Here are some solution options. All are FCC legal to the best of my knowledge. There are many more non-legal options which I'll not detail.
No matter which of the three solution groups below, all users will be able to communicate within the group regardless of the device selected. Some solutions will perform better than others and are sorta in order of performance. The examples are by no means a complete list.
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FRS - Your group decides to go with the unlicensed FRS radios (FRS as known today. Was previously known as FRS only or FRS/GMRS combo radios). These can be up to 2 Watts (depending on channel). The benefit here is no licensing and no call sign identification requirements. The downside is that they cannot have an external antenna which limits range.
Example FRS Device:
- Get any past or current FRS bubble pack radio such as a Midland - GXT1000VP4
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GMRS - Your group decides to use GMRS (as known today, and requires licensing and periodic call sign ID) radio channels and you are trying to decide what you want to get. Here are some options (in order of performance):
A- You can use an older GMRS/FRS bubble pack radio and use as is but only the GMRS channels.
B- Get one of the newer GMRS only radios and use as is.
C- Get one of the newer GMRS radios and add one or more of the options listed below.
D- Buy a used professional grade handheld transceiver, FCC Part 95 certified and program for the GMRS channels and wattage limits. This is a great option for those who like to tinker and are performance driven.
Example GMRS devices:
- For A above, get any past or current FRS bubble pack radio such as a Midland - GXT1000VP4
- For B and C above:O- Midland Micro Mobile GMRS 2-Way Radio MXT90 mobile mount option
O- BTECH GMRS-V1 handheld transceiver and only program for GMRS channels
-For D above: Kenwood TK-390 is an excellent example.
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MURS - Your group decides to use MURS with no license and no station ID requirement (in order of performance):
X- Get a MURS radio and use as-is
Y- Get a MURS radio and add options listed below
Z- Buy a used professional grade handheld transceiver that meets:• Part 95 certified and operates on MURS frequencies
• Part 95 certified prior to November 12, 2002 & transmits no more than 2 watts & has no external means to increase power above 2 watts & only operates wideband on the 154 MHz frequencies (all parts must be true)
• Part 90 certified prior to November 12, 2002 & transmits no more than 2 watts & has no external means to increase power above 2 watts & does not narrowband on the 151 MHz & 154 MHz frequencies or narrowband on 151 MHz & wideband on 154 MHz frequencies (all parts must be true)
Example MURS devices:
For X & Y above:
O- BTECH GMRS-V1 handheld transceiver and only program for MURS channels
O- Dakota Alert MURS, M538-HT
For Z above:
- Kenwood TK-2100 programmed for MURS frequencies
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Options for C & D & Y & Z above (mix any combination of below and make sure it can be used with your radio you selected):
1) Use with an external speaker/mic or mic (boom or throat)/earbud with PTT switch in the cable or the mic (you too can look like a DeLorean driving Secret Service agent)
2) Use with a 12Vdc power adapter
3) Use with an externally mounted 1/4 or 1/2 wave antenna (slightly shortened 70cm for GMRS and slightly shortened 2m for MURS or buy a band specifically tuned antenna)
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Note that CB devices are another solution but I've not detailed them here