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Recommended Gear
ICOM IC-7300 - HF plus 50 MHz RF Direct Sampling 100 Watt Transceiver with Touchscreen
$1099.95 (MARS mod $120) *built in tuner,
- Antenna Needed: NVIS Dipole multiband
Good- Anytone AT-778UV VHF/UHF 25watts(15w,5w) $133 (MARS/CAP mod very easy DIY)
Better- ICOM ID-5100A VHF/UHF 50watts(15w,5w) $449.95 (MARS/CAP mod +$35)
DSTAR capable, Bluetooth option
Antenna Needed: Comet CA-2X4SR NMO VHF/UHF Public Service-MURS-FRS $70
Cables Needed:
1) Comet CK-3NMO Deluxe Mobile Mount Cable Assemblies CK-3NMO NMO Base Cable Length 16.75 ft, Includes 18 in. RG-188
2)Pass Through Cable, PL-259, Each $43 DXengineering Part Number: CMA-CK-3NMO
Mounts: Depends on how/where you want to mount it (some vehicle specific available)
- Truck bed mount:
MFJ 349 Triangular Truck Bed Mounting Plates, Truck Bed Corner, 5W x 5D x 1H, Accepts 3/8-24, SO-239 or NMO Cable Assemblies, Aluminum, Each $35
- Magnetic mount :
LSN-NMOMMRPL Larsen Mobile Antenna Mounts, Round Magnet, 3.5 in. Diameter, 12 ft. RG-58 Cable, PL-259 Connector, Each $79
Least Expensive - Baofeng UV-5R VHF/UHF - $26
8watts
1800mAh Li-Ion batt
8.8oz/250g
Good- Yaesu FT-65R VHF/UHF - $90 (MARS/CAP mod $49, easy DIY)
5watts(2.5w,.5w)
water resistant
1950mAh Li-Ion batt (opt 2500mAh)
8.8oz/250g
NOAA programmed ARTS(range alert)
Good- Yaesu FT-4Xr VHF/UHF $90 (MARS $35,easy DIY)
5watts(2.5w,.5w)
water resistant
1750mAh Li-Ion batt
8.8 oz/250g
NOAA programmed ARTS(range alert) smaller unit than 65R
There are lots out there, make sure it has a digital screen and has SSB. Get the external antenna that may be available with most units
Good- Tecsun PL880 Portable Digital PLL $170
Dual Conversion AM/FM,
Longwave & Shortwave Radio with SSB (Single Side Band) Reception.
C. Crane CC Skywave SSB $200
AM, FM,
Shortwave, NOAA Weather + Alert,
Scannable VHF Aviation
and SSB.
Better- Eton Elite 750 $389
The Classic AM/FM/LW/VHF/Shortwave Radio with SSB (Single Side Band)
The sites below are not the only places you can find theseitems.
Transceivers
https://www.gigaparts.com/ primary source
https://www.dxengineering.com/ backup source
HF transceiver
https://www.hamradio.com/
Shortwave Receivers
Same as above
https://www.universal-radio.com/
AMAZON (best price?)
Handheld Radio FAQs
FRS stands for Family Radio Service. These are the cheap radios you find at walmart. 1 to 3 mile range even though advertise 10 to 12 miles. No license requird. 22 channels in the 462mhz range that share channels with GMRS. They are hard coded to the frequencies already installed. Max output is 2 watts and a fixed antenna. No repeater capable. Does have "privacy codes" which aren't really private. Allowed to transmit data over FRS with rules. Great for around the house and campsite.
CB Radio stands for Citizens Band. No license required. 40 channels. Some do single sideband. CB transmits on AM or FM mode like radio stations. Frequency range FM 2 mhz and power is limited to 4 watts. No repeater No privacy tones no data. Range varies. Normal is 1 to 10 miles. Using SKIP you can talk 1000's of miles and higher wattage.
MURS stands for Multi Use Radio Service. No license required. Limited to 5 channels in the 151 to 154 ghz range. 2 watts power output. You can use an external antenna. No repeaters. Can use "privacy" tones. Data is allowed with no limit. Range is limited to a few miles do to low power. Can work better in areas with lots of cover.
GMRS stands for General Mobile Radio Service. License required and covers the entire family. Call sign must be used once every 15 mins. 22 standard channels in the 462 to 467 mhz range. 8 repeater channels. Repeaters permitted. Power is up to 50 watts with some limitations. Can use the "Privacy" tones. Allows short bursts of data. Range is line of site. 1/2 mile to 100 miles. Easiest SHTF radio.
HAM License with TEST is required. Large band and wattage outputs are allowed. Repeaters are permitted. Has blanket repeater coverage in the USA. Has "Privacy" tones. Digital transmissions are allowed. Data is allowed. Range is 1000's of miles in the correct circumstances. Best SHTF radio.
If you own, or plan to purchase a “GMRS” radio and you live in the United States, you will need a GMRS license from the FCC. A GMRS license is not the same as a HAM radio or Amateur Radio Operators license, and there is no test for a GMRS license – you simply purchase the GMRS license at the FCC website, much like purchasing a fishing license.
The cost for a GMRS license is $35, its good for 10 years and it covers your entire immediate family.
The FCC will issue you a GMRS call-sign, which you, or your family members will use to identify yourself at the end of a transmission, or at least once every 15 minutes if you are in a long conversation.
The only other “rules” are that you cannot transmit obscenities, you cannot purposefully interfere with other people or be a nuisance, and you cannot broadcast music – you may also only use a FCC Part 95E Type Accepted radio – all radios for sale in the united states that are labeled as a “GMRS Radio” are FCC Part 95E compliant.
You may not transmit on GMRS frequencies using most ham radios – for example, a Baofeng UV-5R is not legal for use on GMRS frequencies. If you are a licensed ham radio operator you must also obtain a GMRS license – a ham license does not authorize you to transmit on GMRS frequencies.
Although there is no test to get your GMRS license, many people consider negotiating and finding your way around the FCC website a test in itself – some even say it is harder to find and fill out the forms for a GMRS license than it is to take the HAM-Radio Operators License Exam!
1) The first thing you must do is create a general FCC website login. This login is called your “FRN” or FCC Registration Number – you will use the FRN to log in to the FCC website.
Click Here to Register for a new user account...
NOTE: The FCC will post your call sign and registered address on the internet for all to see. IF you wish to remain private and do not want to provide your home-address, you may use a PO Box or a (less expensive) mail-forwarding address provided by HamRegistry.org on your application.
2) After getting your user you need to check that you received an email and click the confirm button in it.
3) Login to the FCC website here https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do
4) To request and purchase your GMRS license go to the License Manager page and sign-in with your FRN/FCC Registration number and password, then click Apply For a New License in the left-side menu section.
5) On the next page, in the drop-down list, select “ZA General Mobile Radio (GMRS)”
6) On the next page, “Applicant Questions”, most people will select “NO” for “Does this filing request STA (Special Temporary Authorization) ?
For “Fee Status”, answer “NO” to “Is the applicant exempt from FCC application fees?” and “Is the applicant exempt from FCC regulatory fees?” (unless you know that you are exempt – if you don’t know, then you are not exempt)
fill out the GMRS license form.
7) On the next page, fill out your name and other information that you want associated with your GMRS license – remember that everything entered here is public information. Click the CONTINUE button when complete.
8) The next page asks if you have been convicted of a felony. Being a convict does not necessarily prevent you from receiving a GMRS license, but the form asks you to explain the circumstances of your conviction. When complete, click CONTINUE in the lower-right.
9) The next page will ask you to review your application information and allow you to change anything by clicking the “edit” buttons on the right-side of each section. After confirming that everything is correct, click the “Continue To Certify” to confirm the info you entered.
10) On the next page “certify” that everything is accurate and click SUBMIT. You will then be taken to the payment page. You may be asked to log-in again with your FCC ID/FRN and password.
11) Select your payment method and follow the on-screen prompts. Once completed and after your payment goes through the FCC will send you an email when your license has been granted – This usually takes between 2 and 5 days.
12) To check the status of your license or to view/update your licensee information, just log in to the FCC website here: https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsEntry/licManager/login.jsp and click on the “My Licenses” or “My Applications” link on the left-side menu.
You can program your GMRS radio to talk to FRS radios suing the following chart.
Everything Baofeng UV-5R
There are many Youtube Channels that provide training and information about your Baofeng UV-5R. I suggest the NotaRubicon Productions channel. His video's are easy to follow and informative.