2 Meter Ham radios for outdoor use?

[Big Game]

Was just wondering if there are any ham radio operators on here? I am thinking of getting my ham license and using 2 meter ham radios for communicating while bear hunting. Of course others will have to have their license or I'll be talking to myself.:D I have been told that the 2 meter ham radios will blow all other handheld radios out of the water when it comes to communicating in the woods. I guess what I'm trying to ask is anybody out there using them, and if so what kind of range have you been able to get? It looks like there is a repeater in the area I hunt and if I can access that I should be able to talk wherever I need to. Any thought or comments would be appreciated.

[Hoosier_Steelheader]

Big Game,
Yes 2 Meters has a distinct advantage as far as range, and frequency goes over the FSR 14 channel units, however, depending on if you intend to use the 2M radios as communications for a paid guide service you might get into a situation with the FCC. I have been a HAM for 20 years and enjoy the hobby a great deal.
If you plan on using the radios personally No-Problem, however, if you are wanting to, or currently are a Guide, I would suggest a couple of business band radios (155mhz) you can get a license for these as a business, pretty cheap, and you can assign as many "field" radios as you need (5-25 I think??) They users do not need to be licensed only the business.
They are at the top of the 2 meter band so your coverage is going to be the same as a regular Ham 2 m handy talkie (H.T.) The only draw back is the FCC will assign you the frequencies you can use based on other licensee's in your area.

Good Luck!
JC
KA9QWV

[Big Game]

Thanks for the info. If I went with business band what kind of cost am I looking at for the license? I will also send you a PM.

[ih772]

Big Game;
Repeaters are usually owned by radio clubs or an individual. They may object to you using the repeater for hunting purposes and ask you and or block you from using the repeater. Another disadvantage to using the repeater would be having to share the radio traffic on the repeater. Somone may be talking when you want to use the machine and the bears may hear the repeater too! In a nut shell, amateur radio really isn't a practial radio resource to use for hunting. Go with the business band radios.

IH
K8MM

[Huntin Horseman]

My dad ahs his and I tried ot get mine a few years ago but I could not understand it:) It's not alot of money for the lisence. Have fun!

[enfield]

The range you will get with hand-held amateur radios will be the same as you get with FRS or GMRS or business band -- line of sight. You need a repeater or an antenna on top of a tower to get your signal over the horizon. You can't get more than about 5 to 6 watts in a handheld radio because of the limitations of battery technology, and a 6 watt radio will not transmit any further or sound any louder at the other end than a 3 watt radio will. I'd suggest GMRS or, better yet, cell phones. Set them on vibrate and you won't disturb the game, unless you yelp when the vibrator goes off. :eek:

[Big Game]

Thanks for the input Enfield. I have been with guys that tried to use those GMRS radios and they would only work about a mile away from each other. I have hunted with guys that use the business band and they were talking miles apart even in the woods. I understand what you are saying about batteries and the range of handhelds. Cell phones aren't an option. I'm in Northern Mich and don't have reliable communication on them yet up here.

[chad 1]

Try looking into the nextel. Only area I found they din't work up here is onaway area. good luck.

chad

[Big Game]

Thanks Chad but from what I've seen they won't work. My boss has one and if he gets away from the main roads which is where some of our job sites are, they don't work. I'm doing most of my hunting in the pigeon and most spots I don't get a signal on my cell phone. Makes the wife worry when I can't call home to tell her the dogs are still running and I wont be home until late. :D

[ih772]

Big Game,

The limitation on how far your signal will travel is primarily limited the the frequency of the signal, the amount of power output, and the antenna used.

The GMRS radios are limited to 600 miliwatts output into a very inefficient antenna. Another problem with these radios is the frequency they use, 462 and 467 MHz. These frequencies are more readily absorbed by trees, leaves, hills and other objects. This is the reason you can be a lot farther apart on the water and still communicate than you can in the woods. Same thing with cell phones.

With business band radios this absorption effect is somewhat less allowing you to communicate at greater distances through the woods. The reason is, the lower in frequency you go (i.e 155 MHz), the less your signal is absorbed by objects between radios.
Combine this with a good antenna with some sort of "gain" on your radio and a repeater I think you will be pleased with the results.

If you would like to learn more about radios and how they work I would suggest looking at the following link www.arrl.org This site can give you a basic understanding of radio and how it works even if you're not interested in amateur radio.

[ih772]

Correction -

The GMRS radios are limited to 600 miliwatts output into a very inefficient antenna.

Should have said FRS radios.

While FRS radios don't not require a license, using GMRS radio requires a license from the FCC.

[enfield]

I don't know what the power limit is on GMRS radios, but I've owned a couple of Motorola GMRS units that were 2 watt rigs. Also, on GMRS you can put on a more efficient antenna, if you can find or build one. FRS radio antennas are permanently attached, by law.

To compare VHF and UHF radios for range in the woods, you need to test both radios under the same conditions -- same locations, same power, same antenna gain, same day.

That said, if you feel that VHF is better in the woods than UHF, then go for it.

[Michigan Hunter]

I sure hope you don't consider Ham radio (unless everybody you are hunting with are hams too). If so, all of you would chose a frequency and communicate but it sure sounds like trouble if some or none of you arn't licensed for amateur radio. The FCC has strange ways of getting even and they do. I also am trustee of two repeaters in our county and would sure put the stop to periodic communications while hunting. Since you have to identify with calls all the time if sure sounds awkward to use while trying to bag a buck. Business band would be ideal if you get a license and follow the rules. Stay legal and you'll be OK.

[LandBarge]

Originally posted by chad 1
Try looking into the nextel. Only area I found they din't work up here is onaway area. good luck.

chad

I carry my Nextel into the woods but it is extremely unreliable even in Southern Lower Michigan. :( If I climb the hill on my right, I can call home or 2-way my partner. From the hill on my left, there's no signal. Even though I also carry my FRS, more often than not I am completely cut off from the outside in most situations where I spend most of my outdoor time (Barry County, which is very hilly). Are we seriously considering putting a man on Mars when we still don't have reliable communications for the earthbound sportsman?
:confused:

[Big Game]

Yeah Nextels are useless off the beaten path up here. What I have done is went with the business band frequencies. They are costly but worth it. They far outdo CB's, FRS, and GMRS (simplex without repeaters).