Two way radios

[Wingin it]

My dad wants to get some new radios with better range. Something that will work well in rugged country. My experience has been that they all perform less than advertised but some must be better than others. What have you been happy with?

[Russ McDonald]

When it comes to two-way radios especially in rugged country the higher the power the better.  Most radios that you can get are on FRS frequencies and only limited to 2 watts transmit power out. No matter what they advertise you are not going to get much better then 3 miles line of site.  Some advertise 30 some odd miles.  That is only if one guy is standing on a mountain 4000' up and talking to a guy down in a field that he can see from his position 30 miles away.  Thick forage is not your friend they will block you communications and cut down on distance.  If you were to get into something higher power you could go out and get your amateur ham radio license.  You could utilize a higher power radios on some ham band frequencies.  There is also GMRS frequencies that will allow you to use 5 watts but you have to license those with the FCC.  If you have further questions feel free to PM me.  Radio recommendations would be Motorola Talkabouts or Garmin Rinos.  The Rinos will offer you a GPS and two-way radio.

[Wingin it]

Thanks Russ, Garmin rinos have been discussed and are being considered.

[Bob33]

Remember that only a few RINO models can transmit on 5 watts.

[AZcoueshunter78]

I have a set of 4 watt commercial uhf radios that get good range and battery last all day for sale.

[Bob33]

I've used FRS and GMRS radios from just about every manufacturer for many years: Motorola, Midland, Cobra, and Garmin RINOs to name a few. Under optimal conditions you can get 10+ miles. "Optimal" is direct line of sight with nothing between, and little interference. In dense canopy and/or with hills interfering, even the best of these may be limited to one mile or less.

Every year you can count on Midland extending the advertised range of their models. I think they're up to 36 miles now? LOL.

[Wingin it]

The radio markets advertising is criminal! I keep pushing the group to go with the rino simply because even if radio contact isn't possible you can be located.

[Wazukie]

FRS is limited to 500mili watts of power(1/2 watt) and cannot have a detachable antenna.  Radios that are gmrs/FRS capable might have up to 5 watts of output power.  FRS does not require the operator to be licensed, but GMRS does. But if you are using a 5watt gmrs/FRS radio and do not have a license.  The higher power can be used on channels 8-14 only.

Sent from the woods!

[Wacenturion]

I have two Garmin 520 HCx's and one 530 HCx.  Been great, quick satellite pickup, range etc.

[DaveMonti]

FRS is limited to 500mili watts of power(1/2 watt) and cannot have a detachable antenna.  Radios that are gmrs/FRS capable might have up to 5 watts of output power.  FRS does not require the operator to be licensed, but GMRS does. But if you are using a 5watt gmrs/FRS radio and do not have a license.  The higher power can be used on channels 8-14 only.

Sent from the woods!

I've always wondered how someone would get caught using the higher output power while out hunting.  I have the garmin Rhino 650 when in the middle of MT, it would be useful to use the higher output power to communicate with my buddies. 
I've googled this and found only one instance where someone was prosecuted for using the gmrs without a license, and the charge was one of many "additional" charges tacked on to a larger charge. 

Is there a known "monitoring and identification" program or party that can go after someone using the higher watt output frequencies without a license?  In the middle of Eastern Montana?

[Mudman]

FRS is limited to 500mili watts of power(1/2 watt) and cannot have a detachable antenna.  Radios that are gmrs/FRS capable might have up to 5 watts of output power.  FRS does not require the operator to be licensed, but GMRS does. But if you are using a 5watt gmrs/FRS radio and do not have a license.  The higher power can be used on channels 8-14 only.

Sent from the woods!

I've always wondered how someone would get caught using the higher output power while out hunting.  I have the garmin Rhino 650 when in the middle of MT, it would be useful to use the higher output power to communicate with my buddies. 
I've googled this and found only one instance where someone was prosecuted for using the gmrs without a license, and the charge was one of many "additional" charges tacked on to a larger charge. 

Is there a known "monitoring and identification" program or party that can go after someone using the higher watt output frequencies without a license?  In the middle of Eastern Montana?

I wonder the same thing.  We have rhino 650's and I will say it is far better than any walkie!  5watt will make a large difference but of course I don't use it..

[mossy8352]

Bump!
How difficult is getting the proper license so there is no issue?

[Russ McDonald]

FRS is limited to 500mili watts of power(1/2 watt) and cannot have a detachable antenna.  Radios that are gmrs/FRS capable might have up to 5 watts of output power.  FRS does not require the operator to be licensed, but GMRS does. But if you are using a 5watt gmrs/FRS radio and do not have a license.  The higher power can be used on channels 8-14 only.

Sent from the woods!

I've always wondered how someone would get caught using the higher output power while out hunting.  I have the garmin Rhino 650 when in the middle of MT, it would be useful to use the higher output power to communicate with my buddies. 
I've googled this and found only one instance where someone was prosecuted for using the gmrs without a license, and the charge was one of many "additional" charges tacked on to a larger charge. 

Is there a known "monitoring and identification" program or party that can go after someone using the higher watt output frequencies without a license?  In the middle of Eastern Montana?

I wonder the same thing.  We have rhino 650's and I will say it is far better than any walkie!  5watt will make a large difference but of course I don't use it..

FCC will not monitor unless there is a complaint lodged.  GMRS is really easy and inexpensive to license.   You could also do GMRS repeater pair licensing but the only deal with that is FCC will license that frequency pair only for one geographical locatio.  If you go with a repeater then you have to go with a prigrammable radio.  Commercial or ham. I don't know all the specific laws on what power is used for what frequency.  I swear that FRS went to 2 watts max but then again those radios aren't my back ground.   GMRS for sure 5 watts.

Sent from my super duper thingamajig

[DaveMonti]

Bump!
How difficult is getting the proper license so there is no issue?

I looked into this and the key thing for me was that the licenses are for individuals.  Therefore, everyone in the party would need to go through the federal process to get a license.  It's typical federal hoop jumping for anyone wanting to use these frequencies at 5 Watts.  The process is typically confusing due to the website, and I'm sure there is some fee for the service. 

[Wazukie]

Most of the gmrs/FRS combo radios will only transmit the legal wattage on the particular frequencies.  It's done via the radios firmware.  That being said, the only agency that will investigate is the FCC, like Russ mentioned. 

Sent from the woods!