Newb question; any handheld/rig-mounted 2M/70cm/FRS radios?

[mk216v]

I'm a newb and just reading as much as I can about HAM 2m/70cm, so go easy on me here.

I'd like something such as the Yaesu FT-8800M/R in my rig for longer distance communication, but I'd also love something handheld to take into the field for SAR(search/rescue) work when I need to (read; I'd rather not buy 2 radio setups). I guess I'm dreaming of a rig-mounted "base unit"(connected to large antenna on the rig for longer distance comm) which has a handheld that can "unplug" from it and can be used in the field. If it had FRS functionality (sounds like HAM can be <illegally> modified to TX/RX in the 462/467 MHz range for FRS?) that'd be even better. When you get back in the rig, plugs the handheld back into the main unit and you have powerful 2m/70cm again.

What am I missing?
Is there simply not a demand for something like this?

Thank you for the enlightenment! :smiley_drive:

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

I'm just learning about the civilian side of FM, so maybe someone with more experience will chime in.
It's my understanding that to modify a radio to work on the CB, FRS, or GMRS is illegal as each of those has a much lower legal limit of power output. For a CB I believe it is 4 watts.
Now the base station idea is something that the radio your looking at would support. It can be setup to act as a repeater for a smaller handheld radio, again on the amateur band. Hope that helps you out a little.

 

[mk216v]

I'm just learning about the civilian side of FM, so maybe someone with more experience will chime in.
It's my understanding that to modify a radio to work on the CB, FRS, or GMRS is illegal as each of those has a much lower legal limit of power output. For a CB I believe it is 4 watts.
Now the base station idea is something that the radio your looking at would support. It can be setup to act as a repeater for a smaller handheld radio, again on the amateur band. Hope that helps you out a little.

Thanks for your thoughts...but then I'd still have to buy a handheld radio, to used with the "base station" Yaesu, which I'd like to avoid if at all possible(and it may not be possible, which I'll learn to accept....I'm just curious why something like this setup I describe isn't on the market, unless it is).

 

[gary in ohio]

I guess the first questions are you a ham, If not then the ft-8800 is not an option for you. Second If you need FRS channels then get an FRS radio. Ham radio cant legally be used on FRS or any other radio service. What your asking for doesn't exist. You can put an amp on a handheld, but by the time you buy the amp it will be as much as the mobile and HT. If your need long range and portability then two radios is your solution.

 

[rambrush]

I use the Kenwood TH-F6 in the truck, office etc. I have a small amp to boost the power level and a external antenna it gets out just as well as my 100w 706MKII G which is permanently mounted in the truck. I have a couple of FRS radios that I keep in the console for those folks, just no CB in my rig.
I would let my fingers do the walking among Google and you might just find what you are asking for in this radio, again you will get slammed with some folks who will jump in and advise you get a license etc. But I do a ton of hiking and backcountry and not always in the truck plus the 706 won't do 220 but the TH-F6 will.
I found my amp at a very good price at a ham fest thus it kept the expense down.

 

[KA5IVR]

I'm dreaming of a rig-mounted "base unit"(connected to large antenna on the rig for longer distance comm) which has a handheld that can "unplug" from it and can be used in the field.

"Dreaming" is the key word in that sentence. You might check out the SAR forums and see what radio equipment they are running.

 

[mk216v]

I guess the first questions are you a ham, If not then the ft-8800 is not an option for you. Second If you need FRS channels then get an FRS radio. Ham radio cant legally be used on FRS or any other radio service. What your asking for doesn't exist. You can put an amp on a handheld, but by the time you buy the amp it will be as much as the mobile and HT. If your need long range and portability then two radios is your solution.

Yes, I will be getting my HAM license, hence the FT-8800 desire.
Understood about getting an FRS radio for FRS....but why is there no solution that covers HAM long distance, HAM portability, and FRS portability? It doesn't sound like it can't be done, it's just not done for a legal reason?

Most local SAR people are using ICOM handheld's or secondary handheld's for FRS. Many have CB's or HAM setups in their trucks as well. I was just trying to combine all of these into one solution. Doesn't sound at all like there is a solution for this.

Thanks all.

 

[1911]

....but why is there no solution that covers HAM long distance, HAM portability, and FRS portability? It doesn't sound like it can't be done, it's just not done for a legal reason?

Physical limitations (power and size). The 50-75 watts in a 2 meter mobile radio takes a bigger amplifier than you could comfortably fit in a hand-held radio, plus the batteries to power it would be huge and heavy.

Most local SAR people are using ICON handheld's for FRS. Many have CB's or HAM setups in their trucks as well. I was just trying to combine all of these into one solution. Doesn't sound at all like there is a solution for this.

There is not a single solution that covers any two of those, never mind all three. Three completely different radio services with three different sets of regulations and licensing (or lack thereof).

 

[mk216v]

Physical limitations (power and size). The 50-75 watts in a 2 meter mobile radio takes a bigger amplifier than you could comfortably fit in a hand-held radio, plus the batteries to power it would be huge and heavy.

There is not a single solution that covers any two of those, never mind all three. Three completely different radio services with three different sets of regulations and licensing (or lack thereof).

Exactly the info I was looking for, thank you!! <thumbup>

FT-8800 and perhaps Garmin Rino nav/FRS here I come.

 

[xtatik]

Yes, I will be getting my HAM license, hence the FT-8800 desire.
Understood about getting an FRS radio for FRS....but why is there no solution that covers 2m/70cm long distance, 2m/70cm portability, and FRS portability? It doesn't sound like it can't be done, it's just not done for a legal reason?

Most local SAR people are using ICON handheld's for FRS. Many have CB's or HAM setups in their trucks as well. I was just trying to combine all of these into one solution. Doesn't sound at all like there is a solution for this.

Thanks all.

Fixed it for ya'.
Unfortunately, as you'll find out through your licensing studies, there is no solution for this. The legal or physical aspects aren't relevant and shouldn't be open for discussion here.
As has already been mentioned, amateur radio equipment can't be used outside the amateur assigned bands/frequencies. In many cases, they can't be used for "SAR" activities either...so be careful what you do and who you take your advice from. If you are using it on a strictly unreimbursed and voluntary basis, in most cases, you'll be fine. If you are using amateur equipment for "SAR" activities as part of, or are communicating out-of-band with a government agency, you most likely would be in violation because they have their own bands/frequencies assigned to them by the FCC.
I wish you the best of luck toward getting your first license. In the process, you'll find all the pertinent information you'll need.

 

[mk216v]

Thank you Randy!

 

[gary in ohio]

I suspect when you say FRS you really mean GMRS. There hasnt been a "FRS" radio made for a number of years. Only the combo FRS/GMRS radios.
I also question using GMRS for SAR since each member has to have a license. Gets pretty expensive. Would be better to license your own freq.

 

[mk216v]

FRS/GMRS, correct.
Just returned from another SAR training; most are using ICOM radios (VHF). Some also use handheld FRS/GMRS as secondaries, but not that often.

 

[mk216v]

Physical limitations (power and size). The 50-75 watts in a 2 meter mobile radio takes a bigger amplifier than you could comfortably fit in a hand-held radio, plus the batteries to power it would be huge and heavy.

There is not a single solution that covers any two of those, never mind all three. Three completely different radio services with three different sets of regulations and licensing (or lack thereof).

After doing even more reading and research...could I get some feedback on this type of setup?;

-I get my HAM license
-Purchase the handheld(HT) Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band VHF/UHF commercial radio (can be "unlocked" to TX/RX on GMRS/FRS when needed)
http://www.powerwerx.com/wouxun-radios/kg-uv6d-dual-band-vhf-uhf-commercial.html
-Purchase the Wouxun SMA->SO239 cable jumper (w/ female PL259 end)
http://www.powerwerx.com/wouxun-radios/comet-sma-male-coax-adapter-jumper-so-239.html
-Purchase a SO239/PL259->PL259 (or PL259->NMO; NMO seems to perhaps be a bit more durable than PL259??) coax mobile mount for rig
http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=9&childID=14
-Purchase a PL259 (or NMO) dual-band mobile antenna for rig
http://www.cometantenna.com/products.php?CatID=1&famID=4&childID=4

Wouldn't this allow me;
-handheld(HT) VHF in field with SAR
-GMRS/FRS if ever needed
-mobile 2mVHF/70cmUHF setup when in my rig after I connect the SMA->SO239/PL259 cable jumper->PL259(or NMO) mount/antenna (I could use the Wouxun battery eliminator to save battery life when in mobile arrangement; http://www.powerwerx.com/wouxun-radios/wouxun-battery-eliminator.html)


Thoughts??

 

[1911]

Thoughts??

What you're proposing is illegal.

Beyond that, a 5-watt HT with an external antenna will beat a 5-watt HT with the stock rubber ducky, and will doubtless be fine for trail commo in a group and you could probably hit nearby repeaters depending on your elevation and the elevation of the repeaters. Farther than that and you're pushing the limits of the system pretty quickly IMO. I guess it all depends on where you want to use it off-road. If there are lots of repeaters in your SAR county/area of operations then it might well suffice. But if (for example) you want to go wheeling in the southern Utah back country, there will be times and places where even a 75-watt 2-meter mobile will not get out far enough to hit a repeater, so the 5-watt HT is not going to do much for you there, except among your immediate trail group. Unless you really need an HT so you can be independent of your vehicle, you're handicapping yourself IMO by not using a 10-15x more powerful mobile radio installed in the truck. For my money, I would buy a mobile radio first, then an HT to use out of the truck if a radio mounted in the truck did not suffice for all situations.