[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Do we have a forum dedicated to handheld/tactical radio communication? No? Let's do it here then. (Page 3 of 3)
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Quoted: The title specifically mentions “handheld tactical communication”. When I read that I think of the types of radio communication utilized by the military. Sure the handheld part may not always fit entirely, but I think “military type radio communications” is what the OP is referencing. How would one achieve that level of communication without dipping into amateur radio? Would GMRS suffice? I know it gets mentioned a lot in these types of threads, but I’m not sure how well that would work beyond squad based communication. GMRS can go up to 50 watts with external antennas and can use repeaters. Meaning its use can extend beyond just squad level. |
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Quoted: I don't want a ham radio. I want to operate on HF. I have 40 years experience operating HF radios (including Morse Code operator qualification). What is passing two exams by rote memorization going to teach me? I bought some suppressors recently and I absolutely hate what you have to do to get them. But I jumped through the hoops anyway because it's the only way to own them legally. |
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Quoted: My recommendation is to get a decent GRMS radio (Wouxun radios are very good, but a little spendy), pay $35 for your license (which covers the entirety of your immediate family) and you're good for 10 years. You'll be limited to line-of-sight communications, but if you need more range, affordable GRMS repeaters are available. And be sure to post your call sign here. That way everyone in the world can look up your address. |
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A simple foundational question. The two frequencies listed on our license, are those two channels were allowed to use? They’re 0.65000 apart. Are we the only ones allowed to broadcast on them in a given region? How big is that region? How easily can strangers eavesdrop on us? |
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Quoted: I want to start looking into radio both for the Boog, and for more boring shit like on my farm. Our farm has an active radio license we use for our UHF radios, we use in our tractors. I'd like to add a few handheld units for our vehicles, and for my tactical gear. Editing to expand: I know nothing about how radio works, at all. I've been watching some videos on the topic, but there's a preposterous amount of acronyms and assumed background knowledge that I do not have. I'm ordering a cheap set of equipment from Amazon just to play around with, but I want to get into some more durable equipment too. Can I easily make this radio: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 talk to a Kenwood UHF radio? How would I go about that? More generally, what frequencies am I allowed to use? I think we have an allocated band, but I'm not sure about that. We have two frequencies identified on our license, and it says the power output and maximum ERP (I don't know what that is) is 45.000. On the Frequencies page, it also says Units: 15. Does this mean we're allowed to use 15 devices on this license, or something different? Thanks. Here's my input as an Army 25U and Amateur License holder. Why not just keep using your cellphones with satellite connection enabled? In a boog scenario against the military your radios will likely be jammed and triangulated when you transmit. For around the farm, just use GMRS or get an amateur radio license and just talk as you work. For a longer response: First, let's cover some radio basics since you mentioned you're new to this. Radios communicate by transmitting and receiving signals on specific frequencies (think of them like channels on a TV). UHF (Ultra High Frequency) is a band roughly from 400-520 MHz, common for business, farm, or short-range tactical use because it works well indoors or in obstructed areas like fields. To "talk" between radios, they need to be tuned to the same frequency, use the same modulation (usually FM for these), and ideally the same settings like tone codes (CTCSS/DCS) to reduce interference. Licenses are required for most transmitting (not just listening), issued by the FCC in the US, to prevent chaos on the airwaves. Your farm's license sounds like a Part 90 business/industrial license for private land mobile radio service (PLMRS), which allocates specific frequencies for non-public use like farming operations. Making the Baofeng UV-5R Talk to Your Kenwood UHF Radio The radio in that Amazon link is a Baofeng UV-5R (or similar variant—it's a cheap, programmable dual-band handheld that covers VHF 136-174 MHz and UHF 400-520 MHz, with up to 8W output). Technically, yes, you can make it interoperate with a Kenwood UHF radio (assuming your Kenwoods are standard business-grade models like the TK series): How to do it: Use programming software like CHIRP (free download) with a USB cable (often sold separately for ~$10). Connect the Baofeng to your computer, input your licensed frequencies, set the power to match your license (e.g., low power if needed), and configure any privacy tones from your Kenwood. Once programmed, switch to the channel with that frequency, and it should transmit/receive if the Kenwood is on the same settings. Test in a low-power mode first to avoid issues. However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. You could face fines if caught (though enforcement is rare for low-power private use). Receiving/listening is fine without issues. For legal compatibility, buy Part 90-certified handhelds like Kenwood NX-P500 or Motorola equivalents that match your existing setup—they'll plug right in without programming hassles. If you're just playing around with the cheap Amazon set (great for learning), stick to listening or get a ham license (study for Technician level via free apps like HamStudy, test costs ~$15) to transmit legally on amateur bands. For tactical gear, many use GMRS (requires a $35 FCC license, no test) or MURS (license-free but limited). Frequencies You're Allowed to Use Under your business license, you're restricted to the two specific frequencies listed—those are your allocated channels for farm operations. You can't just pick any UHF frequency; that's why licenses exist. If you need more channels or broader bands, you'd apply to the FCC (or a frequency coordinator) for amendments, which might involve fees and justification (e.g., "need for additional handhelds"). Generally, for unlicensed boring/farm stuff: FRS (Family Radio Service): 22 channels around 462-467 MHz, license-free, low power (up to 2W), great for short-range handheld use in vehicles or on foot. Cheap bubble-pack walkie-talkies use this. MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service): 5 channels around 151-154 MHz, license-free, up to 2W. For licensed: Your business UHF: Stick to your two freqs. GMRS: 30 channels in UHF, $35 license covers family, up to 50W on some, good for farms/tactical. Amateur (ham): VHF/UHF bands, requires license, flexible for experimentation. Check your exact frequencies on the FCC's ULS database (search by your call sign) to confirm details. License Details: Power, ERP, and Units Power output and maximum ERP (45.000): This is your max allowed transmitting strength. Power output is the raw watts from the radio (e.g., 5W handheld). ERP stands for Effective Radiated Power—it's the effective strength after accounting for antenna gain and losses (like cable attenuation). Yours is likely 45 watts ERP, meaning your setup (radio + antenna) can't exceed that in the direction of max gain. It ensures you don't interfere with others. For handhelds, you'll run much lower (1-5W) anyway. Units: 15: This refers to the number of authorized transmitters (radios) under the license—e.g., you can have up to 15 devices like tractors, vehicles, or handhelds operating on those frequencies. If you add more, you might need to update the license (file Form 601 with FCC, possibly via a coordinator). For durable gear: Look at Kenwood, Motorola, or Icom handhelds certified for Part 90 (e.g., Kenwood TK-3402U16P, ~$200-300). They're rugged, water-resistant, and match your tractors. Start with your license holder (maybe the farm owner) to confirm details before buying. If you want books/videos for basics, try "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies" or NotaRubicon's YouTube channel for no-BS explanations. |
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Quoted: A simple foundational question. The two frequencies listed on our license, are those two channels were allowed to use? They’re 0.65000 apart. Are we the only ones allowed to broadcast on them in a given region? How big is that region? How easily can strangers eavesdrop on us? Without seeing the license, it could be two separate frequencies or a pair for duplex/repeater operations for your use. No one else in your immediate area should be using them. Unless your business radios are using encryption, anyone can find and listen in. As the frequencies are UHF, the geographical area will not be very large. ETA: It looks like UHF business repeaters typically use input/output separated by 5Mhz so you probably have two separate channels for use. |
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Quoted: Here's my input as an Army 25U and Amateur License holder. Why not just keep using your cellphones with satellite connection enabled? In a boog scenario against the military your radios will likely be jammed and triangulated when you transmit. For around the farm, just use GMRS or get an amateur radio license and just talk as you work. For a longer response: First, let's cover some radio basics since you mentioned you're new to this. Radios communicate by transmitting and receiving signals on specific frequencies (think of them like channels on a TV). UHF (Ultra High Frequency) is a band roughly from 400-520 MHz, common for business, farm, or short-range tactical use because it works well indoors or in obstructed areas like fields. To "talk" between radios, they need to be tuned to the same frequency, use the same modulation (usually FM for these), and ideally the same settings like tone codes (CTCSS/DCS) to reduce interference. Licenses are required for most transmitting (not just listening), issued by the FCC in the US, to prevent chaos on the airwaves. Your farm's license sounds like a Part 90 business/industrial license for private land mobile radio service (PLMRS), which allocates specific frequencies for non-public use like farming operations. Making the Baofeng UV-5R Talk to Your Kenwood UHF Radio The radio in that Amazon link is a Baofeng UV-5R (or similar variant—it's a cheap, programmable dual-band handheld that covers VHF 136-174 MHz and UHF 400-520 MHz, with up to 8W output). Technically, yes, you can make it interoperate with a Kenwood UHF radio (assuming your Kenwoods are standard business-grade models like the TK series): How to do it: Use programming software like CHIRP (free download) with a USB cable (often sold separately for ~$10). Connect the Baofeng to your computer, input your licensed frequencies, set the power to match your license (e.g., low power if needed), and configure any privacy tones from your Kenwood. Once programmed, switch to the channel with that frequency, and it should transmit/receive if the Kenwood is on the same settings. Test in a low-power mode first to avoid issues. However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. You could face fines if caught (though enforcement is rare for low-power private use). Receiving/listening is fine without issues. For legal compatibility, buy Part 90-certified handhelds like Kenwood NX-P500 or Motorola equivalents that match your existing setup—they'll plug right in without programming hassles. If you're just playing around with the cheap Amazon set (great for learning), stick to listening or get a ham license (study for Technician level via free apps like HamStudy, test costs ~$15) to transmit legally on amateur bands. For tactical gear, many use GMRS (requires a $35 FCC license, no test) or MURS (license-free but limited). Frequencies You're Allowed to Use Under your business license, you're restricted to the two specific frequencies listed—those are your allocated channels for farm operations. You can't just pick any UHF frequency; that's why licenses exist. If you need more channels or broader bands, you'd apply to the FCC (or a frequency coordinator) for amendments, which might involve fees and justification (e.g., "need for additional handhelds"). Generally, for unlicensed boring/farm stuff: FRS (Family Radio Service): 22 channels around 462-467 MHz, license-free, low power (up to 2W), great for short-range handheld use in vehicles or on foot. Cheap bubble-pack walkie-talkies use this. MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service): 5 channels around 151-154 MHz, license-free, up to 2W. For licensed: Your business UHF: Stick to your two freqs. GMRS: 30 channels in UHF, $35 license covers family, up to 50W on some, good for farms/tactical. Amateur (ham): VHF/UHF bands, requires license, flexible for experimentation. Check your exact frequencies on the FCC's ULS database (search by your call sign) to confirm details. License Details: Power, ERP, and Units Power output and maximum ERP (45.000): This is your max allowed transmitting strength. Power output is the raw watts from the radio (e.g., 5W handheld). ERP stands for Effective Radiated Power—it's the effective strength after accounting for antenna gain and losses (like cable attenuation). Yours is likely 45 watts ERP, meaning your setup (radio + antenna) can't exceed that in the direction of max gain. It ensures you don't interfere with others. For handhelds, you'll run much lower (1-5W) anyway. Units: 15: This refers to the number of authorized transmitters (radios) under the license—e.g., you can have up to 15 devices like tractors, vehicles, or handhelds operating on those frequencies. If you add more, you might need to update the license (file Form 601 with FCC, possibly via a coordinator). For durable gear: Look at Kenwood, Motorola, or Icom handhelds certified for Part 90 (e.g., Kenwood TK-3402U16P, ~$200-300). They're rugged, water-resistant, and match your tractors. Start with your license holder (maybe the farm owner) to confirm details before buying. If you want books/videos for basics, try "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies" or NotaRubicon's YouTube channel for no-BS explanations. Quoted: Quoted: I want to start looking into radio both for the Boog, and for more boring shit like on my farm. Our farm has an active radio license we use for our UHF radios, we use in our tractors. I'd like to add a few handheld units for our vehicles, and for my tactical gear. Editing to expand: I know nothing about how radio works, at all. I've been watching some videos on the topic, but there's a preposterous amount of acronyms and assumed background knowledge that I do not have. I'm ordering a cheap set of equipment from Amazon just to play around with, but I want to get into some more durable equipment too. Can I easily make this radio: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 talk to a Kenwood UHF radio? How would I go about that? More generally, what frequencies am I allowed to use? I think we have an allocated band, but I'm not sure about that. We have two frequencies identified on our license, and it says the power output and maximum ERP (I don't know what that is) is 45.000. On the Frequencies page, it also says Units: 15. Does this mean we're allowed to use 15 devices on this license, or something different? Thanks. Here's my input as an Army 25U and Amateur License holder. Why not just keep using your cellphones with satellite connection enabled? In a boog scenario against the military your radios will likely be jammed and triangulated when you transmit. For around the farm, just use GMRS or get an amateur radio license and just talk as you work. For a longer response: First, let's cover some radio basics since you mentioned you're new to this. Radios communicate by transmitting and receiving signals on specific frequencies (think of them like channels on a TV). UHF (Ultra High Frequency) is a band roughly from 400-520 MHz, common for business, farm, or short-range tactical use because it works well indoors or in obstructed areas like fields. To "talk" between radios, they need to be tuned to the same frequency, use the same modulation (usually FM for these), and ideally the same settings like tone codes (CTCSS/DCS) to reduce interference. Licenses are required for most transmitting (not just listening), issued by the FCC in the US, to prevent chaos on the airwaves. Your farm's license sounds like a Part 90 business/industrial license for private land mobile radio service (PLMRS), which allocates specific frequencies for non-public use like farming operations. Making the Baofeng UV-5R Talk to Your Kenwood UHF Radio The radio in that Amazon link is a Baofeng UV-5R (or similar variant—it's a cheap, programmable dual-band handheld that covers VHF 136-174 MHz and UHF 400-520 MHz, with up to 8W output). Technically, yes, you can make it interoperate with a Kenwood UHF radio (assuming your Kenwoods are standard business-grade models like the TK series): How to do it: Use programming software like CHIRP (free download) with a USB cable (often sold separately for ~$10). Connect the Baofeng to your computer, input your licensed frequencies, set the power to match your license (e.g., low power if needed), and configure any privacy tones from your Kenwood. Once programmed, switch to the channel with that frequency, and it should transmit/receive if the Kenwood is on the same settings. Test in a low-power mode first to avoid issues. However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. You could face fines if caught (though enforcement is rare for low-power private use). Receiving/listening is fine without issues. For legal compatibility, buy Part 90-certified handhelds like Kenwood NX-P500 or Motorola equivalents that match your existing setup—they'll plug right in without programming hassles. If you're just playing around with the cheap Amazon set (great for learning), stick to listening or get a ham license (study for Technician level via free apps like HamStudy, test costs ~$15) to transmit legally on amateur bands. For tactical gear, many use GMRS (requires a $35 FCC license, no test) or MURS (license-free but limited). Frequencies You're Allowed to Use Under your business license, you're restricted to the two specific frequencies listed—those are your allocated channels for farm operations. You can't just pick any UHF frequency; that's why licenses exist. If you need more channels or broader bands, you'd apply to the FCC (or a frequency coordinator) for amendments, which might involve fees and justification (e.g., "need for additional handhelds"). Generally, for unlicensed boring/farm stuff: FRS (Family Radio Service): 22 channels around 462-467 MHz, license-free, low power (up to 2W), great for short-range handheld use in vehicles or on foot. Cheap bubble-pack walkie-talkies use this. MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service): 5 channels around 151-154 MHz, license-free, up to 2W. For licensed: Your business UHF: Stick to your two freqs. GMRS: 30 channels in UHF, $35 license covers family, up to 50W on some, good for farms/tactical. Amateur (ham): VHF/UHF bands, requires license, flexible for experimentation. Check your exact frequencies on the FCC's ULS database (search by your call sign) to confirm details. License Details: Power, ERP, and Units Power output and maximum ERP (45.000): This is your max allowed transmitting strength. Power output is the raw watts from the radio (e.g., 5W handheld). ERP stands for Effective Radiated Power—it's the effective strength after accounting for antenna gain and losses (like cable attenuation). Yours is likely 45 watts ERP, meaning your setup (radio + antenna) can't exceed that in the direction of max gain. It ensures you don't interfere with others. For handhelds, you'll run much lower (1-5W) anyway. Units: 15: This refers to the number of authorized transmitters (radios) under the license—e.g., you can have up to 15 devices like tractors, vehicles, or handhelds operating on those frequencies. If you add more, you might need to update the license (file Form 601 with FCC, possibly via a coordinator). For durable gear: Look at Kenwood, Motorola, or Icom handhelds certified for Part 90 (e.g., Kenwood TK-3402U16P, ~$200-300). They're rugged, water-resistant, and match your tractors. Start with your license holder (maybe the farm owner) to confirm details before buying. If you want books/videos for basics, try "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies" or NotaRubicon's YouTube channel for no-BS explanations. This is extraordinarily helpful. Thank you. |
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Quoted: However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. Quoted: However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. Part untrue, maybe entirely untrue. No Baofeng is Part 97 type accepted for amateur radio. Some baofengs are Part 90 type accepted, some are Part 95 type accepted for GMRS, some (many/most) are not type accepted at all and are "grey market" imports. I thought caring about type acceptance and licensing was verboten in General Discussion... You could face fines if caught (though enforcement is rare for low-power private use). Receiving/listening is fine without issues. For legal compatibility, buy Part 90-certified handhelds like Kenwood NX-P500 or Motorola equivalents that match your existing setup—they'll plug right in without programming hassles. If you're just playing around with the cheap Amazon set (great for learning), stick to listening or get a ham license (study for Technician level via free apps like HamStudy, test costs ~$15) to transmit legally on amateur bands. For tactical gear, many use GMRS (requires a $35 FCC license, no test) or MURS (license-free but limited). Frequencies You're Allowed to Use Under your business license, you're restricted to the two specific frequencies listed—those are your allocated channels for farm operations. You can't just pick any UHF frequency; that's why licenses exist. If you need more channels or broader bands, you'd apply to the FCC (or a frequency coordinator) for amendments, which might involve fees and justification (e.g., "need for additional handhelds"). Generally, for unlicensed boring/farm stuff: FRS (Family Radio Service): 22 channels around 462-467 MHz, license-free, low power (up to 2W), great for short-range handheld use in vehicles or on foot. Cheap bubble-pack walkie-talkies use this. MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service): 5 channels around 151-154 MHz, license-free, up to 2W. For licensed: Your business UHF: Stick to your two freqs. GMRS: 30 channels in UHF, $35 license covers family, up to 50W on some, good for farms/tactical. Amateur (ham): VHF/UHF bands, requires license, flexible for experimentation. Check your exact frequencies on the FCC's ULS database (search by your call sign) to confirm details. License Details: Power, ERP, and Units Power output and maximum ERP (45.000): This is your max allowed transmitting strength. Power output is the raw watts from the radio (e.g., 5W handheld). ERP stands for Effective Radiated Power—it's the effective strength after accounting for antenna gain and losses (like cable attenuation). Yours is likely 45 watts ERP, meaning your setup (radio + antenna) can't exceed that in the direction of max gain. It ensures you don't interfere with others. For handhelds, you'll run much lower (1-5W) anyway. Units: 15: This refers to the number of authorized transmitters (radios) under the license—e.g., you can have up to 15 devices like tractors, vehicles, or handhelds operating on those frequencies. If you add more, you might need to update the license (file Form 601 with FCC, possibly via a coordinator). For durable gear: Look at Kenwood, Motorola, or Icom handhelds certified for Part 90 (e.g., Kenwood TK-3402U16P, ~$200-300). They're rugged, water-resistant, and match your tractors. Start with your license holder (maybe the farm owner) to confirm details before buying. If you want books/videos for basics, try "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies" or NotaRubicon's YouTube channel for no-BS explanations. Even bringing up the amateur service and amateur licensing is just confusing the issue. Amateur licensing is not needed nor is it legal or appropriate for farm / business use. *IF* the OP said "hey I want to get involved in radio communications as a hobby and learn more", then an amateur license would enter the conversation. .65 separation makes no sense, unless they've VHF, not UHF. Unless they're two low-power business channels or the like. For OP: Are the licensed frequencies 100-something (VHF), or 400-something(UHF)? Do you have a repeater? |
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Quoted: I’ve been busy this week, and haven’t been able to fully digest all the replies. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice. I just came in from my workshop where I have my radio set up. I've been out there for hours. I talked to a guy in Croatia who said he had to work tomorrow to the guy he was signing off from. I immediately called him when 73's were exchanged (goodbye). He was laughing as he came back to my call. "I just cant turn this thing off when conditions are this good!" 5000 miles apart and joking. I don't know what to tell you about "Farm Comms" that hasn't already been covered, but just dropped in to tell you that it's a very fun hobby. |
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Quoted: I just came in from my workshop where I have my radio set up. I've been out there for hours. I talked to a guy in Croatia who said he had to work tomorrow to the guy he was signing off from. I immediately called him when 73's were exchanged (goodbye). He was laughing as he came back to my call. "I just cant turn this thing off when conditions are this good!" 5000 miles apart and joking. I don't know what to tell you about "Farm Comms" that hasn't already been covered, but just dropped in to tell you that it's a very fun hobby. Quoted: Quoted: I’ve been busy this week, and haven’t been able to fully digest all the replies. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice. I just came in from my workshop where I have my radio set up. I've been out there for hours. I talked to a guy in Croatia who said he had to work tomorrow to the guy he was signing off from. I immediately called him when 73's were exchanged (goodbye). He was laughing as he came back to my call. "I just cant turn this thing off when conditions are this good!" 5000 miles apart and joking. I don't know what to tell you about "Farm Comms" that hasn't already been covered, but just dropped in to tell you that it's a very fun hobby. Amateur radio can be a lot of fun, if you like radios and the magic of propagation and all that. If you just care about farm radios and small unit comms for your boog guerrilla warfare operation it's a different conversation that doesn't really involve amateur radio. |
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Quoted: I just came in from my workshop where I have my radio set up. I've been out there for hours. I talked to a guy in Croatia who said he had to work tomorrow to the guy he was signing off from. I immediately called him when 73's were exchanged (goodbye). He was laughing as he came back to my call. "I just cant turn this thing off when conditions are this good!" 5000 miles apart and joking. I don't know what to tell you about "Farm Comms" that hasn't already been covered, but just dropped in to tell you that it's a very fun hobby. Was he bald? |
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Quoted: GD if you want people to make up shit. Quoted: Quoted: GMRS license for farm use. FRS if it's not very large (cheap walkies, no license required). HAM forum if you want to get triangulated and reported to the FCC for considering ordering a Baofeng without licking gov boots first. GD if you want people to make up shit. Attached File |
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Quoted: Part untrue, maybe entirely untrue. No Baofeng is Part 97 type accepted for amateur radio. Some baofengs are Part 90 type accepted, some are Part 95 type accepted for GMRS, some (many/most) are not type accepted at all and are "grey market" imports. I thought caring about type acceptance and licensing was verboten in General Discussion... Even bringing up the amateur service and amateur licensing is just confusing the issue. Amateur licensing is not needed nor is it legal or appropriate for farm / business use. *IF* the OP said "hey I want to get involved in radio communications as a hobby and learn more", then an amateur license would enter the conversation. .65 separation makes no sense, unless they've VHF, not UHF. Unless they're two low-power business channels or the like. For OP: Are the licensed frequencies 100-something (VHF), or 400-something(UHF)? Do you have a repeater? Quoted: Quoted: However, there's a big caveat: It's likely illegal to transmit with the Baofeng on your business UHF frequencies. The Baofeng is FCC-certified only for amateur (ham) radio use under Part 97 rules, not for business/industrial bands under Part 90. It lacks "type acceptance" for those services, meaning it might cause interference or not meet emission standards. Part untrue, maybe entirely untrue. No Baofeng is Part 97 type accepted for amateur radio. Some baofengs are Part 90 type accepted, some are Part 95 type accepted for GMRS, some (many/most) are not type accepted at all and are "grey market" imports. I thought caring about type acceptance and licensing was verboten in General Discussion... You could face fines if caught (though enforcement is rare for low-power private use). Receiving/listening is fine without issues. For legal compatibility, buy Part 90-certified handhelds like Kenwood NX-P500 or Motorola equivalents that match your existing setup—they'll plug right in without programming hassles. If you're just playing around with the cheap Amazon set (great for learning), stick to listening or get a ham license (study for Technician level via free apps like HamStudy, test costs ~$15) to transmit legally on amateur bands. For tactical gear, many use GMRS (requires a $35 FCC license, no test) or MURS (license-free but limited). Frequencies You're Allowed to Use Under your business license, you're restricted to the two specific frequencies listed—those are your allocated channels for farm operations. You can't just pick any UHF frequency; that's why licenses exist. If you need more channels or broader bands, you'd apply to the FCC (or a frequency coordinator) for amendments, which might involve fees and justification (e.g., "need for additional handhelds"). Generally, for unlicensed boring/farm stuff: FRS (Family Radio Service): 22 channels around 462-467 MHz, license-free, low power (up to 2W), great for short-range handheld use in vehicles or on foot. Cheap bubble-pack walkie-talkies use this. MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service): 5 channels around 151-154 MHz, license-free, up to 2W. For licensed: Your business UHF: Stick to your two freqs. GMRS: 30 channels in UHF, $35 license covers family, up to 50W on some, good for farms/tactical. Amateur (ham): VHF/UHF bands, requires license, flexible for experimentation. Check your exact frequencies on the FCC's ULS database (search by your call sign) to confirm details. License Details: Power, ERP, and Units Power output and maximum ERP (45.000): This is your max allowed transmitting strength. Power output is the raw watts from the radio (e.g., 5W handheld). ERP stands for Effective Radiated Power—it's the effective strength after accounting for antenna gain and losses (like cable attenuation). Yours is likely 45 watts ERP, meaning your setup (radio + antenna) can't exceed that in the direction of max gain. It ensures you don't interfere with others. For handhelds, you'll run much lower (1-5W) anyway. Units: 15: This refers to the number of authorized transmitters (radios) under the license—e.g., you can have up to 15 devices like tractors, vehicles, or handhelds operating on those frequencies. If you add more, you might need to update the license (file Form 601 with FCC, possibly via a coordinator). For durable gear: Look at Kenwood, Motorola, or Icom handhelds certified for Part 90 (e.g., Kenwood TK-3402U16P, ~$200-300). They're rugged, water-resistant, and match your tractors. Start with your license holder (maybe the farm owner) to confirm details before buying. If you want books/videos for basics, try "Two-Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies" or NotaRubicon's YouTube channel for no-BS explanations. Even bringing up the amateur service and amateur licensing is just confusing the issue. Amateur licensing is not needed nor is it legal or appropriate for farm / business use. *IF* the OP said "hey I want to get involved in radio communications as a hobby and learn more", then an amateur license would enter the conversation. .65 separation makes no sense, unless they've VHF, not UHF. Unless they're two low-power business channels or the like. For OP: Are the licensed frequencies 100-something (VHF), or 400-something(UHF)? Do you have a repeater? The frequencies are in the 400 range, and are 0.650 apart. No repeater. |
| Our farm includes land in an area contained in a triangle, whose sides are roughly 12 miles, 7 miles, and 7 miles. 3 miles is the biggest gap between pieces of land we own. If I were to set up a repeater system, how would that work? Our radios get pretty choppy at about 4-6 miles. Would I dedicate one of my two frequencies to the repeater channel, for longer range communication, and one for shorter? Does each repeater count as a device toward my “15 Unit” cap? Is it a device I can just sort of set on a tripod with a solar panel and battery and leave forever? |
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For a repeater you would need something tall, reasonably centrally located within the area you need to cover, if it's all relatively flat. If there is terrain then you have to work with the terrain. Grain elevator, or tower or whatever. You would have to add a repeater pair of frequencies to your license, for UHF they are 5MHz apart. You apparently have some mobile-only channels licensed now. Repeaters have a device called a duplexer that combines the two frequencies together for the repeater, the frequencies have to be far enough apart to make that work. 5MHz is the standard separation or "split" for UHF. |
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Quoted: For a repeater you would need something tall, reasonably centrally located within the area you need to cover, if it's all relatively flat. If there is terrain then you have to work with the terrain. Grain elevator, or tower or whatever. You would have to add a repeater pair of frequencies to your license, for UHF they are 5MHz apart. You apparently have some mobile-only channels licensed now. Repeaters have a device called a duplexer that combines the two frequencies together for the repeater, the frequencies have to be far enough apart to make that work. 5MHz is the standard separation or "split" for UHF. Okay, so a repeater would be a single central tower that serves my entire licensed region? In my mind it was like the signal fires in Lord of the Rings, passing the message from one post to the next. Thanks. Is there a physics reason for the 5 MHz offset, or a policy one? Is it easy to get that second frequency added? Or third, in my case. |
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Quoted: Some folks have mentioned triangulation. Is that something a potential opposition force can do with commercially available equipment? Quoted: Some folks have mentioned triangulation. Is that something a potential opposition force can do with commercially available equipment? I haven't seen any of it pushed out to local law enforcement, unless maybe miami/nyc/la though Quoted: Is there a physics reason for the 5 MHz offset, or a policy one? Essentially, that was the performance level of the hardware. As it improved, there became less need for voice bandwidth. |
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Quoted: Okay, so a repeater would be a single central tower that serves my entire licensed region? In my mind it was like the signal fires in Lord of the Rings, passing the message from one post to the next. Thanks. Going one to the next is what's typically called "mesh networking" and is done in some mil systems as well as unlicensed/ISM band stuff, but not typically done with land mobile equipment, at least in the US. Is there a physics reason for the 5 MHz offset, or a policy one? Is it easy to get that second frequency added? Or third, in my case. Both. 3MHz is possible within the limit of the physics of the duplexers, but 5MHz makes it easier. When the UHF bands started being used, the land mobile stuff for the most part was 450-470MHz, so it was convenient from a regulatory/policy standpoint to split it into two 10mhz sections of 5mhz split repeater pairs. In areas that have "T band" allocations, that is a 6MHz chunk of spectrum so those are 3MHz split repeater pairs. As far as "adding the frequency", it depends on what you are licensed for now. You don't just "add another frequency" to make a repeater in UHF typically; there are repeater pairs, and then there are some simplex/mobile only channels. It sounds like you have the latter, so would need to add a repeater pair. Quoted: Some folks have mentioned triangulation. Is that something a potential opposition force can do with commercially available equipment? Yes, it's not at the "trivial" level yet, but it's getting close. https://www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/krakensdr There are also folks that time synchronize receivers in different locations and can then geolocate a transmission by comparing the relative arrival times at the different receivers. If you are transmitting, and someone wants to find you, they can. With a little skill someone can triangulate your position with nothing more than a handheld radio and their own body (a map and compass helps), if you give them enough 5+ second transmissions. For less than you might think, someone can put up three receive sites and literally log every radio transmission over large parts of the radio spectrum on an ongoing basis, with every transmission geo-located. There are people doing that now and accumulating a database of all radio users in a particular area. Quoted: Easy for continuous transmission at a fixed location. Much more difficult for random, short, mobile transmissions. In traditional direction finding practice, yes, short transmissions made it much more difficult. With the current technology, if someone is doing the multisite TDOA stuff, you're located from any key-up, no matter how short. Mobile transmissions are just giving your opposition your traffic pattern. |