Over2U

Whereabouts is “Here”?

RE #1 (ski slope): For direct contact (“simplex”) between hand held radios, GMRS, with 5 watts output and an improved antenna, will do a bit better than the 2 watt FRS radios you have been using. MURS and Amateur license radios (on VHF) may do better as well, owing to the propagation characteristics of the VHF band. RE: #3 (backcountry emergency use): A satellite based unit such as a Personal Locator Beacon or communicator (to include the new iPhone 14) will be the most reliable.

For handheld radios at least, FRS channels are the same as GMRS channels (with the exception of GMRS repeater access frequencies).

Ah! I was clicking the + sign itself, instead of the ‘magic word’ “Quote”. Thank You Michael!

Could someone explain to me (again) how the +Quote function in the Forums works? When I activate ‘Quote’ for a given post, I do see a plus sign (+) appear, but nothing else seems to happen. Just how much am I missing here?

The Midland 275 is about as close to a ‘plug-n-play’ mobile GMRS as there is.

Yes indeed, antenna height is critical for ‘line-of-sight’ GMRS communications. Even a temporary installation of a ‘borrowed’ magnetic-mount antenna (placed on the highest surface of your vehicle) should help you evaluate the viability of this proposed H/T use.

I wasn’t sure how to use the “quote” button (confused me since I do not see the quoted material). Thanks for the info!

The iPhone 14 satellite communications system, as I understand it, can send short text messages (probably including position information) to recipients of your choosing, and so yes, that would ‘test’ the system. Any test of the dedicated emergency messaging system would have to be pre-arraigned through Apple, I assume.

No apologies needed! We are all looking for reliable emergency communications and, the more different ways to achieve that, all the better. (Note: Unlike commercial satellite communicators or phones, a PLB does not require any subscription.) Cheers, Bill

From MichaelLAX: “went back and reread the OP, and I don't see anything about his inability to reach his home with his HT while standing outside his car; Maybe I missed it in a later post?” I only meant to suggest that as test of the HT’s ability to cover the four miles over the actual terrain before investing in a car mounted antenna. Bill

I am not aware of any disruptions severe enough to prevent GPS usage in the U.S. As for communications, Garmin has not posted any outages affecting their world-wide inReach Satellite SOS capability for at least the last year. Going back to the start of this thread, we are talking about snowmobilers and hikers in Wyoming trying to use their extremely short range and license-free FRS radios in that state’s “Be 307 Aware” emergency communications scheme. To summon emergency help when outdoors and out of cellphone range, a satellite communicator or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) would be my recommendation for most people.

This may have been covered already (I am ‘late to the party’) but, if the signal from your HT cannot reach your home when you are standing outside your car, then a car mounted antenna may or may not make the distance you require.

Marcspaz wrote: “I would recommend portable HF radios first, and satellite communications second.” I would reverse the order on that: For emergency use, a Satellite Communicator (or PLB) s more reliable (also easier to operate and smaller to carry) than an HF radio+antenna.

Smiley Customer Service was excellent. They confirmed that the antenna was ‘over-extended’ and sent me a replacement.

Indeed, Channel 03 (with CTCSS #07) is currently being promoted for emergency use by the State of Wyoming in their “Be 307 Aware” backcountry safety campaign.

I hadn’t thought about the rules of the country of ship’s registry. As I will be embarking and disembarking on U.S. soil I may bring my radio, on the assumption that, if confiscated, it will be returned. Thanks to everyone for so much research on my behalf!

Oceania Cruises specifically prohibits “ham” radios. Has anyone experienced difficulty bringing along a GMRS Radio?

It’s OK, I don’t have any friends to talk to either?

I have a telescoping Smiley “Super Stick IV 465 MHz” Antenna for my GMRS H/T. I recently noticed that the tip can be extended a further 3/8”. Does anyone else have experience with these? Is this small amount of extra extension part of the 5/8 wavelength tuning for this antenna, or is it a construction defect?

Now that MURS and FRS radios are allowed the same transmitter power (except on FRS Channels 08-14), it would be fun to see range comparison tests between the two services over various terrain (with their stock H/T antennas).

One “safety” would be to change the in-line fuse to the radio (there is one, right?) to one with a (much) lower rating.

One installation advantage of the Midland MXT275, as I understand it, is that it can simply be plugged into a ‘Power Point’ (cigarette lighter) outlet.

This is truly the “Topic that keeps on giving”?