Two way radios

hawkeye1

hawkeye1

New member
I'm looking for a good set of radios with some good range. Would like to get some that would give a range of 5-6 miles. Would be used in wooded areas. I've seen some advertised as 18 miles. Would I need something like that to reach 5-6 miles through all the trees? Also, what brands seem to be the most reliable? No cell phone coverage in the area, so that's not an option. Any input would be great. Thanks.
 
I use the Motorola T5500R mine has a 5 to 8 mile range a bunch of channels and Earpiece and boom microphone combo allows you to talk and listen without removing the radio from your belt. Delivers great sound even in noisy places.
T5500R

Up to 8-mile range1
1.0 watt power
Call confirm tone
VOX voice-activated feature
10 call tones
Priority scan
Time out timer
QTTM (QuietTalk) noise filter
Radio Dimensions: 6.45 x 2.3 x 1.34 inches
Radio Weight w/o Batteries: .22 lbs

Display

Backlit display and transmit LED signal

Indicators/ Alert Features


Audible low-battery alert and battery meter


Security Features


Keypad Lock



1 The communication range quoted is calculated based on an unobstructed line of sight test under optimum conditions. Actual range will vary depending on terrain and conditions, and is often less than the maximum possible. Your actual range will be limited by several factors including, but not limited to: terrain, weather conditions, electromagnetic interference, and obstructions
 
We have used Motorola's for many years. They are very popular by performing. I just read a short test that the new 7000 series outperforms the 5000 series in distance, But you are still limited by terrain with all radios. Satelite stuff is the way to avoid that, just cost more.
 
One comment, check with your Game & fish as to how you can use the radios. Many states permit you to chat with your buddies but you cannot give specific directions to a game animal.
 
I use 2 different radios 1 for hunter to hunter transmission the other for long range use.
The hunter to hunter transmission radios are motorola spirit 2 watt radios VHF with 10 Channels and 38 subcode channels. The VHF band is much better for terrain such as a mountainous area or heavily wooded. They are line of sight use like all the other GMRS handhelds everyone else is talking about but the Radios themselves are commercial use so they are more rugged. the other is a motorola MT-2000 off of a tower.
 
I have the Midland 14 mile and the Motorola sx700. The story is way too long to tell you why I have both. Both worked fine but in the hills of PA I can only get between 1 and 3 miles, but average thick hemlocks or pines will limit your distance to 200 to 300 yards. Remember that if you purchase a radio that is more than 1 watt (I think 1 watt) that you will need to apply for an FCC license. These are easy to get, $80 for a 5 year permit and many people in your family/hunting party can use your license. I have 8 brothers that I hunt with, we all have the Motorola and only 1 permit, and you are now legal. The long distance miles that radios advertise are only accomplished on the beach talking to someone on a boat, or in the desert.
 
My family have used Motorla for years.But on a whim last year(they were on sale)I bought apair of Midland GXT550 radios.They come with rechargeable batterys,bunch of stuff.Anyway so far they are working better than my old motoralas,they are smaller,an get better range.
My advice about the FCC permit,I don't get a permit,nor do I know anyone that does.I do know that a game warden(in my state)can't write you a ticket for not having one.Nor have I ever seen a FCC radio truck anywhere.
 
I have the Midland GTX 550 also. Forget about the 14 mile range, even on flat terrain. In town I get 1-2 miles max, and that is with no skyscrapers around either.
 
I recently got the Midland GTX-650's. Very well priced and as good if not better than any of these bubblepack radios mentioned here. If your really serious you can go to R.K. Leef and get a real radio. Ofcourse these radios can be purchased other places too. Goodluck !
Jeb

R.K. Leef Radio
 
I would stick with a motorola brand as I have used them all my life and the others just don't compare in the long run. It will be hard for you to get any distance in that type of area no matter what you have. I use Peltor elect ears that have a built in radio. It protects you hearing, picks up sounds, and has a radio built in with a boom mic. It is great for calling with a partner. However, you may not get
enough range in your area.
 
Hawkeye1,

I recently purchased the Midland 18-mile radios, the GTX-650. To make a long story short, they are going back to Cabela's. I purchsed them to use here in the mountains where I live. My dad's farm is about 1 mile by road and less than that by the way the crow flys. They won't work in the woods that far. I am disappointed with them. I thought since they are 5 watts and rated for 18 miles, that surely I could get a few miles out of them. Perhaps on flat, treeless terrain, but not in the mountains with trees.

I have had Motorola 2-mile radios for several years, and they will talk every bit as far as the 18-mile Midlands - at least where I have tested them, they do. My son and I gave both radios a test recently as I drove from home, going the same route. Both radios performed the same. After getting to the farm, I stepped out of the vehicle and could not reach him with either. I lost signal at the same place with both radios.

Hope this helps.
 
i don't think there are too many of these radios that work
as advertised in thick hilly terrain. It is all about wave amplitude. If your amplitude (distance y in this pic.)
is shorter than the hill next to you than you are SOOLuck.

Wave.png


So it depends on where you are using them.
 
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I work construction and we have tried numerous of the "NEW" smaller radios and they do not work for nothing. I would recommend the motorola's, we use the older talkabout DMPS. The older big radios always work best in the thicker stuff, they have more power. This is just my observation and what I use and recommend. We have the small motorola's, unidens and cobra's. They all say 10 to 12 miles and we cannot even get two miles out of them on god terrain.
 
Quote:
i don't think there are too many of these radios that work as advertised in thick hilly terrain. It is all about wave amplitude. If your amplitude (distance y in this pic.)
is shorter than the hill next to you than you are SOOLuck.

Wave.png


So it depends on where you are using them.



W-H-A-T ???

Amplitude is not a distance, it is how strong the the output is. The wave form you posted is "AM" or amplitude modulation.

These radios are FM, so the output is a constant strength.

If you are talking about Wave Length... these radios work in the UHF bands at frequencies of 450-470 Mcs. The wave length of these radios is about 2 feet long.

So you are saying that if the other radio is more than 2 feet away, you are "SOOluck" ???

.
 
Quote:
The wave form you posted is "AM" or amplitude modulation.



It isn't even that, or the amplitude would vary at the frequency of the carried information, while FM varies the frequency with the carried information and the amplitude stays constant. The higher the frequency, the more "line of sight" it becomes. If you wanted the best chance of talking over a hill, you should get a low frequency AM radio and a long antenna. A SSB CB radio might be your best choice of what's available cheap, it's in the 26MHz band. Use the sideband.
 


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