My gf travels to see family that are a few hours away, plus she has to drive to take the granddaughter to her fathers which is a few hour drive every other weekend. I'm hoping we can use repeaters to keep in touch using GMRS, but in the ham environment there are more connected repeaters that will allow that easily. Other than that within the city using either ht to ht or ht using a repeater to keep in contact.
Ham bands are not just for experimenting, it is also for communications on a much larger scale than GMRS, using different bands and repeaters. Using ham radio you can use digital voice modes like DMR and D-Star that can have access across the country. Also, in ham radio, there is the fun factor. More bands, to be able to socialize with a broader range of people. Contacting people from a park, (POTA) talking to the space station, being in contests, digital modes like FT8. Ham radio is a hobby.
