2 way radios ...... which one ?
- Thread starter Potasz
- Start date
The blister pack FRS/GMRS radios (midland, cobra, etc.) are all pretty much the same, the regulations around them limit them all to the same low output power (500mW) and antenna length, so they all pretty much have the exact same range, only differences would be added features or higher quality transceivers to cut out noise. The ranges listed on them are all absolute best case ever mountain top to mountain top perfect line of sight performance, don't ever expect to get those ranges in real life, especially in wooded and hilly terrain.
If you are looking for something better, puxing and baofeng make good radios that operate in the FRS/GMRS range. You will have to program in the frequencies but there are tons of guides on how to do that (ONLY USE FRS/GMRS FREQS, going outside them is quite against the law). Technically you are not supped to use them on FRS/GMRS frequencies though, fines could be involved if IC cared enough, just keep that in mind.
If you are looking for something better, puxing and baofeng make good radios that operate in the FRS/GMRS range. You will have to program in the frequencies but there are tons of guides on how to do that (ONLY USE FRS/GMRS FREQS, going outside them is quite against the law). Technically you are not supped to use them on FRS/GMRS frequencies though, fines could be involved if IC cared enough, just keep that in mind.
I love my Baofeng UV-5R radios. Excellent range, excellent battery life, excellent build quality. Programming the first one takes a bit of learning and time, but you can save the template and easily upload it to subsequent radios. It isn't rocket surgery, and as stated by Cobrajr122 there are great guides available out there.
They are a higher-powered radio and are therefore not legal (unless you have an amateur radio license), but if you only use them responsibly on the FRS/GMRS bands...
The VALUE is insane with these radios.
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/baofeng-uv5r-two-way-radio/
They are a higher-powered radio and are therefore not legal (unless you have an amateur radio license), but if you only use them responsibly on the FRS/GMRS bands...
The VALUE is insane with these radios.
https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/baofeng-uv5r-two-way-radio/
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Generally a few hundred meters in truly thick woods depending on your antenna and how high you can get it, possibly up to a km, though every instance is different and you might end up getting more.
Unfortunately even with 4 Watts (the majority of the ones you will find will say 5 watts, but that will be on the VHF band, UHF is 4 Watts) and a far superior antenna compared to the blister pack radios you are still subject to the FRS/GMRS frequency band that is not well suited for transmitting through many things.
The less things in the way the further you will get.
Keep in mind that claims on the blister packs are absurd, your maximum line of sight at an antenna height of 2 meters (typical person holding up a radio) on flat ground is 5KM.
For the price a couple UV-5Rs, 1/2 wave antennas, and the time to watch a video on youtube to put the FRS/GMRS frequencies in it probably worth a try, like I said it could very well work just fine where you are. Even if it does not, you will have 2 very good radios
If Canada ever gets around to authorizing the MURS frequencies in the VHF band for general use then we will have some very good thick bush radios as that band tends to get through the woods better.
That would be very nice.
We have two Baofeng UV-5RTP (Tri-Power 8/4/1 Watt) up at our cabin we use all the time at full wattage. I programmed all and use the GMRS freq only and never run into problems. I run the stubby antennas and can get 2 km easily in our 215 acre forest private land. Flat no tree interference and I can reach just over 4 km with the stubbies. Comes with ear piece as well.
Best $120 off e-Bay I've spent so far
Cranky Pants
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I have the 5 watt and the 8 watt ones and with the 5 watts units I can easily get 2 km in bush and early testing a couple days ago of the 8 watt ones got 4.5 km in treed terrain. Don't buy the Motorola/cobra/etc junk. I bought many of them over the years and they are all as effective as a solid yell. Wish I had my money back from all that garbage.
They should be, they can broadcast on any frequency between 136 - 174MHz and 400 - 520MHz.
Most of those ####ty cobras/midlands etc, operate on FRS or GMRS bands, both of which the baofeng will transmit on.
You will get good coverage with a UHF system. I would recommend a good quality motorola or even kenwood.. you will be limited to 4watts. But if you build or buy a portable repeater system, you will get around 25 to 30 watts output pwr. This depending on terrain/antenna etc. Could get you 25-30km range.. remember the person you are talking to also has to have the pwr etc. To reach back to your system. Any korean etc. Radio system that puts out more than 5/4 watts , you can self program and is not a FRS and are hand helds... are illegal in Canada.. you can get this info from Industry Canada. Hope this helps
I just got my amateur radio license, and a lot of the course and test were based on what you can and can't do. Industry Canada (has a new name now) is the governing body, and the fear of god was put into us. Now, in the real world, there are clowns out there that are disturbing licensed operators by jamming frequencies, broadcasting music and insane cartoon tunes. In some cases the names and call signs have been posted. Has anything been done? Nope, some of this madness has been going on for months. Take DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) which uses the UHF/VHF bands, in the GTA it has taken down all of the repeaters since last November. As others have stated, keep it under 4 watts, stay out in the bush and you should be fine.
For the price a couple UV-5Rs, 1/2 wave antennas, and the time to watch a video on youtube to put the FRS/GMRS frequencies in it probably worth a try, like I said it could very well work just fine where you are. Even if it does not, you will have 2 very good radios
If Canada ever gets around to authorizing the MURS frequencies in the VHF band for general use then we will have some very good thick bush radios as that band tends to get through the woods better.
MURS will never be allowed in Canada until the bandwidth is changed from 11.5 and even 20KHZ.. Its all about frequency management.. also it would be the same as any other VHF freq as MURS is VHF...lol I believe around 150Mhz .. If you want your own VHF freq you can apply for it from Industry Canada.. It will cost you alittle if they give you one. Again UHF will cut through bush the best, but you will need a licensed frequency from industry canada. It would be worth the effort..so to sum up.. Freq band/pwr/Antenna/quality of transceiver = the communications your looking for. If you buy a cheap Icom/Hytera/crappy tire/cheap online Asian(probably illegal) radio, you will get the performance of what you paid for..crap..lol
Hi Guys,
It seems this topic comes up again and again. You will never get very good range in the bush with simplex 2 way radios.
Radio at most frequencies is line of sight. If you have a 1000 lumen flashlight do you think you could see your buddy's 5 KM away when he flashed you??
Now, if you were on 2 mountain peaks of course you could.
If you are licensed correctly, you could build a simple repeater and place it on high ground. You will get MUCH further range possible 5-10+ KM.
It seems this topic comes up again and again. You will never get very good range in the bush with simplex 2 way radios.
Radio at most frequencies is line of sight. If you have a 1000 lumen flashlight do you think you could see your buddy's 5 KM away when he flashed you??
Now, if you were on 2 mountain peaks of course you could.
If you are licensed correctly, you could build a simple repeater and place it on high ground. You will get MUCH further range possible 5-10+ KM.
