"ALEXB" wrote in message
...


OK, what is the solution for me that won't run afoul with the law? Would a
CB radio be the one? What type of radios can I use for a two way
communications, conducted occasionally with high degree of reliability on
demand? As I mentioned, The two points are five blocks apart downtown a
Midwestern city with a lot of structures in between. The conversations
will
(or rather, may) be done during business hours between 9:00 and 4:00 EST.
I
want to make sure that when I turned that radio on: (1) I can contact my
partner immediately (2) in any weather (3) there is minimal interference.
As
I mentioned, it is a back up system for me. I am using VoIP phone lines
most
of the time but my office on the other end of the communication line has
to
have at least one line landbased. In any event, on a few occasions because
of construction nearby the lines have been interrupted recently. I need a
backup to fall onto in case of future problems.


Personally, I'd recommend the new(er) MURS band. This is license free, and
is definitely capable of going 5 blocks. Of course, blocks are different
lengths in different locations, but either way, I wouldn't think that you
would run into any problems.

MURS consists of 5 frequencies (channels) that were once used for licensed
business communications, but are now available for public (and business)
use, license free. There are three frequencies in the 151.XXX MHz range,
and two in the 154.XXX MHz range. If you were to utilize one of the 151.XXX
MHz freqs., you would minimize your chance of interference, as the most
readily used freqs. were the 154.XXX MHz ones. This band can also utilize
CTCSS tone codes to further minimize interference.

Another plus is that there are LOTS of high quality radios on the used
market that utilize these frequencies because of the fact that they used to
be licensed business band freqs. Do a little internet searching for MURS, I
bet it will fit what you are looking for, and be a LOT cheaper to boot if
you go with used equipment...