I have both the H-3 and H-8, and couldn’t be happier with them ! Fortunately, I live near a fantastic repeater, and I talk all over the place. They work so well, I don’t plan on having a GMRS base station.
Yup, first, check out your area. You could luck out like me, and talk all over the place with a H-3 & H-8 Tidradio, because I have a fantastic repeater !
Our “set up”, back in the ‘80’s ! Midland 23ch with SSB and a “VFO”, to get to channel 40, and higher ( that’s where you’d find me ! ), a 750watt linear, and a D-104 desk mic. This was hooked to a Super Penetrator ( standby ), and a four element quad beam for skip ! FUN TIMES !!
I live in central Michigan, and I talk to Loraine, Ohio (near Cleveland), all the time, on a TidRadio H-3 & H-8. If conditions are right, your signal can just about bounce anywhere.
I’d have to say, that I’ve been very fortunate. 99% of the hams that I’ve talked to have been very nice and pretty much outgoing, willing to help out with a question whenever they can. Heck, I’d say that 70% or more on the GMRS network here, also have their ham license(s).