Hi There,
I wonder what radios these are you speak of on eBay?
There are several options for radio communications open to all of us for our activity, all at different levels and price points.
To summarize the main ones, among others:
PMR446 - A low power (half watt RF power into a fixed antenna on the radio) UHF unlicensed radio allocation consisting of 8 channels with available different 'privacy tones' as they are often called. These allow many users to use the same channel and only be heard by people with the same 'privacy tone'. This privacy tone is a sub-audible constant tone (CTCSS) that the radio produces on your transmission, enabling similar programmed radios to unmute and receive wanted radio traffic whilst blocking out that of other users on different tone sets.
In short this allows many users to co-exist on the same channel.
These frequencies are used on the cheapo radios you see at Argos and the like, generally the radios used on these frequencies are cheap and cheerful, not very good quality and are usually poorly sealed to the elements - so water damage is a big problem in the UK!! Isn’t it !!
There are some radios that use these PMR446 frequencies that are top of the range, made by the likes of Motorola and Kenwood and reflect as good-as-it gets performance, with water resistant manufacture, rechargeable battery packs with long life, and will take the abuse of really demanding use in the field. They also allow the connection of professional audio accessories, earpieces and such like that actually work! But you pay for it, I suppose the adage you get what you pay for applies.
An ARGOS boxed pair of cheapies will set you back under £50 a pair but a decent Motorola or Kenwood PMR446 radio is going to set you back over £100 for a single radio, new, of course. Range is a factor here although both radios use the same power levels and comply with the license free regulations (
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/business_radio/information/ofw57/ ) The usable range in general for PMR446 radios will be better in the more expensive radio because it is likely to have a better receiver and overall build quality. Rolls vs Lada
Expected usable range for this PMR446 kit will vary dramatically on terrain, Expect 5 miles hilltop to hilltop but maybe half a mile in hilly dense territory. As a rule of thumb - line of sight affords best distance. Claims of 15 miles range must be treated with the same caution as an advert in the local press for free petrol!
To summerise: A great way to stay in touch, perfectly adequate if you choose the right radio for your use.
Now moving on to better things... There is a selection of frequencies allocated in both the VHF and UHF spectrum that have been given a licensed classification (Don’t panic its £65 for 3 years !!) and referred to as UK General. This license allows users to operate a number of radios under one license with a radio power output of 5 watts from a portable radio (as opposed to the PMR446 half a watt output) It also enables the use of a mobile radio in your vehicle with external antenna to communicate portable to vehicle etc. (Also uses privacy tones)
More info on UK General (
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra412.htm )
The equipment that is used on the UK General system is the same as the ‘professional’ radios you see security guards, tradesmen etc operating, however it is not unusual to see new radios commanding prices of £300 upwards each ! As a bonus, there is a great number of used radios that can be obtained at the ‘right price’ and reconfigured to operate very well on these channels. Because of their general high quality, professional build etc these will continue to provide excellent service under many years of abuse. You have the option of choosing either VHF or UHF frequencies in your licensed configuration and the license gives you permission to use your equipment anywhere in the country (UK).
The advantages of this chosen route over against PMR446 are:
Better 'overall' radios available second hand, affording good value for money. (Just make sure you take advice on what to buy)
5 watts high power giving you the best available coverage. It don’t get better than this !
Less users, so interfering signals on the channels are less (Every kid on our estate has a walkie talkie on PMR446, I realise that there are very few kids in the ‘wild outdoors’ but you take my point)
The allowable mobile radio setup with external antenna, mag mount etc, so you can order the tea and inform of the progress of the hunt, always handy if you ever get in a situation where you need help too. If you parked the base vehicle on a good vantage point then the claim of 10 miles radio coverage to portables from the base is really more believable.
The vast range of pro-accessories available for this kit, waterproof bags, leather cases, throat mics, ear pieces, remote press to talk buttons (PTT) that you can fix to your weapon etc. The choice is endless.
If the radio breaks/goes faulty, bar dropping it in a pond and drowning it, it can be repaired.
Disadvantages are: The fact you will have to purchase a license to operate the radios legally, but at £65 for three years, split between club/group members makes it very affordable and really practical in relation to what you will want to pay for decent equipment.
Sorry if I have waffled on a bit but I thought it better to explain what options are open to us and how best to maximise your out-of-wallet folding. If there is any specific help I can give just add a new post or drop me a PM. I wish I knew a quarter as much about the sport as I possibly know about radio, but there’s time yet and it’s all about pooling knowledge and sharing info isn’t it !.
All the best Steve
