2-way Radios

[leeawalden]

Ok here is what I'm looking at buying. I've still have some
Motorolas I bought about 15 years ago and they still work but have a 2 mile range which was big time'in when I bought them.

http://m.motorolasolutions.com/JSE/...onsumers/MT352R_Talkabout_Two-Way-Radio_US-EN

Would they really be better than these standard horizon VHF/marine radios I have? I know they have more power output but don't know about using them over land. I thought VHF frequenccy radios only are legal marine setting?

 

[p m]

I don't know the rules for marine and aviation radios.
Technically, using FRS/GMRS radios requires license for which you need to pay about $85 or so - in this respect, ham license is free.
Stepping aside the license issues, you can buy this starting at $35 apiece, and it has to be better than FRS thing. More power, better receiver, better antenna, and you can still use it in FRS/GMRS band (legally, up to 0.5W on FRS frequencies).

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Peter, that's not entirely correct. FRS requires no license, but it's limited to radios that are certified for FRS use by the FCC, i.e. a radio that has .5 watts and a stubby antenna that can't be removed.

GMRS has slightly more relaxed rules, but does require the license and fee.

 

[nosivad_bor]

I wish people cared about our traffic and speeding rules as much as the HAM Nazi's care about their radio rules.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Well Rob, if you made the drivers license exam as difficult as the Amateur Extra exam, the road would be perfectly safe.

 

[p m]

Peter, that's not entirely correct. FRS requires no license, but it's limited to radios that are certified for FRS use by the FCC, i.e. a radio that has .5 watts and a stubby antenna that can't be removed.
GMRS has slightly more relaxed rules, but does require the license and fee.

All true, I didn't want to make it sound complicated.

Rob - I think the ham band use restrictions are the knee-jerk government reaction to relative RF freedom in the 60s. The urge for immediate communication is well-cared for nowadays, so the ham bands are not very crowded; and to pass the test for a Tech license seems to be as easy as firearm safety test. Cost the same, too.

 

[p m]

Well Rob, if you made the drivers license exam as difficult as the Amateur Extra exam, the road would be perfectly safe.

Ham tests don't have a practical-driving part, though.

 

[nosivad_bor]

All true, I didn't want to make it sound complicated.

Rob - I think the ham band use restrictions are the knee-jerk government reaction to relative RF freedom in the 60s. The urge for immediate communication is well-cared for nowadays, so the ham bands are not very crowded; and to pass the test for a Tech license seems to be as easy as firearm safety test. Cost the same, too.

What firearm safety test?

 

[p m]

the one one needs to take at a gun show in CA to procure a handgun.

 

[pdogg]

Interesting bunch of mis-information being slung around here.. it's all UHF and VHF frequencies folks.. whatever name you want to put on it, FRS GMRS etc.. these all play in the same 70cm space.

the limiting factor is power and antenna like has been stated before. Listen to guys like Frank (Mongo).. he knows what he's talking about..

N2FWD
general class

 

[p m]

Interesting bunch of mis-information being slung around here.. it's all UHV and VHF frequencies folks.. whatever name you want to put on it, FRS GMRS etc.. these all play in the same 70cm pace.

Care to clarify what was a misinformation?

 

[Mike_Rupp]

Interesting bunch of mis-information being slung around here.. it's all UHV and VHF frequencies folks.. whatever name you want to put on it, FRS GMRS etc.. these all play in the same 70cm pace.

the limiting factor is power and antenna like has been stated before. Listen to guys like Frank (Mongo).. he knows what he's talking about..

N2FWD
general class

Please. First off, WTF is the 70cm pace? Did you mean the 70cm band? Also, I assume that you meant to write UHF not UHV.

Second: the 2 meter band is VHF, the 70cm band is UHF, got it? FRS & GMRS are UHF radios.

WZ7V
Amateur Extra

 

[pdogg]

Please. First off, WTF is the 70cm pace? Did you mean the 70cm band? Also, I assume that you meant to write UHF not UHV.

Second: the 2 meter band is VHF, the 70cm band is UHF, got it? FRS & GMRS are UHF radios.

WZ7V
Amateur Extra

yeah sorry for my fat fingers, dude.. I edited my post..

 

[pdogg]

Care to clarify what was a misinformation?

well for starters:

"Technically, using FRS/GMRS radios requires license for which you need to pay about $85 or so - in this respect, ham license is free."

 

[p m]

well for starters:

"Technically, using FRS/GMRS radios requires license for which you need to pay about $85 or so - in this respect, ham license is free."

That really qualifies as a bunch of mis-information.
When was the last time you saw non-GMRS-capable FRS walkie-talkie?

Wikipedia:

Hybrid FRS/GMRS consumer radios have been introduced that have 22 channels. Many of these radios have been certified for unlicensed operation (on the 7 FRS frequencies, channels 8-14) under FRS rules.[1]

The FCC rules and statements regarding the use of hybrid radios on channels 1-7 stipulate the need for a GMRS license when operating under the rules that apply to the GMRS.

Guess you may need a further hair-splitting: you can use FRS/GMRS walkie-talkie in FRS channels without a license. You are limited to 500mW of output power, a two-inch antenna, and you have to remember which channels in your walkie-talkie allow you to operate without a license (or, most likely, you'd disregard this as do millions of FRS/GMRS walkie-talkie suckers).

 

[varova87]

to the OP, considered GPS? Sounds like it would solve all of your problems, save you going out and getting hurt and having a way to communicate back. Which, depending on your risk factor, is a deal breaker, but maybe not.