Hand held radios. Simple title. Looking for a nice two way radio set up.

[GOPerfect]

I have begun searching for some really nice 2 way radios. So many choices on the market. Read on review, they say this on is the greatest; read a review on a different site and the opposite is said.

I do not want junk. I have placed a budget on these as of yet. I want something that will hold up to the elements, good range and weather channels.

I think I want a set that has an app to tie into my phone.

I await all recommendations

 

[FP1201]

I got into them a little last Summer, ended up getting my HAM Licenses and GMRS Licenses.
If you're looking for anything more than something to fart around with under 3 miles then the GMRS or FMRS Radio's are a pretty good choice and into a differnent wavelength (and Licenses) the Baofeng

Choosing Between GMRS or FRS Radio | Midland Radio

If you're trying to choose between a GMRS or FRS radio and feel stumped, don't stress about it. This blog will help you decide what's best for yo...

midlandusa.com

These things sell like crazy, but again the range is limited unless you get a special antenna (long) or tap into a repeater.

https://www.amazon.com/Handheld-Rechargeable-Batteries-Dual-Band-Programming/dp/B08XM5L7DK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1RYD0J8GQI2AO&keywords=baofeng+uv-5r&qid=1686016597&sprefix=bao%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySEZVQ0Y2MlNJQjJWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTMzMzIxUE5KQ0pYMzNZSEc0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTE5NzcxOFFLOE9QUEFKREpBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

AARL is the best place to start if you're going above the walki-talki's listed above.

Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

www.arrl.org

 

[GOPerfect]

I got into them a little last Summer, ended up getting my HAM Licenses and GMRS Licenses.
If you're looking for anything more than something to fart around with under 3 miles then the GMRS or FMRS Radio's are a pretty good choice and into a differnent wavelength (and Licenses) the Baofeng

Choosing Between GMRS or FRS Radio | Midland Radio

If you're trying to choose between a GMRS or FRS radio and feel stumped, don't stress about it. This blog will help you decide what's best for yo...

midlandusa.com

These things sell like crazy, but again the range is limited unless you get a special antenna (long) or tap into a repeater.

https://www.amazon.com/Handheld-Rechargeable-Batteries-Dual-Band-Programming/dp/B08XM5L7DK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1RYD0J8GQI2AO&keywords=baofeng+uv-5r&qid=1686016597&sprefix=bao%2Caps%2C106&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySEZVQ0Y2MlNJQjJWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTMzMzIxUE5KQ0pYMzNZSEc0JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTE5NzcxOFFLOE9QUEFKREpBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

AARL is the best place to start if you're going above the walki-talki's listed above.

Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the U.S. with news, information and resources.

www.arrl.org

The Link you posted for the Ham's are they easy to set up and operate? Looks a bit fancy and I am not all that smart with this kind of stuff.

 

[GOPerfect]

What I am looking at the most are the Motorola T800 series radios. They have both the FRS as well as the GMRS. Seems simpler for me.

TALKABOUT T800 Series Walkie Talkies - Motorola Solutions

Remain connected, even while off the grid with the TALKABOUT T800 Series. With enhanced communication, enjoy unrivaled connectivity for peace of mind. Learn more.

www.motorolasolutions.com

Amazon has a six unit set for $300.

 

[C3D]

Baofeng for cheap but very usable.

 

[FP1201]

I'm too novice to recommend Radios, and the thing with taking the Training classes towards your Licenses is learning enough of the basics to really decide what's right for you and your application. Really not difficult. With the Baofengs so long as both are on the same frequency, they're pretty simple... same with the GMRS/FMRS (you're supposed to have a Licenses for the GMRS, it's good for the whole Family, and doesn't require a Test to obtain) set the channel and go, if it's already in use just pick another... lot like CB radios.

Don't get sucked in by the Range: that "Up to 35 mile range*" means if you're standing on top of a Mountain with a direct line of sight to someone on the distant mountain and the conditions were just right, you MIGHT be able to talk to one another. While I don't have a set like you picked, yea, I'd be interested in those, looks like a good set up.

 

[GOPerfect]

Thanks

 

[RedBreast21]

I have two sets of older GMRS moto's and there still going strong. LOS thou. Thats line of site. I also have a Baofeng and Yeasu raidio's. No not a prepper but always thought about preparedness before it was sexy lol

 

[Jem45472]

I bought a couple baofangs. Had to buy a sperate cable for PC hookup to program them, but it was easy enough after a little research. I've read that you don't want to even attempt programming them without the PC hook-up. Major pain in the ass.

 

[masterswimmer]

Calling @fnfalguy
He knows his radios.

I picked up the Yaseu FT-60R. It seems to be a step up from the Baofeng.

Ham Radio Outlet has decent prices from what I've seen.

​

 

[Acer-m14]

GENERAL Model: Talkabout T800 Range: Up to 35 miles (voice), Up to 20 miles (data)* Frequency: FRS 462-467 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. Channels: 22 Channels, each with 121 privacy codes

i didn't see anything mentioned on GRMS and no clue if its the same band ...

and what FP12091 said on that 35 mile range .. its line of sight

and it receives weather channels .. okay ..


what about EMS LEO FIRE and others ??

you only need a ham license to use the ham bands .. you can listen all you want ..

and most ham radios cover a shit ton of frequencies ..

2 of my ham radios also receive 118 mhz AM for airplanes so i can tune into the local airport for air craft weather data or traffic ..

WX ASOS

118.325 585-335-2380

 

[1075tech]

what about EMS LEO FIRE and others ??

Most of these are now in the 800 band on trunked or encrypted systems.

I've seen that some are in the 700 band.

You'll need something capable of the higher frequencies and able to monitor the trunks.

You'll also need the PL codes for the repeaters

 

[spat]

I bought a couple baofangs. Had to buy a sperate cable for PC hookup to program them, but it was easy enough after a little research. I've read that you don't want to even attempt programming them without the PC hook-up. Major pain in the ass.

I have manually added a frequency to one.

I can confirm. Adding more than a couple manually is going to seriously damage your calm.

 

[Celt]

I have these, they are pretty darn good.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-RMV2080-Channel-Two-Way-Business/dp/B00EAHGMCE

I was just looking at ear pieces for them over the weekend. I have the mic attachments so i can leave the radio in the pouch, but need the earpiece for privacy.

 

[Robin]

KX-Line Transceivers (KX2, KX3)

If purchasing a new transceiver, amplifier, tuner or panadapter, we recommend purchasing these items from the product pages where you'll find valuable information on configuring your new purchase. Parts & Mod Kits You can order parts under the Parts & Mod Kits section below. If you're unable to...

elecraft.com

 

[Acer-m14]

Most of these are now in the 800 band on trunked or encrypted systems.

I've seen that some are in the 700 band.

You'll need something capable of the higher frequencies and able to monitor the trunks.

You'll also need the PL codes for the repeaters

were still in the 155 mhz band Leo and 42 mhz for fire


you can get the scanner radio app for phone and listen to Livco County still ..

check out your county below ..

Livingston County, New York (NY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Livingston County, New York (NY)

www.radioreference.com

 

[GOPerfect]

I went with this pack. The more I read about this model, the more I liked.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-T800-Talkabout-Two-Way-Radios/dp/B0BKY46ZHZ/ref=sr_1_10?crid=16YX04Y75M7ER&keywords=motorola+t800+talkabout+two-way+radios&qid=1686189005&s=electronics&sprefix=motorola+t800+talkabout+two-way+radios+%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-10&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.c3015c4a-46bb-44b9-81a4-dc28e6d374b3

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[FrankenCub]

PC programming radios isn't too bad. I use Chirp. I will do my higher end Icom and my cheap Baofeng.

 

[Bob]

were still in the 155 mhz band Leo and 42 mhz for fire


you can get the scanner radio app for phone and listen to Livco County still ..

check out your county below ..

Livingston County, New York (NY) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference

Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Livingston County, New York (NY)

www.radioreference.com

Livingston is all VHF now. The entire county has switched to a trunked system where all of the fire, EMS, police, and public words departments can talk to each other.