Comms: Need to Know what you Know

[SuperiorDG]

So I have been looking around for some radios to replace my Midland GXT1050VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radios. They have nowhere near the advertised range and want something stronger with more range. In the city I could not get more then a mile or two out of them. I've settled on a UHF system with either a 2 or 4 watt range.

I've been looking at three options:

Blackbox Bantam UHF 2-way Radio http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=AFAGM2K2OIRAD

Motorola On-Site RDU2020 2-Channel UHF Water-Resistant Two-Way Business Radio http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-RDU20...ref=pd_sim_e_3

Motorola On-Site RDU4100 10-Channel UHF Water-Resistant Two-Way Business Radio http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-RDU41...pd_sim_sbs_e_3

I like the rep that Motorola has but the price is high. Does anyone know what kind of range any of these has? It would be nice to have about 5 to 10 mile range in the city.

Thanks for the help.

[cmailliard]

Not sure on how these work with the frequencies reserved for business use or how to apply. Never looked into it, but I am now.

You can consider MURS - FCC LINK and WIKIPEDIA LINK. These are limited to 2 Watts of power but you can increase range with an external antenna. Motorola makes a MURS Business Class Radio, the RDU2080. MURS are VHF frequencies in the 151 and 154 MHz area.

Given this is the S&P forum I am assuming this is the purpose you are looking to use these for? You can also consider the Baofeng UV-5R+ for this type of purpose. They are not Part 95 Certified by the FCC and you are not supposed to use them on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies, but pretty much everyone does. These are dual band VHF/UHF radios that are dirt cheap and work pretty well. Very easy to program. You still will not get the range you want, but that type of range in the city is pretty tough with low power radios with no access to a repeater.

[cofi]

Given this is the S&P forum I am assuming this is the purpose you are looking to use these for? You can also consider the Baofeng UV-5R+ for this type of purpose. They are not Part 95 Certified by the FCC and you are not supposed to use them on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies, but pretty much everyone does. These are dual band VHF/UHF radios that are dirt cheap and work pretty well. Very easy to program. You still will not get the range you want, but that type of range in the city is pretty tough with low power radios with no access to a repeater.

the baofengs are the way to go 40 bucks shipped!

[rbeau30]

the baofengs are the way to go 40 bucks shipped!

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

[cofi]

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

mylar works as a faraday cage??

[rbeau30]

mylar works as a faraday cage??

The ESD bags you get with electronic components? Those are Mylar. If you think about it... Mylar is metallized plastic bags. That is why they are air tight, because just plastic alone is not. In theory, any electro-static discharge would travel along the bag protecting any electronics inside if sealed properly.

I was planning on putting them in sealed mylar ESD bags with a layer of foam protecting them from touching the inside of something like an ammo can that has been properly sealed (metal tape and grounded. Should be sufficient to protect them from any solar produced EMP. EMP in Denver area means I am already dead as I am sure most of the first-strike targets are all within 100 miles of here.

[Singlestack]

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

I agree with this. Given a little bit if study time and passing the technician ham exam for $15, this is the way to go for "cheap and effective" comms that are a step up from FRS/GMRS/MURS. The big advantage is really all of the repeaters that enable comms over a much broader area - especially near the population centers. Also, if you choose to go with a UV-5R variant, there is a very helpful Yahoo group specifically for the UV-5R. This is especially helpful for new users and can help get you going in no time. I have the basic UV-5R, which works with all of the accessories. Some of the variants, for example, won't work with the AA/AAA battery cases that are available - since the main difference between models is the case size and arrangement.

[hatidua]

Well, I broke down and bought the study flashcards for the technicians test along with a Yaesu ft-60R. This should prove interesting....I've not studied for a test since college and that was a LONG time ago!

[SuperiorDG]

Not sure on how these work with the frequencies reserved for business use or how to apply. Never looked into it, but I am now.

You can consider MURS - FCC LINK and WIKIPEDIA LINK. These are limited to 2 Watts of power but you can increase range with an external antenna. Motorola makes a MURS Business Class Radio, the RDU2080. MURS are VHF frequencies in the 151 and 154 MHz area.

Given this is the S&P forum I am assuming this is the purpose you are looking to use these for? You can also consider the Baofeng UV-5R+ for this type of purpose. They are not Part 95 Certified by the FCC and you are not supposed to use them on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies, but pretty much everyone does. These are dual band VHF/UHF radios that are dirt cheap and work pretty well. Very easy to program. You still will not get the range you want, but that type of range in the city is pretty tough with low power radios with no access to a repeater.

I have two, and I want more to keep ready to go in some mylar for emp. It is also how I decided to get my HAM License. These little handhelds are awesome. The FIRST upgrade I would suggest is a 14" antenna for <10 bucks.

Then larger battery
Then battery case that you can put AA's in.
Then external mic.

Thanks, ever heard of these. For that price I will have to give them a try.

[bogie]

Not sure on how these work with the frequencies reserved for business use or how to apply. Never looked into it, but I am now.

You can consider MURS - FCC LINK and WIKIPEDIA LINK. These are limited to 2 Watts of power but you can increase range with an external antenna. Motorola makes a MURS Business Class Radio, the RDU2080. MURS are VHF frequencies in the 151 and 154 MHz area.

Given this is the S&P forum I am assuming this is the purpose you are looking to use these for? You can also consider the Baofeng UV-5R+ for this type of purpose. They are not Part 95 Certified by the FCC and you are not supposed to use them on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies, but pretty much everyone does. These are dual band VHF/UHF radios that are dirt cheap and work pretty well. Very easy to program. You still will not get the range you want, but that type of range in the city is pretty tough with low power radios with no access to a repeater.

I've seen three UV5R on amazon ranging in price from $33 to $47. The model linked above was $47. I'm wondering what the difference is? Sorry for the newb question.

Edit: All I could find was that the case seems to be a little beefed up on the plus model, but the internals are the same as the cheaper model.