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NW MN | We currently run Cb radios in our trucks, tractors, ect..... Can maybe get two miles of range at best on our flat ground. There is a place in the area that has towers set up you can subscribe to but they are pricey. Are there any other options out there to get 20 miles of range with out subscribing to someone's towers? Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks! |
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Vicksburg MI 49097 | FM Radios like Motorola. You may still have to have some simple FCC Licence.. I have been told that the AG Frequencies are a good low band that works well.. I used them for years when I worked some with my Father and he had a base station at his house on a tall tower..
They worked good for 20-30 miles ... They lost favor since everyone has a cell phone now... I can see convenience just hitting talk not having to dial a specific number.. plus everyone with a radio on could get same message simultaneously ..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenwood-2-way-FM-radio-/22141091928
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Land_Mobile_Radio/Business... The older ones that I have are Motorolla but the newest are Kenwood..
I think Kenwood was the better set up .. |
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Vicksburg MI 49097 | I have had the same FM two way radio for 25 years. It is a Motorola Maxar 80 it has a quiet tone mike ground to get rid of false signals but when you have the microphone off from the holder it becomes more sensative...
My assigned frequency happens to be 43.28 MGHZ you get your own Private channel.. you don't share the same frequency with others in your area like you would with a CB radio.
My impression is today you could get a much better radio for a lot less money than was 25 years ago .. Everyone had them back then before cell phones become common ..
You need to talk with a Dealer they can set you straight .. http://www.roecomm.com/
Roe Communications, their main customers are the Police ect ..
Edited by Marlhauler 4/6/2014 16:06
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Vicksburg MI 49097 | this model mentions AG http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Communications/Land_Mobile_Radio/Business... |
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Vicksburg MI 49097 | http://www.roecomm.com/motorola/mototrbo/mobile-radios.htm |
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West Central Illinois | Motarola/put up your own tower&repeater. Pricey but private. Pays out sooner than you would think. |
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| Since the feds forced everyone to go "narrow band" radios last year we have been running Vertex. Actually bought our first ones a couple years before the change was required then had them reprogrammed last year. So far they seem to be a good radio and are cheaper than Motorolas. We get the range plus some of what you're wanting and don't have the expense of a repeater. If we need to talk farther we always have our cell phones but they are a PITA to use when in the field. Depends upon your terrain but we went with VHF when we got or first radios back in the mid'80s. I have been told that UHF is more "line of sight" and VHF follows the contour of the earth. I would recommend finding a radio technician in your area and find what he recommends / sells. FWIW, if buying used radios be sure they are capable of being converted to "narrow band" to be "legal", can be some pretty steep fines if not. We threw away several good radios that could not be converted, a couple less than 5 yrs old :~(
Edited by boog 4/6/2014 17:49
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NM | I have 8 Kenwoods that I like . Can't say that they're the best though.
Edit....just ordered one more Friday, $ 350 plus antennae and coax.
Edited by krantz 4/6/2014 17:58
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Flora IL | Ive been told now there will be radio's that will have some digital channels along with analog but then thats a whole long story..
fun fun.... switched over alot of radio's cause of this narrow band crap and now this |
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| Travis, that's the first I have heard of it. It cost me several thousand $$ to switch to narrow band. I'm not going to be a happy camper if I have to make another change in a couple years. First they screwed up my TV, now this. Meanwhile, my cell phone service is crap and our land line is out as often as it works. :~(( |
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Brown county, mn | I would look into getting a side band radio they use 12 watts of output power instead of 4 watts with the cb am band with strong enough antennas you should be able to get distance you need.
https://www.cobra.com/products/professional/148-gtl
Edited by panfisch 4/6/2014 19:13
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central ohio | Just purchased a set of Motorola radios and got my FCC license.
I used TBS Electronics in Topeka, Kansas.
Those guys know what they're talking about.
I would highly recommend them
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SE IL | We too run Motorola's on a licensed FCC frequency. However, I just bought 3 Chinese Baofeng handheld radios for $40 apiece on amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Dual-Band-Improved-Stronger-Enhanced/...
There is also a 60-watt mobile version for $165 that I want to try. The handhelds are great and reach about a mile.
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Brown county, mn | There are free walkie talkie apps to use I use VOXER, you can have group chats it is pretty quick, it also saves the conversation so if someone forgets what you told them to do they can just replay the message. |
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NW MN | Thank you for the info. The single band option seems like it might be the best if it can get the range we are looking for. The only place that sells radios around here is truck stops really. I might have to use the places you guys have recommended to see what will work. |
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nw mn | stones radio in grand forks would be a place to talk with |
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NW MN | Stones in grand forks has their repeater service they sell. I might be assuming, but I don't know if they would be interested in selling radios without the repeater service. |
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Vicksburg MI 49097 | boog - 4/6/2014 17:47
Since the feds forced everyone to go "narrow band" radios last year we have been running Vertex. Actually bought our first ones a couple years before the change was required then had them reprogrammed last year. So far they seem to be a good radio and are cheaper than Motorolas. We get the range plus some of what you're wanting and don't have the expense of a repeater. If we need to talk farther we always have our cell phones but they are a PITA to use when in the field. Depends upon your terrain but we went with VHF when we got or first radios back in the mid'80s. I have been told that UHF is more "line of sight" and VHF follows the contour of the earth. I would recommend finding a radio technician in your area and find what he recommends / sells. FWIW, if buying used radios be sure they are capable of being converted to "narrow band" to be "legal", can be some pretty steep fines if not. We threw away several good radios that could not be converted, a couple less than 5 yrs old :~(
I still have my Low Band FM two way radio in my truck but the antenna broke and I didn't replace it .. I have not heard about narrow band Laws.. I suppose I would be a criminal if I used my old system that my Father bought the Licence for in the late 70's or so ... |
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Central Illinois | How did you like the BaoFeng radios? The reviews seem strong.... |
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Best two way radios for farm?
