I've been researching communications lately. My boys are getting older and like to play with an old set of Walkie Talkies I have which has only focused my search more. With the well documented and the easy to modify CB radios, they are fine choice for distance, but no so much for privacy. This got me looking on eBay where there are number of people upgrading two-way land/mobil systems and selling their old systems.
These are nice UHF commercial units that can be programmed/reprogrammed inside specific frequency ranges.
**Before we go down the FCC regulation story, don't. I fully understand that a license is needed for most anything other then those in the FRS and CB range***
I ask about these more commercial units because they have much higher sensitivity then the regular consumer units, plus they have cleaner power output for a better all around signal even with the 4/5watt max.
We have purchased and tested a number of units that fall in the GRMS/FRS bands and find them all lacking when in the woods with different elevations. Most struggle to reach 3/4 mile, where as good ol' CB's are solid for good distances and can easily have a linear amp installed to make the signal stronger.
What have you looked at in lieu of your Cell phone if you need to communicate with your group.
OH! one great thing is many of the midland units can be charged through the head phone port (Tip is +) via an Phone car charger.
These are nice UHF commercial units that can be programmed/reprogrammed inside specific frequency ranges.
**Before we go down the FCC regulation story, don't. I fully understand that a license is needed for most anything other then those in the FRS and CB range***
I ask about these more commercial units because they have much higher sensitivity then the regular consumer units, plus they have cleaner power output for a better all around signal even with the 4/5watt max.
We have purchased and tested a number of units that fall in the GRMS/FRS bands and find them all lacking when in the woods with different elevations. Most struggle to reach 3/4 mile, where as good ol' CB's are solid for good distances and can easily have a linear amp installed to make the signal stronger.
What have you looked at in lieu of your Cell phone if you need to communicate with your group.
OH! one great thing is many of the midland units can be charged through the head phone port (Tip is +) via an Phone car charger.
