Posted: 2/11/2013 11:46:46 AM EDT
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I'm not sure if this is the right place, but I hope so. I tried searching but came up empty. I have a couple questions about radios, here is what started everything today.
Last night a friend and I went hunting. We went to two separate locations, one looking over a pond and the field, and one just looking over the L shaped field. There were a few times when I needed to contact him and he needed to contact me. So the topic on the ride back home was getting radios. I started searching today for some handheld, two way radios. I've run into some problems. I don't want to buy the crap, from Academy, that will turn to junk after 3-4 trips. After using Motorola radios for work (don't know the model number) I decided those are what we need. Did some searches on ebay, found a lot of good radios, but don't have the faintest clue on which ones would be well suited for our needs. We are wanting something that can be used, in conjunction, with a headset of some sort. So, my first question is, Which would be a good radio for us to use? Now after searching and watching some videos on youtube. I keep seeing something about an "amateur radio license". Is this something we have to get, just to use our radios? I'm lost. Any help would be greatly appreciated, I know nothing about this sort of thing. |
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Yes both of you will have to get ham lic to use anything better then frs junk. its cheep and easy to get your lic and it let's you use a lot better radios. Also if you get your lic check ebay for baofang ur5 radios I have 2 and they work real good just get a better attena then the rubber dick that they come with about $10-15 for the attenas and about $50 per radio.
Edit to add You will need a tec ham lic. down load the study guide for free and find a test site they will charge yopu $15 to take the test |
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Last night a friend and I went hunting. We went to two separate locations, one looking over a pond and the field, and one just looking over the L shaped field. There were a few times when I needed to contact him and he needed to contact me.
What kind of distances are we talking about? |
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Quoted:
Last night a friend and I went hunting. We went to two separate locations, one looking over a pond and the field, and one just looking over the L shaped field. There were a few times when I needed to contact him and he needed to contact me.
What kind of distances are we talking about? Well last night, we were roughly 1300 yards apart. |
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Well last night, we were roughly 1300 yards apart.
Less than a mile then. 2 meter amateur handhelds should work, but there is a license-free radio service that should also work: Multi-Use Radio Service And Motorola does make MURS handhelds... |
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Quoted:
Well last night, we were roughly 1300 yards apart.
Less than a mile then. 2 meter amateur handhelds should work, but there is a license-free radio service that should also work: Multi-Use Radio Service And Motorola does make MURS handhelds... Ok, will a Motorola CP110 be a good choice? |
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Ok, will a Motorola CP110 be a good choice?
It looks like suitable models are available (I have no affiliation with this vendor): Motorola CP110 2Ch 2 Watt VHF MURS Band Portable Motorola CP110 8Ch 2 Watt VHF MURS Band Portable |
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http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_22/663355_GMRS_FRS_radios.html&page=1#i11331579
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_18/663501_2_way_radios.html&page=1#i11334755 Two slightly different scenarios above with similar answers. A somewhat decent handheld radio can be had for roughly $50, add in a programming cable and a little research/online help and you'd be ready to go for about $100 for two radios set up for the no-license MURS service. Later on if you decide to add GMRS you can, or even if you get amateur licenses, just add programming. The bubble pack FRS radios are generally junk. Read a test report a few years back where several models were tested and the large majority of them were putting out less than half of the pipsqueak 1/2 watt they're allowed to. Even with the 2 watt limitation on MURS, you'll do much better than the 150 milliwatts some of the FRS radios run, as well as more improvement from having better receivers. |
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A somewhat decent handheld radio can be had for roughly $50, add in a programming cable and a little research/online help and you'd be ready to go for about $100 for two radios set up for the no-license MURS service. Later on if you decide to add GMRS you can, or even if you get amateur licenses, just add programming.
I hope you aren't suggesting the use of part 90 radios on MURS or GMRS (part 95) frequencies. 
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I know MURS has been suggested because it is license free…cost wise however your best bet is one of the Chinese models (most use a Kenwood headset) for around $50 (depending on where you buy) a pop. Add the $15 ham license and maybe a $15 antenna. All together you'd be spending about $80 per radio (minus your choice of headset)…which isn't bad at all. Just looked at the MURS compliant Moto's and they seemed to be around the $170 and up per radio. There are also some good amateur options (but have roughly 200+ channels) for around $150 a piece. You'd also be able to run mobile setups…I'll start ranting about all the fun I have with my radios if I don't stop here.
If your interested in the amateur radios, the HT Thread is a good place to see what radios some of us like to use. |
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We use FRS when hunting and it is great unless someone gets into a deep hole or canyon...but you might want to check you state hunting rules. IIRC, radios are illegal to use for hunting in Kansas.
We also use earphones so the animals can't hear us squawking. We don't really use them for actual hunting, but they are great so you know where everybody is and who has already covered which area. |
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I'd vote that you go for the ham license.. My reasoning:
You'll gain an understanding of the how's & why's radios work and more so.. how come in some instances they don't work! It's not rocket science... there's 8 year old kids that have passed the test. I know this as I was one of the examiners that passed them. The license gives you room to learn by experimentation what will work best for you, in your area and terrain. A local ham club will have folks that will answer your questions & help you with setting up your gear. PLUS.. you might just find the hobby is a helluva lotta fun!...I did... FN.. Amateur Extra.. Instructor & VE |