[jyl]

A decent FRS (Family Radio Service) or GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radio should do that fine. I think GMRS has higher allowable power. Often both FRS and GMRS bands are in the same unit. Motorola makes some for not too much, sold in blister packs. We used to use them when the kids were little (they'd run off into the mall, excitedly clutching their radios, playing "spy") and 1/2 mile or even 1 mile was no problem. Is that what you've been using w/ no success?