How to get started in FPV planes?
 

I really want to get into FPV but I'm having a hard time figuring out where to get the equipment. I have experience with flying nitro and building planes from balasa wood so building will easy. I also am good with electronics and RF I build alot of my own antennas and HAM radios.

I was thinking of finding an electric "foamy" and putting an FPV set up in the canopy. But how does this work? Does the radio and screen come as one unit? Or is everything separate? I don't even know what shops sell this let alone what brands are good. I was going to get a drone but they seem to be limited because everything is idiot proofed. It would be nice if the radio was separate and I could could move it from one airplane to the next as I got bored with that model.

Any good DIY or you tube video channels?

I would recommend the UMX Radian FPV. This is what I started with and it works well.
It is a slow flying plane and that's what you want when trying to learn. It uses $5.00 batteries and in the right conditions it can stay airborne for 20+ minutes. Typically flight times under power are around 8 minutes.
Next you will need either a set of goggles or a flat panel ground station. Some folks can't wear goggles as it makes them ill so they use a flat panel monitor/ground station.

FPV Goggles

FPV Monitor

The flat panel also can be converted to a set of goggles using this . This is an entry-level set up but you can always upgrade to a better set if you like and can handle FPV. There are better panels, goggles, better antennas, better cameras, transmitters, etc..... Gimbals to pan and tilt the camera by moving your head are also available in the higher end systems.
A lot to learn but you have to start somewhere

I bought the fat shark predator V2 for 300.00. But im regretting that. Are there models available with longer range that I can use with my HAM license in that same price range? I still have 30 days to take it back. I really want a head up display with bearing altitude and speed to make it a true long distance FPV.

If long distance is what you want then you will have to go to a ground-station set-up with pepper-box /directional antennas and/or go on 2.4 or 1.2ghz. 5.8ghz is not for true long distances. Your goggles really have nothing to do with range.