School me on walkie talkies

[Exodus343]

As the title states

I am looking for some good ones with a decent range

[the86d]

CB, w/no linear I haven't tried in a hand-held walkie-talkie size/output, but as I recall CB would go out miles from a car, if the car was running it pushed further. The Gargler says CB with a 4 watt output (the "legal" limit), should work 3-20 miles, depending if line of sight, and channel congestion/interference. There are 4 watt CB handhelds, but I have never used...

An FRS search on Amazon seems to list "Editorial recommendations By Digital Trends" 1st, but the reviews of the 1st "promoted one" looked mediocre. The ~$30 Motorola FRS I tried, got about ~1 mile in a housing tract, in the mid-range channels, 50% away from default channel, so channel congestion probably wasn't the issue w/others being on the freq(?)...

Most reviews of FRS state range is 1 mile average.

[The War Wagon]

The crappy ones they sell at Dunhams and the like, that say - "20, 30, 40, 50, 60 mile range" - on the packaging... DON'T.


On top of a 1,200'+ ridge here, I find they're good for about... A mile.


You'll want hand-held CB or ham band, to get REAL range. And even then, 20 miles is GREAT, and probably tops.

[Jongage]

All the bubble pack radios are limited to 1/2 wattage. That is nothing. Basically designed to talk on a job site, campground etc. Also those radios only have a few actual frequencies. One manufactures channel 1 will be anothers channel 6. Those are known as FRS Family Radio Service

To get anything real as far as range, quality you NEED to get your ham license and spend some money. Not alot just about 500 for a good setup.

Its amazing that people will spend tones of cash on a rifle looking for quality. But barely two pennies on radios and then wonder why they cant talk down the street. end of rant.......

[usr1987]

As the title states

I am looking for some good ones with a decent range

CB is in not much use anymore. I tried and its hard to find anyone using it.

[Bushwack44]

As the title states

I am looking for some good ones with a decent range

What's the purpose? Use in the city, country, mountains,...?? Budget?

[oddball]

^^^^^^^^

I'm guessing SHTF when cell phones become inoperable.

I have some old Motorola ones that are rechargeable and use AA batts as well. As noted above, the Family Radio frequencies are very feeble. I'm lucky to talk on them in the immediate neighborhood.

[Librarian]

^^^^^^^^

I'm guessing SHTF when cell phones become inoperable.

I have some old Motorola ones that are rechargeable and use AA batts as well. As noted above, the Family Radio frequencies are very feeble. I'm lucky to talk on them in the immediate neighborhood.

A lot of their problems are antenna limitations; an FRS/GMRS radio with more than a fixed 'stub' should be good for a couple miles. See https://codegreenprep.com/2013/03/ho...rsgmrs-radios/

There are also MURS radios; don't have any myself, intro article here: https://www.backdoorsurvival.com/the-best-murs-radios/

[acegunnr]

I recommend MURS 2 watts VHF (best for out in the open). Can use a mag mount antenna for in the car use or another type of external base station antenna for maximum range. No license needed.

Best MURS radio: https://baofengtech.com/murs-v1

[LindenBruce]

How fortuitous. I was just thinking about this today. What would be a good frequency/band for range? I know line of sight is a limiting factor. But a general all around urban/rural use for buddies to stay in touch with each other in a "I don't care about the FCC SHTF" scenario. Also, a radio that has a readily available headset ability would be good. Thanks, B.

[Librarian]

Just skimming this article - https://www.whollyoutdoor.com/best-handheld-ham-radio/

Any comments from actual hand-held ham radio users?

(Many many moons ago I was a CA ANG HF radio tech; these toys have always struck me as very complex)

[SW1917]

How fortuitous. I was just thinking about this today. What would be a good frequency/band for range? I know line of sight is a limiting factor. But a general all around urban/rural use for buddies to stay in touch with each other in a "I don't care about the FCC SHTF" scenario. Also, a radio that has a readily available headset ability would be good. Thanks, B.

That would be the infamous Baofeng UV-5R($25) or one of the many variation - can be programed via computer or by face in an emergency - the accessorizes are cheap-cover everything from mikes,antennas, etc.
Choose UHF(urban) or VHF(rural) when programing

[tokuno]

ham

Any comments from actual hand-held ham radio users?

Talked my wife into earning her ham license. I had bought her this $5.00 set of flash cards (easy, effective, & synchs between desktop & mobile), and she only missed one question on the tech test:

https://www.kb6nu.com/product/no-nonsense-technician-class-exam-flash-cards/

I also bought the General test flash card deck, and she told me yesterday she's passing all the General practice exams, so she'll be moving up shortly. I'm expecting she'll work toward her Amateur Extra, too. *shrug* may's well.

I.e. get your ham license. It's easy and provides much stronger emergency comms options.
Handy Talkies are inexpensive, typically 5-8 Watts, with far better range than bubble-pack FRS radios. Cheap Baofengs are nonetheless fully-featured & as capable for comms as the more expensive handy-talkies. Once you've gained experience, you'll know what specific or add'l features you desire (e.g. easier programability, weather resistant, different form-factors, durability, status, etc), and you'll likely have the option to buy your desired step-up rig on the used market. Also, ham gear is generally oriented around 12V supply, so in a serious, power-out emergency, you're surrounded by thousands of handy 12V supply sources (cars).
Pick a simplex channel for your family, and you've essentially got a super-charged walkie talkie.

Download the flash cards, work through them in idle moments, take some online practice tests until you're confident, pass the exam (should cost about $15 dollars), buy a cheap-o baofeng radio ($25 radio, $21 dollar programming cable, and free CHIRP software download is everything you need). Google some local repeater "nets" to practice talking to folks on your new radio, google a local ham club to get answers to any other questions you might have, and you'll have added a solid comms capability to your day-to-day & preparedness.

The ham license is lifetime no-cost (as long as you renew it every 10 years @no charge), and as long as your radio doesn't get lost, stolen, or broken, you're good to go with no add'l expenditures. "Required" expenditures, that is. There's tons of very seductive, sexy, and often-expensive ham toys that are begging for your credit card .

[DrjonesUSA]

Can anyone give any qualified information on a system like this?

Sounds very intriguing.....

https://gotenna.com/

Essentially it turns your cell phones into work-anywhere walkie-talkies, even includes text messaging / chat.



X

[jimmykan]

I recommend MURS 2 watts VHF (best for out in the open). Can use a mag mount antenna for in the car use or another type of external base station antenna for maximum range. No license needed.

Best MURS radio: https://baofengtech.com/murs-v1

This one is fine, but I think it's just a UV-82 that has all the license-required frequencies disabled, and at double the price of a regular UV-82.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-82-Two-Way-136-174MHz-400-520MHz/dp/B00E4KLY34