Portable handheld radios

ktmrfs wrote:

McIntraveler wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

McIntraveler wrote:
This is a topical topic for me. We're in the market for a radio setup that will allow us to talk between the car and truck while traveling and that is small enough that they can be used to communicate while backing into spots. Reading this thread, it seems like GMRS radios are the way to go over PRS because of increased transmit power. Couple of questions:

Any brand suggestions?

I see distance ratings for various radios. Do I really need a 36 mile or do something like the 20 mile radios suffice?

Does everyone really get a license for these things or will simply behaving and not acting like clowns keep me out of trouble?

Thanks.

20 or 30 mile range is virtually impossible in all reality with GMRS radios. the fine print for that range is if you are on top of a mountain, and the other radio is on flat ground with NO obstructions and clear line of sight. you can't even get 20 miles if you are on flat clear ground.

In reality expect maybe a mile or few miles in clear unobstructed terrain, and well under a mile in dense trees and uneven terrain.

We run the Standard Horizon 1,2,5W units using the MURS channels which don't need a license for 2W or below. and also have other channels programmed to use local repeaters. 5 miles is probably the best range we have ever got with a good antenna.

I've used the GMRS radios available at most big box stores etc. and they are ok. if you want waterproof, or rugged, or good mic, or better antenna, or lapel mic, or headset or long battery life the standard horizon radios are IMHO a very good choice. No, they aren't inexpensive, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. and they can be programmed for various frequencies and have the weather channels as well.

We have the set up either for handheld use or coupled to a boom mic and ear speakers in all our riding groups helmets. great for communication. then we also use them when camping as handhelds.

Those do look nice. Thanks for the tip. They're not givin' them away, are they? MURS is interesting.

nope, they don't give them away. occasionally they show up on ebay, but beware, lots of them have been used by construction companies etc. and suffered heavy use and may not be in great shape.

If all you need is something to use around the campground in good weather, or for spotting when your backing in, they are overkill. But if you want a rugged versitile radio that will take huge amounts of abuse and hold up and run all day on one battery charge, then they are a good fit. they also seem to have more range when used between vehicles on the highway than the other radio's I've tried.

I have some HX370 that are around 10 years old, no longer sold, and the HX400, it's replacement.

I'm thinking that if I want this whole 'following me down the road' thing to work out with the wife, I maybe should get good radios. Waterproof has got to be a good thing.

McIntraveler wrote:

ktmrfs wrote:

McIntraveler wrote:
This is a topical topic for me. We're in the market for a radio setup that will allow us to talk between the car and truck while traveling and that is small enough that they can be used to communicate while backing into spots. Reading this thread, it seems like GMRS radios are the way to go over PRS because of increased transmit power. Couple of questions:

Any brand suggestions?

I see distance ratings for various radios. Do I really need a 36 mile or do something like the 20 mile radios suffice?

Does everyone really get a license for these things or will simply behaving and not acting like clowns keep me out of trouble?

Thanks.

20 or 30 mile range is virtually impossible in all reality with GMRS radios. the fine print for that range is if you are on top of a mountain, and the other radio is on flat ground with NO obstructions and clear line of sight. you can't even get 20 miles if you are on flat clear ground.

In reality expect maybe a mile or few miles in clear unobstructed terrain, and well under a mile in dense trees and uneven terrain.

We run the Standard Horizon 1,2,5W units using the MURS channels which don't need a license for 2W or below. and also have other channels programmed to use local repeaters. 5 miles is probably the best range we have ever got with a good antenna.

I've used the GMRS radios available at most big box stores etc. and they are ok. if you want waterproof, or rugged, or good mic, or better antenna, or lapel mic, or headset or long battery life the standard horizon radios are IMHO a very good choice. No, they aren't inexpensive, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. and they can be programmed for various frequencies and have the weather channels as well.

We have the set up either for handheld use or coupled to a boom mic and ear speakers in all our riding groups helmets. great for communication. then we also use them when camping as handhelds.

Those do look nice. Thanks for the tip. They're not givin' them away, are they? MURS is interesting.

nope, they don't give them away. occasionally they show up on ebay, but beware, lots of them have been used by construction companies etc. and suffered heavy use and may not be in great shape.

If all you need is something to use around the campground in good weather, or for spotting when your backing in, they are overkill. But if you want a rugged versitile radio that will take huge amounts of abuse and hold up and run all day on one battery charge, then they are a good fit. they also seem to have more range when used between vehicles on the highway than the other radio's I've tried.

I have some HX370 that are around 10 years old, no longer sold, and the HX400, it's replacement.

ktmrfs wrote:

McIntraveler wrote:
This is a topical topic for me. We're in the market for a radio setup that will allow us to talk between the car and truck while traveling and that is small enough that they can be used to communicate while backing into spots. Reading this thread, it seems like GMRS radios are the way to go over PRS because of increased transmit power. Couple of questions:

Any brand suggestions?

I see distance ratings for various radios. Do I really need a 36 mile or do something like the 20 mile radios suffice?

Does everyone really get a license for these things or will simply behaving and not acting like clowns keep me out of trouble?

Thanks.

20 or 30 mile range is virtually impossible in all reality with GMRS radios. the fine print for that range is if you are on top of a mountain, and the other radio is on flat ground with NO obstructions and clear line of sight. you can't even get 20 miles if you are on flat clear ground.

In reality expect maybe a mile or few miles in clear unobstructed terrain, and well under a mile in dense trees and uneven terrain.

We run the Standard Horizon 1,2,5W units using the MURS channels which don't need a license for 2W or below. and also have other channels programmed to use local repeaters. 5 miles is probably the best range we have ever got with a good antenna.

I've used the GMRS radios available at most big box stores etc. and they are ok. if you want waterproof, or rugged, or good mic, or better antenna, or lapel mic, or headset or long battery life the standard horizon radios are IMHO a very good choice. No, they aren't inexpensive, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. and they can be programmed for various frequencies and have the weather channels as well.

We have the set up either for handheld use or coupled to a boom mic and ear speakers in all our riding groups helmets. great for communication. then we also use them when camping as handhelds.

Those do look nice. Thanks for the tip. They're not givin' them away, are they? MURS is interesting.

Thanks, all. Some interesting options to explore. I'll factor that in.

As my baseline, I doubt we'll ever need serious range. Knowing my wife, she won't lag more than a quarter mile behind. I didn't know how much range to realistically to expect from GMRS. It seems they might do the trick.

So let's say I would like communications between moving fifth wheel and chase car on level ground in the middle of nowhere at a maximum range of 1 mile. Do I need a high power GMRS or would lower power do that for us?

If not, what about 1/2 mile max?

Well unless you are "Conducting business" I'd suggest Obtaining a Technician or better ham license (you need two, one each, You have to study and pass a test, costs about 15 bucks to take the test, License is good for 10 years and renewal is free) and then a pair of low cost Ham Radio hand helds. Or if you like high end (hand helds go from less than 50 to over 500,, Or you can even mount radios.

Way more range, and if you are many miles apart there are often Repeaters..
Height is might, and some of those repeaters are 100-200-300 feet up in the sky
(in fact some.. are much much higher, but they move around so you can't always hit them).

Next for range woudl be CB
Then GMRS, no brand recommendation but the license is 80 bucks every 10 years
And last FRS, no license needed and no brand recommendations.

But give some serious consideration to simply getting a ham licenxe. I did, did, Did, Did (Back when I first got licensed there were more classes, I've held Noice, Technician (Upgraded to Tech+) Then General and finally Extra)

Plus there are other advantages.

For more info www.arrl.net
or if you like internet television google Ham Nation.. or AmateurLogic.tv

McIntraveler wrote:
This is a topical topic for me. We're in the market for a radio setup that will allow us to talk between the car and truck while traveling and that is small enough that they can be used to communicate while backing into spots. Reading this thread, it seems like GMRS radios are the way to go over PRS because of increased transmit power. Couple of questions:

Any brand suggestions?

I see distance ratings for various radios. Do I really need a 36 mile or do something like the 20 mile radios suffice?

Does everyone really get a license for these things or will simply behaving and not acting like clowns keep me out of trouble?

Thanks.

20 or 30 mile range is virtually impossible in all reality with GMRS radios. the fine print for that range is if you are on top of a mountain, and the other radio is on flat ground with NO obstructions and clear line of sight. you can't even get 20 miles if you are on flat clear ground.

In reality expect maybe a mile or few miles in clear unobstructed terrain, and well under a mile in dense trees and uneven terrain.

We run the Standard Horizon 1,2,5W units using the MURS channels which don't need a license for 2W or below. and also have other channels programmed to use local repeaters. 5 miles is probably the best range we have ever got with a good antenna.

I've used the GMRS radios available at most big box stores etc. and they are ok. if you want waterproof, or rugged, or good mic, or better antenna, or lapel mic, or headset or long battery life the standard horizon radios are IMHO a very good choice. No, they aren't inexpensive, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. and they can be programmed for various frequencies and have the weather channels as well.

We have the set up either for handheld use or coupled to a boom mic and ear speakers in all our riding groups helmets. great for communication. then we also use them when camping as handhelds.

I really doubt anyone other than a business gets a license.

Distance ratings are preposterous.

We've had a set of Midland GXT radios for several years and they've done fine. We've been able to talk when slowpoke DW dropped out of sight a hill or two behind but we haven't done any specific tests.

This is a topical topic for me. We're in the market for a radio setup that will allow us to talk between the car and truck while traveling and that is small enough that they can be used to communicate while backing into spots. Reading this thread, it seems like GMRS radios are the way to go over PRS because of increased transmit power. Couple of questions:

Any brand suggestions?

I see distance ratings for various radios. Do I really need a 36 mile or do something like the 20 mile radios suffice?

Does everyone really get a license for these things or will simply behaving and not acting like clowns keep me out of trouble?

Thanks.

I load audio books onto my MP3 player and listen through the vehicle radio on long trips. The MP3 player also has an AM/FM receiver built in. The vehicle AM/FM radio no longer works and the cost to fix was too high. So we use the MP3 player.

Inside our TT the installed radio has the Wx channels and receives all the local radio. If there is any cell signal at all I can connect to the NWS weather station data sites and get the real time data from local automatic stations.

bbaker2001 wrote:
We would like a CB in my truck, but have no clue on what I need.
Would be nice to get road and traffic conditions from truckers

Go to one of your local truck stops to find a CB shop and get all the info and recommendations for what kind of CB you need. They will also install your CB. It is important that you buy the best and tallest antenna i.e. Wilson. The standard short antenna you get with a new CB is not adequate, you will be dissatisfied and frustrated by the lack of range and clarity.