2 Way Radio for Distress Calls

[paratus]

Hi again one and all,

I've noticed a couple of members carry a Baofeng 2 way radio or equivalent and there's been a few posts about scanners. So I like the idea of having a 2 way handset with which I can preprogram UK distress frequencies land or maritime. I know next to nothing on the subject so advice/opinions as always welcome.

My idea would be to have it in my BOB/GHB when out hiking along coastal paths or hills and it would give me an added option to shout help if my mobile wasn't in range (2 is 1, 1 is none). Whether or not it would be a useful item in a TEOTWAWKI scenario I don't know?

Thanks

[paratus]

Oh, and my budgets anything up to £80 really

[Steveo82]

One word. Malthouse. He is our resident radio and ballet expert.

[ForgeCorvus]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9186
And
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9014

The Gospels according to Malthouse

[paratus]

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9186
And
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9014

The Gospels according to Malthouse

Gospels read! Thanks guys

[lonewolf]

I looked into this on another forum, but the range of these things is so short I cant really warrant the expense.

[Malthouse]

... and ballet expert.

Dang nab it! My secret is out, I knew sending Steve my profile on stricklycomeswanlake.org was a bad idea!

[Malthouse]

I looked into this on another forum, but the range of these things is so short I cant really warrant the expense.

Well, it depends entirely on what you want to do!

If you want reliable communications across the country without relying on repeaters or trunking, then you need to get into Ham. But even then, the weather conditions will dictate what you can do. CB is also a possibility for long ranges, but even more at the mercy of the conditions.

If on the other hand you want a way to communicate if your phone stops working, whether it be with fellow Preppers in your immediate area or a rescue helicopter looking for survivors - then the radios and frequencies described recently are just the ticket.

For the money, under 40 quid, I would not be without one.

And I am not saying this because I am a radio supplier, there are lots of people who can sell you one and plenty of options for programming them. I genuinely carry one every day.

Add to that the PMR446 licence free walkie talkie frequencies and I don't really see how you can say they don't warrant the expense.

[essexprepper]

of course im the best person to comment about radio and i would say dont get a uv5r they are crap from experience
pmr 446 is good but not really much range that you might need
cb radio is better more power more range
or if like me you can get a amateur radio license and have better and more ways to communicate

cbs are cheap these days under £50
vhf/uhf radios dual band etc cheap ebay for maritime pmr 446 etc etc £40 and under baofeng puxing wouxon etc
decent amateur radio gear under £100 baofengs etc or just uhf stuff

but if you want just two way comms in family and local then pmr 446 radios decent like the motorola tlkr t6 t8 t80 all good models to use
i own 2 baofengs bf 888s and they work great on pmr and other stuff (they r uhf)
i also have a harrier cbx cb and antron 99 antenna no matter what people say antrons are better than silver rods etc because they are durable and strong

hope thats a few ideas any questions please ask i also have review videos on my youtube channel

[Hamradioop]

If you are interested in buying a particular VHF/UHF Handheld Radio use this link to find multiple comments on the Radio.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/49

for anything else Radio related try this link

http://www.eham.net/reviews/