[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Radio comms (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/10/2014 7:56:51 AM EDT
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I'd like to get a set of 2-4 radios that work up to a mile away from each other and aren't pieces of shit. Got any recommendations? |
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HAM
if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. |
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. This ^ |
Another vote for ham. Get everyone to get their tech ticket and a handful of inexpensive handhelds will do what you want. I'd say Baofeng but someone will jump on me about it.  (They're fine radios for what they are. There are many better, but you're going to pay for 'em.)
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I'd like to get a set of 2-4 radios that work up to a mile away from each other and aren't pieces of shit. Got any recommendations? CLICK ME NOW Your welcome. /Thread |
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Google FRS/GMRS radios. plenty on Amazon, Best Buy, etc. As long as you operate them on the FRS channels only, no license required. The FCC has proposed doing away with GMRS licensiing, but it's not approved yet.
Here's a link to the FCC page. |
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. Then go to Dicks/Walmart/BassPro/wherever and pick up a couple of the blister packs of Talkabout FRS radios. They're damn near disposable and they might reach a mile if things are favorable. |
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. |
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There are legal aspects to everything but the bottom line is, if Katrina roles through and you use a radio to protect/save life you are in the clear. With that said basic radios fundamentals have a small learning curve. With a week of study and $15 you can practically apply your "range tests" whenever you want.
If it isn't for emergency use or in a place that doesn't cell coverage just use a cell phone. However if there is an objection to either of the above situations amateur radio is the best option. |
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Then go to Dicks/Walmart/BassPro/wherever and pick up a couple of the blister packs of Talkabout FRS radios. They're damn near disposable and they might reach a mile if things are favorable. Quoted:
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. Then go to Dicks/Walmart/BassPro/wherever and pick up a couple of the blister packs of Talkabout FRS radios. They're damn near disposable and they might reach a mile if things are favorable. Yeah, If you are on top of a mountain without trees or other obstructions, during a full moon, with favorable winds....then maybe. |
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GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. Quoted:
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. i thought it was 50 but i couldn't find anything concrete since i first bought a license a while back, only "up to 5 watts" but that is the limit on the FRS/GMRS shared channels. OP, we need more details, are these people family, your immediate family can all operate under your license on GMRS and theres no test. do you need mobile capability or base stations. are we talking about keeping up comms with neighbors post hurricane/tornado/earthquake? |
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio |
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Google FRS/GMRS radios. plenty on Amazon, Best Buy, etc. As long as you operate them on the FRS channels only, no license required. The FCC has proposed doing away with GMRS licensiing, but it's not approved yet. Here's a link to the FCC page. Umm using HAM radios on FRS is illegal. Not only are the radios not authorized on those frequencies, but even on low power they put out 100% power than is legally allowed for FRS (not to mention the removable antenna). If the OP doesn't want to take the test, then I'd tell him to go buy some GRMS radios, send in his license fee, and hope for the best. |
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. |
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Umm using HAM radios on FRS is illegal. Not only are the radios not authorized on those frequencies, but even on low power they put out 100% power than is legally allowed for FRS (not to mention the removable antenna). If the OP doesn't want to take the test, then I'd tell him to go buy some GRMS radios, send in his license fee, and hope for the best. Quoted:
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Google FRS/GMRS radios. plenty on Amazon, Best Buy, etc. As long as you operate them on the FRS channels only, no license required. The FCC has proposed doing away with GMRS licensiing, but it's not approved yet. Here's a link to the FCC page. Umm using HAM radios on FRS is illegal. Not only are the radios not authorized on those frequencies, but even on low power they put out 100% power than is legally allowed for FRS (not to mention the removable antenna). If the OP doesn't want to take the test, then I'd tell him to go buy some GRMS radios, send in his license fee, and hope for the best. Where does it say ham in my post? |
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You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. Quoted:
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. |
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His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. Quoted:
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. He said "no test" - a GRMS license doesn't require a test - just a check (and the license covers the entire family). The GRMS on GRMS channels should do a mile reliably, on FRS it's hit-or-miss depending on terrain/buildings/trees. |
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His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. Quoted:
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. He said "No test". GMRS license is a fee only, no test. One license good for the entire family. ETA: Beat by 1:13. |
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He said "No test". GMRS license is a fee only, no test. One license good for the entire family. Quoted:
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I don't want to take a test or have other people take a test. I want to hand them a radio. http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-HH-38-WX-ST/dp/B00004TKVD/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1402434929&sr=8-15&keywords=cb+radio You are NOT getting 4 miles with that using the given antenna in most terrain. Even 1 mile is pushing it with the rubber ducky antenna and anything but open, level ground. His requirement of no licensing seemed to take precedence. Options are limited in that situation. He said "No test". GMRS license is a fee only, no test. One license good for the entire family. Maybe. He also didn't specify who else would be using the radios. If they aren't his family then that doesn't work either unless those people get their own licenses. Nobody has mentioned MURS yet. |
| I'd still consider getting a ham radio tech license. This is because it sounds like you're in an area without cell service or anticipate that, that's probably why you want the radios. And so lets say one of your friends on the gmrs radio calls for help, you hear him, now what? You are all out of range of anything that can hear you. At least with the tech license you can also carry a portable radio that can most likely hit a local repeater and have a chance at reaching someone. |
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Not as easy to get, limited channels, and less power than GRMS. Quoted:
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Nobody has mentioned MURS yet. Not as easy to get, limited channels, and less power than GRMS. easy to get (just buy them) limited channels but limited interference also less power but better propagation depending on terrain |
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. This... Understanding that pretty much any handheld will be line of site affair (radio waves can go through walls, but not hills sort of thing). If you don't want a license GMRS should generally be able to a mile. More if you have decent LOS. |
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GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. Quoted:
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. Power has very little utility when it comes to the types of VHF comms we are concerned with. Its pretty much all about terrain and line of sight. Sure 50W vs 5W will get you a little further, but not 10x further. |
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Not as easy to get, limited channels, and less power than GRMS. Quoted:
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Nobody has mentioned MURS yet. Not as easy to get, limited channels, and less power than GRMS. I'm glad you're in this thread to shoot down every idea but to offer none of your own 
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Power has very little utility when it comes to the types of VHF comms we are concerned with. Its pretty much all about terrain and line of sight. Sure 50W vs 5W will get you a little further, but not 10x further. Quoted:
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. Power has very little utility when it comes to the types of VHF comms we are concerned with. Its pretty much all about terrain and line of sight. Sure 50W vs 5W will get you a little further, but not 10x further. Antennas are also key - and GRMS allows you to legally change antennas. |
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I'm glad you're in this thread to shoot down every idea but to offer none of your own Quoted:
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Nobody has mentioned MURS yet. Not as easy to get, limited channels, and less power than GRMS. I'm glad you're in this thread to shoot down every idea but to offer none of your own I have offered ideas, why don't you try reading more and commenting less? |
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What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Quoted:
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easy to get (just buy them) What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Baofeng uv5 done 30$ |
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Baofeng uv5 done 30$ Quoted:
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easy to get (just buy them) What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Baofeng uv5 done 30$ Yeah we covered that, OP doesn't want to get a ticket. 
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Yeah we covered that, OP doesn't want to get a ticket. Quoted:
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easy to get (just buy them) What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Baofeng uv5 done 30$ Yeah we covered that, OP doesn't want to get a ticket. Why would one get a ticket when using the low power 1w setting on murs freq ? |
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Antennas are also key - and GRMS allows you to legally change antennas. Quoted:
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HAM if you don't want to take a test to get licensed, you could get a GMRS license and some quality radios that will let you tx at up to 5 watts. A GMRS license allows you and any immediate family to operate under the license. the higher end motorola et al. radios that advertise the 25-30 mile range (mountain top to mountain top) will generally do 1 mile of relatively clear flat ground. hills and trees will reduce that range. GMRS has a 50 watt limit and can use repeaters but you won't find that much power in a handheld. Power has very little utility when it comes to the types of VHF comms we are concerned with. Its pretty much all about terrain and line of sight. Sure 50W vs 5W will get you a little further, but not 10x further. Antennas are also key - and GRMS allows you to legally change antennas. Yup... I know... But realistically, its ALL about terrain in the UHF portion of the spectrum. 1 mile with a big hill in between, 50W vs 5W won't help you a bit. |
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What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Quoted:
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easy to get (just buy them) What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. true but for ~5 you're getting a much better radio as well http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-RMM2050--Site-Two-Way-Business/dp/B00EAHGL5W/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1402436933&sr=1-14&keywords=murs+radio |
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Why would one get a ticket when using the low power 1w setting on murs freq ? Quoted:
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easy to get (just buy them) What I'm saying is most local stores don't carry them, and for their price one could afford enough GRMS radios to outfit a fire team. Baofeng uv5 done 30$ Yeah we covered that, OP doesn't want to get a ticket. Why would one get a ticket when using the low power 1w setting on murs freq ? baofengs (and ham radios in general) are not "type classified" to work on GMR/FRS freqs by the FCC. |
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Yup... I know... But realistically, its ALL about terrain in the UHF portion of the spectrum. 1 mile with a big hill in between, 50W vs 5W won't help you a bit. True yup - without knowing WHERE the OP wants to use them we're all pissing in the wind
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Why would one get a ticket when using the low power 1w setting on murs freq ? Because advocating an illegal act is a violation of the CoC? Not to mention he'd have to program in the frequencies and it sounds like the OP want's an idiot proof radio as he plans to hand them out. |
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Thanks! Got 4 of them plus some accessories. |
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Thanks! Got 4 of them plus some accessories. Quoted:
Thanks! Got 4 of them plus some accessories. 
what service are you using them under - what freqs... etc etc etc |
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Thanks! Got 4 of them plus some accessories. Quoted:
Thanks! Got 4 of them plus some accessories. What freq do you plan on using them on? |
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Because advocating an illegal act is a violation of the CoC? Not to mention he'd have to program in the frequencies and it sounds like the OP want's an idiot proof radio as he plans to hand them out. Quoted:
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Why would one get a ticket when using the low power 1w setting on murs freq ? Because advocating an illegal act is a violation of the CoC? Not to mention he'd have to program in the frequencies and it sounds like the OP want's an idiot proof radio as he plans to hand them out. 
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Quoted: http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120826133048/ponymondawndusk/images/b/b0/Oh-boy-here-we-go.jpg what service are you using them under - what freqs... etc etc etc Quoted: http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120826133048/ponymondawndusk/images/b/b0/Oh-boy-here-we-go.jpg what service are you using them under - what freqs... etc etc etc Wiki says i can use the freqs listed at 2 watts and under. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-Use_Radio_Service |