A good SHTF portable 2 way radio

Sdiver · 06-14-2015, 19:27

Okay Dit-Dot Dudes ... This one's for you.

Was looking at getting a GOOD portable, two way radio, with good range and possible security features, for a SHTF scenario. But aside from a couple of tin cans with a string running between them, I don't know that much about radios.

Have been searching the web lately, and have been running into these radios here ... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...5r%2Caps%2C310

and came across this one .... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MAULSOK?psc=1 ... which has some of the features I'm looking for.

It appears that it has about a 15 mile range when pushing 8 watts, which is nice, but I'd really like something with a 30 to 50 mile range, if that's possible.

Don't want to get a HAM license just yet, but would like a good comm system where I can talk to someone on the same freq. across town, as we wait for TOMAHAWK9521 to reach terminal velocity and deliver the rest of the commo gear ... ask him the story about that, I'm sure he'll tell you.

If you have any recommendations on this radio or any other, without breaking the bank, I as well as a few others on the board would be interested in your input.

Danke'

**The Reaper** · 06-14-2015, 19:52

Not a commo guy, but I do not see you hitting those ranges without a repeater, and to hit those requires a license.

I like the Baofengs and have a few, but it isn't a Yaesu, nor should it be at that price.

I do believe that the Nagoya antennas for the Baofeng, and a magnetic base antenna for a mobile or an even better antenna for a fixed base will give you significantly better performance and range.

TR

SF_BHT · 06-14-2015, 22:32

VHF or UHF short of 100+ watts and flat land will not go 50 miles. Our cars have 100watt VHF & UHF radios and we get car to car around 30 mile reliable communications.

A HH that normally is 5-15 watts will get you in flat terrain 10-15 reliable miles. There are so many variables to this. Where I am right now we have repeaters on the mountain and our HH radios work in the valley most of the time but putting a building between you and the mountain and you get nothing.

A HH with an external antenna helps depending on those damn Commo Gods....

just my 2 cents using our gear at work.

JJ_BPK · 06-15-2015, 05:03

Along with what brand,,

What are the "better" freqs range??

**Team Sergeant** · 06-15-2015, 06:57

UHF/VHF are line of sight radios. That advertised 15 mile range might be good if you can see that far. In an urban area you'd be lucky to get 500m range.

Unless you're running a repeater (which most law enforcement agencies employ) or have a ham license forget it, you're not going to get the range you're looking for.....

Also those handhelds have a very limited amount of channels so anyone in the area might be on your freq. While this is 'Merica, home of the Free, radio freq's, not so much.....

Sdiver · 06-15-2015, 10:08

Thanks for the info Gents. It is most appreciated.

I do like that BaoFeng that I have posted above, and TR, if you say they're a fairly good radio (and that you have a few), that's good enough for me to seriously look into getting it as a good "beginning" radio.