You know those small family service radios they sell that claim to talk 5-7 miles like walkie talkies?

[episodic]

Do they really work?

My town is only like 5 miles across. Everywhere my wife, son, and I go in a day are separated by a distance of no more than 5 miles - mostly less.

Will these radios really talk that far or is there some gotcha I don't know about.

I'd love to be able to hand one to my son and tell him to call me when practice is over with. I'm not going to get cell phone service - as I HAVE to pay for a landline around here, and it isn't another bill I need.


Just curious.

 

[keeleysam]

If you are direct line of sight it MIGHT work.

Scam.

 

[The Stigenator]

yeah you need line of sight.. but the higher modeks can go a distance... get a 12 mile range one...by the way look for models with "codes" or known as privacy codes
that way not everyone can find your signal...

 

[zanieladie]

I wonder if you could call a manufacturer and ask...I would be afraid that structures (like buildings) and electronic devices (being used nearby) might interfere with the signal and reception.

 

[episodic]

I may just buy one at the local big box - I would have a legit gripe if they did not work as 'advertisted'. . . and could return

 

[RedCOMET]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
yeah you need line of sight.. but the higher modeks can go a distance... get a 12 mile range one...by the way look for models with "codes" or known as privacy codes
that way not everyone can find your signal...

If i recall correctly, The FRS 2mile radios do not require an FCC License to use but the higher powered model, sucha as the 5 mile GMRS models do require an FCC License. Just something to think about if you go that route.

I use an old motorola Talk About 2 way radio that has a 2 mile range on it. I use it with my family when i go skiing/ snowboarding. We never have had any issues with using it on large mountians. The biggest being Killington, VT.Killington is vast and so far we never had any issues with the mountian being able to hear people from one end to the other.

SO, if you get a 12 mile range radio, you should be fine if there aren't alot of big buildings, vast terrain, etc.

 

[Nocturnal]

Nextel + service would work just fine.