4 thoughts on “Are You Pondering What I’m Pondering?”
Hi Mr. H- May I bother you for your informed opinion?
I want a pair of walkie-talkies with a range of 5 miles or so. I’m getting lined up for the somewhat impending Zombie Apocalypse. Any personal recommendations regarding all-weather competent walkie-talkies?
I still have several mid-90s Motorola talkabouts we used to connect the family on ski slopes and amusement parks. I wouldn’t have thought that (level) technology has progressed much (because of delineated freqs and such) but the 16-mile ranges on the current Talkabouts far exceeds what I dimly recall was the case 24 or so years ago.
I’m looking at the latest gen talkabouts and also the BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio. The BaoFeng makes me nervous because I can’t count on having Charlie Sheen plus several other teenagers backing me up on the hillsides. It also seems awfully cheap for what looks like a LOT of radio.
Five miles, or so, range is what I want. Yep, I DO understand line-of-sight and all that. YMMV. I get it.
Ah. Since I wrote you initially I’ve looked at the Motorola T800 which is GMRS-compatible. I think it’s what I want.
Tomorrow, I’ll download the user manual and take a look.
I DO see the license-requirement for GMRS though I don’t understand it entirely. Money’s not a problem and passing the test isn’t a problem so I’ll investigate further.
Near as I can tell all these little handset radios go at 2w or less. Makes sense that distance is a function of power and so I’d think all radios powered by AA batts are similar.
Hi Mr. H- May I bother you for your informed opinion?
I want a pair of walkie-talkies with a range of 5 miles or so. I’m getting lined up for the somewhat impending Zombie Apocalypse. Any personal recommendations regarding all-weather competent walkie-talkies?
I still have several mid-90s Motorola talkabouts we used to connect the family on ski slopes and amusement parks. I wouldn’t have thought that (level) technology has progressed much (because of delineated freqs and such) but the 16-mile ranges on the current Talkabouts far exceeds what I dimly recall was the case 24 or so years ago.
I’m looking at the latest gen talkabouts and also the BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio. The BaoFeng makes me nervous because I can’t count on having Charlie Sheen plus several other teenagers backing me up on the hillsides. It also seems awfully cheap for what looks like a LOT of radio.
Five miles, or so, range is what I want. Yep, I DO understand line-of-sight and all that. YMMV. I get it.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
I’d consider using GMRS radios. They operate in the same band as FRS radios, but are allowed to operate at higher power levels.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service
Hmmm. This reminds me that it’s time to renew my GMRS license.
I bought of pair of BaoFeng BF-F8HP radios as expendable ham radio HTs. They are complete duds, but I definitely consider them expendable.
You might also consider using MURS radios.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-Use_Radio_Service
IIRC, Motorola is selling both FRS and GMRS radio under their TalkAbout brand.
Ah. Since I wrote you initially I’ve looked at the Motorola T800 which is GMRS-compatible. I think it’s what I want.
Tomorrow, I’ll download the user manual and take a look.
I DO see the license-requirement for GMRS though I don’t understand it entirely. Money’s not a problem and passing the test isn’t a problem so I’ll investigate further.
Near as I can tell all these little handset radios go at 2w or less. Makes sense that distance is a function of power and so I’d think all radios powered by AA batts are similar.
Homework, homework-
Many thanks. Hope you’re doing well.
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