Originally Posted by Justin[_4_]

On 12/7/2012 7:24 PM, Fred McKenzie wrote:

Justin-

If you do get the pair of handheld CB radios, they should be a
relatively inexpensive "learning experience". They may be of some use,
but you will learn they do not work over a very long distance. Their
range is mostly limited by interference from the many other users of the
Citizens Band, even if the radio at home is connected to an outdoor
antenna.



Using GMRS radios may not have as much interference, but are limited to
line-of-sight distances. If there is a nearby GMRS repeater with a high
antenna, your range would be determined by the line-of-sight between
each radio and the repeater, which could be several miles. If there are
no repeaters in your area, you would need to install one of your own,
perhaps on top of a tall building in your community.

I don't know of any GMRS repeaters in the area, but that's a good idea,
I'll check it out.
Is there a website with all of them mapped out?


The same is true with Ham Radio. Using a Two Meter repeater, your hand
held radios might have a range of several miles. There are Ham Clubs
that sponsor repeaters in most population centers, and many are involved
in ARES and RACES emergency services. I suggest you look for Ham Clubs
in your area. Some offer free Ham Radio License Classes to get you
started. Take a look at the ARRL website,http://www.arrl.org.

Just remember, in a true emergency, power failure may keep all of your
radio systems from working unless they have backup power. In many
situations, the Cellular Telephone System may be the only working system
in the early hours.

That's true, the cell phones worked for a while but not for long.


Fred
K4DII

GMRS requires a license and permission to use another persons repeater.
The repeaters are not open, because the people who built the repeaters owns them and leases them to others - who wishes to have wireless communications, but does not have the experteise and property and finances to build their own repeater system.

GMRS repeater frequencies are usually not published...

At the same time, building your own repeater just in case is a very expensive proposition..
Repeaters are built in the most opportune places - places such as on top of mountains, very tall buildings or atop very large towers.

It involves both the construction costs to purchase the land, the tower, the equipment and the frequency - since you have to apply to a repeater council for permission for a frequency and the repeater council charges a fee - if there is an available frequency available and a fee to belong to the repeater council. It also involves land tax or a lease, insurance on the tower and equipment and calamity...

A tower owner with a tower more then 300' tall also has to include the costs of lighting the tower.
Most tower owners can anticipate having at least one lightning strike every 4 years which is very expensive to repair.
With a Cellular tower - the cost averages about $12,000.00 in repair costs alone.....

Unless you are willing to pay a monthly fee for permission to use someone's tower, a license fee of $85.00 every 10 years and the cost of good transceivers and antenna's - you ought to forget about GMRS....

Amateur radio - most towers / repeaters are free to use..
Less then 5% of all repeaters are closed repeaters...
THe license is free - once you pay for the exam.
AND - there is more people to talk to, once you establish yourself in the buddy club.