Can anyone suggest an alternative and affordable solution? We are donation supported and funds for equipment and licensing are limited.
Thanks.
I know this won't be the sexy solution you are looking for, but "donation supported" means to us that funds are very tight. The cost of good commercial two way radios is very high. Depending on how much coverage/range you want, that's probably going to mean a repeater.
Mobile radios, installation, proper antennas, etc. I'd probably set aside at minimum $500 per radio.
A repeater is going to cost you anywhere from $1000 to $10,000 depending on the equipment needed, new versus used, reliability level/backup power, etc.
A repeater site, unless you can score one for free, is going to be a few hundred a month. I've only been to San Antonio a few times, so I'm thinking a roof of a tall building.
So, you are looking at something in the $10,000 and up to get started. Add in periodic maintenance on the system (required if you want it to work reliably), figure a few hundred per year.
A better/cheaper solution would be to use either one of the many Push To Talk applications available for smart phones. Cost is zero to very low. You'd use the cellular infrastructure and have coverage anywhere your phone worked.
If you want the look of a commercial radio, there are a number of LTE handsets that look more like a traditional LMR radio. Looks like a radio, acts like a radio, but uses the cellular infrastructure. That means you'd pay for some amount of LTE data service from a provider of your choice. Not telephone service, but strictly data service. Think something along the lines of the old NexTel service with something that looks more like a small walkie talkie. Mobile radio type units are an option.
Other option would be to contact a local reputable two way radio shop. Most of them run their own repeater networks. You'd still need to buy/rent the radios, and pay a monthly service fee.
Short answer:
It's not cheap. If you want cheap, go cellular.
