It looks like it’s time get a ham radio. I don’t know anything about them other than you can communicate with people globally, and you need a license. I understand that you need a transceiver, an amplifier, and antenna.
Should I go with a mobile ham radio or a stationary one?
Also, what equipment do you guys recommend? I want to be able to have the ability to scale as I accumulate licenses.
Mobile ones are a lot easier to setup and use, and much more portable, cheaper too.
To start you can get a cheap BaoFeng. They're great starters and come with everything you need.
Range is ~10mi depending on topology, and other stuff... the long range worldwide ones are the stationary ones with the massive antennas.
License is needed for any of them to "send/talk" you can "receive/listen" all you want without a license.
The Baofeng Commie radios can also be programmed to FRS and GMRS.
No license needed for FRS but the Baofengs are not technically "legal" for that.
Yeah, you can lower the tx power level to make them compliant... I have mine programmed for FRS/GMRS and some HAM
Got the local repeater frequencies and calling frequencies for ham and the FRS/GMRS frequencies but I am not necessarily compliant.
Also have local fire rescue and what police are still on UHF on scan.