Radio System for Farm Use

asdfg · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:22 PM

So a friend who is a farmer was asking me what to do, he has poor cell coverage of his farm and would like to have a radio system for communication between himself and his wife. He would like some sort of hand held, and has experimented with FRS. The FRS does not have the coverage he needs. And CB is not as portable as needed. The only thing I could think of to reccomend would be GMRS. I know that a licence is required, but not much beyond that. HAM is out, because they think it would be too complicated. So I am looking for suggestions as to what every one would reccomend. I think the prefrence is for hand held radios that can reach about four miles over variable terrain...any suggestions and where to pick up some used equipment would be greatly appreciated.

N_Jay · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdfg

So a friend who is a farmer was asking me what to do, he has poor cell coverage of his farm and would like to have a radio system for communication between himself and his wife. He would like some sort of hand held, and has experimented with FRS. The FRS does not have the coverage he needs. And CB is not as portable as needed. The only thing I could think of to reccomend would be GMRS. I know that a licence is required, but not much beyond that. HAM is out, because they think it would be too complicated. So I am looking for suggestions as to what every one would reccomend. I think the prefrence is for hand held radios that can reach about four miles over variable terrain...any suggestions and where to pick up some used equipment would be greatly appreciated.

His farm is a business, just get a license and a proper system.

DDan · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N_Jay

His farm is a business, just get a license and a proper system.

That sounds good but the expense for getting a freq. assigned is prohibitive in this case. I don't remember where I got this number so correct me if I'm wrong, I think it can cost well over $5000.

GMRS sounds like the best bet. If more radios were available, MURS might work as well.

asdfg · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Well, the farm is not what I would call a real business...this farmer is more like semi retired. That is why I was trying to find an inexpensive option. These people are getting up in the years and so quick access to the land line could be a life saver.

N_Jay · #5 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Then get a GMRS license and cheap repeater.

Steveradio · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 03:08 PM

I had a 10watt repeater set up for my Grandfather to use during farm time since mostly all valleys we worked in and a neighbor farmer used the repeater as well with a 100 acre farm. We switched to just simplex since we did not have a lot of miles to cover and the other farmer switched to Nextel (go figure).

Simplex operations work depending on the terrine and how much they need to talk. Check e-bay for a mobile radio for the farm equipment or maybe a used HT1000 with simple operation and "shh" since its just the two of them use itinerant or MURS frequencies so you don't need to worry about a license.

Steve

N_Jay · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 03:21 PM

Portable to portable may be all he needs, but a repeater is nice to have and even an antenna at roof level will make a GREAT improvement in range.

You probably want a base at the house or barn anyhow, so the added cost is minimal.

PHOENIX_SCANNER · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 03:45 PM

Sounds like GMRS with a repeater to me. A family farm is exactly the type of thing GMRS is meant for.

n8emr · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 04:25 PM

If its a family farm then GMRS is a great option. If any of the farm hands and radio users are not family GMRS is out. As for $5000 for a frequencies thats way off, Should be more than a few hundred dollars.

N9NRA · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 04:59 PM

Don`t know how good the coverage would be, or the affordability thing here, but what of getting a couple of Nextel units? Those work swell (i and a Ham friend use those to chat between here and his home downstate in WI). Another advantage would be that those can`t be monitored, not sure whether that`s even an issue (in today`s world i could see that being a bit of one IMHO). Just a suggestion. N9NRA

K8TEK · #11 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 05:48 PM

You are going to need a 6 site P25 system for proper communications. Talk to your local Motorola dealer and tell them you are interested in installing a multi-site P25 system. They can provide you with the details.

rico47635 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 05:48 PM

MURS or GMRS. MURS does not require a license. GMRS does, but there are some options for putting up a repeater. I recently bought four MURS capable handheld radios, including extra batteries, for $45 on Ebay. It doesn't get any cheaper than that.

KS4VT · #13 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDan

That sounds good but the expense for getting a freq. assigned is prohibitive in this case. I don't remember where I got this number so correct me if I'm wrong, I think it can cost well over $5000.

GMRS sounds like the best bet. If more radios were available, MURS might work as well.

You are way off. I licensed a repeater pair and talk-around for my HOA about 2 years ago and it was approximately $400.

I would vote for MURS as he could utilize an antenna with some elevation, if a repeated system is out of the question. But the issue with MURS is that someone needs to be by the base radio to communicate. There is no guarantee that 2 VHF portables at ground level will go the 4 mile distance without a repeater.

I put a low power (20 watt) repeater for my HOA with the antenna at around 35 or 40' and the staff can communicate via thier 4 watt portables for more than 6 miles around the community to include the local strip malls where there is a Lowes and Home Depot. They will never go back to a non-licensed service again.

DDan · #14 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KS4VT

You are way off. I licensed a repeater pair and talk-around for my HOA and it was approximately $400.

Yep. I don't remember where I got that number. Someone pointed out my error earlier.

chrismol1 · #15 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:26 PM

I'm surprised that the "police' didn't say this yet....

The legal power for MURS HT's is 2 watts. With a $75 or so GMRS license you can have up to 5 watts and up to 50 watts in a mobile. All depends on your budget I suppose. 4 miles might be pushing it a little bit with some trees/hills and a stock duckie antenna. Depends on the terrain, you could probably get a nice 7 inch or so performance antenna online

pliquett · #16 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:29 PM

I've heard that the "new" Nextels, post Sprint, will work unit to unit up to 10 miles without cell signal. There is a Sprint/Nextel store about every 2 miles in the city, wouldn't hurt to ask.

N_Jay · #17 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrismoll

I'm surprised that the "police' didn't say this yet....

Maybe because no one was saying things that made it necessary?

Just a thought.

N_Jay · #18 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pliquett

I've heard that the "new" Nextels, post Sprint, will work unit to unit up to 10 miles without cell signal. There is a Sprint/Nextel store about every 2 miles in the city, wouldn't hurt to ask.

I would tend not to believe it.

DDan · #19 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N_Jay

I would tend not to believe it.

Hey Jay, can I pick the spot for the test?

N_Jay · #20 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDan

Hey Jay, can I pick the spot for the test?

So could I.

However, knowing what they sell now, and the range of possibilities of what the "might" sell, I figure if you don't get 10 miles now, you are not getting it any time soon.