Radios

admin

Ok guys, i am looking for good two way/cb radio that i can get for my guys to use. We have a two way radio store here in norfolk, but they want an arm and legs to use their tower. I don't want the push to talk phones either. Any ideas. What kind of radios do you all use??
Reply:How long of a range are you looking to talk?   Most stock cb radios are good for 15-20 miles tops (yes I know that sometimes you can talk further!) with good conditions.  Further than that and you will need to look at an amplifier.Anyway on to what I use.   I have a Uniden PC78 Elite.  Good solid radio, nice clarity.   Bought mine from Walcott radio, which offers excellent customer service, which is really important as I live in Canada.http://walcottcb.com/ Originally Posted by Ag SpecialtiesOk guys, i am looking for good two way/cb radio that i can get for my guys to use. We have a two way radio store here in norfolk, but they want an arm and legs to use their tower. I don't want the push to talk phones either. Any ideas. What kind of radios do you all use??
Reply:a CB that can reach out 15-20 miles!!!????? is that running the legal 4 watts??if you only need a mile or 2 id get a set of 2 watt FM handhelds on a MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) frequency. No license is needed. If you want more coverage you could get mobile radios running 25 to 50 watts but you would need an FCC license. But the best way to go is 25 watt mobiles and get repeater service.
Reply:A CB on 4 watts is -not- going to get 15-20 miles!  Barring skip or such, CB (27 Mhz) is a 1-5 mile range typical.  SSB is allowed 12 watts, so you -might- get a little more range.  But keep in mind you are at ~27Mhz (low band) and on a public/shared radio band(s).You can't use GMRS for business use (license needed), or FRS either (no license, but for family/group use, no business use on FRS).The MURS (no license needed) regs allow its use for business use, but remember that it is short range and public/shared frequencies.If you want more than a few short miles of range, or if their is 'tricky' terrain involved like a hill/mountain/valley between the radios that are trying to talk to one another, then you pretty much have to go with a commercial radio and a central/repeater system and the appropriate radio license(s).Either that or use cell phones, regular or walkie-talkie style.Last edited by MoonRise; 05-13-2008 at 12:06 PM.Reason: more info
Reply:I know you said that you don't want the push to talk phones but almost all the guys I know near me are useing the nextel phones for work. Primarily the reason I have a nextel for my cell phone. Service near me is a bit spotty in a few areas, but if I can get a signal I can talk to someone almost anywhere in the US. Proven by pestering some of the guys in Vegus or Florida on business. I've even managed to get a signal 23 miles off shore when diving, but I had to stand up in the tuna tower to get a good signal.About the major disadvantage I see is the phone if you give it to workers. Basically the way we ran it was if they used more than the "free" minutes that came whith the phone plan they got dinged on their check for the useage. The top end construction grade std phones, not the flip phones, can take a pretty good beating and still work. The service plan also isn't to bad if your guys really abuse the phones or work where if you drop the phone its toast. Say from the top of a tower or roof on to concrete or off the side of the boat into the water.Good luck
Reply:Originally Posted by dellwasFurther than that and you will need to look at an amplifier.