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Debating on gmrs or something else
- Thread starter jedispork
- Start date
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NC1
Member
Register an account with Radio Mobile Online and make a coverage map. It'll give you a very idea (as long as you input the data correctly) of what type of setup you would need to get the coverage that you desire. Here is a map of the P25 network that we just put online.
That's a great site.
Too bad they don't cover the GMRS or MURS frequencies, only Ham.
It would have been good for those to be in the database.
I'm thinking the 148 MHz is close enough to MURS, and 450 MHz is close enough to GMRS?
It's probably within the margin of error anyway even if the frequency is a little off.
Considering that the propagation maps for 420 MHz and 450 MHz are indistinguishable from one another, 462 - 467 MHz are likewise nearly identical.
I'm still pretty new to the hobby (at least GMRS I've been
talking on 11 meter CB for many years) but here is what I've
learned in the past year. I have 2 brothers. As the crow flies,
Brother 2 lives 4.5 miles away and Brother 1 is 3 miles. CB is sporadic.
Sometimes very difficult to hear because of a lot of noise and, of course, you
have to 200 watters trying to outdo each other. So, we often
find ourselves switching channels to get away from the loud
noise level.
GMRS on the other hand, I can talk to brother 1 who is 3 miles
away on simplex most of the time. Brother 2, who is 4.5 miles
away is much more difficult on simplex, but most definitely easier
when using a repeater. Keep in mind. They are both using small
Baofeng 8 watt handheld radios. Brother 1 got a mobile radio
and a 1/4 wave antenna about 15 feet up. He and I talk easily
on simplex whether I am in my car or on my shack radio. Repeater
talk is as clear as using a telephone.
talking on 11 meter CB for many years) but here is what I've
learned in the past year. I have 2 brothers. As the crow flies,
Brother 2 lives 4.5 miles away and Brother 1 is 3 miles. CB is sporadic.
Sometimes very difficult to hear because of a lot of noise and, of course, you
have to 200 watters trying to outdo each other. So, we often
find ourselves switching channels to get away from the loud
noise level.
GMRS on the other hand, I can talk to brother 1 who is 3 miles
away on simplex most of the time. Brother 2, who is 4.5 miles
away is much more difficult on simplex, but most definitely easier
when using a repeater. Keep in mind. They are both using small
Baofeng 8 watt handheld radios. Brother 1 got a mobile radio
and a 1/4 wave antenna about 15 feet up. He and I talk easily
on simplex whether I am in my car or on my shack radio. Repeater
talk is as clear as using a telephone.
Just wondering.
The FCC regs are a bit dense, but "all" the brand name commercial h/t's top out at 6 watts. Is the Baofeg on 8 watts still within radiation exposure limits? Or is it technically illegal (and on theory unsafe) to use on 8W at all, because of that excess power?
The FCC regs are a bit dense, but "all" the brand name commercial h/t's top out at 6 watts. Is the Baofeg on 8 watts still within radiation exposure limits? Or is it technically illegal (and on theory unsafe) to use on 8W at all, because of that excess power?
I would not use an 8 Watt UHF handheld, but that's just me. My GMRS repeater uses two antennas because it is connected in with 4 other repeaters. The receive antenna is at 290 feet and the transmit antenna is at 250 feet. I get very good coverage. If you look at the Jacksonville site in the above coverage map, that shows it for the P25, but it is pretty much the same for the other repeaters on those antennas.
I applied for my gmrs license. The antenna in the window test on low power seems to work ok on UHF.
I've been reading over some of the possible changes and I do have my concerns about future viability though. At the very least I hope they still allow 5 watts and external antennas. Like many others have said its frustrating that there aren't more legal radios that are readily available. I don't want to rely on ebay. So I will probably stick to the new BTECH GMRS-V1 or midland mtx100. If the FCC ruins gmrs CB might turn out to be the only option for non amateurs to have a reasonable distance for local communication.
I've been trying to think more realistically and I'm not sure if my Dad will even make a effort to keep a handheld charged up. My hope is to get him on there a few times a week to help motivate him for tech. As it is now I'm the one that goes over and makes sure their weather radio is charged up etc.
To the other poster you can easily build a ground plane and attach to your radio to get your antenna further away and have better performance.
I've been reading over some of the possible changes and I do have my concerns about future viability though. At the very least I hope they still allow 5 watts and external antennas. Like many others have said its frustrating that there aren't more legal radios that are readily available. I don't want to rely on ebay. So I will probably stick to the new BTECH GMRS-V1 or midland mtx100. If the FCC ruins gmrs CB might turn out to be the only option for non amateurs to have a reasonable distance for local communication.
I've been trying to think more realistically and I'm not sure if my Dad will even make a effort to keep a handheld charged up. My hope is to get him on there a few times a week to help motivate him for tech. As it is now I'm the one that goes over and makes sure their weather radio is charged up etc.
To the other poster you can easily build a ground plane and attach to your radio to get your antenna further away and have better performance.
OK.. Let me say this the right way.
The Baofeng BF-F9 "claims" to do 8 watts
on High power. I think I measured it at 7 watts
on 2 meter and more like 5-6 watts on GMRS
The Baofeng BF-F9 "claims" to do 8 watts
on High power. I think I measured it at 7 watts
on 2 meter and more like 5-6 watts on GMRS
Quite frankly you won't notice a bit of difference between 8 watts and 5 watts, except for the battery going dead faster... :wink:
mformby
Member
Great idea. Radios and flashlights don't go through dirt.
mformby
Member
Assuming there are no hills between each party to block the signal I would have to go with CB/SSB. The cost would be very economical and using SSB would give you more range with less frequency congestion.
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