luissuperdog said:

Holy Cow... thats no cheap radio! Starting about $600 and up to $1000!! :crazy:

johnnyairtime said:

You're right, it's not cheap. And fortunately it's not too expensive either...

johnnyairtime said:

JJ... that looks like the same setup i have.. purchased and recommended by HRO...

..admittedly... i don't know much about radios.. but i do know there is such a thing as a "tuned antenna"..

can you give me some more info on your antenna... i.e. such as length of whip? and is this optimized for the race frequency bands? or all 2M bands?...

:banghead:

amazing ricardo said:

Correcto'mundo....

From the standard length 2M whip (39" I think), it's "normal" to cut 4" off for the upper bands. It's not "tuned" per say, but gets better results for 150.000 and up to 160.000 .... if ya want perfect, you have to 'tune' it with a SWR meter and account for loss in the cable run. However, "tuners" for 2M is far and few between and rarely needed. It's also a science I'm not too familiar with when it gets into impedance and all kinds of other star-trek blah blah.... :D So to answer your questions; 1- Length of whip uncut should be 39", cut it down to 35" for best "race" results. 2- Yes, it's optimized for race freqs. 3- No, ham bands like it at 39" as it's optimum range is 144.000 to 148.000, but will work up to 174.000 (with loss).

THANKS.... that is exactly what i wanted to know...:thumbsup:

johnnyairtime said:

I have always said you are a nerd......:p
you just prove me right all the time.......:thumbsup:

I got lost on the third page, so what are the odds that Gary will find someone to talk to that will understand his accent?

Danger Dave said:

Ya'll are the ones that talk funny:banana:

For exploring in the desert with my 3 boys, would I simply go buy 4
IC-V8s? I probably would mount them on the front chest with an earpiece. Good? Bad? - Input please.

MMotohead said:

even better... go buy used VX-170s, or new FT-270s (Yaesu - more durable then the IC-V8) and buy the lapel mic. It serves as a microphone and speaker, that you can mount up by your helmet on your shoulder somewhere... cop style.

I've done it in emerg. situations and it worked (just) okay, compared to a $200 headset.

I have been following this thread with great interest in regards to outfitting my club with better quality radios for internal usage.

We currently use basic radios that everyone else and their grandma uses. These have limitations such as: too many people on the channel and poor reception.

Every year, we put on one of the largest races in the PNW, drawing up to 4000 spectators, 2400 poker runners and 900 racers. Covering this in terms of being a sweep rider takes a lot of work. I was wondering what set-up you might recommend for 10-12 radios and what their range? Like Baja, there are a lot of valleys, draws, etc... that can interfere with reception. There is a local HAM group that comes in for the weekend and camps out at the checkpoints so they can help relay info, but....looking for sweep riders to be able to do this as well on the run. We always run in pairs so in the past, a rider would go to the top of a hill while 2nd person stays with down rider or whatever the case is.

Any thoughts/ideas?

MX813 said:

You require business band radios. I suggest just renting radios for your events. Approx $10 per radio per day...

PowerCell said:

Not sure what a business band radio is? Is that similar to the Icoms we use in public schools to connect office staff with janitors, principal, etc...

Is there a requirement to purchase this type of equipment? We hold many events each year, with the aforementioned one being the largest so...renting would not make sense if we used radios multiple times a year.

MX813 said:

Business banded radios require a license... and to buy, you'd need to aquire that license (if I'm remembering correctly). If you rent, your radio use is on the piggy-back method of the renter's license. No need for you to jump through the hoops.

There's several places that can rent, sell, or simply answer those questions. I like this place;

Two way radio info;
http://www.bearcom.c...ories/index.cfm

Rental info;
http://www.bearcom.com/rent/index.cfm

License info;
http://wireless.fcc....strial_business

Thanks for the information JAT.

I am a little confused tho...the original poster of this thread is asking on purchasing a handheld....but to transmit would be illegal? Does that sum it up?

mx813

MX813 said:

I'll give you the quick, down and dirty;

Buying a HAM radio, is not illegal.
Using a HAM radio without a license is illegal.
MOD'ing a HAM radio (removing MARS/CAP) is not illegal
Using a modified radio is illegal.

A business banded radio, is basically an upgraded ham radio. Better quality, made to better specs...etc. It also requires a different license to operate. As well, programming software is harder to come by than a HAM radio software. A business banded radio, does not need to have the MARS/CAP removed to operate in the upper bands (due to it's quality at time of production and purpose of use).

Make more sense? The OP needs a "Ham license" to operate legally and within the law.

That sums it up pretty good for me. Thanks:thumbsup:

I checked the link for renting a system. There is store about 20 miles from where I live so I'll check them out next week.

Last question: What is the range on these things? The ones you can buy without license claims 10 miles or so...but I find that to be line of sight only...reduced to 2-3 miles in hilly terrain. Your experience (or anyone elses)

mx813

Sorry for the 20 questions and my ignorance...just trying to learn more on better quality radios.

The reason I am kinda confused is because of this:

Quote

I am assuming (no negativity meant for anyone including original poster of quote above) that user is simply using for recreation and not worrying about license?

johnnyairtime said:

Using HAM radios or FRS radios for your event is illegal. $8k per day fine if you get caught...

PowerCell said:

I know all the operators that act as relays at checks are licensed since they are ultimate enthusiasts (or at least that is my gut feeling.) They are not charging a thing....

Sounding like I will check out bearcom store to see what it'll cost.