Coms Advice

[Det-Sog]

the antenna is the most important part. get a decent one.

if you're not going to get a license, you are stuck with CB / unlicensed "walkie talkies" at a fairly low wattage.

if a $30 license and a test any 8 year old could pass after downloading the questions from the internet for free and a few hours of study is too much trouble, my advice is to plan on just not having any coms in the future. as with guns and any other topic, skillset > hardware

that's true but it's because in an 'emergency' it is not illegal to for an unlicensed person to transmit on a ham band. however, you don't want to wait for an emergency to test your gear and practice. I think the fine is only $10k if you get caught.

Agreed on all. That's why I broke down and got a license. It's nice to be able to tweak and test the systems with a clear conscience.

[WillBrink]

Agreed on all. That's why I broke down and got a license. It's nice to be able to tweak and test the systems with a clear conscience.

I'm not going to be tweaking any systems myself and if I have to get a license to communicate a short distance over a two way walk talkie, screw it. I suspect a decent quality 5w handset with good antenna and 15-20 channels with suit my needs just fine within the distances and uses i expect. I can't blame those who want more then that for sure, but there's only so much time in the day and stuff to learn, and studying for any test to run a radio is very low priority currently.

[Det-Sog]

I'm not going to be tweaking any systems myself and if I have to get a license to communicate a short distance over a two way walk talkie, screw it.

Just be discrete and you should be OK. I doubt there are more than 2-3 dedicated FCC people in your entire big city. They are going to be overloaded already. They are not out looking for people goofing around on 5W "toys". What you need to be careful for are the 60+ year old retired geezers that are part of the local HAM club. The will turn you in if they track you down... Yes, they do stuff like that. Many are very protective of their hobby.

[mtscout]

If you are not interested in acquiring a Tech Lic purchase a GMRS license.
Cost $80 and is good for 5 years.
This allows you to use 5 watt HT and a 50 watt base/mobile.

In my part of the country my brothers and I easily accomplish comms with 5 watt HT at twenty miles.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/general-...o-service-gmrs

[WillBrink]

If you are not interested in acquiring a Tech Lic purchase a GMRS license.
Cost $80 and is good for 5 years.
This allows you to use 5 watt HT and a 50 watt base/mobile.

In my part of the country my brothers and I easily accomplish comms with 5 watt HT at twenty miles.

https://www.fcc.gov/general/general-...o-service-gmrs

That's impressive!

[mtscout]

In Mass, where there is more traffic on those freq's your range may be less.
Here, it is open range and nearly zero radio traffic.
We use Baofengs, a Cobra and a Yaesu (all HT's) and they all perform about the same.
You can buy five of the Chicom HT's for the price of one Yaesu.

I need to select a good base radio, then our small radio net could easily make contact with a repeater getting us into the next valley.
GMRS and the Marine Radio bands are vacant here....(SW Montana).
Good luck and 73

[Straight Shooter]

This just an FYI- I clicked on a couple links in this thread, and its all Chinese Algebra to me!
Anyway as a former OTR truck driver, I used to get a kick out these drivers who had no life, other than in a truck, and all they had to brag/talk about was about "how far they are getting out" with these obscene CB's they had.
I mean, they thought they were like Navy SEALS the farther out they could talk or something. ME? For about 11 years I ran a peaked and tuned Cobra 29 and many many times talked out to beyond 30 miles. Just buy a Cobra 29..go to a large truckstop that has a radio shop, and just tell em to "peak and tune it". Buy a decent antenna from them-BOOM, vehicle comm is all set.
Myself, I will have no need what-so-ever to talk any further than that CB's capability.
As for hand-helds, 5 miles or under and Im good-to -go.
SCREW all this license shit-the gov gets enough of my money as is.

[Joelski]

Just grab some high band (VHF) Motorola HT'S and scope out the private access freqs in your area.

[Vash1023]

Baufang with a bunch of channels programmed and a hand crank charger for shtf...

Total cost less than $200... But when the phone e stops working you better have a plan.

[Outlander Systems]

If you're not interested in licensing, go with a CB.

Will, PM, in-bound.

ETA:

Shit, homie. I rap with dudes in Canada all the time on a 5w Handheld.

*Technical Terms, and Digital Conditions May Apply

That's impressive!