Sneeker 29 Posted October 19, 2016 19 minutes ago, darylhunter said: Next step is to get my girls licensed . . . If you buy a GMRS band licence no test is required and it covers your whole family. GMRS is located in the UHF band at 462-467 MHz and the Amateur 70 Centimeter UHF band is 420-450 MHz. They are nearly identical so most 70cm equipment works with the GMRS frequencies. There is a network of GMRS repeaters too. http://www.mygmrs.com/browse If you're set up solely for the 2 meter band then maybe not so convenient. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darylhunter 1 Posted October 19, 2016 The repeater info for GMRS is good to know. Because I do a lot of work with the FCC, I did get a GMRS license just to be fully legal when I had a set of the FRS/GMRS radios for my wife and kids to use. Eventually let the license go as the radios all finally died. Even though I tried to find good quality radios, I was never happy with the audio quality of them and was perversely happy when they finally croaked so I could throw them away. My ham gear's audio quality is so much better! The girls are 12 and 14, and they could each pass the ham test with just a week's worth of easy study - finding the time is the only hard part. I have an Extra class license and have been licensed since 1981, but not as active as I was when I lived back East. With a 5 minute commute to work I just don't have time to get on the air anymore, and too many other distractions at home . . . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sneeker 29 Posted October 19, 2016 I find the baofeng uv-5r handhelds to be far better than the bubble pack types, and at a price point that is disposable. For the pursuit of DX, not so good. However, I have consistently been able to hit a repeater in Lompoc Ca from my house in Vista on a baofeng uv-5r when the weather is right. That's 200 miles over land and water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted October 20, 2016 7 hours ago, Sneeker said: I find the baofeng uv-5r handhelds to be far better than the bubble pack types, and at a price point that is disposable. For the pursuit of DX, not so good. However, I have consistently been able to hit a repeater in Lompoc Ca from my house in Vista on a baofeng uv-5r when the weather is right. That's 200 miles over water. What do you mean by bubble pack types? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goofy Footer 539 Posted October 20, 2016 8 hours ago, paulmbowers said: If you're stopped, it's fine. If moving, please don't key that mic. My ears will blow. Again, back to your "broken" PTTs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted October 20, 2016 1 minute ago, Goofy Footer said: Again, back to your "broken" PTTs My content is always pleasent, and not filled with loud background noise- (my point is) those handjobs (ha!) are high-gain mics, designed to have a gap between the person and the mic. They are VERY sensitive to noise like wind and motorcycles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sneeker 29 Posted October 20, 2016 2 hours ago, Goofy Footer said: What do you mean by bubble pack types? Like this: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
