If
you have a "5 mile ham radio" you may be using the FRS or GMRS radios which
are technically not ham radios. To use ham radio equipment you need to pass a
FCC license exam. This is worth doing as it allows you to use more powerful
radios and repeaters, both of which can greatly extend your
range.
GMRS also
requires FCC licensing ($75) but no exam/testing is
required.