2 Way Radios ? Walkie Talkie ?

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Hello everyone I would like to know what would you recommend?
I would like to buy a kit of 3 or 4 radios or maybe 2 so later I can buy 2 more. I would use them for when camping and off reading but also I will use them for work. So they need to be able to work in the city. For example if i have a guy in the basement and another one on 15th fl or 19th I need them to be able to talk. Any suggestions? Thank you. Perhaps there might be a discount now during this weekends )
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
GMRS. It's basically FRS on steroids. FRS is what the "14-Channel walkie talkies" that you buy at the store are running on. GMRS uses some of the same frequencies as FRS while having some above and below that allow WAY more wattage, removable antenna, has some in vehicle options.

Best part is, it's just a fee. There no test. Go to the FCC website and pay the $70 for a GMRS radio license. One license covers your entire family. And you can get some actual radio stuff.

Heres what I have for my handheld GMRS radio.

Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio, Handheld 5W Long Range Two Way Radio for Adults, GMRS Repeater Capable, with NOAA Scanning & Receiving, Display SYNC, for Off Road Overlanding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SLR7W7...abc_GJ72989F9NWXCYG9AFGV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Its a 5w GMRS radio that I've hit repeaters over 30 miles away with.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
Echoing @Prime. I have a 15 watt Motorola GMRS in the truck and a 5 watt handheld. I carry cheap FRS walkies to give out to people that don’t have them when off-roading since they share frequencies and thus still work with each other. And power/range isn’t important for those since we’re all together on the trail.
 

Zack.

Has been dubbed Arnold
Supporting Member
Location
Livermore, CA
Following because I almost bought some Motorola talkabouts on sales the other day wand then was like ‘I have no idea if this will actually work for as far as I want it to’.
 

C3NK0

Bought an X
Location
Rockville, MD
I have the 15w in the car as well. Also installed a 6db gain antenna on roof. Its quite a overkill for me, i should have sticked with the motorola handhelds.

I can test the basement 19th floor theory for you. But best I can do basement to 10 :). Give
Me till Tuesday on that
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
GMRS is not for business use unless you have a pre-1987 issued business license for that band. Just keep that in mind. Also, the license is only good for your family, so each of your users who are not your immediate family will have to have their own license.

But I can tell you that you won't find radios to talk inside buildings like you're asking. At least not radio to radio. You need a business class license and an engineered radio setup to get that done. We use nice Kenwood radios at work and they won't go through 3 floors reliably without the repeater system that's in place.
 

Sturmovik

Bought an X
I see...
right now me and my co-workers we using this Cobra radios

when we in the building.. we do stuff like fire inspections and net-work installations so we only using it for few hours not all the time.. those radios seems to work OK but they cut out from time to time..
so I was wondering if there is something we could use that is stronger...
but if me getting a license for GMRS is no problem but it won't cover for my guys... they would need to have their own license.. I assume

I like that Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio, it looks nice seems to have nice specs and price.
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
I see...
right now me and my co-workers we using this Cobra radios

when we in the building.. we do stuff like fire inspections and net-work installations so we only using it for few hours not all the time.. those radios seems to work OK but they cut out from time to time..
so I was wondering if there is something we could use that is stronger...
but if me getting a license for GMRS is no problem but it won't cover for my guys... they would need to have their own license.. I assume

I like that Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio, it looks nice seems to have nice specs and price.
Radios are primarily line of sight. Anything strong enough to push through that many floors is likely a health risk. Even the 5 watt radio says to keep the antenna away from you when possible. I don’t know how legit that is but I’d err on the side of caution.

And correct on the licensing. FRS does not require a license, but they’re limited to lower power. What about something cell or WiFi based? This use case was the wheelhouse of Nextel back in the day.
 

C3NK0

Bought an X
Location
Rockville, MD
Radios are primarily line of sight. Anything strong enough to push through that many floors is likely a health risk. Even the 5 watt radio says to keep the antenna away from you when possible. I don’t know how legit that is but I’d err on the side of caution.

And correct on the licensing. FRS does not require a license, but they’re limited to lower power. What about something cell or WiFi based? This use case was the wheelhouse of Nextel back in the day.
If There is no DAS system in place already in the building cell/gsm most likely wont work unless you are on the outer side of the building with windows and stuff.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
I see...
right now me and my co-workers we using this Cobra radios

when we in the building.. we do stuff like fire inspections and net-work installations so we only using it for few hours not all the time.. those radios seems to work OK but they cut out from time to time..
so I was wondering if there is something we could use that is stronger...
but if me getting a license for GMRS is no problem but it won't cover for my guys... they would need to have their own license.. I assume

I like that Radioddity GM-30 GMRS Radio, it looks nice seems to have nice specs and price.
Those are FRS radios. 1W power max. No license required. To add to what @ffxcores said, FM radio transmissions from radios like this emanate in a radial pattern and are capable of going down. Not really up. So in the example of your 20 story building, the people on the bottom have better odds of hearing the people on the top floor. Not necessarily the other way around.
 

Sturmovik

Bought an X
Ok I understand guys... so my best call is to guy buy regular radios just find better price on better deal.. 2-3+ units and just use those and if they work great.. if not oh well.. at least I will have them for camping and trails ))
maybe I buy some Cobras or Midlands idk..
 

CHUG

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Late to the party, And Most folks already posted Pretty much the good stuff.

Think of a building with all those wires. That traps your Antenna Radiation. Thus, your Audio to your buddies on the other floors will hear nothing's. Just too much Metal, printers, Computers, humans, to absorb the signal.

You might look into, Bofang's ( $35 range) . and Learn how to type in your FRS Freq, And low power level. Will be cheaper Vs Cobra's With added Benifit of Ham Ticket later on... ( Yep, We like to ham it up!! And plug a Ham technology.. )

Low power, and Line of sight.
Even with a Ham 5watt, you will have tough time Zipping past all those floors.. Unless standing outside.. Like TerryD, mentioned Repeater with in buildings.

Land line? Cell phone? inside building.?

Trail. your looking at common Range 2-4 miles Depends on Radio, radio type wattage. If your transmitting From within Vehicle.. Your Range will Be worse.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Want to make it clear. Using a Baofeng ham radio to talk on GMRS or FRS is against FCC rules and regulations. Not laws.

To abide by the rules, the radio needs to be FCC licensed to talk on those frequencies. Which is why I bought the Radioddity GMRS radio.

Also the newer UV-5R Radios are locked out of the GMRS range to keep them FCC licensed.

There's a few different rebadged Baofeng radios that aren't locked out. But don't do it? Maybe? Or do it. I'm a person who doesn't work for the FCC.
 

CHUG

Lockers Installed
Supporting Member
Good to know the new Generation Bofengs are filtered for the Freqs no allowed.. Did not know they upgraded them.. But have not bought one in years. Once they are Burned up.. Will not buy more. 5 more to go ;-)

Good point, do not poke the FCC Bear!!. they have Real teeth, and will thump yea... Go simple.. Buy FRS Types.. But do not expect good range. 1-2 miles average

Another Option is MURS.. Multi, use Radio service. 5 Freq to use.. has more power.. NO lic required.. But radio's cost more. IT's a open and shared Freq with stores, landscapers, Big stores.. for many workers HEy need 4 Pallets of Crush rock, for Gentleman in Prius.. etc.

FCC. has some good info.. For Part 90.. and radio use..

quicky search: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/multi-use-radio-service-murs
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
MURS is a good option as there's no license requirements. But only 5 channels is limiting if you are in a popular area. Luckily there is not a lot of wide use. yet.
 

RamblinRover

First Fill-Up (of many)
So going to drag up a old post - out of the graveyard with ye.

I was looking at the reqs. for Gone Moab and it says GMRS or HAM. I have a Baofeng which I have not yet licensed for but have been doing the study tests. ( I have a CB which it seems no one uses any longer.) Which am I more likely to find on the trail? I'm guessing GMRS but just curious before I throw $$$ at a unit if I can use the one I already have. I mean not bad to have options but .... also was looking at the MXT275 any thoughts or better options?
 

ffxcores

[fully disclosed]
Supporting Member
Location
Virginia
So going to drag up a old post - out of the graveyard with ye.

I was looking at the reqs. for Gone Moab and it says GMRS or HAM. I have a Baofeng which I have not yet licensed for but have been doing the study tests. ( I have a CB which it seems no one uses any longer.) Which am I more likely to find on the trail? I'm guessing GMRS but just curious before I throw $$$ at a unit if I can use the one I already have. I mean not bad to have options but .... also was looking at the MXT275 any thoughts or better options?
I have that exact radio and it’s great. I would guess (at least around here in Virginia) you’re more likely to find GMRS (and FRS) on the trails as far as other off-roaders, but I think there are more HAM repeaters than GMRS repeaters if you’re looking to get help while out solo somewhere.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
So going to drag up a old post - out of the graveyard with ye.

I was looking at the reqs. for Gone Moab and it says GMRS or HAM. I have a Baofeng which I have not yet licensed for but have been doing the study tests. ( I have a CB which it seems no one uses any longer.) Which am I more likely to find on the trail? I'm guessing GMRS but just curious before I throw $$$ at a unit if I can use the one I already have. I mean not bad to have options but .... also was looking at the MXT275 any thoughts or better options?
We won't be using any CB at gone this year. All FM. We have frequencies set up for GMRS and HAM.

All of the local groups have gone FM as well. I pulled my CB out entirely. For as infrequently as I use a radio (only when wheeling) an FM handheld is perfect and I added an external antenna to the roof of the truck to connect to the handheld.
 
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