(to Bear_Claw_Chris_Lapp) It looks like you had a cool setup there in 1993, with your "station". That looks like some serious flexibility for your coms!

(to everyone) I was a little surprised to see how many responders to this thread had various radio setups in the past (from CB through HAM), but seem to have totally "ditched" that gear now.
Do some of you still have that gear stored for a "just in case" backup? Or, did you feel that type of gear became worthless to you with the advent of newer technologies (cell, internet, etc..)?

As always, you all have provided me with some good information already, and given me many things to think about and places to start.
My initial goal of communicating over the 12 mile distance to a friends house, involves mostly flat terrain. There would primarily be a few hills and some trees and houses between us; but no major mountains, valleys, or steel buildings.

Right now, I think we might opt for the Cobra 148GTL radios and try the Single Sideband CB first. Those radios are inexpensive enough (about $150 or less, each), and seem to have a good chance of working for what we need.
I will also investigate the HAM radio community too; as that might be what I need if I decide I want more range or options in radio communications.

Any tips on Antennae setups for the CB radio?
A setup that could easily be changed from fixed location (home) to mobile (car/truck) would seem to be ideal?