and you don't want to get a license because it's for 'emergency use' and you want to be able to get in touch with one kid 75 miles away and the other one is 275 miles away.
I see.
You $29.95 peanuts for it and think that because it says 'ham radio' on it that it is something magic that will insure instant communications with your kids from anywhere in the world because ham radio operators talk to people all over the world.
Really? I suppose it never occurred to you that if they worked that way then everyone and their cousin would have one and you wouldn't need your cell phone anymore.
As a licensed ham that has almost 250 different places in my log and thousands of overseas contacts logged, my rig (replacement value $2500ish) I can't do make contacts overseas at will. In fact, neither can a superstation that someone has over $250,000 into.
And you bought a couple of $29.95 Chinese made handhelds that said they were designed for ham radio operators. You probably knew you are supposed to be licensed to use them yet say you are not getting licensed because they are 'emergency use'.
And now you want someone to program them for you? Don't look at me. You're asking me to program something that you want to use illegally? I think not. I'm not going to become an accessory to your little illegal enterprise.
Do you even know the proper procedure to use one? Most likely if you do get it programmed you're probably going to interfere with legitimate operations. You'll be a nuisance at best and probably a real problem in an emergency.
Even after you do get it programed you probably won't know how to use it.
In reality what you have without using repeaters is a radio that has a range of maybe 1-3 miles depending on terrain with the little 'rubber duck' antenna it came with.
Maybe you have heard stories of those little radios reaching the International Space Station. They actually have but only when it is line of sight, using a Yagi antenna and using a digital mode. This is out of your league. I know it's out of mine.
Another thing. Are you going to maintain it and keep it charged? Doubtfully. It will probably be stuck in a drawer someplace and you'll have a flat battery to deal with.
Here's something that might fit the bill and come a lot closer to your needs. From what I gathered looking at them they run off of the cell towers that may or may not be up and running after a natural disaster. No license required.
Like a lot of people out there you were looking for a magic wand and they don't exist. You have to take the time to learn to use the tool.
On the other hand, if you are willing to make a commitment to learn how to competently use the tool I will gladly help you license and learn how to use it.
88888888888888888888888888888888888888
To find out why the blog is pink just cut and paste this:
http://piccoloshash.blogspot.com/2009/12/my-feminine-side-blog-stays-pink.html NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED IN THE WRITING OF TODAY'S ESSAY