two way radios

SandyRiverFisher · 04-19-2003, 08:01 AM

Hey, a quick question for anyone who knows,

My wife went out a week ago or so and baught me a couple of motorolla talkabout radios with the five mile range. Apparently you need a FCC GMRS license to use the damn things. I went to their websight which managed to successfully confuse the hell out of me. What I gathered from it was that you have jump through a bunch of hoops and send them a wod of cash in order to get the license to use your radios.

So my question is this, is it worth it? The reason I want the radios is that Ill be taking my father out with me this fall in Northeastern Oregon. I want a reliable means of communication between the two of us out in the woods. I just thought the five mile range would be superior to the two's. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks for any help!

Washington Hunter · 04-19-2003, 08:10 AM

If it was me, I'd use them without the license.

SandyRiverFisher · 04-19-2003, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Washington Hunter:
If it was me, I'd use them without the license.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Yeah, someone else told me that too. Is it risky though? I dont see how you could get caught, but if the license is $75 then what might the fine be? The whole idea of needing a license to be safe in the wood seems pretty ridiculous to me.

salmonking · 04-19-2003, 10:11 AM

I would think you could use them without a license, especially if hunting or hiking in the woods. I cannot imagine anyone out looking for anyone who is using them without a license. Good luck, have fun, and be safe. USE THEM. :&gt

[ 04-19-2003, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: salmonking ]

willametteriveroutlaw · 04-19-2003, 08:35 PM

I really wouldn't stress about it at all. The fcc is who regulates it me thinks. The chances of being caught are about the same as winning powerball. I believe that local law enforcement doesn't even have the equipment to detect it.

blacktail · 04-19-2003, 08:49 PM

One thing to be aware of is that the range on these hand-helds are way overrated in a normal hunting environment (brush, trees, hills, etc..)

The pair I have is rated for 2 miles which I found out translated to less than half a mile in the brush.

Mike

SandyRiverFisher · 04-19-2003, 09:29 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I know your right blacktail, the range is overrated, which is why I got the five mile. I probably will use them. I would just go get a set of the two mile ones, but then the range does become an issue. Hope no one on here works for the FCC!

1pump · 04-20-2003, 08:31 PM

WRO is right. You have a much better chance of hitting 6 winning numbers than getting busted by the FCC.
I can't even use my CB in town here when I'm working. The base station CBer's crank out so much power it renders my (illegal) 45w radio nearly useless. They're on the air 24/7, violating about a half-dozen FCC rules each. A couple of them I can hear clearly in north Salem! :shocked:
My point is that if the FCC isn't going after well-known and blatant offenders, who are transmitting from a fixed location, they're not gonna bother with a couple of guys in the woods. And unless you're interfering with emergency comm, the local cops won't care.
Have fun and fugedda about it. :smile:

pdxkevin · 04-21-2003, 07:29 AM

The set we bought are 5 milers and they didn't say word one about needing a license?

SandyRiverFisher · 04-22-2003, 06:13 PM

another question on radios guys,

I did a little reading about the licensing for handheld GMRS radios and what I gathered was that the rules are designed primarily to cut down on interference with emergency services frequencies. Does anyone out there know how to avoid using frequencies that are designated specifically for emergency services?

willametteriveroutlaw · 04-22-2003, 06:55 PM

If your using the privacy sub channels your radis came with, you shouldn't really have to worry about interfering with emergency personel. Ans if by some amazing Remote chance you do hear them, just change your channel or subchannel.

biederboat · 04-23-2003, 06:23 PM

I did a post a while back on the 5-mile vs. 2-mile. The repsonses seemed to indicate that the 5-milers can't get better reception in brush than the 2-milers.

Biederboat

Toyn · 05-04-2003, 07:40 AM

When was the last time you saw the FCC police? The regeonal office is in Seattle. I cant even see the Space Needle from here. I have been a 2 meter ham operator for 10+ years....and somehow I forgot to get a license. NO TICKETS YET. I think of it like driving 70 on the freeway. Yup... I got the 2 Watt(5 mile) FRCS radios too....and every Elk season Im constantly dodgin the FCC in the Ochaco's

Washington Hunter · 05-04-2003, 10:37 AM

Toyn, I've always been interested in getting into HAM radios. What's a good handheld radio to get, just to get started? And are there any good sources of info on the internet?

montster303 · 05-05-2003, 06:36 AM

the thing to remember with the 2 or 5 milers is that they are rated for "line of sight". anything in the way drastically reduces their range.

I was wondering if the handheld cb's would be better???

pdxkevin · 05-05-2003, 02:38 PM

We got a set of Motorola's from Joe's last summer with the intent on using them for hunting. Sure they get used then, but what suprised us is how much more we use them.

We bought the ear pieces for quieter field use. This really came in handy during the different sportsman's shows and Christmas shopping. Very handy.

The 5 milers we bought seem to be a little stronger than the 2 milers a friend of the family uses. It might be the brand too, though.

CBs these are not. I have a hand held CB radio for emergancies. Seems they are both dependant on the clear line of sight and a quality antenea.

I wouldn't mind trading mine in for the new 2-ways with built in GPS. Those are pretty nice.

Lepper · 05-05-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by montster303:
the thing to remember with the 2 or 5 milers is that they are rated for "line of sight". anything in the way drastically reduces their range.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Yep.. line of site.. also sun flares.. other atmospheric conditions what kind of rock are in the hills around....

When ever I go hunting I use my ham radio.. And I am able to talk with my father 5 miles away easily.. but you do have to have a license for those...

And IF the FCC ever decides to start cracking down on the little guy they can pin point you with in a couple of feet as to where you are..

feisty's wife · 05-20-2003, 01:15 AM

Supposedly its illegal to take a dump in the woods, but I would not worry about it.....they cannot regulate everything....can they?

Myles · 05-20-2003, 06:48 AM

PDXK, I got a handheld CB for hunting season, just to keep from getting run off the road in the coast range. Unless you carry a better antenna with you they are really limited. I was on a logging road last year and could hear the log trucks coming down the road but they couldn,t hear me. I was told that I could hook it up to a regular vehicle mounted antenna and it would work good.

As far as 5 mile FRS, I've yet to see emergency vehicles where I hunt.

myles

greenbuttskunk · 05-20-2003, 06:51 AM

license, heck! I've used two for the last few years out in the back country. They are super handy.

Grits · 05-21-2003, 12:01 PM

Washington Hunter- go to www.qrz.com They have practice exams and locations to take the test. (It only costs $12 to take a Hams test) I bought a handheld for $100 at HRO (Hams Radio Outlet) in Tigard. Email me if you want to find out about how to go about it legally.

I think it is intersting that people who scream about hunting ethics don't seem to mind using, and even endorse, using their radios illegeally.

[ 05-21-2003, 01:02 PM: Message edited by: Grits ]

crabbait · 05-21-2003, 08:25 PM

While the rules may remain on the books, the FCC has had no enforcement arm for years. This was apparent in the 70s and 80s when the CB folks started to use linear amplifiers (supposed to be limited to 4 watts). It got to be a game as to who could blow who off the radio with the biggest linear amp.

I can understand the need for regulation on radios with tremendous range like some of the Ham sets. With Walkabouts.....not so much.

SandyRiverFisher · 05-26-2003, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by biederboat:
I did a post a while back on the 5-mile vs. 2-mile. The repsonses seemed to indicate that the 5-milers can't get better reception in brush than the 2-milers.

Biederboat

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">We use the two mile radios at work. I can tell you from experience that my five mile models definitely work better. They dont have a five mile range though, thats for sure. I took one out in the rain the other day with my wife. I got maybe a mile an a half and lost contact totally. But still, I have no plans of being that far from my buddy or my dad in the woods. Ham or CB probably would be better for longer range, but I think these little motorolla's are going to suit my needs just fine.