Henry Rifle Forums

Do any of you use hand held two way radios for hunting, or just around the homestead?
I'm thinking of getting a quality set for use up at our cabin. We get no cell phone service unless we're right at the cabin off the WIFI. I'm thinking in terms of emergency/safety when I go up the mountain on my 4wheeler so that I can contact Carol should something happen to me or the quad. Because of the mountain terrain and many switchbacks, I know I would need a good quality set. Even then I might lose signal as there are many hollows that I travel through. I have a couple old, good quality CB radios and the 4wheeler came with a place on the rear rack to mount an antenna, but I don't want to have to buy and set up a base unit in the cabin. Any recommendations based on experience or just general knowledge would be appreciated.

Mark, I have had CB radios for many years. I have old portable radios. I also have a GMRS radio license. I'd say that is the way to go. I use them hunting and they are great. I have the cheaper Beufang UV-5R radios that I programmed myslef. They give a few miles of range and are good. I'd stay away from the Family radios sold many places.

Good luck.

Thanks Dave. I have a Vertex VX-150 that I used when I was bear hunting, but, I only have one. It was not cheap, and I had to have a local guy program it to the channels that the club used. IT, worked great, even on the mountain. Don't know where to find another now that would pair properly with the old Vertex, or how to get it programmed to talk to the existing one.
Thanks for the advice on the Family radios. I WAS looking at a couple sets on Amazon. Maybe not a good idea though. Even though one of them boasted a 35 mile range, that is under perfect straight line conditions with no interference I'm sure.

This is what I currently have.

My cousin and I used the inexpensive family radios (Magavox?) for years and generally had good success. Occasionally we would not be able to communicate due to a deep canyon or such but mostly they worked great. I haven’t’ looked at them for a while but when I did they were inexpensive enough that you could consider just giving them a try. Mine had a charging dock which was very handy in between hunts.

Thanks Hatch. Those are the type units I was considering and looking at on Amazon. Gosh, they have a lot of them. For the money, like you said, they might be worth a try. Your input is appreciated!

Dave, is it totally necessary to get a GMRS license ?...or anyone else that knows?

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 13, 2023 5:10 pm

Dave, is it totally necessary to get a GMRS license ?...or anyone else that knows?

Yes. FCC website
https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-div ... rvice-gmrs "Licensing" tab.

An FCC license is required to operate GMRS system."

Mark, the license is required, but if I remember correctly, it's just filling out the form and sending back the fee. It's worth it in my opinion. The license is good for your immediate family when using the GMRS. That way you can use it hunting with your "brothers" and "sisters" as I do. I have the license and five radios. I mostly use them with my step son when we hunt.

Thanks Dave. It's looking like that is the way I might go. Once again, your input is appreciated.