GMRS is pretty affordable, and if you're going to be legal, the license is for a family and not an individual like HAM. Distance isn't quite what HAM is, but there are more and more repeaters popping up all over to help with that. Seems to be a better, clearer, and further reaching option over CB.

But none of this matters if you're going with a group that has something else. I haven't installed a mobile radio of any kind yet because of this. I do have my HAM license, and there are reasons I like HAM, but I have a couple of GMRS handhelds for going exploring with my kids. Only problem is distance with handhelds... not too far.