"Brad" wrote in message
m...

Tried 2 FRS (cobra and something else (can't remember)) that were
supposed to have 6 and 5 mile range respectively. They didn't work
beyond several hundred yards!!


I have a set of Motorola GMRS (the higher power, "5 mile" version of the
FRS) and I thought that they work great! I have reliably communicated over
10 miles, "flybridge to flybridge". I am sure that dinghy to dinghy would
be a lot less, but still a mile or two should be solid.

Any radio you get will basically have the same limitations. High frequency
(HF) communications ("CB" band) is very unpredictable. VHF communications
is essentially line of sight. With enough power you can get the signals to
bounce off large buildings and mountains which can substantially increase
the range but in a difficult to predict manner.

The best way to increase the range is to increase the "line of sight"
distance, which usually means elevation. A handheld radio has its antenna
right in your hand. They have low power and no "gain" in the antenna. A
fixed mount radio will allow the use of an antenna that you can a) get
outside to eliminate attenuation of walls b) get it higher so it can "see"
farther, and c) have "gain" so that you get more signal going where you need
it.

The problem is that there are very few legal options for a fixed station
radio. A marine VHF radio is fine in the boat but not legal in your cottage
unless you have a special license. I am not aware of a base station FRS
radio. Amateur radio would be great, but you need the license.


Rod