Radio recommendations

[Apothus]

My buddy and I are looking to get a couple radios to keep in the trucks for communication when out in the woods and exploring the various canyons and some small caverns in the area. I started looking on Amazon but this is one area I have zero knowledge in. We have access to radios we use on the church security team but we tried them less then 2 miles apart the other day and couldn't even receive static.

So what we are looking for is good quality sound, reliable, and acceptable distance. I don't even know what to expect as acceptable? 2 miles, 5? We don't need a billion channels, doesn't have to be water proof to 600 feet or anything. Oh ya, we want it to be possible to use something like a lapelle mic and pigtail earpiece so we can talk quietly and have the sound go no further than our ear.

Of course it has to do all this for $10. Just kidding, quality comes at a price, but we are simple tradesmen with families and homes to pay for so nothing that's stupid expensive please

 

[Luke]

FRS radios from Walmart/Target/Cabelas/Bass Pro, etc. will be the easiest and least expensive option, but range will be seriously lacking. If you want/need better performance amateur (ham) radio will get the job done, but it requires taking a test and getting licensed (easy to do).

 

[mystryak]

I agree with the ham radio route its easy. And you can get them relatively affordable.

 

[MarinePMI]

HAM radios (HF) will give better distance due to the wave propagation inherent in the HF waveform. That being said, it has it's own draw backs as well (atmospherics, dead spots, distortion, etc.). GRMS integrated with GPS radios seem to have worked well for me (Garmin Rino), but again, range is a limiting factor. FCC regs aside, there is only so much wattage that can be pumped out of a handheld device running off four AA batteries. Still, having a radio with GPS built in, let's a couple guys stay in contact as well as know where the other person(s) are located.

 

[W54/XM-388]

The unlicensed bands / radios are very limited the moment you are out of line of sight.
Study, learn the rules, take the cheap test & then get some licensed band radios that will actually work well.

 

[plong]

Inexpensive Standard Horizon VHF programmed for unlicensed MURS frequencies is my usual recommendation when this question comes up. Programming will take a modest amount of research, and be an even more modest bit of work, but you'll have a very reliable coms option.

MURS (VHF) is gonna do a much better job in the terrain you described than GMRS (UHF). A VHF signal will "bend" over the terrain much more so than UHF, which will do a better job in a urban setting, in and around buildings. (I have and use both...)

HAM HF is a wonderful hobby, but IMHO is way beyond the scope of OP's original question...

Edit to add: in short order you're gonna get a thousand or so recommendations to get yourself a couple of $40.00 ChiCom HTs (Pofung, et al.) If you're new to two way radio, that's absolutely, positively, not where I'd recommend you start. The ChiCom HTs have their place, but for sooooo many reasons, that's not where I'd advise someone new to coms start.

 

[The King]

1. Handhelds don't work well in cars -but an external antenna helps.
2. There isn't a handheld made I would trust at 5 miles. Unless you have a massive base station, like a police dispatch office.
3. Get a ham license so you can get better stuff.
4, Look up MURS.

 

[plong]

1. Handhelds don't work well in cars -but an external antenna helps.
2. There isn't a handheld made I would trust at 5 miles. Unless you have a massive base station, like a police dispatch office.
3. Get a ham license so you can get better stuff.
4, Look up MURS.

Sorry.... But I just can't agree with many of your broad generalizations....

1. Yes, you'll do better with an external antenna when using a HT in a vehicle, but that's really easy to execute, even for a novice user.
2. Strongly disagree... to moderately agree, very terrain dependent. We often get acceptable performance with our MURS and GMRS HTs (different conditions) at 5 miles, plus or minus, other times... Not so much.
3. Better stuff...? I'd say have more options, higher power, etc. But VHF is VHF, UHF is UHF... HAM or not. I'm all for suggesting getting a HAM license for those so inclined. But I hate it when folks suggest the only way to have reliable coms over modest distances is to get a HAM ticket.
4. If you're suggesting MURS as a viable option for OP, then, yes... I'd agree ?

 

[SLG]

Inexpensive Standard Horizon VHS programmed for unlicensed MURS frequencies is my usual recommendation when this question comes up. Programming will take a modest amount of research, and be an even more modest bit of work, but you'll have a very reliable coms option.

MURS (VHF) is gonna do a much better job in the terrain you described than GMRS (UHF). A VHF signal will "bend" over the terrain much more so than UHF, which will do a better job in a urban setting, in and around buildings. (I have and use both...)

HAM HF is a wonderful hobby, but IMHO is way beyond the scope of OP's original question...

Edit to add: in short order you're gonna get a thousand or so recommendations to get yourself a couple of $40.00 ChiCom HTs (Pofung, et al.) If you're new to two way radio, that's absolutely, positively, not where I'd recommend you start. The ChiCom HTs have their place, but for sooooo many reasons, that's not where I'd advise someone new to coms to start.

So is there a model radio you recommend for these criteria?

 

[Sogan]

Sorry.... But I just can't agree with many of your broad generalizations....

1. Yes, you'll do better with an external antenna when using a HT in a vehicle, but that's really eddy to execute, even for a novice user.
2. Strongly disagree... to moderately agree, very terrain dependent. We often get acceptable performance with our MURS and GMRS HTs (different conditions) at 5 miles, plus or minus, other times... Not so much.
3. Better stuff...? I'd say have more options, higher power, etc. But VHF is VHF, UHF is UHF... HAM or not. I'm all for suggesting getting a HAM license for those so inclined. But I hate it when folks suggest the only way to have reliable coms over modest distances is to get a HAM ticket.
4. If you're suggesting MURS as a viable option for OP, then, yes... I'd agree ?

Very interested in what radio you recommend that is legal without needing the Ham license for the few times a year they will be needed for me

 

[Strykervet]

I agree with the ham radio route its easy. And you can get them relatively affordable.

Yep, ham. Only way to go.

My father was into it BIG TIME (he was also a star wars engineer and designed and built a LOT of his own gear, some very high speed shit) I was supposed to test morse but it never happened, family fell apart first. The range on 'em is global and this can be realized by Joe operating a radio out of a closet with a tall antenna and maybe an amplifier.

If you know what you are doing (and I don't know, maybe they have this now) you can call telephones on the ham radio too. Caveat is you have to talk like you're on a radio, over and shit, but it's free otherwise! My father did this, setup his home radio to call out on land lines, then used his portable ham radio, the walkie talkie, to access it all. He was an electronics engineer and this was his hobby.

Note that ham radio is a hobby every bit as complex, expensive and as intense as firearms are, so it would help if you have someone who knows how to navigate a "hamfest" and attend one and buy your gear there. Hamfest is like a gunshow but with radios, unlike gunshows, not everything is overpriced junk (LOTS of parts!). Make sure to find someone to go with that knows the scene so you get what you need for the best deal. Ideally, this guy should be able to test you or at least train you for the test, and you can even take the tests at the hamfest, so it's really a one stop shop. The tests, as I recall years ago, were in different levels and started with morse code and ended with voice. Not sure how fast they want you to code morse before reaching voice. I understand it's changed since the 30+ years ago I messed with it.

Note everyone using these will need to take that test and get a license and a callsign (KIS4Y was my father's for instance). You have to follow FCC guidelines too and wanna avoid pissing neighbors off with your radio (which may be alleviated in the digital age though).

Good luck!

Once you have it, you can setup a base radio, setup repeaters, organize with others to create a network, and you'll have a solid comms network. Throw in one time pads and you'll have encrypted comms that cannot be broken.

 

[The King]

For exact models i recommend the VHF Yaesu or Icom radios setup to run on MURS.

if you go HAM it opens the door to 50w vehicle mounted setups with good antennnas to work with. i think it’s part of the reason most of us recommend a HAM setup - you can do HF for actual good LR comms and the whole 2m and 440 spectrum opens up to your usage.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

PRC-25 or 77

 

[MarinePMI]

PRC-25 or 77

Fuck. That.

I humped more miles than I can count with one of those turds on my back (77 + Ky-57 crypto), sometimes with an additional radio strapped to the outside of the pack (LST-4 SATCOM) and antenna (PSC-3 IIRC). 20+ lbs of extra shit is not what I would want these days. Even the current PRC-117G is 10lbs without batteries, and that is a soft waveform radio (multi-frequency; VHF, HF with PSK (frequency hopping) and CPM (data link)).

For a civilian, as Plong mentioned, there are better options. It's been a while since I keyed, but it used to be 15 words a minute transmit, and 14 words a minute receive to pass the test (but this was like 30yrs ago, when the Corps still had a morse/telegraph school). And every one learns it at a different rate (even the school was "self-paced", being from 6-10 weeks). I can still remember waking in the middle of the night hearing dit's and dah's in my sleep. LOL! I remember being shocked when watching the movie "The Battle of Midway" and realizing the "morse code noise" in the background, was actually morse code of the message/"yellow canary" being displayed...

Whenever someone says "break" on the phone (POTS line) or radio, I still hear (in my head) "dah-di-di-dit, dah-dee-dah" (BK). Anyone else still remember their "Q's and Z's"? (sorry for the slight highjack).

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

My buddy and I are looking to get a couple radios to keep in the trucks for communication when out in the woods and exploring the various canyons and some small caverns in the area. I started looking on Amazon but this is one area I have zero knowledge in. We have access to radios we use on the church security team but we tried them less then 2 miles apart the other day and couldn't even receive static.

So what we are looking for is good quality sound, reliable, and acceptable distance. I don't even know what to expect as acceptable? 2 miles, 5? We don't need a billion channels, doesn't have to be water proof to 600 feet or anything. Oh ya, we want it to be possible to use something like a lapelle mic and pigtail earpiece so we can talk quietly and have the sound go no further than our ear.

Of course it has to do all this for $10. Just kidding, quality comes at a price, but we are simple tradesmen with families and homes to pay for so nothing that's stupid expensive please

Nothing off the shelf is going to fit your need w/o a license, w/o some help. You could build small repeater's an have them hidden, powered via solar but that cost will be up there. Off the shelf stuff that operates on 20 meters to micro wave freqs are useless for what your after w/ canyons involved. Flat dirt is a none issue with cheap stuff an a quality antenna opposed to what they come with.
NVIS gear will be required to fill all your canyon requirements an that is a radio that operates in the 30 to 160 meter band which is neither small, cheap, an requires a license. A 30 meter CW only radio is easily built an a key can be made into it as well. Some of the guys have made them so small they will fit into a Altiod's can an powdered via a 9 Vdc battery, but even these require a license. The best radio mentioned so for that fits all your requirements is the PRC 77.

 

[plong]

So is there a model radio you recommend for these criteria?

Used to recommend the Standard Horizon HX370S for this role. Download a copy of the programming software (CE68) from the same-named Yahoo forum, program the MURS frequencies and go... Since it appears the HX370S has been discontinued I'd probably look to the HX380 or 400. Looks like you can pick-up a HX380 for < $125.00 right now on Amazon, the programming software is going to set you back about $50.00. These radios are going to be really nice build quality, darn-near mil-spec, much nicer than any of the ChiCom HTs.

 

[plong]

For exact models i recommend the VHF Yaesu or Icom radios setup to run on MURS.

if you go HAM it opens the door to 50w vehicle mounted setups with good antennnas to work with. i think it’s part of the reason most of us recommend a HAM setup - you can do HF for actual good LR comms and the whole 2m and 440 spectrum opens up to your usage.

A Yaesu HT won't operate on MURS frequencies without a hardware hack (the so-called MARS/CAP mod), they're going to be HAM frequencies only for transmit. Standard Horizon used to be Yaesu's sister company, along with Vertex Standard (they've since been broken-up/sold...) It was Yaesu for HAM, Standard Horizon for Marine, and Vertex Standard for LMR-Business bands. All excellent build quality. You are correct that Icom is another quality brand.

Re. higher watt mobile options: you can go up to 50 watt mobile with GMRS (UHF), although most UHF mobiles will actually be 40 watt. I have an Icom business-band mobile programmed for GMRS in my Jeep that we pair-up with a couple of Vertex Standard hand-helds. GMRS does require a license, but there's no test, just sign-up online (FCC), pay the fee, and have your license in a day or two. Last time I checked it was $70 to cover your entire family for 10 years. Great option if, like me, your wife is never, ever, ever... going to pursue a HAM ticket.

 

[plong]

One disclaimer re. all of the above: none of the radios listed are going to be letter-of-the-law legal for use on their respective MURS/GMRS bands. Both MURS and GMRS are FCC 47 C.F.R, Part 95. The radios listed, while they most-definitely satisfy the technical requirements of Part 95 (spurious emissions, harmonics, bandwidth etc.), have not been Part 95-certified by their respective manufacturers (they are all Part 90 certified). There are, unfortunately, no real quality radio options certified for either Part 95 service at this time. (There is one ChiCom HT that has, allegedly, been Part 95 certified, but said certification has been called into question more than once over the past 18 months +-).

 

[Nik H]

My buddy and I are looking to get a couple radios to keep in the trucks for communication when out in the woods and exploring the various canyons and some small caverns in the area. I started looking on Amazon but this is one area I have zero knowledge in. We have access to radios we use on the church security team but we tried them less then 2 miles apart the other day and couldn't even receive static.

So what we are looking for is good quality sound, reliable, and acceptable distance. I don't even know what to expect as acceptable? 2 miles, 5? We don't need a billion channels, doesn't have to be water proof to 600 feet or anything. Oh ya, we want it to be possible to use something like a lapelle mic and pigtail earpiece so we can talk quietly and have the sound go no further than our ear.

Of course it has to do all this for $10. Just kidding, quality comes at a price, but we are simple tradesmen with families and homes to pay for so nothing that's stupid expensive please

Get a ham license

If you want to learn about field radio equipment, go over here. They know more about the subject than I have seen elsewhere and you will learn a lot about doing it cheap

Brushbeater

 

[W54/XM-388]

If you are looking at radios on Amazon / eBay, check out Ham Radio Outlet as well, they often have sale prices that beat the sellers online.

Getting a license for the basic HAM entry level stuff is much easier today & there is now CW (Morse) test required. Just study the books or listen to them on audio & then go find a local place to take the test and it's very cheap (just a testing fee, no government fee).

Some guys I know were doing hunting in mixed hilly / valley / wooded terrain and all the handhelds they tried just didn't go anywhere, then when they tried some handhelds (cheap CH ones) using the better bands, the range was amazingly better.

 

[BravoSierra]

Couple of years ago I bought 4 Icom 4011's. Rugged, with excellent range despite trees and terrain. GMRS. Really great unit of high quality that I can't recommend enough.

 

[plong]

Couple of years ago I bought 4 Icom 4011's. Rugged, with excellent range despite trees and terrain. GMRS. Really great unit of high quality that I can't recommend enough.

Hard to argue against anything Icom . The IC3011 would be the VHF twin (for MURS), if one was so inclined.

 

[BravoSierra]

I was tired of replacing bubble pack radios every year. That should tell you something about them. The Icom's have actually saved me money despite the upcharge on the initial buy. Buy once cry once applies here. And really, they aren't too bad if you look around.

 

[Knixon]

Used to recommend the Standard Horizon HX370S for this role. Download a copy of the programming software (CE68) from the same-named Yahoo forum, program the MURS frequencies and go... Since it appears the HX370S has been discontinued I'd probably look to the HX380 or 400. Looks like you can pick-up a HX380 for < $125.00 right now on Amazon, the programming software is going to set you back about $50.00. These radios are going to be really nice build quality, darn-near mil-spec, much nicer than any of the ChiCom HTs.

The Yahoo forums are no more, any idea where to get CE68 now?

 

[plong]

The Yahoo forums are no more, any idea where to get CE68 now?

PM your email addy and I’ll do my best to dig up a copy and send your way,

PS: if you’re not already invested in this platform there’s a new easy button for basic coms: Alinco GMRS

Albeit inexpensive GMRS license required…

 

[Lazlo]

I was about to actually reply before realizing this thread was started in 2018.

Side comment: I actually have some knowledge on this topic if someone needs current assistance.

 

[Chickentoast]

I was about to actually reply before realizing this thread was started in 2018.

Side comment: I actually have some knowledge on this topic if someone needs current assistance.

Yes, please - back on 9/11 in NY, the only thing working was the Nextel push-to-talk feature. Feel stupid not having a backup now in case cell service goes down. ~7 miles would be great, if possible via handsets without a base (not line of sight, but pretty flat terrain in TX).

 

[Knixon]

I think I did pretty well. I got two of the HX370S with chargers etc for $40 plus shipping. But one of them seems to be locked into LMR mode.

 

[Makinchips208]

I know it’s an old thread, but oh well.

Antenna. Antenna. Antenna.

For handhelds that’s the biggest handicap. For a handheld to work really well, an external antenna (mag mount or slim-Jim hung in a tree, etc) is a game changer. Lots of good replacements also that improve on the rubber ducky antenna. @plong mentioned it already that vhf works better in the hills.

FRS. UHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. no antenna mods allowed.

MURS. VHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. Antenna mods allowed. No repeaters allowed.

GMRS. UHF
now is only $35 for a license, 50 watts max, antenna mods allowed, repeaters are allowed and are already set up in some popular locations.

Amateur tech, aka HAM. VHF and UHF
License cost is $35, 50 watts is allowed (1500 watts in some bands but not applicable here), antenna mods encouraged, repeaters allowed, very wide range of available frequencies so you aren’t stuck with preset channels.

With a handheld, more than 5 watts is almost useless due to antenna limitations. Aftermarket or homemade antennas can really make a handheld work well.

here i used a 5 watt handheld to reach a repeater that’s 70 miles away, line of sight.

And here is a slim-Jim on a trekking pole in camp down by the lake. Antenna made up just enough difference for the lack of elevation.

TLDR? Antennas matter.

 

[Knixon]

The marine bands don't actually require a license any more, just announce your "boat name" or something. That's one reason I've been gathering more Marine VHF gear, including the handhelds. I've looked at a couple of the "base" models recently, and even picked up a NOS Uniden MC-535 at a thrift store. But now I wish that I hadn't bothered. It's a little plastic toy. I hate "radio on a chip" stuff. At least it was cheap.

Fortunately, over past years I gathered up a variety of nice new-in-box/new-old-stock Cybernet VHF marine radios. THOSE are NICE! And I also managed to pick up a "remote console" plus extension cable for a couple of the models I have, and a "telephone handset" add-on that I think can work with most of them.

The HX370S handhelds can work at 1, 2.5, or 5 watts. I think the Cybernet "base" units are switchable to 1 or... 25? I'd have to check the boxes/manuals to be sure.

At the time I was getting the Cybernets, a license was still technically required although I didn't plan to use them unless society collapsed and then I wouldn't care about a license anyway. And now, as it turns out, it's no longer needed.

The other thought was, this far inland, marine bands probably weren't going to get much attention anyway.

Any suggestions for antenna upgrade on the HX370S models?

 

[plong]

I think I did pretty well. I got two of the HX370S with chargers etc for $40 plus shipping. But one of them seems to be locked into LMR mode.

You did really well at $40 for two! (Assuming the batteries are still good). Back when they were my go to recommendation $99 per was a good price for new. PM received, will do my best to dig up a copy of CE68 tomorrow; pretty sure I still have one on a dusty old external hard drive around here somewhere.

 

[Knixon]

You did really well at $40 for two! (Assuming the batteries are still good). Back when they were my go to recommendation $99 per was a good price for new. PM received, will do my best to dig up a copy of CE68 tomorrow; pretty sure I still have one on a dusty old external hard drive around here somewhere.

New replacement rechargeable batteries are available, and not terribly expensive. I might pick up some. And both radios - which came in their original boxes with accessories - included the AA alkaline battery option, and the belt hook thing.

I still need the CT-111 cable too, a few places claim to have it new, although I haven't yet received confirmation before placing an order. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the places are actually out of business, but their web sites are still up.

 

[LeftyJason]

I know it’s an old thread, but oh well.

Antenna. Antenna. Antenna.

For handhelds that’s the biggest handicap. For a handheld to work really well, an external antenna (mag mount or slim-Jim hung in a tree, etc) is a game changer. Lots of good replacements also that improve on the rubber ducky antenna. @plong mentioned it already that vhf works better in the hills.

FRS. UHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. no antenna mods allowed.

MURS. VHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. Antenna mods allowed. No repeaters allowed.

GMRS. UHF
now is only $35 for a license, 50 watts max, antenna mods allowed, repeaters are allowed and are already set up in some popular locations.

Amateur tech, aka HAM. VHF and UHF
License cost is $35, 50 watts is allowed (1500 watts in some bands but not applicable here), antenna mods encouraged, repeaters allowed, very wide range of available frequencies so you aren’t stuck with preset channels.

With a handheld, more than 5 watts is almost useless due to antenna limitations. Aftermarket or homemade antennas can really make a handheld work well.

here i used a 5 watt handheld to reach a repeater that’s 70 miles away, line of sight.
View attachment 8503557

And here is a slim-Jim on a trekking pole in camp down by the lake. Antenna made up just enough difference for the lack of elevation.
View attachment 8503558

TLDR? Antennas matter.

Another factor with handheld radios. You don't want too much power close to you. Pulled from another site cause he put it succinctly.

"There IS a limit on hand held radios transmit power due to excess RF exposure. Exposure is part of the FCC Certification.
Of course CCR's do not meet those standards.

6 watts on VHF
4 watts on UHF
3 watts on 700 thru 900"

Go beyond that in close proximity to the antenna and you're going to start getting RF burns.

Amateur General class here.

 

[Makinchips208]

Another factor with handheld radios. You don't want too much power close to you. Pulled from another site cause he put it succinctly.

"There IS a limit on hand held radios transmit power due to excess RF exposure. Exposure is part of the FCC Certification.
Of course CCR's do not meet those standards.

6 watts on VHF
4 watts on UHF
3 watts on 700 thru 900"

Go beyond that in close proximity to the antenna and you're going to start getting RF burns.

Amateur General class here.

Yes there is a limit, but it is not a 6 or 4 watts, if we are talking about ham radio (part97) and uhf. Amateur radio in uhf and vhf is what I use.

But you raise a good point in that for usability or common sense with a handheld radio, then yeah, 5ish watts is all that’s needed.

RF burns are no joke.

 

[Lazlo]

This worked for me for communicating between vehicles on long road trips, and moving through the woods. Radios operate on both license-required and non-required channels, and have high/medium/low settings for power needed. Max power is 5W, and a pair runs just about $90.

https://www.rei.com/product/790323/midland-gxt1000vp4-2-way-gmrs-radios-pair

A GMRS license takes about 20 minutes of frustration and $35 for a 10 year license. It is also transferrable to anyone in the household, so you don't need to worry about your wife or kids getting hemmed up for using them.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

AboutRule Part47 C.F.R, Part 95 Subpart ERadio Service Code(s)ZA - GMRS

www.fcc.gov

This is certainly not the right equipment for long range options, but it answers the mail for most applications. Higher powered models are mounted in vehicles, which I understand are very popular in the Jeep community.

 

[MO Fugga]

This worked for me for communicating between vehicles on long road trips, and moving through the woods. Radios operate on both license-required and non-required channels, and have high/medium/low settings for power needed. Max power is 5W, and a pair runs just about $90.

https://www.rei.com/product/790323/midland-gxt1000vp4-2-way-gmrs-radios-pair

A GMRS license takes about 20 minues of frustration and $10 for a 10 year license. It is also transferrable to anyone in the household, so you don't need to worry about your wife or kids getting hemmed up for using them.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

AboutRule Part47 C.F.R, Part 95 Subpart ERadio Service Code(s)ZA - GMRS

www.fcc.gov

This is certainly not the right equipment for long range options, but it answers the mail for most applications. Higher powered models are mounted in vehicles, which I understand are very popular in the Jeep community.

Dang, my license was $35 last year.

 

[Lazlo]

I think it could have been $35. Post edited.

 

[plong]

I think it could have been $35. Post edited.

its $35 now... Paid $70 for mine...

 

[skytrooper67]

LMFAO GOOD OLE "PRICK 25" bad memories!!

 

[JAS-SH]

My buddy and I are looking to get a couple radios to keep in the trucks for communication when out in the woods and exploring the various canyons and some small caverns in the area. I started looking on Amazon but this is one area I have zero knowledge in. We have access to radios we use on the church security team but we tried them less then 2 miles apart the other day and couldn't even receive static.

So what we are looking for is good quality sound, reliable, and acceptable distance. I don't even know what to expect as acceptable? 2 miles, 5? We don't need a billion channels, doesn't have to be water proof to 600 feet or anything. Oh ya, we want it to be possible to use something like a lapelle mic and pigtail earpiece so we can talk quietly and have the sound go no further than our ear.

Of course it has to do all this for $10. Just kidding, quality comes at a price, but we are simple tradesmen with families and homes to pay for so nothing that's stupid expensive please

Please, do some research. Radios options are many, they are incredibly capable devices, and it's easy to make mistakes on first purchases. Take your time and look around.

Without a doubt go with GMRS. You will need a license but it's less the $20 and no nightmare test like for a ham radio license. Go online with the FCC pay and they send you the license on email and reg mail both.

As for range, GMRS is line of sight (like many other frequencies) and FCC limits walkies to 5 watts - might not be enough in the woods unless you are close and in relatively flat ground, say 1 - 6 miles.

For vehicles I use 50 Watt radios - the max FCC limit and They go real far 10-15 miles and 30 miles with local repeaters. Additionally, There are GMRS repeaters everywhere (see My GMRS link below) which are placed in high antenna structures that you can reach from anywhere in the US (Networking) and also extend over 60 miles while on the move, sometimes even with walkies. And they are free to use.

Do your own research and you will be well rewarded. There is also radio etiquette you need to observe (see MyGMRS.com below). Best of all, when the weather goes south and you loose power at home and cell towers both you still have comms.

Here are some links for research:

My GMRS.Com

Vehicle Radios

Walkies (make sure they are CHIRP compatible for programming the radios.)

FCC General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

I own the radios I linked to above. Get the license. Start with the Walkies. Very inexpensive to get your feet wet, and you will quickly see the myriad of options and capabilities. you can set on a single GMRS radio!

The vehicle radios I linked are very easy to use, with limited setup options but those options are not really needed, especially when driving - Driving you want simple. All controls are on the handset/microphone....

Correction: License is now $35 valid for 10 years (I've had mine for 6-years or so.)

 

[Knixon]

You did really well at $40 for two! (Assuming the batteries are still good). Back when they were my go to recommendation $99 per was a good price for new. PM received, will do my best to dig up a copy of CE68 tomorrow; pretty sure I still have one on a dusty old external hard drive around here somewhere.

I saw just one active on ebay, used with just a plug-in mic, I think no charger or anything else, for $90!

 

[mewillis]

My son in law just bought these and we tested them in our neighborhood which showed about a mile with houses, tree's etc. in between. I had a neighbor test some marine VHF handhelds and his were worse than these. https://heartswellco.com/retc-15-walkie-talkies/

One thing to be leery of is any radio from Israel or Hungary at the moment and definitely NOT Lebanon LOL......

 

[Aftermath]

I know it’s an old thread, but oh well.

Antenna. Antenna. Antenna.

For handhelds that’s the biggest handicap. For a handheld to work really well, an external antenna (mag mount or slim-Jim hung in a tree, etc) is a game changer. Lots of good replacements also that improve on the rubber ducky antenna. @plong mentioned it already that vhf works better in the hills.

FRS. UHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. no antenna mods allowed.

MURS. VHF
No license needed. 2 watts max. Antenna mods allowed. No repeaters allowed.

GMRS. UHF
now is only $35 for a license, 50 watts max, antenna mods allowed, repeaters are allowed and are already set up in some popular locations.

Amateur tech, aka HAM. VHF and UHF
License cost is $35, 50 watts is allowed (1500 watts in some bands but not applicable here), antenna mods encouraged, repeaters allowed, very wide range of available frequencies so you aren’t stuck with preset channels.

With a handheld, more than 5 watts is almost useless due to antenna limitations. Aftermarket or homemade antennas can really make a handheld work well.

here i used a 5 watt handheld to reach a repeater that’s 70 miles away, line of sight.
View attachment 8503557

And here is a slim-Jim on a trekking pole in camp down by the lake. Antenna made up just enough difference for the lack of elevation.
View attachment 8503558

TLDR? Antennas matter.

Seven Devils?

 

[Makinchips208]

Seven Devils?

Yessir

 

[Aftermath]

I was pretty sure I recognized that view but I am still a little unsure...He Devil and Sheep Lake, She Devil over to your 1:30ish?

I've hiked that stuff maybe a dozen times in my life but the last time was about 20 years ago. I remember the very first time...1971...Me and 3 other 10 year old boys. Scouts. We had maps and compasses but we really didn't need them, the trail was fairly well marked. We were catching crap loads of fish with a bare gold egg hook!! Those fish would hit anything that hit the water.

We didn't have no radios!! HAHA

Once on July 4th, it was a beautiful clear night. Watched fireworks with my first wife all around us but miles away, of course. That was almost a bad deal. My 4 D-cell Petzl headlamp died while we were up there and had to navigate down in the dark. She only had this little bitty flashlight but it came in handy once or twice. We tried to not use it so we would have it in case we really did need it. Good thing it was a clear night and not too dark. I started carrying spare light bulbs after that and a cyalume stick.

It was so pristine, mainly due to being so rugged.

Fast forward, still pretty but lots of signs of abuse.

 

[Makinchips208]

I was pretty sure I recognized that view but I am still a little unsure...He Devil and Sheep Lake, She Devil over to your 1:30ish?

I've hiked that stuff maybe a dozen times in my life but the last time was about 20 years ago. I remember the very first time...1971...Me and 3 other 10 year old boys. Scouts. We had maps and compasses but we really didn't need them, the trail was fairly well marked. We were catching crap loads of fish with a bare gold egg hook!! Those fish would hit anything that hit the water.

We didn't have no radios!! HAHA

Once on July 4th, it was a beautiful clear night. Watched fireworks with my first wife all around us but miles away, of course. That was almost a bad deal. My 4 D-cell Petzl headlamp died while we were up there and had to navigate down in the dark. She only had this little bitty flashlight but it came in handy once or twice. We tried to not use it so we would have it in case we really did need it. Good thing it was a clear night and not too dark. I started carrying spare light bulbs after that and a cyalume stick.

It was so pristine, mainly due to being so rugged.

Fast forward, still pretty but lots of signs of abuse.

You nailed it. Day before we did Tower of Babel and She Devil. On this day He Devil and bombed off the back side, (not recommended. lol) to summit The Ogre. Nearly to the summit a storm formed out of thin air with lots of intra cloud lightning. So we boogied back over the saddle between He and She devil to where our gear was. Lightning almost got us, it cracked down probably a couple hundred feet behind us and caused a large rockfall on She Devil. Super exciting! We made it out alive.

Super beautiful but there is a lot of traffic in there.

 

[Aftermath]

You nailed it. Day before we did Tower of Babel and She Devil. On this day He Devil and bombed off the back side, (not recommended. lol) to summit The Ogre. Nearly to the summit a storm formed out of thin air with lots of intra cloud lightning. So we boogied back over the saddle between He and She devil to where our gear was. Lightning almost got us, it cracked down probably a couple hundred feet behind us and caused a large rockfall on She Devil. Super exciting! We made it out alive.

Super beautiful but there is a lot of traffic in there.

I went in once with a good friend. We packed super light. One 10x10 plastic tarp. Bivvy bags and just super warm weather down bags, mostly just 2 layers of nylon, made from kits we bought at some little mountain supply store I think in CDA. Minimal food...we were gonna eat fish. I did take a MSR white gas stove that I still have and its cook set, we split all the load up as even as we could. I think my pack weighed 18 pounds. My pack at that time empty was probably 5 lbs. Plan to summit all the peaks in 3 days was achieved but we almost froze to death in the snow (in August) one night and were plenty hungry. Even so, with those light loads, it was not real strenuous. We stayed the whole 5 days we took off from work, most of it on the shores of Sheep Lake. Probably saw 20 people. I've been in there and not seen another soul. We each had 2 ribeyes with all the trimmings in Riggins on the Saturday we hiked out and stayed in a hotel there. That trip would probably kill me now!

 

[chevy_man]

I run Baofengs with aftermarket antennas setup for FRS frequencies.

Used chirp to program all the FRS and GMRS and weather channels.

4 radios and I'm less than $200.

99% of the usage is in the mountains for snowmobiling and dirtbiking. Most of the guys I ride with have spent $200 each on crappy FRS radios. This is why I haven't bothered with HAM.

It's surprising that I can get a few miles even with a ridge in between us. If someone is using my radios we can still talk when the expensive ones aren't working.


They're not super powerful. Think they're like 3w. I'm really not scared of the FCC chasing me down, but HAM operators will cry a small lake worth of tears over it being illegal.
It's 1 button to switch to low power mode if I'm down on the flat's and don't need the extra range.

 

[Aftermath]

I run Baofengs with aftermarket antennas setup for FRS frequencies.

Used chirp to program all the FRS and GMRS and weather channels.

4 radios and I'm less than $200.

99% of the usage is in the mountains for snowmobiling and dirtbiking. Most of the guys I ride with have spent $200 each on crappy FRS radios. This is why I haven't bothered with HAM.

It's surprising that I can get a few miles even with a ridge in between us. If someone is using my radios we can still talk when the expensive ones aren't working.


They're not super powerful. Think they're like 3w. I'm really not scared of the FCC chasing me down, but HAM operators will cry a small lake worth of tears over it being illegal.
It's 1 button to switch to low power mode if I'm down on the flat's and don't need the extra range.

I have 6 Baofangs with longer antennas distributed amongst the few here. Like you said, not real powerful, but they do work for what we use them for.

 

[Makinchips208]

I run Baofengs with aftermarket antennas setup for FRS frequencies.

Used chirp to program all the FRS and GMRS and weather channels.

4 radios and I'm less than $200.

99% of the usage is in the mountains for snowmobiling and dirtbiking. Most of the guys I ride with have spent $200 each on crappy FRS radios. This is why I haven't bothered with HAM.

It's surprising that I can get a few miles even with a ridge in between us. If someone is using my radios we can still talk when the expensive ones aren't working.


They're not super powerful. Think they're like 3w. I'm really not scared of the FCC chasing me down, but HAM operators will cry a small lake worth of tears over it being illegal.
It's 1 button to switch to low power mode if I'm down on the flat's and don't need the extra range.

Same here. Baofengs laying around in case kids lose or I break em, with 1/4 wave antennas.
Yaesu or kenwood mobiles in the house and vehicles.

Thankfully fcc doesn’t make a fuss over much unless someone is deliberately being a dork.

Hams on the other hand, yeah. I have been chewed out by old hams for saying “10-4” on the ham bands. lol. I think they are just upset cause we didn’t want to join in their boring old club of a dozen guys. So we made our own club and have 50+ members of all ages.

I like gmrs for its simplicity of pre selected channels, but nobody around here uses that. so for us, ham made more sense in our area with all the 2m amateur repeaters already in play.