Two way radios

[Mike_S]

The key to FM radio communications is antenna height. You can be in a valley, and the same radio that talks back 5 miles to home from a hill top, can't hear or get to squat. That VX-150 is an elderly workhorse, I have three. I have other more versatile hand held radios, but these are the incaseofextreamemergencylookatthestickynoteontheback for my wife or visiting daughters to pick up and find me if I'm out and about. The VX is an amateur class radio, transmitting out of band (into public freqs) is not recommended, for its own health. And they are robust tools for sure.

As said above, GMRS is the way to go - it's not a license you have to test for, and the use is at your discretion. The transmit power factor is also much greater than FRS.

For real though - if you can manage it, an antenna 35' at its base off the ground does wonders for the home being able to hear rovers, and if necessary act as go between (repeater) for rovers.

[daytime dave]

Mark, I don't want to dredge up an old topic, but I think this one is ok to ask about.

What did you ever decide on? Did you get any radios?

I have since renewed my GMRS license and still use mine. The Baufang radios are pretty cheap on Amazon and you can get a programming cord and "do the programming yourself". As Mike states, getting a decent base radio antenna for your home does wonders. No, I don't have one as I use mine for hunting and I"m not too far from my hunting partners. GMRS is pretty popular among folks who might have had a CB years ago. The car to car radios seem to range from 15 to 50 watts. I'm not 100% clear on what is legal for the GMRS, but 25 watts is ok I think.

I have a CB in my truck. I mount a magnetic antenna on the back bed area. My F150 is all aluminum above the frame, so I have a large washer to hold the antenna on at "highway speed". So far I can't go fast enough for it to come loose. I rarely engage in conversation on the CB as there are so many potty mouthed s.o.b.s that I only turn it on when I'm on main interstate roadways to listen for traffic problems ahead.

[markiver54]

Dave,
I never did get a set of radios. What I really wanted a set for was for safety comunication when I would go solo up the mountain on the 4Wheeler. I've had limited activity up on the mountain since our last discussion for a variety of reasons. The original interest has faded as a result of less time spent up there. Simply put; priorities have changed. Thanks for asking though. Much appreciated.