I am prety sure that all sets should have similar features and capabilities really unless you can step up into models that let you swap antenna for more performance overall.All of the readily available units are limited by the power outputs limited by the band they operate on so most in those bands will be equally capable.CB has one set of maximum power,FMRS/GMRS has another and this along with most using fixed antenna will make them the same overall I think.You might be able to find a CB unit that will allow you to improve the Antenna or allow for bigger longer lasting batteries but I have not really shopped for these in a long time either.Or become a HAM and your options expand a lot!I think you would be surprised at how easy getting a Ham Ticket is these days compared to what you had to do in the past. I know you used to be a Ham from the other forum.73
Quote from: ezdog on August 27, 2018, 01:05:24 PMI am prety sure that all sets should have similar features and capabilities really unless you can step up into models that let you swap antenna for more performance overall.All of the readily available units are limited by the power outputs limited by the band they operate on so most in those bands will be equally capable.CB has one set of maximum power,FMRS/GMRS has another and this along with most using fixed antenna will make them the same overall I think.You might be able to find a CB unit that will allow you to improve the Antenna or allow for bigger longer lasting batteries but I have not really shopped for these in a long time either.Or become a HAM and your options expand a lot!I think you would be surprised at how easy getting a Ham Ticket is these days compared to what you had to do in the past. I know you used to be a Ham from the other forum.73Thanks for the info! I do uhnd a set that seems like ticks all the boxes so I'll just go for them I think. All this HAM talk is really starting to make me consider getting licensed again. Have the rules and/or tests gotten easier since the early 90's?
I always wanted to get into ham but just never did, yet I brought walkie talkies up like half a year ago cause I was looking for something because of my medical, I gotta have someone with me 24/7, we fig if I can keep talking the other knows I’m ok, only thing if I’m pushing a snowblower and got no free hands what do I use to hold and press buttons?JR
Quote from: clown on August 28, 2018, 04:12:12 AMQuote from: ezdog on August 27, 2018, 01:05:24 PMI am prety sure that all sets should have similar features and capabilities really unless you can step up into models that let you swap antenna for more performance overall.All of the readily available units are limited by the power outputs limited by the band they operate on so most in those bands will be equally capable.CB has one set of maximum power,FMRS/GMRS has another and this along with most using fixed antenna will make them the same overall I think.You might be able to find a CB unit that will allow you to improve the Antenna or allow for bigger longer lasting batteries but I have not really shopped for these in a long time either.Or become a HAM and your options expand a lot!I think you would be surprised at how easy getting a Ham Ticket is these days compared to what you had to do in the past. I know you used to be a Ham from the other forum.73Thanks for the info! I do uhnd a set that seems like ticks all the boxes so I'll just go for them I think. All this HAM talk is really starting to make me consider getting licensed again. Have the rules and/or tests gotten easier since the early 90's?YES!Now the Tech test is just a multi-question test and there are online tests that you can practice with that use the same actual questions as the real test pool.Sp many take the tests online until passing them easily and then you are set to take and pass the real thing.So the quality of the process might be diluted somewhat by the online testing but the ease of getting you ticket now has gone up a lot, hopefully.Once back in the fold you can get the Yaesu VX-150 for example which is a 2 meter Vertex Commercial HT made entirely of metal for $50 used pretty much all the time.I use these for Emergency Comm Work and with a better antenna and Eneloop battery pack they will go all day long and are almost indestructible and a far cry from any of the cheap radios for sure.
Quote from: ezdog on August 28, 2018, 01:05:58 PMQuote from: clown on August 28, 2018, 04:12:12 AMQuote from: ezdog on August 27, 2018, 01:05:24 PMI am prety sure that all sets should have similar features and capabilities really unless you can step up into models that let you swap antenna for more performance overall.All of the readily available units are limited by the power outputs limited by the band they operate on so most in those bands will be equally capable.CB has one set of maximum power,FMRS/GMRS has another and this along with most using fixed antenna will make them the same overall I think.You might be able to find a CB unit that will allow you to improve the Antenna or allow for bigger longer lasting batteries but I have not really shopped for these in a long time either.Or become a HAM and your options expand a lot!I think you would be surprised at how easy getting a Ham Ticket is these days compared to what you had to do in the past. I know you used to be a Ham from the other forum.73Thanks for the info! I do uhnd a set that seems like ticks all the boxes so I'll just go for them I think. All this HAM talk is really starting to make me consider getting licensed again. Have the rules and/or tests gotten easier since the early 90's?YES!Now the Tech test is just a multi-question test and there are online tests that you can practice with that use the same actual questions as the real test pool.Sp many take the tests online until passing them easily and then you are set to take and pass the real thing.So the quality of the process might be diluted somewhat by the online testing but the ease of getting you ticket now has gone up a lot, hopefully.Once back in the fold you can get the Yaesu VX-150 for example which is a 2 meter Vertex Commercial HT made entirely of metal for $50 used pretty much all the time.I use these for Emergency Comm Work and with a better antenna and Eneloop battery pack they will go all day long and are almost indestructible and a far cry from any of the cheap radios for sure.Good info. I remember having to learn Morse code to get the plus license in order to use a handheld. Will definitely look into this.
What do you need in order to get your #? Well beside a lot of $ for the equipment.. I thought you needed to learn code, no?JR
Quote from: clown on August 28, 2018, 01:53:29 PMQuote from: ezdog on August 28, 2018, 01:05:58 PMYES!Now the Tech test is just a multi-question test and there are online tests that you can practice with that use the same actual questions as the real test pool.Sp many take the tests online until passing them easily and then you are set to take and pass the real thing.So the quality of the process might be diluted somewhat by the online testing but the ease of getting you ticket now has gone up a lot, hopefully.Once back in the fold you can get the Yaesu VX-150 for example which is a 2 meter Vertex Commercial HT made entirely of metal for $50 used pretty much all the time.I use these for Emergency Comm Work and with a better antenna and Eneloop battery pack they will go all day long and are almost indestructible and a far cry from any of the cheap radios for sure.Good info. I remember having to learn Morse code to get the plus license in order to use a handheld. Will definitely look into this.No Code required at all for a Tech now.
Quote from: ezdog on August 28, 2018, 01:05:58 PMYES!Now the Tech test is just a multi-question test and there are online tests that you can practice with that use the same actual questions as the real test pool.Sp many take the tests online until passing them easily and then you are set to take and pass the real thing.So the quality of the process might be diluted somewhat by the online testing but the ease of getting you ticket now has gone up a lot, hopefully.Once back in the fold you can get the Yaesu VX-150 for example which is a 2 meter Vertex Commercial HT made entirely of metal for $50 used pretty much all the time.I use these for Emergency Comm Work and with a better antenna and Eneloop battery pack they will go all day long and are almost indestructible and a far cry from any of the cheap radios for sure.Good info. I remember having to learn Morse code to get the plus license in order to use a handheld. Will definitely look into this.
YES!Now the Tech test is just a multi-question test and there are online tests that you can practice with that use the same actual questions as the real test pool.Sp many take the tests online until passing them easily and then you are set to take and pass the real thing.So the quality of the process might be diluted somewhat by the online testing but the ease of getting you ticket now has gone up a lot, hopefully.Once back in the fold you can get the Yaesu VX-150 for example which is a 2 meter Vertex Commercial HT made entirely of metal for $50 used pretty much all the time.I use these for Emergency Comm Work and with a better antenna and Eneloop battery pack they will go all day long and are almost indestructible and a far cry from any of the cheap radios for sure.
Ok, so ham is now as small as a walkie? But how far can you talk, a few miles? Or are you telling me you no longer need that 20’ tall poll up in the backyard to talk to someone overseas?JR
Portable sets only, we all know the zombies will pull down HAM towers?
Quote from: Don Pablo on September 03, 2018, 01:56:28 PMPortable sets only, we all know the zombies will pull down HAM towers? Back in the '70's I had a set of Star Trek communicators that were just kid's walkie talkies. Would those do?