Communications > Comm Discussion

MAG Radio Standardization

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Jackalope:
     GMRS has a niche in prepper communications, but it has limited usefulness.  It's great for local simplex communications, like a 1-3 mile range.  Otherwise, you become dependent upon repeaters, which increase your radio coverage area, but repeaters add a possible failure point.  GMRS also limits both your available channels and your output power of 50 watts.  I typically use FRS/GMRS frequencies for neighborhood operations, i.e., looking for a lost dog, or checking in on snowed-in neighbors, etc.  GMRS frequencies, which are located in the UHF band, don't propagate as well in rural areas, but they work well in urban areas, and they penetrate concrete reasonably well.

     I have always stressed the importance of simplex (point-to-point direct) communications, whether VHF, UHF, or HF.  Repeaters are wonderful devices, but they do go out of service, just like cell phone towers.  The amateur radio simplex alternative offers flexibility in frequencies and output power up to 1500 watts.  Simplex doesn't work everywhere due to topography, but in most cases there's a work around, whether improving antennas, using a different band or mode, or increasing transmit output.

     Handheld radios are compromised devices, they're not designed to be used as base stations, or mobile radios.  Use the appropriate device for specific applications.  Sure, mobile radios can be used as a base station, or vice versa.  Handheld radios are meant for portable operations.  I've seen many newly licensed radio operators damage handheld antenna connectors or blow transmitter finals because they're trying to use the device outside of its design parameters.

     






   

     

Trail Ninja:
Thanks for your feedback.

I was originally planning on using HH's for neighbors and patrols, but thought repeaters might give my wife and I an option if cell service went down.  It doesn't sound like HH's alone would do the trick.  Although, from each of our work locations (approx. 6 mile apart) there is a repeater located in the middle, according to a repeater map.  The only way to find out if it will work is to test it.  And if HH reception doesn't cut it, I had thought about vehicle mounted 50W GMRS radios.  But at $200 to $300 each for a 50W GMRS radio, why not buy transceivers designed to handle the bands that a General Class license would grant me?  My thinking is evolving.   

What are your recommendations for an inexpensive solution?  And like I mentioned, I have the Yaesu FT-891, but I want to reserve that radio for field days and SOTA.

Sir John Honeybucket:
My back-up 'big rig
 is the Xiegu G90.  I am VERY pleased with it for Cw, SSB and digital modes. The entire back-up kit, including linked , multiband dipole fits into a 30 cal ammo can for storage and transport.  Personally, it is a VERY good 'bang for the buck'.  Do view/read and implement the recommended gain settings found on the internet. Mine arrived with them all set at 100% which made the receiver very, very noisey. Once I set the RF gain lower, it worked quite well.

Sir John Honeybucket

pkveazey:
We all know that in the beginning, everything will be business as usual. Then things will start to fall apart, and we'll lose the Internet and Cell service. Then we'll lose the repeaters and have to operate Simplex. I've got my MAG all set up to go simplex on MURS (2 meters). Anybody in the MAG who wants more range than a rubber ducky can install themselves an outdoor antenna system. Now, here's an idea that folks might want to consider: The new CB radios are now allowed to operate on AM and FM. The thing that I hated about CB when I was a CB'er was that it was AM. Can you imagine how nice it would be to operate on 11 meters in FM mode? From what I've read, the FM'ers would stay above channel 20 and the AM'ers would use the lower end of the band. That's not a requirement but that's the plan. Ahhh... How nice it would be to operate without having to put up with overmodulated jackasses splattering all over the place. On FM, if you over deviate too much the signal entering the receivers passband will reject the signal and the over deviator's won't be heard at all. At best, they would be cutting in and out. Since the wife and I are the only Hams in our MAG, we will have to be the ears to the outside world and pass info to the other MAG members using MURS. Why MURS? Well, MURS uses Part 95 rules and the antennas can be 60 feet up or 25 feet above whatever structure they are mounted on top of. The nearest airport is 20 miles away so I don't have to do antenna height calculations based on how close I am to an airport. As a Ham, I can go as high as 200 feet but then I'd have to add flashing beacons starting at 125 feet. Hmmm.... 200 feet, well that's just wishful thinking.

Trail Ninja:
It appears that I have several options, with the price not being too obnoxious.  I like the idea, for a MAG, that primary comms are headed by two operators; not everyone needs all bands if you're in a MAG.  On the other hand, I think everyone should be prepared to go simplex.  I can see now, that every situation is different and your equipment is primarily dictated by distance and geography.  I'll take all of this into consideration - appreciate your input.

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