Two-Way radios and GMRS/FRS questions

JAlexander

JAlexander

Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
1,362
Hey folks.

I'm hoping someone can recommend a good two-way radio to me. My wife and I (along with a couple friends for company) are going to be caravanning from San Francisco to Austin in a couple of weeks. We want to get some two-way radios for car-to-moving truck communication, since we'll be driving through areas that might not have Sprint PCS coverage. It seems, though, that none of the choices available on Amazon or at Best Buy come highly recommended. I want to get radios with a five to seven mile range and hope the extra power will serve us in cases where radios with two mile ranges wouldn't. I trust folks around here to have good suggestions, though, so please don't let me down.
Also, can anyone explain the whole GMRS/FRS thing to me? I understand that to operate on GMRS channels you have to have an FCC license, but you don't have to have a license to use the FRS channels. But since many radios have both kinds of channels, they say you need an FCC license to use one. Huh? Why not just leave it on the FRS channels? Or could we use the radio on the trip, as long as I've applied for the license beforehand? So many questions.

In any case, thanks a lot.

James
 
I've only used moterola and cobra FRS radios, 2km range on em. they still get 2km through trees... get an earpeice if you can find one for your radio(I love mine).

can't help much beyond that though.
 
The difference between FRS and GMRS is the licensing and the maximum power output. FRS and GMRS share the first seven channels, although they may or may not be fully compatible (there are slight differences in how the frequency is used). FRS radios do not require any FCC license to operate, and are limited in power to 0.5 watts. This gives a range of 1-2 miles, depending on terrain and other conditions (I've gotten about 1 mile in the city). GMRS requires a license to operate, and you cannot operate until you have a license issued, because you asre issued station identification in the form of a callsign, with which you must identify yourself periodically. GMRS radios are limited to 5 watts output, but I don't have any experience with them. The GMRS license fee is quite steep; it was $75 last time I checked, but only one person in the group needs a license, AFAIK, FCC processing time tends to be about 2-3 weeks.

FRS from car to car works poorly, in my experience. The range is too short to be of use when you really need it. If you can't see the other vehicle, you can't contact them via radio.

In addition to FRS/GMRS, you have two other options: CB and Amateur radio. Amateur radio is probably not the option you want because, although there are no power limits, you need to pass a test and wait for a license before you can transmit. CB is a better option, as it does not require a license, and has a maximum output of 4 or 12 watts, depending on the type of transmitter. The downside is that the radios are larger and more expensive than the FRS/GMRS radios.
 
If you're getting FRS?GMRS radios, get the icom f-21G radios... they are more costly, but they ar e by far the best and most powerful... I collect radios like guys here collect knives.

If you want a programmable radio, you can get an Icom t7h and modify it so that you can transmit/recieve from 118mhz to 170, and 400 to 470 mhz.
 
If, you decide on getting a GMRS enabled model, get one that's repeater capable... don't have a license, ID yourself as someone else... preferable someone out of state...LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top