GMRS or FRS for communicating with the kids?

[Project25_MASTR]

You're absolutely right. Late night last night. :laughing: Scary to think I'm a General Class Amateur Radio Operator.

A 1/4 wave whip is actually 8 and 2/3 feet, but several companies make a 4 1/2 foot, 1/4 wave whip, by means of coils. The firefly and firestik antennas are supposed to be very good. I'm planning on installing the firefly as soon as my new 980 ssb gets here.

Delta

I had a Tram 10/11 antenna that I loved. Don't remember the model number. It by far outperformed any Firestik or Wilson fiberglass antenna that was in the same location.

Another one of my favorites (getting the most love from me here lately) is a Larsen NMO 27. You can find a somewhat happy medium with for both 10m and 11m.

 

[SCPD]

@bdjjp... the GMRS idea, that some have suggested, is good. FYI... if you're ion the Cleveland TN area the closest GMRS repeater(s) are in Chattanooga. That's a bit of a haul for a portable to get into the repeater. You can use the radios simplex, i.e., point to point (radio to radio) without a repeater.

FYI, I'm originally from the Bradley/Polk County area and visit there frequently. In the future, if you decide not to use GMRS there's alway's Ham (Amateur) radio. There is a very good repeater on Chilhowee mountain that you would be able to use, with a portable, with about 1 watt of power and have extremely good coverage.

 

[MeddleMan]

not to remain of topic...

The fire stick quarter wave antennas are double coiled antennas. That's why they are only half the actual length. I think that they're folded and twisted around the shaft.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

@bdjjp... the GMRS idea, that some have suggested, is good. FYI... if you're ion the Cleveland TN area the closest GMRS repeater(s) are in Chattanooga. That's a bit of a haul for a portable to get into the repeater. You can use the radios simplex, i.e., point to point (radio to radio) without a repeater.

FYI, I'm originally from the Bradley/Polk County area and visit there frequently. In the future, if you decide not to use GMRS there's alway's Ham (Amateur) radio. There is a very good repeater on Chilhowee mountain that you would be able to use, with a portable, with about 1 watt of power and have extremely good coverage.

The benefit to using MURS/GMRS...much of the equipment for those just needs to simply be reprogrammed to the ham bands if the OP starts with one and then decides he would like his ham license later on down the road.

 

[KC3ECJ]

I don't know weather the OP lives in town or rural, but generally VHF(MURS) is better for rural, UHF(FRS & GMRS) for in town.
Buildings are less of an obstacle to UHF.

VHF handles terrain better.

 

[SteveC0625]

I don't know weather the OP lives in town or rural, but generally VHF(MURS) is better for rural, UHF(FRS & GMRS) for in town.
Buildings are less of an obstacle to UHF.

VHF handles terrain better.

You are omitting the MURS power limit of 2 watts versus the GMRS limits of 50 watts mobile or base and 5 watts portable. (Actually 4 watts portable because of manufacturer limitations.)

Given the OP's needs, GMRS is much more appropriate and far more adaptable to changes in the future.

 

[SCPD]

I agree with the option for re-purposing the UHF equipment at a later time if needed. In the OP's location he would be able to use several of the GMRS repeaters in the Chattanooga area with a 50 watt mobile. Or, there are plenty of UHF ham repeaters that offer good coverage too. The good thing about his locale is there are plenty of mountains with repeaters on them have have excellent coverage. @OP... I would recommend going to northgeorgiagmrs.com and joining for free. Check out the website and you will find that there are plenty of GMRS repeaters that are in their network.

BTW, I'm able able to use one of the Chattanooga GMRS repeaters really well from Cleveland with a 50 watt mobile. GMRS would be good for you if you don't care to take a test, for ham radio, to get licensed. And, your family members can use your GMRS license as well.

 

[techguru]

In this situation I would invest in some Motorola MURS radios.

Amazon.com : Motorola RMM2050 On-Site Two-Way Business Radio : Motorola Murs : Car Electronics