CB radios

[RayIN]

A lot of truckers were using those until the Coast Guard stepped in. Something about pesky federal laws... That's what caused the switch to MURS.

The closest CG to our area is 400 miles North to lake Michigan.

 

[Jstpssng]

The closest CG to our area is 400 miles North to lake Michigan.

It's still illegal. There is a reason they are called "Marine" radios

 

[Oaktree]

Unlike previous replies, my CB radios are not noisy and channels crowded above channel 30. Out where we live there is very little CB band traffic, I hear a trucker on the highway once in a while.

I've noticed the same thing. Hooked one up to a power supply & antenna a few years ago and most channels were completely dead, a far cry from what they were like 40 years ago.

 

[Hay Dude]

I’ve been farming for 15+ years and continue to be frustrated by which “system” to use.
I’ll probably be retired by the time I figure it out.

We use typical small walkie talkies charged while in tractor cab. They work for about 1/2-1 mile, but we have very hilly ground here.

I’d like something better, but it’s so damn complicated.

 

[Topzide]

@Hay Dude , the GMRS system would work the best as you could get some 15 watt mobiles to put in the cabs. You can make them go from tractor to truck pretty easily with extra mounts and power cords that plug into "lighter" power sockets.

If you have fields all pretty close to one another, you could do a simple repeater that runs on solar and battery.

You can use "walkies" with individuals for spotting on loading and the such.

 

[Hay Dude]

Walkie talkies work pretty well for my situation. I bought 4 of them. They came with 2 chargers.
So far they are OK. When we get out of their range, we switch to cellies, but I still find myself wanting something better, but real convenient.

 

[D'oh]

It's still illegal. There is a reason they are called "Marine" radios

There are still Channels available on VHF that are not Marine Band. Logging Roads here use VHF (FM) Radios as do Police and Road Maintenance Crews. There are even Repeater Towers with Phone Access (if one pays for use) with a Keypad Mike.

Even UHF Channels, but around here VHF is used.

 

[bmaverick]

There are still Channels available on VHF that are not Marine Band. Logging Roads here use VHF (FM) Radios as do Police and Road Maintenance Crews. There are even Repeater Towers with Phone Access (if one pays for use) with a Keypad Mike.

Even UHF Channels, but around here VHF is used.

View attachment 2347900

Oh those are the higher 2M freq. and below the WOX public service weather channels. A bunch of background crap out there like packet radio and pulsing tones that are very annoying.

 

[bmaverick]

Walkie talkies work pretty well for my situation. I bought 4 of them. They came with 2 chargers.
So far they are OK. When we get out of their range, we switch to cellies, but I still find myself wanting something better, but real convenient.

You need to dump those silly 0.5W FRS walkies-talkie radios and go full GMRS.

GMRS goes from 5W up to 50W radios.

Here is the break down of FRS vs GMRS vs MURS

FRS 1-7:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: 5 watt maximum (more power here than CB)
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License/call letters required: only when operating GMRS equipment greater than 0.5 watt (people sometimes use handles on FRS and GMRS; call letters must always be announced on-air regardless)
CTCSS/DCS: allowed
Regulation (FRS): 47 CFR 95.194c
Regulation (GMRS): 47 CFR 95.179

FRS 8-14:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: prohibited (though most mainstream GMRS HTs do include 0.5 watt coverage of 8-14 for interoperability purposes)
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License/call letters required: no
CTCSS/DCS: allowed

This is where GMRS SHINES !

GMRS 15-22 (a.k.a. 550-725)
FRS only: not applicable (typically no kids messing in this area)
GMRS: 50 watts maximum (Power equal to many 2M ham radios.)
Repeater use: allowed; +5 MHz shift
License/call letters required: always; people sometimes use handles on GMRS but call letters must always be announced on-air regardless
CTCSS/DCS: allowed (may be required to access repeaters)
Other restrictions: Channels 19 and 21 (650/700) not permitted for use near the Canadian border

MURS
All channels: 2 watts maximum
Bandwidth: 1-3: 11 kHz; 4-5: 20 kHz
Deviation: 1-3: 2.5 kHz; 4-5: 5 kHz
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License required: not required for personal use, may be required if used during the course of duties in a place of business; people sometimes use handles on MURS when conducting personal communications
CTCSS/DCS: allowed

See also:
Family Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki
General Mobile Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki
Multi-Use Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[newbury]

<snip>
Why not just a Cell Booster? At least then you are calling Someone. Whole Room Boosters are relatively inexpensive, and when you want those quiet times, just shut it off.

That is often as useless as mammary glands on a male bovine.
I've a booster in my Mississippi house. I've got "dead areas" for my cell phone less than a hundred feet away. So IF I had an accident I couldn't call the wife, or emergency.
Frequently on local roads there are "skips" in cell service.

 

[D'oh]

Oh those are the higher 2M freq. and below the WOX public service weather channels. A bunch of background crap out there like packet radio and pulsing tones that are very annoying.

Not the VHF ones used here, I have both NOAA and Canadian Weather, 5,6,and 7 Haul Channels. I no longer have Tower Access, because the Cell Booster can receive 4G (newer ones are 5G capable)
170.3100 Haul 5
171.0000 Haul 6
165.1800 Haul 7

You need them to Hunt on Logging roads if you don't want to get run over by a 55 ton Log Truck running 5o mph on it's way to the Mill.

 

[Hay Dude]

You need to dump those silly 0.5W FRS walkies-talkie radios and go full GMRS.

GMRS goes from 5W up to 50W radios.

Here is the break down of FRS vs GMRS vs MURS

FRS 1-7:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: 5 watt maximum (more power here than CB)
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License/call letters required: only when operating GMRS equipment greater than 0.5 watt (people sometimes use handles on FRS and GMRS; call letters must always be announced on-air regardless)
CTCSS/DCS: allowed
Regulation (FRS): 47 CFR 95.194c
Regulation (GMRS): 47 CFR 95.179

FRS 8-14:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: prohibited (though most mainstream GMRS HTs do include 0.5 watt coverage of 8-14 for interoperability purposes)
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License/call letters required: no
CTCSS/DCS: allowed

This is where GMRS SHINES !

GMRS 15-22 (a.k.a. 550-725)
FRS only: not applicable (typically no kids messing in this area)
GMRS: 50 watts maximum (Power equal to many 2M ham radios.)
Repeater use: allowed; +5 MHz shift
License/call letters required: always; people sometimes use handles on GMRS but call letters must always be announced on-air regardless
CTCSS/DCS: allowed (may be required to access repeaters)
Other restrictions: Channels 19 and 21 (650/700) not permitted for use near the Canadian border

MURS
All channels: 2 watts maximum
Bandwidth: 1-3: 11 kHz; 4-5: 20 kHz
Deviation: 1-3: 2.5 kHz; 4-5: 5 kHz
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
License required: not required for personal use, may be required if used during the course of duties in a place of business; people sometimes use handles on MURS when conducting personal communications
CTCSS/DCS: allowed

See also:
Family Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki
General Mobile Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki
Multi-Use Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki

Appreciate the suggestions.
I find all these numbers, watts, models, specs, very confusing.
Just want powerful hand held walkie talkies that are affordable with about 2-3 miles range in hilly areas without having to get a gubmit rectal exam or be troubled with a lot of hassle.

 

[Topzide]

@Hay Dude, check these out; Midland Two-Way Radios - GXT1000VP4

 

[Topzide]

@Hay Dude, go to www.walcottradio.com.
Go to GMRS section and look through there hand held radios. There's a 2 pack for $80 that should fit what you need.

 

[Hay Dude]

So those have enough range to talk 3 miles on hilly ground?

 

[Topzide]

They should be able to do it. I've haven't pushed mine more than about 2 miles through hills and timber.

 

[Topzide]

@Hay Dude, just PM"d you some info.

 

[kennyd]

This threads is extremely informative, thanks to everyone for the great info!

 

[bmaverick]

So those have enough range to talk 3 miles on hilly ground?

You need this Midland 5W to get over hilly regions. Those other Midland radios are more for campers and kids.

GXT67 Pro GMRS 5-Watt

Midland 5-Watt GMRS Handheld 2-Way Radio - GXT67 Pro

Experience unbeatable range with the GXT GMRS 5-Watt Two-Way Radio - GXT67 PRO. Get 5 Watts of power, repeater capability, 16-hour battery life, and more.

midlandusa.com

https://midlandusa.com/cdn/shop/videos/c/vp/ae0eedf610df42159c3f25c52fdd3a5e/ae0eedf610df42159c3f25c52fdd3a5e.HD-1080p-7.2Mbps-34356371.mp4

Midland GXT67 PRO GMRS Two Way Radio

Check out this Midland GXT67 at www.WalcottRadio.com

www.walcottradio.com

 

[bmaverick]

There are also GMRS Base stations. The higher the Watts, the stronger the signal output to cut thru the terrain.

Base Camp,
Midland XT511 GMRS Base Camp | 22-Channel GMRS Radio

The prized 50W GMRS mobile vehicle radio,
Midland MXT500 MicroMobile GMRS 50-Watt Two-Way Radio

There are other brands out there, yet Midland is one of the leaders in GMRS.

BAOFENG is a leader too.
This is my 10W GMRS radio for 1/10th the cost of the Midland.

Amazon.com: BAOFENG UV-5RM Radio-10W Handheld Radio Multi-Frequency Two Way Radio for Adults, Long Range Portable Ham Radio with 2500 mAh Type-C Charging Battery & Copy Frequency 999CH (1 Pack) : Electronics

Buy BAOFENG UV-5RM Radio-10W Handheld Radio Multi-Frequency Two Way Radio for Adults, Long Range Portable Ham Radio with 2500 mAh Type-C Charging Battery & Copy Frequency 999CH (1 Pack): Two-Way Radios - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Plus it gives you AM/FM radio to listen to, NOAA weather and a few more.

It claims 40 miles range. I've gotten a tad further in the line-of-site while standing in the back of my RAM truck bed up on a tall ridge. These will easily go 20 miles clearly and punch thru much of the hills.

I can listen to FM radio music and when a monitored channel for GMRS goes active, the FM turns off and the GMRS channel is then active. Yeah, took a bit to figure this out in the manual too.

The flashlight is a bit blinding. Great for trails or tractor work at night needing to spot places out in the field.

The 2.5A battery is great, yet like anything, the more you talk on high power the more juice it uses. Be sure to have a USB port in the vehicle and tractor.