The answer is yes (sort of), PROVIDED BOTH OF YOU obtain at least a Technician-class radio amateur license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To get this license, you will need to take some classes, then pass a 35-question mulitple-choice test. You will learn a LOT about your radios, and radio in general, in those classes. Many of the classes are free.
Once you've passed this test, you will get your own call letters, which must be used to identify your station (walkie-talkie). You will be able to talk to other amateurs as well as your friend. You will get a lot of other privileges, too. As for the radios, you will need to have them programmed to the same frequencies, to enable you to talk to each other.
Contact the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for information on classes in your area. Talk to hams you might know. You could be on the way to a wonderful hobby...or even a career, if you take it that far!
Notice I said, "sort of". These radios would both need to be programmed to the same simplex frequencies, to enable you to talk to each other. As such, you would find them of limited use on the ham bands, and you would soon want something a little better, to enable you to talk over repeaters as well as simplex (radio-to-radio). Fortunately, there are some quite-inexpensive handie-talkies available. Baofeng and Wouxun come to mind. I have a Wouxun, and it works quite well.
A word of caution: Do not transmit on the Icom without a license and having it programmed to appropriate frequencies. Also, make sure the Zartek is programmed to GMRS frequencies before using it. DON'T (that is, DO NOT) mess with the FCC, as FCC fines routinely run to the thousands of dollars!!!
Finally, if you just want to talk short distances, you can buy GMRS/FRS radios from places like Big 5, etc, for not very much money. You might not be happy with them for very long, though.
Answers & Comments
The answer is yes (sort of), PROVIDED BOTH OF YOU obtain at least a Technician-class radio amateur license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To get this license, you will need to take some classes, then pass a 35-question mulitple-choice test. You will learn a LOT about your radios, and radio in general, in those classes. Many of the classes are free.
Once you've passed this test, you will get your own call letters, which must be used to identify your station (walkie-talkie). You will be able to talk to other amateurs as well as your friend. You will get a lot of other privileges, too. As for the radios, you will need to have them programmed to the same frequencies, to enable you to talk to each other.
Contact the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for information on classes in your area. Talk to hams you might know. You could be on the way to a wonderful hobby...or even a career, if you take it that far!
Notice I said, "sort of". These radios would both need to be programmed to the same simplex frequencies, to enable you to talk to each other. As such, you would find them of limited use on the ham bands, and you would soon want something a little better, to enable you to talk over repeaters as well as simplex (radio-to-radio). Fortunately, there are some quite-inexpensive handie-talkies available. Baofeng and Wouxun come to mind. I have a Wouxun, and it works quite well.
A word of caution: Do not transmit on the Icom without a license and having it programmed to appropriate frequencies. Also, make sure the Zartek is programmed to GMRS frequencies before using it. DON'T (that is, DO NOT) mess with the FCC, as FCC fines routinely run to the thousands of dollars!!!
Finally, if you just want to talk short distances, you can buy GMRS/FRS radios from places like Big 5, etc, for not very much money. You might not be happy with them for very long, though.