I have to wonder about reciprocal permits necessary for aliens operating two way radios in the USA.
I don’t see the dire need to wireless communications when you have cell phones that can do the same thing inexpensively.
You people keep harping upon power levels. Power means absolutely nothing when you are talking about operating a handheld radio in a basic Faraday cage - a steel framed, glass enclosed space.
You don’t get any range out of any radio until you first get the signal outside the vehicle. There is no one on the citizens band unless there is a band opening.
The bonus here is that the OP wants two way radios, but he doesn’t want to spend any money. Might I suggest two tin cans and a string!
Technicially the higher power GMRS radios do require a license to use, at least that is what it says in the documentation that comes with the radio, the advice not to use it on the gmrs frequencies without a license.
For anyone with a GMRS license, this is an insult, you are permitting people to use your frequencies - that you yourself paid to use…
That does not compute…