Your radios can be programmed for GMRS frequencies, also (General Mobile Radio Service). Similar to ham, but limited frequencies. Just walkie-talkies, no communicating across the country or around the world. No exam required, a $75 license covers your entire immediate family. If you join a...
It's not so much the 9 miles that matters, but the terrain in between you and the repeater. If you have line of sight it might work well. Possibly you could mount a simple antenna at a higher location (e.g., roof) to improve line-of-sight. If you know someone who has a 5W HT, maybe you can...
Yes, they're good guys. You need three things: (1) a license, which doesn't require a test and covers your entire immediate family (spouse, parents, children, brothers & sisters); good radios which you can buy from Gary who runs NGGMRS; and learn the protocol for how to use the repeaters or...