Me and my friend hunt in the same state park we like to use 2 way radios to tell each other if anything is moving in their direction, decide when its time to go home or just let each other know when we have shot something. The problem we have is that we hunt about 1/2 to 1 mile away from each other, and the motorola frs radios dont seem to be making the transmissions. We hunt where it is very hilly. We use the earpieces also. I was just wondering if there is a better radio out there or are we just stuck with bad reception. Also neither of us have ham licsenses so we are limited. Any suggestions?
Walkie talkie.
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The rinos are both GPS and walkie/talkies, but they are also VHF (VHF won't transmit the GPS location of the sender). Most people I know who use these don't have HAM licenses either, but neither have the sent in the forms to allow them to "offically" use the VHF bands. It's really a simple thing, but most people don't sign up...
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Maybe you have already done so; but, you should check your state's game laws. In Montana it is illegal to use any form of electronic communication for the above part of your post.myimpala1 said:
In Montana using electronic communications for the above part of your post is O.K. Like I said, I assume you have checked; but, I would hate to see someone get in trouble unnecessarily.myimpala1 said:
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I hunt in some hilly terrain as well. As well as areas with dense pines. We have tried all grades of radios and some work better than others but at the distances your talking about either they will work or they wont no matter how nice they are. Cell phones are your other option just remember to set to vibrate.
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I have the Midland 550's and they are great, wouldn't be without them.
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My friend and I use our Nextel phones. Put them on vibrate and turn the speaker off. Works great.
Don't need a HAM license for the radio or any functions
If anything on the Rhino required a HAM license or permissions only restricted to HAMs, you couldn't legally buy the radio without proof of a license. Not that all the retailers actually check for licenses, but if you are caught operating such equipment without a license, its a big no-no.
That said, I have friends who have bought the Rhinos and love them, but it uses, to my knowledge, the GMRS, which is itself a seperate license structure, all you have to do is I believe pay a fee ($75?) and you get a license, and it can cover your entire group. IE, he uses his for paintball, and anyone else with a GMRS radio playing on his team, can use his license as their own.
Also, you can't send in forms to get access to the HAM bands. Only way you gain access to HAM bands is to pass the licensing tests. If you could just send in forms for access, there'd be no point in HAM licenses. And the ARRL and other associated groups are fiercely defending what restricted bandwidth remains for HAM only use.
But in terms of range, if the FRS radios aren't cutting it, GMRS if you don't mind the license fees, would do the trick. Or, as someone else suggested, cell phones/text messaging? Could always go with a provider that offers the PTT walkie talkie features now-Sprint, Nextel, Cingular etc
hunt'nforsanity said:
If anything on the Rhino required a HAM license or permissions only restricted to HAMs, you couldn't legally buy the radio without proof of a license. Not that all the retailers actually check for licenses, but if you are caught operating such equipment without a license, its a big no-no.
That said, I have friends who have bought the Rhinos and love them, but it uses, to my knowledge, the GMRS, which is itself a seperate license structure, all you have to do is I believe pay a fee ($75?) and you get a license, and it can cover your entire group. IE, he uses his for paintball, and anyone else with a GMRS radio playing on his team, can use his license as their own.
Also, you can't send in forms to get access to the HAM bands. Only way you gain access to HAM bands is to pass the licensing tests. If you could just send in forms for access, there'd be no point in HAM licenses. And the ARRL and other associated groups are fiercely defending what restricted bandwidth remains for HAM only use.
But in terms of range, if the FRS radios aren't cutting it, GMRS if you don't mind the license fees, would do the trick. Or, as someone else suggested, cell phones/text messaging? Could always go with a provider that offers the PTT walkie talkie features now-Sprint, Nextel, Cingular etc
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