Good info. In the USA best option is the UHF General Mobile Radio Service. For other than low-powered portable units it which requires an affordable licence, $70 for five years, which permits anyone in the family to use the radios, up to 50w in portable or mobile voice operation, including repeaters. GMRS is a UHF Citizens Band intended originally for agricultural operations, in forestry, family farms and ranches. Prior to widespread use of mobile cellular phones it also became very popular among suburban commuters and family businesses. Ability to use coax-fed mobile or base antennas and mobile radios and repeaters up to 50w provides good local coverage.
Portable units used on shared GMRS/FRS channels which do not require a licence must have fixed antennas, not exceed 2 watts, and cannot be capable of split-frequency repeater operation. Family Radio Service (FRS) rules are similar to PMR446 in the UK.
Portables capable of split-frequency repeater use and which are capable of being connected to a coax-fed mobile or base antenna require the $70 GMRS licence.
The Multi-Use Radio Service or MURS is a VHF Citizens Band which requires no licence, and permits coax fed antennas, but peak power cannot exceed 2 watts. Originally intended as an itinerant business service used mostly in building trades and warehouse operations, today it is widely used for Neighborhood Watch, Citizens Corps and Medical Reserve Corps, as well as for family communication. Because there are no antenna restrictions, portables can be connected to a coax-fed mobile or base antenna commonly used for Marine VHF band and give reasonable local coverage. FM operation is limited to narrow-band on all but two of the channels, which are in the 154-156 Mhz range.
It is common for 2-way radio shops to re-purpose older Land Mobile Radio service business or public safety radios for use on the GMRS or MURS.
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The Real Mid range comms system 446
