I've used FRS walkie talkies on cruises in the past (before smartphones).
This is something that I'd consider in the future when the price becomes more reasonable.
100%FRS is low powered. You are better off with a 30 dollar Baofeng that you can program to any frequency with a range of about 5 miles.
It's the range that's the problem. They can now only legally make the FRS frequencies 2 Watts. You can get about 2 miles out of them but that's in a flat desert. Once you add mountains, trees, and structures, it's basically line of sight. If you can see them, you can hear them.How much was this? Seems like it could be a powerful tool for team based SHTF antics. What with the landnav feature in addition to comms. Seems like a pretty low profile comms setup too, as opposed to radios in pouches and helmet mounted accoutrements. What kind of security can be run with this? Can it be encrypted?
@Willjr75's comms thread awhile back had me facinated, I don't have all that much knowledge of radio comms and communication in any sort of situation is vital.
Hmnn, I see. If I had actual freinds I might go out and get a radio. But I don't. I don't even like talking on my CB, keep it shut off most of the time.It's the range that's the problem. They can now only legally make the FRS frequencies 2 Watts. You can get about 2 miles out of them but that's in a flat desert. Once you add mountains, trees, and structures, it's basically line of sight. If you can see them, you can hear them.
With handhelds, you get 1 and half times the wattage with a 5 watt and 3 times the wattage with an 8 watt.
You need a license but none of that matters when laws don't matter.
I have them mostly for family. My wife's family is 4 miles down the road. If things ever got bad were normal communications went down, I'd give them a radio. These radios would reach them with no problem.Hmnn, I see. If I had actual freinds I might go out and get a radio. But I don't. I don't even like talking on my CB, keep it shut off most of the time.
I've got those (acquired years after the FRS radios) and programmed them with the Chirp PC application.FRS is low powered. You are better off with a 30 dollar Baofeng that you can program to any frequency with a range of about 5 miles.
What did you expect for only $28?I've got those (acquired years after the DRS radios) and programmed them with the Chirp PC application.
One of them has a crappy squelch and frequently blurts out loud static when it should be silent.
Many? They sell that shit with the radio and'll install it for you to boot. I get the impression that enforcement of these radio laws aren't particularly well enforced.I have them mostly for family. My wife's family is 4 miles down the road. If things ever got bad were normal communications went down, I'd give them a radio. These radios would reach them with no problem.
I even have the local fire, EMS, and police set to monitor only their frequencies. Every once in a while I'll monitor them to see what's doing and to keep up on their lingo.
CB's are good too. You can't monitor police but you can communicate about a mile or so legally. Many trucks have illegal antennas and boosters that'll get them many miles depending on the weather conditions.
Pretty much what I got.What did you expect for only $28?
You have to cause problems for them to enforce those laws. On CB, they've pretty much gave up unless you are stationary and cause interference with something important. Most everyone has illegal high powered wattage.Many? They sell that shit with the radio and'll install it for you to boot. I get the impression that enforcement of these radio laws aren't particularly well enforced.
Get a new one. They are so damned cheap. I use Chirp too.I've got those (acquired years after the DRS radios) and programmed them with the Chirp PC application.
One of them has a crappy squelch and frequently blurts out loud static when it should be silent.
Baofengs are so cheap they are disposable. With that said, I've had one for 3 years now and it works fine. It always stays in my bag. The numbers on the key pads are wearing off now.I bought a GT-3TP last year and have been using to monitor the local police, haven't messed with to transmit yet. I don't have any squelch issues with this one but it's a bit different than the others. Still cheap at $40 or so but I wasn't ready to spend the money on a Yaesu HT. But on the same hand if I break this one I won't feel so bad, not so if I broke a $150+ Yaesu.
I bought a GT-3TP last year and have been using to monitor the local police, haven't messed with to transmit yet. I don't have any squelch issues with this one but it's a bit different than the others. Still cheap at $40 or so but I wasn't ready to spend the money on a Yaesu HT. But on the same hand if I break this one I won't feel so bad, not so if I broke a $150+ Yaesu.
It's the range that's the problem. They can now only legally make the FRS frequencies 2 Watts. You can get about 2 miles out of them but that's in a flat desert. Once you add mountains, trees, and structures, it's basically line of sight. If you can see them, you can hear them.
With handhelds, you get 1 and half times the wattage with a 5 watt and 3 times the wattage with an 8 watt.
You need a license but none of that matters when laws don't matter.
If you already have 2 watts and you add another 3 watts, you've increased the wattage by 1.5 times as much.Am I missing something? Is this the new math?
2 x 1.5 = 5 ???
2 x 3 = 8 ???
Aren't you too old to be a product of common core math?
I haven't tried to see how far it'll transmit yet, need to get together with my nephew and my truck, his Baofeng is a 5w. The radio I have is tri-power, I think it's 2-5-8 watts. It seems to receive well, I listen to the Sheriff Dept a lot and pick up their cars from all over the county really clear and I'm at the northern boarder of Broome/Cortland Co. Transmit will be much different seems the mobile LEO rigs probably have 30-50w, maybe more.I am a radio dummy. What kind of range do you get with the one you mentioned? Sending and receiving.
Thx