ElectroPulse
Newbie
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2012
- Messages
- 4
Hello, all!
I am new to radio wave communication stuff, have only really owned a couple of walkie talkies in the past, so am coming here in search of some answers.
I am the IT guy for a school system in Palau. Cell charges are fairly expensive here, and am thinking about donating some walkie talkies or something to the school, just so I can be more accessible (we're a low-budget mission school, so I am fairly certain I would not be able to get money set aside for this).
Anyway, I've been reading about FRS and GMRS. I already knew that the distance ratings for walkie talkies were full of crap, but wasn't sure by how much. The two campuses are (judging by the map) about 5-7 miles away, but unfortunately there are some hills, many trees, and quite a few buildings between here and there. I am fairly certain there is no way some handhelds would be able to communicate between them.
How much would a very base-level non-line-of-sight setup cost for FRS, or depending on the local regulations, possibly GMRS? The idea I have in my head is put up an antenna on the roof here and if it's not too obvious, on the top of the flagpole on the other campus. Hopefully they'd be able to communicate then. I have done some looking, but honestly haven't the first clue of what to look for, or when I've found it what I'm looking at. Rather than spend a bunch of time researching it just to find it's far out of my budget, I am wondering if you could give me and idea of a price range to expect to pay for a simple setup.
Also, are there any other unregulated or easy-attainable certifications for something else (like CB) that might meet this need better than GMRS or FRS? Basically, I would like to be able to be contacted wherever I am on either campus.
And lastly, how does the regulation of things like GMRS and HAM work outside the US? Is there some international body that at least puts some kind of regulations in-place, or is everything locally-regulated?
Thanks!
ElectroPulse
I am new to radio wave communication stuff, have only really owned a couple of walkie talkies in the past, so am coming here in search of some answers.
I am the IT guy for a school system in Palau. Cell charges are fairly expensive here, and am thinking about donating some walkie talkies or something to the school, just so I can be more accessible (we're a low-budget mission school, so I am fairly certain I would not be able to get money set aside for this).
Anyway, I've been reading about FRS and GMRS. I already knew that the distance ratings for walkie talkies were full of crap, but wasn't sure by how much. The two campuses are (judging by the map) about 5-7 miles away, but unfortunately there are some hills, many trees, and quite a few buildings between here and there. I am fairly certain there is no way some handhelds would be able to communicate between them.
How much would a very base-level non-line-of-sight setup cost for FRS, or depending on the local regulations, possibly GMRS? The idea I have in my head is put up an antenna on the roof here and if it's not too obvious, on the top of the flagpole on the other campus. Hopefully they'd be able to communicate then. I have done some looking, but honestly haven't the first clue of what to look for, or when I've found it what I'm looking at. Rather than spend a bunch of time researching it just to find it's far out of my budget, I am wondering if you could give me and idea of a price range to expect to pay for a simple setup.
Also, are there any other unregulated or easy-attainable certifications for something else (like CB) that might meet this need better than GMRS or FRS? Basically, I would like to be able to be contacted wherever I am on either campus.
And lastly, how does the regulation of things like GMRS and HAM work outside the US? Is there some international body that at least puts some kind of regulations in-place, or is everything locally-regulated?
Thanks!
ElectroPulse