huntingfish
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Quebec City
Howdy,
After some extremely dissapointing performance by our little GMRS/FRS radios from canadiantire, I started looking for possible alternatives. The baofeng UV-5R comes up often in conversations about affordable options beyond little bubble wrap radios.
We have max 4km distance between any of us at most. Thats if one person is at the edge of our hunting territory and someone else is at the other edge. Most of the time, when we're at our stands, it's more of a 2.0km distance. There's 2 little mountains between some of our spots, which breaks line of light (hence the poor performance with the bubblewrap radios). It is somewhat ok when going over the smaller mountain, but when going over both, we can't hear each other at all.
Unfortunately, operating those radios require a HAM radio operator license. I don't mind reading up and passing the exam, but I'm trying to determine if it's worth it.
Anyone have any experience with them or similar radios. From my reading, these would be be able to transmit on low power (1W) or high power (4W). Upgrading the stock antenna with a better model (while still being somewhat compact, such as a 7.5" flexible antenna) seem to be worthwhile and relatively cheap.
If I read right, I believe there is a repeater about 15 km away. Not sure if this would be of use (or IF it can be of any use). Don't think we could expect to be able to bounce a signal off the repeater to reach someone that would have line of sight to the repeater but no line of sight between us (if that makes any sense).
The price is pretty attractive on those little baofeng uv-5r. At about 40$, they're not that more expensive than bubblewrap radios.
About the basic ham license...how involved is it? Can one study for 2-3 weeks at night and expect to pass or is it more involved?
Please enlighten me!
Fish
After some extremely dissapointing performance by our little GMRS/FRS radios from canadiantire, I started looking for possible alternatives. The baofeng UV-5R comes up often in conversations about affordable options beyond little bubble wrap radios.
We have max 4km distance between any of us at most. Thats if one person is at the edge of our hunting territory and someone else is at the other edge. Most of the time, when we're at our stands, it's more of a 2.0km distance. There's 2 little mountains between some of our spots, which breaks line of light (hence the poor performance with the bubblewrap radios). It is somewhat ok when going over the smaller mountain, but when going over both, we can't hear each other at all.
Unfortunately, operating those radios require a HAM radio operator license. I don't mind reading up and passing the exam, but I'm trying to determine if it's worth it.
Anyone have any experience with them or similar radios. From my reading, these would be be able to transmit on low power (1W) or high power (4W). Upgrading the stock antenna with a better model (while still being somewhat compact, such as a 7.5" flexible antenna) seem to be worthwhile and relatively cheap.
If I read right, I believe there is a repeater about 15 km away. Not sure if this would be of use (or IF it can be of any use). Don't think we could expect to be able to bounce a signal off the repeater to reach someone that would have line of sight to the repeater but no line of sight between us (if that makes any sense).
The price is pretty attractive on those little baofeng uv-5r. At about 40$, they're not that more expensive than bubblewrap radios.
About the basic ham license...how involved is it? Can one study for 2-3 weeks at night and expect to pass or is it more involved?
Please enlighten me!
Fish
