It is a lot easier to keep in touch with other hams with ham radio,
somewhat more difficult to keep in touch with non-hams.

Agreed..... no doubt

Having a 2 meter FM rig will allow communications locally, and with
repeaters around the country. Other VHF or UHF bands will add to this,
but 2 meter only will get you through.

Would 2M only suffice for the "email/packet" end of
things tho? I mean.... since an RV will be moving
from one area to another.... does that affect the
transmission and reception "protocols" of email sent
via 2M packet?

Sorry for the dumb questions guys. Please bear with me
ok?

An HF rig with a decent antenna will allow long distance comms. You
will have to compromise to get one that is portable, and mounts on
your vehicle.

Fortunately these all mode and all band radios now days
look pretty small tho. Correct?

Packet radio would work for email, but bandwidth is rather limited
compared to the worst dialup options. 1200 baud is common, 9600 is the
most out there. Dialup Internet providers range from 28.8 to 53K.

Understand. But since things are automated and once I
buy the equip I have it and there are no other monthly
"costs"..... what will it hurt if it takes all night
for the rig/computer to send that email message? Cant
it be doing it's "thing" (sending and receiving email)
while Im asleep or doing other things?

Depending on who and how you wish to keep in touch, you may still want
a cell phone and set up with a national dial-up ISP.

Oh sure. Just looking into ham radio as a cheap method
to use as well