 at 145.000 MHz
Watts on High = 6.90, Med = 5.45, Low = 2.15 at 430.000 MHz

I added an inexpensive Mobile Antenna that sits on a cookie sheet (serves as an excellent ground plane). This setup serves as my base station.

SWR with Mobile Antenna: Watts High = 1.02, Med = 1.03, Low = 1.03 at 145.000 MHz
SWR with Mobile Antenna: Watts High = 1.10, Med = 1.80, Low = 1.76 at 430.000 MHz

If you have been wanting to get into Ham Radio - this is the kit to buy. (I am not compensated not have any connection to BaoFeng)