This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

In article ouawf.4043$Dh.492@dukeread04,
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote:

This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.

Are you sure that FRS/GMRS Radios are legal to use by nonresidents
on BVI?

If there are any regulations they are not enforced. FSR seems to be very
popular with the charterers and live aboards. Band assignments in the BVI
closely mirror the US and FRS/GSM takes a lot of pressure off the marine VHF
which is used for everything from distress calls by idiots who don't know
how to use a compass to making restaurant reservations. A rather healthy
philosophy in the BVI is that if it isn't hurting anyone don't sweat it.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"You" wrote in message
...
In article ouawf.4043$Dh.492@dukeread04,
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote:

This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around
the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs
so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not
as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend?
I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna
would
also be a plus.

Are you sure that FRS/GMRS Radios are legal to use by nonresidents
on BVI?

You wrote:
In article ouawf.4043$Dh.492@dukeread04,
"Glenn Ashmore" wrote:

This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.

Are you sure that FRS/GMRS Radios are legal to use by nonresidents
on BVI?

They are definitely NOT. FRS and GMRS are governed and regulated by
U.S. regulation.

Europe and its possessions, including BVI, use a service known as
PMR446.

In the USVI, however, GMRS is perfectly permissible.

On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 10:48:24 -0500, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:
Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.

==========================

3 or 4 miles is really pushing the envelope in my experience. We have
a pair that we keep aboard the boat more as a glorified intercom
system more than anything else. The few times that we've used them
over any real distance I recall 2 miles being about the maximum.

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in
newsuawf.4043$Dh.492@dukeread04:

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would
recommend? I need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A
detachable antenna would also be a plus.

--

Mine are Standard HX625A marine FRS/GMRS that West Marine had on sale for
$20 Just like Standard's marine VHF...waterproof...(c;

Runs forever on 3 AA alkalines so storing them doesn't make you find them
with dead rechargables next spring. Belt clip also has lanyard hole so you
don't lose them overboard when dropped.

I don't think they are in the FRS business any more but this is the finest
marine unit I ever got. Wish I'd bought more than 2....dammit.

On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 10:48:24 -0500, "Glenn Ashmore"
wrote:

This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.

Here's some that WM is now carrying that are claimed to be water
resistant, 2 watts and 7 mile range:

http://tinyurl.com/7czmo

I don't think any bubble pack radios are going to give you that kind of
distance over water.

If price isn't an issue I'd get a couple of Yaesu VX-6s and mod 'em to xmit
on the GMRS bands. (flame shield: ON)

Otherwise you're going to have to rig an antenna on your mast or something.
A couple of watts from approx 8 feet above the water isn't going to get you
3-4 miles.

Glenn Ashmore wrote:
This Spring I am shepherding a crew of 14 split between two boats around the
BVI. Looking for a way to stay in contact without crowding the VHF freqs so
I am thinking about at buying a couple of pairs of FRS/GMRS radios. I
understand that the published ranges are pretty well BS and power is not as
important as quality of construction.

Anyone have a positive experience with a make/model they would recommend? I
need a reliable range of at least 3 or 4 miles. A detachable antenna would
also be a plus.



Do you have a license to operate on GMRS? Operation on GMRS without a
License is s no no.

On FRS, detatchable antennas are aldo forbidden by regulation.

To expound a little on what little I know about GMRS.

First of all detachable antennas are allowed on GMRS but not on FRS. The 15
channel FRS/GMRS radios like the Cobra PR1000 and Memorex MK1995 have a
detachable antenna as do several others. Especially the higher end GMRS
only models. Replacing the stock antenna with a 1/4 wave antenna reportedly
substantially increases range. The 22 channel radios do not have detachable
antennas.

Second according to the BVI Tourist Board the BVI government has taken no
position on the use of FRS/GMRS in their waters.

Third the GMRS license cost $80 and is good for 5 years. One license covers
the named individual and his or her immediate family members, including a
spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and
in-laws.

1.5V alkaline batteries will output significantly more transmit power than
1.2V Ni-Cad/Ni-MH.

The maximum power for GMRS is 5 watts but the only reasonably priced 5 watt
model I can find is the Midland GXT500. But 2 watts vs. 5 watts in only
about 4db. A good antenna and high quality construction can have a much
larger effect on range. I have never been particularly impressed with
Midland's quality so I am hesitant to try one.

Some things I don't know.

Over what terrain do they test these things to come up with the range
claims? If a set advertised as "5 mile range" will only work within 2 or 3
miles line of sight with no obstructions over water the only place I can
think of that would have better conditions would be the Bonneville Salt
Flats.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com