There are basically 4 2-way radio options for the US Consumer:
> CB / Citizen's Band: back in the 1960s, my CB License from the FCC was: KBT-4197, I was living in the Silicon Valley area of California. CBing was big back then. We have CB Get togethers at a Pizza joint, and we met people, talked and just had a good time. We'd help people find their way out from the COW PALACE event, and to the best way for them to get home. It was just a fun time!!
> MUIR- very limited frequencies. Repeaters not authorized.
> GMRS - my golden ticket that met the needs of what I wanted to achieve in 2-way radioing: Talking locally & having a repeater option available when needed.
> HAM: I struggled trying to pass this TEST time after time. Radio theory and I did not get along. It was not easy for me to achieve, regardless of what HAMs were telling me, that I could do it!
Watch videos online about GMRS. We have a Mobile/base combo: KG-xs20g and a HH hand held KG935g. Ya, it cost a bit but to have 999 receive channels available, let me listen in to channels I wanted to listen to. My favorite is Canyon County ID Fire & Rescue. Here I am in Nebraska and I can listen to my friends out in ID on the same radio that I used to talk with local people here. Amazing.
I hope you enjoy picking up GMRS hobby or EComm. License is $35 since April 2022. Covers you and your immediate family, but remember, you as a license holder, is responsible for educating your family how to use the radios they are operating under the license in YOUR name.
See ya soon...
