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.