Communication

[seniormoment]

Anyone out there interested in comms? I’m not looking for another expensive hobby just what would be a reasonable, inexpensive platform to get. Amateur radio requires a pretty good amount of studying and passing a test. GMRS seems to be a little less complicated to get into but you can invest as much as want in equipment. Also, the license includes your whole family for ten years. I just want to be able to communicate with others in my group say within 5 to 10 miles or so.

 

[Bobster]

I picked up some CB equipment about 10yrs ago. Not a big spend, $20 for one vehicle unit and one portable unit with small antennas. They both work and can talk to each other but there was ZERO action on the air waves. "Breaker, breaker, you gotcher ears on?" (crickets)

I HAVE been interested in the Baofeng units but like you, I do not know enough about them to make an informed purchase.

 

[seniormoment]

I picked up some CB equipment about 10yrs ago. Not a big spend, $20 for one vehicle unit and one portable unit with small antennas. They both work and can talk to each other but there was ZERO action on the air waves. "Breaker, breaker, you gotcher ears on?" (crickets)

I HAVE been interested in the Baofeng units but like you, I do not know enough about them to make an informed purchase.

Baofeng does make some nice FRS units but you can get other brands at Walmart which are comparable and cheaper. I understand that GMRS is compatible with FRS and I think (??) has more power.
I heard that citizens band is pretty well dead now but should still work for you. If everyone in your group has a radio you can still keep in touch. A base station with a good antenna can reach for miles.

 

[Stephen G]

Try Bells CB and Electronics Fort Lauderdale Fla.
Karle was Navy and wicked smart. Only person Id trust to work on equipment.

We could always get 20miles out of our mobil units.

 

[Michele]

We have ham in a can. BTW I was told Baofeng is not a very good piece of equipment by a proficient ham operator.
We use it in the desert where there’s no service. We can talk to people miles away. The test is easy- go to the class, take the test right after the lessons.
Also, find someone that can “open” your radio to get max benefits from it.

Ham in a Can ​

50 cal ammo box (potentially a faraday cage , if sealed)
Antenna
Diamond NR- 73BNMO
144 / 440 MHz Dualband Vertical Mobile Antenna - 34 Inches tall - NMO Connector
DIAMOND NR-73BNMO

Antenna cable
Tram 1250 nmo3/4 inch 17’ rg58 coax cable for antenna
https://smile.amazon.com/Tram-Antenna-Surface-Connector-Kenwood/dp/B00XCZMUQC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GFHJ67EZEVDH&keywords=Tram+1250+NMO+3/4"+RG58+Coax+Cable+Roof+Mount+Antenna+Surface+with+UHF+PL259+Connector+for+Yaesu+Kenwood+HYT+Vertex+Icom+Mobile+Radios&qid=1666840154&qu=eyJxc2MiOiItMC4wMSIsInFzYSI6IjAuMDAiLCJxc3AiOiIwLjAwIn0=&sprefix=tram+1250+nmo+3/4+rg58+coax+cable+roof+mount+antenna+surface+with+uhf+pl259+connector+for+yaesu+kenwood+hyt+vertex+icom+mobile+radios,aps,150&sr=8-1

Radio
ICOM I -2300H 144 MHz 65 Watt MIL-STD 810 FM Transceiver
Ham Radio Outlet