if you have any late seventies ARRL handbook. You will find a pair of
FM receiver and transmitter that are as simple as it gets.
The transmitter uses just three transistors in the line-up. A
transistor array was used instead of discrete transistors for the
modulator.
The receiver is quite sparse too, it uses an LM3089. A few sources
still stock them. Although you might have a problem getting the audio
amp chip, but an LM386 should do the job just as well.

What I would personally suggest is go ahead and start building it from
the scratch. Solid State Design listed a transmitter (probably done by
W7ZOI, going by the looks of the construction in the picture) for 144
MHz CW/DSB. You can easily add NBFM with just a varactor and using the
same modulator circuit (with limiter added).

Once you do have a transmitter going, make a simple VHF
down-converter. that works in conjunction with an HF rig. Almost any
HF rig can be pressed into 'emergency' NBFM mode by slope detection
(tune slightly off the received NBFM carrier). I would recommend the
'rochester' convertors from the 70s handbooks. Later, you can
substitute the HF rig with an NBFM IF strip using any of the several
NBFM ICs. Check Harry Lythall's home page for the NBFM receiver
circuit.

The great principle of homebrewing was laid down by Julius Caeser:
divide and conquer. Split it up into smaller, easily managed projects
and achieve each on its own.

Build, Test and Measure, Integrate, Repeat.

- farhan