So. I need a good suggestion on a set. I currently have the 16 channel COBRA 12 mile 2 WAY RADIOS that look like this:


Model No: GA-CC2

Basically, whenever I go caravaning on a road trip with other people, I like to bring them along just to maintain communication in case there's an emergency or just so we can talk to each other. The issue with this current model is that there are many times when the signal isn't coming in clearly even though we are at most ~200ft apart. I don't know if this is an issue with the fact that these are set on a low frequency (rather than high because of FCC rules/laws). I have even tried communicating on a High frequency with very little improvement. Is this issue due to the fact that we are traveling at ~75mph with many other interfering signals, because these are really crappy 2 way radios, or a combination of both?

What would you guys recommend? I'd also prefer not spending $75, filling out applications, etc, unless the use of higher band frequencies is the only solution to this issue.

7/9/2008 9:38:46 PM

are those FRS or GMRS?

both of them operate in the UHF band. all of the FRS/GMRS channels are UHF (462/467 MHz) so choosing a lower or higher "channel" won't make a difference except to alleviate congestion. generally the higher the frequency = shorter the wavelength = shorter distance the signal travels = more power required to send the same length.

you can't get another consumer-licensable radio in another band unless you go with CB or get everyone in your family to get a ham license.

it's most likely due to the fact that you're both in cars that are acting as a sort of giant faraday cage that is blocking a lot of your radio signal. FRS/GMRS are fairly low power to start with, so this is somewhat of an issue. better radios would help as the receivers are more sensitive & they probably would have tone squelch or something similar.

GMRS technically requires an $85 license but there's really no way they're going to catch you nor would the FCC ever invest the time required to do so.

if you really wanted to go hardcore (but didn't want to just go get a ham license), you could get a GMRS mobile unit that would mount in your car and use an external antenna. you're allowed to transmit up to 50 watts on GMRS frequencies (but not the FRS freqs, only 1/2 watt on those) if i'm not mistaken

7/9/2008 10:07:38 PM

Yeah, they are FRS/GMRS handsets and I had it on a GMRS Channel. But I suppose that doesn't matter? Thanks for the info... I just wanted something small and simple. Having to mount something is more trouble than its worth for how often I would actually use it... I was thinking about looking into those "huge" motorollas that I see like the city of raleigh people use...

7/10/2008 8:31:24 AM

Quote :

"I was thinking about looking into those "huge" motorollas that I see like the city of raleigh people use.."

you can't use those. the general public can't use public service frequencies. you can get a business vhf/uhf license and business-band radios, but it's $texas.

plus, if you're talking about the handheld motorola xts5000's we have in ems/fire/police:



they're around $5000 a piece.

7/10/2008 8:39:05 AM

^ Oh damnit all to hell.. lol. Thanks :/ I guess I'll just use my unlimited cell phone minutes and invest in a car charger...

I figure I'll try to find something that has a 5watt output (highest I've seen.) I believe mine only has 1 watt output, so maybe 5 times the power might help?



[Edited on July 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM. Reason : /.]

7/10/2008 9:50:55 AM

Is there one particular brand that you'd recommend over another? The top 2 seem to be Motorolla and Cobra... Best buy has a 5 Watt I'm kinda interested in.

Cobra LI 7200 WX VP 27 Mile 5 Watt 22 Channel 2 way radio.

I'll report back later.

7/10/2008 10:35:11 AM

i bought 4 midland 2-mile radios for $2.50 each 3 or 4 years ago during an ace hardware memorial day sale

works great for taking trips...they seem to actually cover about 1.5 miles instead of 2, but for $2.50/each, i'm not complaining

really, this wasn't relevant to the thread, but i just wanted to point out how impressed i've been with my low-dollar purchase

7/10/2008 10:47:03 AM

haha. way to make me feel like crap spending $80 on a set that *might* work...

[Edited on July 10, 2008 at 11:19 AM. Reason : .]

7/10/2008 11:19:08 AM

http://nsiradio1.stores.yahoo.net/icic25444whh.html

you won't get anything better than that.

icom makes AWESOME transceivers.

7/10/2008 11:38:53 AM

^ holy cow. A bit more than I was hoping to spend. But then again, I just might want to... Thanks I'll look more into them (Icom)

7/10/2008 11:50:54 AM

good radio equipment is gonna be expensive, son

7/10/2008 1:38:36 PM

yep, i have a nice HF radio that came out of some military equipment...

its new price is like 9k

but i can talk around the world, fo' free

7/10/2008 4:47:09 PM

the question is, however

are you licensed to use it

7/10/2008 4:53:11 PM

didnt say that did i

7/10/2008 4:59:08 PM

lmao

you better not talk on teh ham bands

you'll get bitched out in a heartbeat

7/10/2008 5:01:20 PM

^ serious question: who cares? i mean, what are they going to do, come after you?

7/10/2008 5:03:56 PM

yeah, I know... havent broke it out in quite a long time. might see what is going on tongiht when I get home.

cause a stir

cant be tracked unless the tx is pressed

7/10/2008 5:04:11 PM

haha

receiving isn't illegal, but transmitting is, so you're good

and quagmire, i'd be willing to bet large sums of money that the FCC wouldn't do SHIT about it
but it wouldn't be too terribly difficult to find out the general area someone was transmitting from
and if you do get caught, it's actually a felony if i'm not mistaken

so if they FCC cares enough to do something about it, you're fucked

7/10/2008 5:08:43 PM

its like everything else, polite warning... then federal pound you in the ass prison...

nah, no jail just a fine. but I love that line from some movie

7/10/2008 5:14:21 PM

cobra 20-mile radios ($47): http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=206806988



midland 20-mile, 22-channel radios ($50): http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=207684189

7/11/2008 2:07:50 PM

^^Office Space!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPcql4FuCK0

Quote :

"We get caught laundering money, we're not going to white color resort prison. No, no, no. We're going to Federal pound me in the ass prison"

7/11/2008 2:21:12 PM