Looking at 2 way radios with my neighbors

[B7510HSD]

Thanks James I will do that.Being retired now have extra time on my hands always wanted to get into Ham radio.No time better than the present as it has always been on my bucket list of things to do.

I will also offer up any help you may need!!

 

[dodge man]

Yes our old Motorola radios were red dot, probably were purchased 25 years ago and have since been thrown out.

Not trying to open a can of worms but a few years ago we went through narrow banding. It affected our GPS 35 watt radio and our hand helds. I woukd think everything purchased new would be set up for the narrow banding already.

 

[Wakey]

Deleted

 

[k0ua]

Yes our old Motorola radios were red dot, probably were purchased 25 years ago and have since been thrown out.

Not trying to open a can of worms but a few years ago we went through narrow banding. It affected our GPS 35 watt radio and our hand helds. I woukd think everything purchased new would be set up for the narrow banding already.

Yes, all of the new stuff is the 2.5 khz deviation, so yes narrowbanded.

 

[coobie]

I will also offer up any help you may need!!

Thank you..

 

[newbury]

Just so everyone remembers what the thread started about:

This might be something many of us need to think about.

I want to get with my neighbors about establishing a back up communication setup. Many of us are using an app where we can rapidly mass text each other if something went wrong.

In the case that traditional systems went down, having a stand alone platform would be critical.

Definitely want handhelds so they could be multipurpose.

Our needs are a range of less than 1.5 miles, on mostly flat rural land. If every household got a radio we豎*e talking about a max of 20 units.

I was wondering how many of the different radios out there work with each other, or do we all have to get the same unit? (I�･ not sure if all the newer ones are on the same spectrum.)

I was thinking of something that used rechargeable AAA batteries, would be best long term. Open for suggestions on this as well.

My first suggestion is SURVEY THE ASSETS! (your only talking 20 units)
What do your neighbors HAVE??
What do they know how to use?
What are they willing to learn?
Sure, $200 Ham handsets would be nice but if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

Where I am (rural NE Ms) lots of people have CB's for hunting.
I've a 10 yr old set of handheld Midland LXT 420's I bought 10 years ago, fired them up a couple of months ago, 3 out of 4 still work. I've also got 3 old CB sets for truck install that worked last time I tried a few years ago.
All my relatives have "old" CB sets kicking around, they would just rather use cell phones.

It does not get any easier or simpler than a set of GMRS hand sets (walkie-talkies) from Walmart etc...you can use the FRS frequencies without any license required...plenty of range for the described situation...don't know why others are making it sound more complicated...

Got to agree with this -

After you've figured out what your neighbors have/can use try and set up some test scenarios, you might have enough stuff that works already.

 

[coobie]

Just so everyone remembers what the thread started about:


My first suggestion is SURVEY THE ASSETS! (your only talking 20 units)
What do your neighbors HAVE??
What do they know how to use?
What are they willing to learn?
Sure, $200 Ham handsets would be nice but if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

Where I am (rural NE Ms) lots of people have CB's for hunting.
I've 10 yr old set of handheld Midland LXT 420's I bought 10 years ago, fired them up a couple of months ago, 3 out of 4 still work. I've also got 3 old CB sets for truck install that worked last time I tried a few years ago.
All my relatives have "old" CB sets kicking around, they would just rather use cell phones.


Got to agree with this -

After you've figured out what your neighbors have/can use try and set up some test scenarios, you migh have enough stuff that works already.

Yes I agree we got of track and should have started a NEW thread Ham radios.My apologies to the original poster.

 

[tibadoe]

..........Definitely want handhelds so they could be multipurpose.

Our needs are a range of less than 1.5 miles, on mostly flat rural land. If every household got a radio weæ±*e talking about a max of 20 units.........I was thinking of something that used rechargeable AAA batteries, would be best long term. Open for suggestions on this as well.

I did a test for you where I live. Country setting with rolling hills, forests, and open pastures. I took both of my handheld GMRS radios: BTECH & Midland GXT. Wife had the other GXT.

1) First test: Wife stayed on couch and I walked up street 1/2 mile mark = Excellent signal and clear audio on both. No line of sight and couple houses and barn/shops in-between.
2) Second test: Wife stayed on couch and I drove up street 1 mile mark = With me in car: Good signal and audio little static but still readable. Outside car: Very good signal and very little static.
3) Third test: Wife still on couch and I drove up street to 1.3 mile mark = With me in car: OK signal and audio little broken/static but still readable. Outside car: Good signal and little static. Note: Wife said both radios sounded fine, but the BTECH came through a hair bit better. Good to know.

If I would have thought about it, would have carried along my handheld CB and tested that. But, I was pulling teeth just to get wife to talk on GMRS - don't think I could get her to push the mike on Base CB.

So this was my test. I'm pretty confident anyone below the 1.5 mile mark should be able to make contact on a GMRS radio with a very readable signal while being outside with similar conditions. Inside may work for some but it would be a case by case test. FYI: Even with my ham hand held, I have to move around my property to get the best signal depending on who or where I am trying to reach.

Good luck and keep us updated on what you decide to do.

 

[Wakey]

Yes I agree we got of track and should have started a NEW thread Ham radios.My apologies to the original poster.

I personally don’t mind the drift at all, knowledge is knowledge!

I’m actually now more interested in Ham, I’m pretty sure my neighbors won’t be interested in radios, considering the cost.

I have pieces and parts to set up panic buttons for the few oldest amongst us, if need be.

 

[Wakey]

I did a test for you where I live.
.

Thanks man, didn’t see this earlier.