Just a thought here. True the FRS units are a commodity (selling price near
the higher end throw-away cameras) and their range is limited, but they
don't have to contend with skip. One possibility might be MURS. With a 2
watt limit and a much more efficient antenna than the 27 MHz units, these
may make a lot of sense (especially if they get the prices down). I would
expect 5 miles between handhelds on MURS (but then, I may be ever the
optimist


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim

"Homac" wrote in message
om...
The range on the average CB even the smaller "Walkie-Talkie" style is
much better. FRS main advantage is it's much smaller size, however if
you want to communicate reliably (more than 1 mile) a CB or 2m Amateur
equipment is the way to go.

You are right about CB I have seen more and more people with them
again. It started in the 70s then died out, back in the late 80's
then died out and now its back again???

Homac


I want something which can communicate 2-3km and keep hearing how
limited FRS radios are. I know CBs are starting to come back, is the
range much better. Any help would be appreciated.

Luigi


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"Jim Hampton" wrote in message
...
Just a thought here. True the FRS units are a commodity (selling price
near
the higher end throw-away cameras) and their range is limited, but they
don't have to contend with skip. One possibility might be MURS. With a 2
watt limit and a much more efficient antenna than the 27 MHz units, these
may make a lot of sense (especially if they get the prices down). I would
expect 5 miles between handhelds on MURS (but then, I may be ever the
optimist


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim

Maybe over flat unobstructed ground (which is the optimistic way they rate
distance anyway, but who lives at Bonneville Salt Flats?), but in the real
world, usually a bit less. I have used MURS at the deer lease though, and in
wooded and slightly hilly terrain, we were getting around 2 miles at near
full quieting, with one watt and the tremendously inefficient rubber duck
antenna.

Yes, but you *can* replace that antenna! A decent (yet still relatively
small) antenna plus an increase to 2 watts would yield a considerable gain.

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim


"Duh" wrote in message
. ..

"Jim Hampton" wrote in message
...
Just a thought here. True the FRS units are a commodity (selling price
near
the higher end throw-away cameras) and their range is limited, but they
don't have to contend with skip. One possibility might be MURS. With a
2
watt limit and a much more efficient antenna than the 27 MHz units,
these
may make a lot of sense (especially if they get the prices down). I
would
expect 5 miles between handhelds on MURS (but then, I may be ever the
optimist


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim

Maybe over flat unobstructed ground (which is the optimistic way they rate
distance anyway, but who lives at Bonneville Salt Flats?), but in the real
world, usually a bit less. I have used MURS at the deer lease though, and
in
wooded and slightly hilly terrain, we were getting around 2 miles at near
full quieting, with one watt and the tremendously inefficient rubber duck
antenna.




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"Jim Hampton" wrote in message ...
Yes, but you *can* replace that antenna! A decent (yet still relatively
small) antenna plus an increase to 2 watts would yield a considerable gain.

Also, higher quality receivers make a big difference. One never sees
specs on the packages of FRS or GMRS/FRS hybrid receivers - but most
of them have to be absolutely awful... manufacturers know that 99.9%
of their FRS FRS/GMRS hybrid customer base couldn't understand
receiver specs, even if they made them available. For most "real"
GMRS, MURS, ham, or business radios, you will easily be able to find
the specs - usually in the user's manual inside the package, or on a
on-line spec sheet at the manufacturer's web site... fact is, I'd
guess than more than half the ham Techs don't understand receiver
specs.

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim

- Stewart
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MURS-OPEN

I agree....

Most FRS units I have seen are restricted to 500mW or 1/2 a watt.
Good for a picnic or at the ski hill. If you are a radio enthusiast
and want to speak to people around town or further, better stick to CB
or amateur boxes....

Homac


(stewart) wrote in message . com...
"Jim Hampton" wrote in message ...
Yes, but you *can* replace that antenna! A decent (yet still relatively
small) antenna plus an increase to 2 watts would yield a considerable gain.

Also, higher quality receivers make a big difference. One never sees
specs on the packages of FRS or GMRS/FRS hybrid receivers - but most
of them have to be absolutely awful... manufacturers know that 99.9%
of their FRS FRS/GMRS hybrid customer base couldn't understand
receiver specs, even if they made them available. For most "real"
GMRS, MURS, ham, or business radios, you will easily be able to find
the specs - usually in the user's manual inside the package, or on a
on-line spec sheet at the manufacturer's web site... fact is, I'd
guess than more than half the ham Techs don't understand receiver
specs.

73 from Rochester, NY
Jim

- Stewart
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MURS-OPEN

(Homac) wrote in message . com...
I agree....

Most FRS units I have seen are restricted to 500mW or 1/2 a watt.

All are.

Good for a picnic or at the ski hill.

They are actually fairly worthless at a large ski resort. If you are
on the same run, they might work out, but UHF (FRS) doesn't work well
thru trees.

If you are a radio enthusiast
and want to speak to people around town or further, better stick to CB
or amateur boxes....

CB is OK for mobile/base usage, but they are absolutely huge and
totally inefficient in handheld applications... they might work better
than an FRS radio on the ski slope, but they are completely ungainly.

For the skiing application, a "real" GMRS, or MURS radio would be
preferable to FRS for performance reasons or CB for size reasons, and
a modern miniature 2m ham handheld would be the ideal solution for
both size and performance reasons.

- Stewart
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MURS-OPEN

For the skiing application, a "real" GMRS, or MURS radio would be
preferable to FRS for performance reasons or CB for size reasons,


A real GMRS radio on the same frequency range will not do much better then
an FRS radio. Height, antenna and power makes more of a difference in decreasing
amounts in that order.