Hand held radios come in a variety of standards.
The standards vary between countries.
In the United States, we have band plans defined by the FCC.
Some of these plans require special equipment and some require specific licenses.
Considerations
- If you don't want to buy a license then buy FRS, MURS, or CB radio equipment.
- If you don't want to take a test then buy GMRS and purchase a whole family license for
$35.
- If you want the achievement of being a ham radio operator and having access to more of
the radio spectrum then use Ham
Radio Prep and get your amateur radio license.
- If you want to use commercial reserved services like Land Mobile Radio Service then buy
that equipment.