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On Mon, 15 Apr 2019 18:00:39 -0400,
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Apr 2019 13:03:40 -0400, wrote:

Anyone know anything about these? I picked up a pair for about $20 and
we are playing with them. This set says they are good for 5 miles but
I have seen some that say 30 miles. I assume that is on 3 mountains
across a valley but who knows?
It does sound like something campers might like tho and if you really
can get out some number of miles in the woods hikers and hunters might
like them.
I know everyone just uses their phone these days but there is some
facility in having simple PTT. My wife says it is like her old NexTel.

So far around here it sounds like I may be the only one using it. I
put the radio on scan last night and I never heard a thing all night.
This is like CB in the 60s I think.

===

We've used them on and off for 20 years or so. They can be handy as
an intercom device on the boat if one of us is on the flybridge and
the other below. We've also used them a few times as a way of keeping
in touch with another car that we were traveling with. We'd usually
get a mile or two of range on typical roads but hills can reduce that.
Talk of 30 miles is just nonsesnse for every-day, reliable usage, even
over open water. Our 1 watt marine VHF handhelds are good for no more
than 2 or 3 miles over water in most conditions, and they are far more
capable than the cheapo FRS units.

These were $20 for 2 so I am sure they are not much (probably 500mw)
but you can get a 5 watt for around $70 a pair.
I wasn't sure If I really wanted them at all but I put a $40 set in my
Amazon Cart and a few days later they offered them to me for $20. I
would pay $20 to watch a monkey **** so I pulled the trigger.
So far we are using them for the same thing. My wife is a little under
the weather and she can talk to me if I am at the other end of the
house in the shop or working outside. Next time I get out taking Deuce
for a cart ride I will see what they really do. I can't find any specs
on these things about radiated power.
Realistically if they get to the other end of the neighborhood it
should do all I need.
I just want to see how much we really use them.
This is the 3d set I have had and the first time we used them at all.
I gave the other 2 pairs to the kids.