5-mile vs. 2-mile FRS radios

biederboat · 12-13-2002, 12:39 PM

Our hunting party is contemplating the purchase of 5-mile range FRS radios. We have been using 2-mile and, while we're surprised how well they usually work, wouldn't mind more range. Has anyone out there made the switch and can you vouch for the extra power? What I'd really like to know is, if you're in a situation where you're limited by say a ridge (maybe you're only 1/2 mile away), would a 5-miler be better than a 2-miler or does the extra power only really help our beyond 2 miles?

Thanks,
Biederboat

Tagster · 12-13-2002, 12:50 PM

The extra power would really only help if you are in line-of-sight to the receiving party. If you need to penetrate a ridgetop or even a thick forest (not that we have them here

) You might be better off going with a high power UHF radio. They aren't cheap, though. You are probably looking at $200-$250 per radio on the low end.

Tag

Washington Hunter · 12-13-2002, 12:51 PM

I have a Motorola with the 5-mile range, and they do not work if you have a ridge between you. Even if you're only a half mile away, they don't work. We always have to get up on the top of the ridge in order to make contact.

Snapset · 12-13-2002, 01:00 PM

What Washington Hunter said. Maybe a little better than frs, though.

Cohodependent · 12-13-2002, 01:26 PM

The problem with all of these radios are that they are line of sight only. I have been looking at the new Rhino radio from Gamin. It is a FRS/GMRS combination with GPS built in. The FRS is limited to 2 miles, but the GMRS is rated for 5 miles. The nice thing about them is if every one in your party has one they will transmit your GPS location to all of the others in your party. They are not cheap. They are running about $250.00, but if you consider that it includes a GPS as well it is not that bad, and they are water proof. Here is the link to their web site. I would be interested if any one has seen one of these in use. Our group has decided that we want to start using GPS.

http://www.garmin.com/products/rino120/

Small Fry · 12-13-2002, 02:28 PM

Now this is a neat set up.
I've been wanting more reasons to buy a GPS now I have one. Now If I just get the rest on my hunting bubbies to buy them.

fishwhenican · 12-13-2002, 07:10 PM

We use a 5 watt radio $400 they have to be registered with the FCC but my buddy uses them in his business (farm) Line of sight range varies upon conditions but we have good reception up to 15 miles in flat land. We usually get 2-5 miles in the mountains, unless you have two or more ridges in between, and there is no one else on your frequency. They are worth every $ compared to the small frs radios

Gizmo Man · 12-14-2002, 04:02 PM

I just did an experiment with 2 sets of frs radios.

Both sets are motorola.

One pair was the frs the other the new combination gmrs/frs.

Wife took one of each to work. I had the other at the house. She works about 1 1/2 miles the way the crow flies from the house. Also line of site. However, to get to her work she has to go over a short hill and around it She headed to work. As soon as she went on the back side of the hill neither radio worked. She was less than a .3 mile.

Once she got around the hill and in sight of the house both radios worked. She got to her work and both radios worked fine in the parking lot. As soon as she entered the building the 1 watt gmrs radio would not work. The FRS radio did work.

We both agreed that the frs radio worked better so the new pair of $100 radios where returned to COSTCO.

Anyone else take the time to compare the frs against the gmrs/frs radios.

I would like to have the extra range but need to find the right radio.

Giz...

Tagster · 12-14-2002, 11:53 PM

These are what I sell to the apartment industry. They are a very durable capable radio that lasts a long time on a single charge.

I am not sure where you can buy them retail, but, they are definitely worth a look.

http://commerce.motorola.com/cgi-bin...al%20Two-Way%2 0Radio%20XU2600

[ 12-15-2002, 12:54 AM: Message edited by: Tagster ]

lightline · 12-15-2002, 04:55 AM

I use five watt kenwoods and have for several years with very little trouble contacting the rest of the party in most situations, but like the man said their over four hundred dollars a radio. Also like the man said you are the only one the channel.

Megabites · 12-16-2002, 03:47 PM

So here is the deal on any radio range. Lower frequencies ( such as CB ) will travel better in non-line of site conditions. But you need more power and larger antenna with lower frequencies. Antenna size is inversly proportional to frequency. Also a 2 watt radio will not transmit twice as far as a 1 watt radio. (Common mistake) So you have trade-off anyway you go. The FRS/GRMS are nice but do have limits with terain. CB's are better in terain but are bulkly and heavy. Now another option is a 2 Meter radio. THe VX-5 radio is about the best thing going. It is about the size and weight of a 5 mile FRS but it is a tripple range radio. 6 Meter, 2 Meter and 70 Centimeter for Transmit. It recieves about everything but cell phones and can (not leagal but very easy) be made to talk on a much wider set of bands. Now you are sapposed to have an FCC lic. for it but I know a bunch of people that don't. After all if you are hunting with it most of the time you will be out of range of anyone else anyway. All this for about $240.00 is not bad. Ok I'll quit baballing - bottom line is it give you some options for the environment you are in plus great extras. Aircraft bands, weather, radio, tv, police, fire, bussiness, even NASA can be listened to. Won't pickup, cell phones or CB's however. With the mods it can be made to talk to the FRS radios as well. Opps still baballing.