2-way radios. Need recommendation.

[satx78247]

The only problem with commercial radios is you have to pay to get them programmed and you are limited to whatever channels are programmed in.

avvidclif,

Given that there are only a FEW GMRS frequencies available & "around here" there are also only a dozen or so 440 "machines", I don't see that as a real problem.
(My Motorola radios were programmed by a local ham, who is also a Motorola dealer & for FREE.)

It's been my experience that one a person is licensed for GMRS and/or Ham radio, is that there are LOTS of helpful folks, who will assist a newbie to "get on the air".
(My "Elmer" is "Promoted to Eternal Glory" now but he helped me a GREAT deal when I was a new ham.)

yours, satx

 

[kbaxter60]

A mobile rig with a good antenna and 50 watts would do better.

No argument there. Still, that makes for a less-than-handie-talkie.

 

[Younggun]

Plenty handy mounted in a side by side. Assuming the antenna doesn’t somehow end up pressed against the ground.


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[ZX9RCAM]

Plenty handy mounted in a side by side. Assuming the antenna doesn’t somehow end up pressed against the ground.


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But, how could that happen?

 

[kbaxter60]

Plenty handy mounted in a side by side.

Try it with the belt clip for an afternoon.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Try it with the belt clip for an afternoon.

The radio is basically for emergency purposes only.
He'll just store it in the 4x4 to have if needed.

 

[deemus]

I bought some Midland handheld radios for around $60 for a pair that allegedly have a 32 mile range. Should be good for 4 miles or under. Academy.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/midland-x-talker-t61vp3-2-way-radios-2-pack#repChildCatid=1598072

 

[pronstar]

We ran “race radios” (Rugged or Kenwood) that were UHF/VHF when we were running off-road in the desert.

Car-to-car gives you 50+ watts of power, plenty to cover miles and miles.

Handhelds are limited to 5-ish watts...their claims of 30 miles aren’t really something you’re gonna see in the real world from handheld-to-handheld.

But you can sort of approach that, in optimal conditions, if you’re communicating with a base station or in-car setup.




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[no2gates]

I bought some Midland handheld radios for around $60 for a pair that allegedly have a 32 mile range. Should be good for 4 miles or under. Academy.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/midland-x-talker-t61vp3-2-way-radios-2-pack#repChildCatid=1598072

Hell, in space they are good for thousands of miles...

32 mile range would be from the top of a 4000 ft. mountain to another 4000 ft. mountain 32 miles away with no hills between. That is a "theoretical" distance. In a normal situation, you'd be really lucky to get 1 mile.
The FRS band is very line-of-sight.

 

[Younggun]

Hell, in space they are good for thousands of miles...

32 mile range would be from the top of a 4000 ft. mountain to another 4000 ft. mountain 32 miles away with no hills between. That is a "theoretical" distance. In a normal situation, you'd be really lucky to get 1 mile.
The FRS band is very line-of-sight.

Voyager 1 is transmitting about 7billion miles on 23watts.


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[avvidclif]

avvidclif,

Given that there are only a FEW GMRS frequencies available & "around here" there are also only a dozen or so 440 "machines", I don't see that as a real problem.
(My Motorola radios were programmed by a local ham, who is also a Motorola dealer & for FREE.)

It's been my experience that one a person is licensed for GMRS and/or Ham radio, is that there are LOTS of helpful folks, who will assist a newbie to "get on the air".
(My "Elmer" is "Promoted to Eternal Glory" now but he helped me a GREAT deal when I was a new ham.)

yours, satx

Try traveling sometime.

 

[TxStetson]

I still think the CB base station and a mobile in the SxS is the way to go.

 

[jordanmills]

I bought some Midland handheld radios for around $60 for a pair that allegedly have a 32 mile range. Should be good for 4 miles or under. Academy.

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/midland-x-talker-t61vp3-2-way-radios-2-pack#repChildCatid=1598072

Basically all "blister pack" radios are cheap crap.

 

[FireInTheWire]

Plenty handy mounted in a side by side. Assuming the antenna doesn’t somehow end up pressed against the ground.


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[FireInTheWire]

But, how could that happen?

 

[Younggun]

Heh, you knew it wouldn’t be forgotten so quickly.


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[FireInTheWire]

Heh, you knew it wouldn’t be forgotten so quickly.


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I was kinda disappointed in the fact... guys from work asked if everyone was OK. Like I'd ride with my family like that. Kids we're passed out and wife was working on pictures. I had to go out and be 21 again.

 

[Dad_Roman]

.....and theres yer sign.


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[majormadmax]

Hell, in space they are good for thousands of miles...

32 mile range would be from the top of a 4000 ft. mountain to another 4000 ft. mountain 32 miles away with no hills between. That is a "theoretical" distance. In a normal situation, you'd be really lucky to get 1 mile.
The FRS band is very line-of-sight.

Concur, based on firsthand experience. We picked up a couple of these for a work trip so we could more easily communicate while driving. Honestly, if you're not in line-of-sight, you're not going to be able to hear each other. We ended up taking them back...

 

[TheDan]

“race radios” (Rugged or Kenwood)

Kenwoods are great, but don't buy the Rugged brand. They are cheap Chinese radios that they slap their logo on and then mark up 400%.