GreggInFL

We are trying to put together a comm solution for the neighborhood to back up cell towers that may go offline. The odds of that happening are low but not zero (especially here in Hurricane Central). Consequently, we don't want to throw a lot of resources at something that may never be used. We only need to go about three miles through the flat woods so, as WRXP381 noted, emphasis is on elevation, which has nothing to do with equipment of course. This means a fairly simple system could be used, like this Midland bundle, which could be set up post hurricane with a 12V battery and a solar panel. Simple and cost effective, but I'd hate to buy it only to learn that more power and/or antenna is needed. Hence the question about renting.

Good points all. I especially like the idea of budgeting better used equipment. Thanks.

Behind Door A are the 10W/5W portables offered by the likes of Retevis and Midland. If these work, great; if not we must open Door B, the full-blown mast/tower 50W versions. We'd hate to buy a portable setup only to discover it to be inadequate wrt power and elevation. Does anyone rent these? TIA.

Welcome!

That's about what I thought. It doesn't matter if the leaves are low or high. Thanks all.

Quick question: Is it all-or-nothing when it comes to clearing tree height? In the case above, is it necessary to get 100'+ for any improvement or would, say, 80' be noticeable?

Nice. What size battery are you using?

I don't know which is worse, hilly areas with trees or flat areas with trees. If you are at the right place on a hill you might get your HT above the trees; that will never happen on the flats.

How about, "Hey Sweet Cheeks!" ?

Repeaters tend to have more range than a handheld because of more power and a larger antenna, but you should able to connect with one from more than a mile away. I'm in a wooded area but I can hit a repeater five miles away with a standard antenna if I'm in the front yard and facing the repeater. That's not because I have a great radio but because the repeater has a great antenna, and because I'm lucky enough to squeeze the signal through a hole in the trees.

Nice work! Thanks for that. I should have mentioned that our interest is in HTs as a backup to cell phones here in Hurricane Central. I knew that the lower frequencies of MURS would be a helpful characteristic, but the lower power would be a negative vis-a-vis GMRS. That's probably the trade off Randy experienced. Ideally we would just hand out HTs in the community and leave it at that. We've tested GMRS HTs successfully at a distance of ~2 miles, but that was purposefully between the two tallest points on site, which isn't going to cut it. Looks like MURS HTs won't work either. A portable repeater put up after the event may be the way to go. We had sustained winds of 120 during Charlie in 2004; add in the gusts and the seldom-mentioned fact that hurricanes spin off tornados and anything resembling an amateur installation is just going to get blown over like everything else. For reference I've attached a photo of the view from my front door. The problem is obvious. Sigh.

Congrats! What kind of radio are you using?

^ And even then there is no guarantee the court would decide any differently than an agency.

Is MURS a good alternative to simplex GMRS in a setting that is flat and chock full of vegetation? Looking to put together something for emergency comms and would love to avoid a repeater. Farthest distance is ~2.7 miles and elevation delta is roughly 50'. I know, I could try it, just wondered if anyone has experience with MURS in this setting. TIA.

This will change given the SCOTUS ruling Friday re Chevron deference. Agencies will no longer be able to fill in the blanks on ambiguous laws. It's now back to the courts.

It can take a long time for some owners to respond. Some never respond; people are busy, I get that. Unfortunately, it looks like the one closest to you is "Permission only". When did you submit your request(s)? If I were the owner I would be fine with someone keying up and 1) IDing themselves, 2) verbally requesting permission and then 3) remaining silent. But that's me.

Good choice. I have the 890 model. The antenna appears to be too long, though.

Try GR550 if you are on the west side of the state. Rick runs it and was very quick to allow me access. I was only passing through so didn't have much time to monitor, but it has good range. GR725 is promising, but down at the moment.

Found a 16" pizza pan and a Nagoya UT-72G. Time to hit the attic (which must be 140*).

I was initially thinking about a portable system that could be set up post hurricane. Then someone mentioned it could also be used daily by our maintenance personnel, so a permanent clubhouse install may be in the offing.

You're in the right place.

Having been around radio all my life, with decades on marine VHF, I was disappointed that marine was not allowed for use on land. I was looking for something for neighborhood emergency comms for our HOA, which covers about 1,600 wooded acres. FRS didn't have enough grunt to cover the distance and amateur required everyone pass a test; that was never going to happen. Aside from the possible use of MURS, GMRS seemed the most appealing. I picked up a CCR, watched some videos (thanks Randy!) and pushed the button. The board liked the idea and authorized some R&D. We now have a handful of HTs but will probably need a small repeater for complete coverage.

Being new to GMRS I'm hoping to eventually collect HTs, a mobile and a base station/repeater. I have the HTs and am looking at a mobile with a mag mount antenna, which will be a lot shorter than the Comet. This is the combo I'd like to test in the attic; curious how much attenuation will occur. Yeah, my attic, like most, is too short for the Comet so it will eventually go outside.

I just picked up a couple of these. How much power are you seeing?

Love it. Yeah, I'm originally from your neck of the woods so I know the story. And I've always been a fan of twisted pair. Srsly, something like a solar-powered repeater can do wonders for the neighborhood in a emergency.