Midland FRS / GMRS walkie talkie base

[Stormin Mormon]

All kinds of neat features like hand held microphone, and light and so on. AM, FM, weather band.

When these come down in price a bit, I may buy one. The idiots that designed it. The backup battery are three AA cells. That's stupid, they shoulda been D cells. It's a base radio., after all. Base radio can take some weight. Crank generator to recharge the internal cells. Dunno what kind of internal battery, but probably some micro tiny button batteries.

Also has lighter cord, so you can carry in your auto jumper pack for extended run. Carry strap, so you can take it hiking.

[John Gilmer]

It also has a 12 volt "charging adaptor." Plug it into you car

Three "D" cells would almost double the weight and size.

My problem with the unit is the same with all FRS readios: the antenna is part of the "box."

That's a legal requirement from the FCC.

The GMRS permits a separate antenna but a combo GMRS/FRS unit has to have the permanently attached antenna.

What's the difference? Well a separate antenna can be placed at a higher elevation.

[aemeijers]

>

They are what they are. If you need more range, they still sell 27mhz CB radios, or if you don't mind spending money, get some real FM walkie-talkies. They are pretty cheap on ebay. Now that many PDs and FDs are going to trunked radios, there are a lot of them out on the market at low cost. If you want cheap LEGAL multi-watt FM, there are the 'business band' FM radios like they use in stores- license is about 50 bucks, IIRC. Legal FM on the other bands costs a lot more. Lots of bootleg users out there- unless you are using a freq that some local business or govt. is using, FCC is unlikely to fall on you. Not saying that is right, mind you, just that lots of people do it.

-- aem sends...

[Stormin Mormon]

It also has a 12 volt "charging adaptor." Plug it into you car

CY: Or, into a battery jumper pack. Which would be good for base use, have a big trolling battery.

Three "D" cells would almost double the weight and size.

CY: Fine with me!

My problem with the unit is the same with all FRS readios: the antenna is part of the "box."

That's a legal requirement from the FCC.

The GMRS permits a separate antenna but a combo GMRS/FRS unit has to have the permanently attached antenna.

What's the difference? Well a separate antenna can be placed at a higher elevation.

CY: For sure. With a separate antenna, you can put the antenna on the roof of your cabin, for ease of operation, longer range, and much better reception.