How many use HAM vs C/B for rig to rig etc?

FIRE UP wrote:

down home wrote:
All we have s GMRS radios and the range in a city is a bit over a mile. Not acceptable.
Have hand held CB and Teaberry, in coach. Handheld is next to worthless.
I have been considering a couple of handheld 2 meter radios, initially and a base unit later with patch to telephone.
Use to be along time ago in a far distant galaxy Radio Shack was the go to place for Ham equipment. Nothing today. That's the problem finding a store that is knowledgeable and has Ham equipment.
I have found some small concerns with one or two 2 meter radios and fire and rescue stuff with prices of two grand, for tow handhelds.
What I need is, if I ever go hunting again a unit with a 40 mile range with not much probability of repeaters, around here. Cell phones don't work a quarter mile beyond here, at RxR tracks.
Perhaps a 2 meter with VHF for Canada, and or ten meter.
How much power can be hand in a handheld?
Is there a catalog or store that handles Ham equipment with information on what is needed and does not cost a few thousand to get into?

In most hand held 2 meter radios, you're looking at max of 5 watts. As for mobile units for your car, 25/60/65/75 watts and more is the norm. Don't know what your "Concerns" with 1 or 2 meter handhelds and, I also don't know about the fire and rescue stuff as we used 800MHZ stuff on our department.
Scott

Not sure what the "fire and Rescue" thing is either. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the amateur band.

As far as a 40 mile range, that simply won't come close to happening unless you are on a mountaintop. On the flatlands you will be very lucky to get 5 miles reliably on a VHF handheld, and MUCH less on the higher bands or canyon terrain.

If you want reliable comms at 40 miles you better be looking at Iridium satellite services because it ain't going to happen any other way sans a repeater