Okay so it's been a bit since FM has come out. Anyone using it on a regular basis? If so, thoughts on buying a few and using as a base and a few mobiles for back country communications. Think AM skip would be an issue?
We're pondering a project.
Thanks.
Looks like you’ve broad & long experience in radio. So bear with the response for those that haven’t.
A radio equipped with FM isn’t a bad idea. But,
IMO, AM/SSB has priority in radio choice. I’ve chatted only a few times on FM with other truck drivers when we’re a few miles apart and stuck at receivers/shippers. (“
Kick it to 26 for the real deal”; a West Memphis reference).
AM
SSB
FM
Would be how I ranked what to buy based on manufacturer reputation and reviews I might find.
Frankly, as difficult as
Skip has made daytime operations (the soul-less airing their psychoses for the credit/money they receive),
experimentation is what’s needed.
SKIP Problems in Noise Abatement.
Some places in a given region aren’t as heavily affected.
FM just might be the ticket, then.
Homes with base stations & vehicles with extra-good antenna systems is how I’d look at the project.
FM ops a subset.
Assuming that
mobile is the thing,
car/pickup owners are terrible about having good antenna systems. The ones I talk to from the big truck fade out almost immediately. Exceptions exist, but they’re rare.
IOW, I wouldn’t judge the project based on FM, but on having stellar radio rig performance.
Distance & Clarity as a whole. FM then makes great sense amongst a group. CB can be
far more than most realize.
There are inexpensive ways to get on-air from home with temporary set-ups.
And this would be the time to stretch and do that if mobile installs are contemplated. Map radius plots of signal acquisition.
Tools & Supply can be shared:
Mobile Install Bible
— The installation that looks forward to more difficult gear in the future isn’t any harder to accomplish.
Given your range of interest (ability to compare), it’d be good to hear from you how this panned out.
Good luck
.
