2-way radios. Need recommendation.

[FireInTheWire]

OK, so after walking 2 miles in the dark with a no service cell phone and a 19x, I told the wife we should invest in some good 2-ways. I have a couple cheaper sets that the kids beat the hell outta.

I don't need much range about 4miles. Problem is terrain is very undulating. I was only 2 miles from house in the creek and the cheap radio got me nothing.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I prefer ya'lls knowledge opposed to reviews.

 

[V-Tach]

Going to be tough to find radios to fill the bill that don't require licensing......

A couple of shows on the tube have people using them miles away from each other and as most things on tv...not the way it is in the real world....

 

[Younggun]

Unless there had been some recent and major advancements, I don’t think any of them will help you without line of site or a repeater on a hill with LoS to both radios.

Dirt between you and the other radio is going to absorb most signals, especially anything in the ghz band, 1.2, 2.4, 5.8. All things equal, a lower frequency will travel further. But it’s still not gonna transmit through hills of dirt/rock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FireInTheWire]

OK... so let me ask ya this. Would a repeater need much power? Would solar be enough? Or small wind generator.

 

[V-Tach]

I know it's way over kill, but a sat phone will do what you want.......My son called me on his phone from from a fishing boat off the coast of Belize last month......

 

[FireInTheWire]

I know it's way over kill, but a sat phone will do what you want.......My son called me on his phone from from a fishing boat off the coast of Belize last month......

Hmm... I'll check into them.

 

[EZ-E]

Ive heard good things about the Rhinos from Garmin.
They also have GPS tracking.

Pinpoint Your Position
With its high-sensitivity dual GPS/GLONASS receiver and quad helix antenna, Rino 700 quickly finds your position and maintains it — even in heavy cover, deep canyons or remote, off-the-grid locations. The device includes a worldwide basemap plus comprehensive navigation and tracking features to help guide you on or off the beaten path.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/search/?query=rhino

 

[ZX9RCAM]

OK, so after walking 2 miles in the dark with a no service cell phone and a 19x, I told the wife we should invest in some good 2-ways. I have a couple cheaper sets that the kids beat the hell outta.

I don't need much range about 4miles. Problem is terrain is very undulating. I was only 2 miles from house in the creek and the cheap radio got me nothing.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I prefer ya'lls knowledge opposed to reviews.

I was wondering about this.....

 

[toddnjoyce]

OK... so let me ask ya this. Would a repeater need much power? Would solar be enough? Or small wind generator.

ETA: look at a SPOT Gen 3 or similar such as Garmin InReach. Cheaper and easier. https://www.satphonestore.com/solutions/exploration/hiking/personal-tracking.html

You are looking for a GMRS repeater capable handheld radio. You need one, wife needs one, and a tower needs one. That tower could be a flagpole if it’s high enough. The key to tower height is line of sight from your most obstructed location. Alternatively, you could remote an antenna on top of the tower and power the radio (handheld or base) by battery or AC at the bottom of the tower, but there could be line loss between the antenna and radio.

Most are rechargeable batteries and there are some solar recharge options.

I believe you will need an FCC GMRS license.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Would it help to have a "base station" antenna at home?
What about portable CB radio?

ETA: Looks like I was Ninja'd, kinda.

 

[FireInTheWire]

I was wondering about this.....

Bad part was... I 86'ed a rattlesnake about 20mins before getting vertical.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Bad part was... I 86'ed a rattlesnake about 20mins before getting vertical.

Before getting vertical?

Does that mean you were lying on the ground?

 

[FireInTheWire]

I'm sure a metal home doesn't help with the signal either.

 

[FireInTheWire]

Before getting vertical?

Does that mean you were lying on the ground?

SXS is 75" inchs wide. With it on it's side... looks vertical to me. Lol

 

[ZX9RCAM]

SXS is 75" inchs wide. With it on it's side... looks vertical to me. Lol

Ah, I thought you meant before you got yourself vertical.

 

[satx78247]

OK, so after walking 2 miles in the dark with a no service cell phone and a 19x, I told the wife we should invest in some good 2-ways. I have a couple cheaper sets that the kids beat the hell outta.

I don't need much range about 4miles. Problem is terrain is very undulating. I was only 2 miles from house in the creek and the cheap radio got me nothing.

Can someone point me in the right direction? I prefer ya'lls knowledge opposed to reviews.

FireInTheWire,

I would suggest that you & your wife get licensed as TECHNICIAN CLASS Ham Operators.
(The test is so easy that we've had 8YO children pass the test. - The test & license from the FCC is free.)

Then buy yourself a pair of quality TWO METER handheld radios & you should be FINE.
(IMO, the BEST 2-Meter radios are CONVERTED Industrial radios. - I have 3 MOTOROLA handhelds, that I paid 50.oo each for, that are 3 decades old & "you can't kill 'em".)

GMRS is also OK, provided that there is at least one GOOD repeater in your area. - GMRS requires NO test but you must be licensed & pay a fee to the FCC for the license.
(IF you decide on GMRS, make sure to buy commercial/industrial quality radios. - NONE of the "cheap" radios that you see at the discount stores are more than toys, imvho.)

Note: IF you want essentially "private communication" with your wife & there is a good 222MHZ repeater in your area, you will find that you will have "little or no company".
(My lady & I are "On the 223.820 & 224.380 machines" & we seldom even hear anyone else on those 2 local repeaters.)

yours, satx

 

[Vaquero]

Ask that other guy that we both know.

 

[toddnjoyce]

I'm sure a metal home doesn't help with the signal either.

It doesn’t. That’s part of what the Spot or similar will overcome. The other part is you’re not tied to your repeater location. If you can see the sky, it works.

And it’s voiceless, so you don’t have to deal with the person on the other end reminding you about your predicament. You also have the option to go straight to a 911 service provider with you specific coordinates.

 

[FireInTheWire]

Ask that other guy that we both know.

I was going to pick his brain next chance we cross paths.

 

[FireInTheWire]

Thanks ya'll.... homework time.