|
GMRS radios?
Hi, everyone-
I don't know if this is the right group for my question, but I can't find any other groups to ask. I've been trying to do research online to find the best pair of GMRS radios for vacation/travel use. I'm building the $80 FCC license fee into my figures, and have about $160-170 to spend, so the pair of radios should cost no more than $80-90. I've seen 2 Motorola models that look good... the T5950, and the T7400R. The 5950 has been out for quite a while, and several users have given it good reviews. The T7400R has virtually NO reviews, though it seems to have been out for several months. So why would I be interested in the 7400? It's 2 Watts, and claims a greater range (7 miles) than the 5950. But I've only been able to find three reviews for it. One says it's the best thing since sliced bread, and two others (which were written last year) just say it's not available yet. Does anybody have any experience with these radios, or feel that another model is the best out there in the $80-90 range (per pair)? It's been very frustrating trying to find any information or reviews on these things. Usually I enjoy doing web research on tech products before buying, but this search has been very tedious. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Mark |
The best source for information on GMRS is
http://www.popularwireless.com./ Click on Personal Wireless Bulletin Board in the upper right corner. Dick On 10 Jun 2005 23:52:51 -0700, " wrote: Hi, everyone- I don't know if this is the right group for my question, but I can't find any other groups to ask. I've been trying to do research online to find the best pair of GMRS radios for vacation/travel use. I'm building the $80 FCC license fee into my figures, and have about $160-170 to spend, so the pair of radios should cost no more than $80-90. I've seen 2 Motorola models that look good... the T5950, and the T7400R. The 5950 has been out for quite a while, and several users have given it good reviews. The T7400R has virtually NO reviews, though it seems to have been out for several months. So why would I be interested in the 7400? It's 2 Watts, and claims a greater range (7 miles) than the 5950. But I've only been able to find three reviews for it. One says it's the best thing since sliced bread, and two others (which were written last year) just say it's not available yet. Does anybody have any experience with these radios, or feel that another model is the best out there in the $80-90 range (per pair)? It's been very frustrating trying to find any information or reviews on these things. Usually I enjoy doing web research on tech products before buying, but this search has been very tedious. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Mark |
Wow, thanks everyone!
I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we need to talk to them. Thank you, Dick, for the link to Popular Wireless' GMRS forum! I've been to his site in my search, but had missed the GMRS Forums entirely. Signing up now! -Mark |
|
On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 15:42:52 GMT, "Travis Jordan"
wrote: wrote: I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we need to talk to them. Nope, they are not compatible, so I guess that idea is out. Quite true. While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is how many other people already have them. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) -- At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
Gary S. wrote:
While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is how many other people already have them. Yep, I've even thought about exending the TX/RX coverage on one of my synthesized UHF HT's to cover FRS/GMRS bands. Might come in handy one day. |
On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 17:47:15 GMT, "Travis Jordan"
wrote: Gary S. wrote: While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is how many other people already have them. Yep, I've even thought about exending the TX/RX coverage on one of my synthesized UHF HT's to cover FRS/GMRS bands. Might come in handy one day. A completely legal alternative is with a ham HT, with extended RX and a scanning function, is to include the FRS/GMRS frequencies (with any CTCSS code on receive being used) and have a separate GMRS rig with you, but turned off. The FRS/GMRS band is far enough from the 440 band that an antenna optimized for one may have a bit of SWR on the other. For some public service events, we have considered a two level network, with hams doing the more than a mile comms, and non-hams with FRS doing the close range, relaying through the hams as needed. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) -- At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On 11 Jun 2005 07:55:10 -0700, "
wrote: Wow, thanks everyone! I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we need to talk to them. Thank you, Dick, for the link to Popular Wireless' GMRS forum! I've been to his site in my search, but had missed the GMRS Forums entirely. Signing up now! -Mark While I would much prefer GMRS over FRS because of the power capability, if you only want coverage between cars while traveling together, FRS works just fine for that purpose. Of course ham radio is even better, but then you have another set of hurdles. Dick |
On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:30:06 GMT, Gary S. wrote:
For some public service events, we have considered a two level network, with hams doing the more than a mile comms, and non-hams with FRS doing the close range, relaying through the hams as needed. That is exactly the scheme that we use in Washington County (Suburban Portland, OR) with the ARES/RACES and the CERT teams. (ARES and RACES are co-contiguous here, not separate groups.) ARES = Ameater Radio Emergency Service - area-wide and long-haul inter- and intra-agency communications only. Control remains with amateur group leadership acting within Memoranda of Understanding. CERT = Civilian Emergency Response Team - first aid, traffic and access control, light rescue, and victim assistance responsibilities supported by on-scene communications. CERT teams are sponsored directly and controlled by local emergency management officials. A number of CERT members have gone on to study and qualify for amateur radio licenses. RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - communications under control of emergency management officials used to supplement or replace their communications facilities, used after declaration of civil emergency by competent authorities. -- 73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:29 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com