Radio question.......

honkerdwn · Mar 1, 2023

I'm curious as to what radios people are using while hunting. 8 times out of 10 I'm usually solo so its never been an issue but this last fall I was on a hunt with my soon to be son in law and another friend. I had a pair of Motorola radios that I grabbed in case we needed them. As it turned out we did try to use them one day and they were horrible. We were only a few hundred yards away, pretty much straight line of sight (300 max), both programmed to the same channels and whatnot. Granted they were a few years old but they had fresh batteries and should have worked or so I thought. We even tested them in camp before we went out, you know, doing the "Test Test Test" back and forth with each other and they were fine.

So thinking of that and doing a little looking at replacements to have in the gear bag it seems options are endless. I would like something that can cover some distance, maybe even over a ridge or two and where you don't have to see the other person to be able to use them. Oh and how about this, maybe something that doesn't beep constantly or make the static sound every time the PTT button gets pushed. I don't know maybe I'm dreaming, to much to ask? So I thought what a better place to ask than here at MM.

What's everyone's go to radio's?

honkerdwn · Mar 6, 2023

Anyone......?

mevertsen · Mar 6, 2023

Look at the GMRS license. Or Amateur radio.

The GMRS radios are coming up in quality and quantity.

Lots of options available for amateur radios which are better quality than the bubble packs.

But some of your requests are not possible. Radios are line of sight. Your not going to get over a ridge without a repeater or cell tower. It just doesn't work.

Vanilla · Mar 6, 2023

I don't use radios a ton, but for the uses I've needed the Garmin Rhino has worked well for me. It also allows you to have a GPS and see others that have the Rhino as well, which is a large benefit if you are splitting up from people in your group. We had that go bad one time and almost led to a night on the mountain looking for someone. Rhinos would have solved that issue for us rather quickly if everyone would have had one.

They absolutely have communication limits, but for what I need them to do, they have been very useful.

wilydawg · Mar 6, 2023

Look into Baofeng. They are sold on Amazon.

Much better than typical "consumer grade" type radios...

Tikka · Mar 6, 2023

wilydawg said:
Look into Baofeng. They are sold on Amazon.

Much better than typical "consumer grade" type radios...

They look cheap as he!!!, but they work at long distances….

littlebighorn · Mar 6, 2023

Several years ago I picked up a couple of Kenwood radios so my son and I could split up and keep in contact with one another while scouting/hunting, etc. They have a much larger range of communication than your run of the mill motorola, etc. because they are programed to have their own designated radio frequency. The Baofengs are also great, but in order to operate them, you are supposed to have something like a HAM radio license. That is to keep those who use them form interfering with police, fire, medical and other regulated communications.
The Baofengs are as good as our Kenwoods, but they are smaller and way less expensive. If you aren't afraid of the FCC chasing you down, you could go that route.

Vanilla · Mar 6, 2023

If anyone on here is going to ignore the rules for the amateur radio license, I'd really recommend not talking about your poaching activities over the radio on the frequencies the LEOs utilize.

sticksender · Mar 6, 2023

When outside of cell service, we use Inreach which has pretty much made radios obsolete for us. We don't use it to guide others to game of course.

llamapacker · Mar 6, 2023

I have used the Rhino's to keep track of my kids in the field. They work pretty good, and I love being able to see their coordinates on my radio. It let's me "leave them alone" to hunt on their own without having to really worry.
BTW, my kids are full grown adults now, but it is still nice to know if they are close by.

Bill

elks96 · Mar 6, 2023

Yeah we use Rhinos when we need to have radios because the gos up dates are nice etc.

HikeHunt61 · Mar 6, 2023

We used Rhinos for years- they were awesome when my son was a young hunter.

Now- we use cellphones with gps apps when they are in range (which is amazing these days)- and just bring GRMS radios for the couple areas with zero cell coverage.

honkerdwn · Mar 7, 2023

Thanks for all the replies. Ya i guess cell phones are the most obvious source of communication but in the situation we had last fall there was no cell service.

Thanks again, appreciate everyone's comments!

Joe2Kool · Mar 9, 2023

I've got several sets of those sorry @ZZ Motorolas. Amazes me they are advertised as "26 miles" when they barely work for a quarter mile with straight line of sight!

Anyway, I've used the Baofangs with good results. As long as we're on the same side of the mountain, we can get 3 miles in heavy forested East TN mountains. Way more distance in western settings without much cover.

LIK2HNT · Mar 10, 2023

For those of you using the Baofangs, what models are you using?
Thanks

heywouldya · Mar 10, 2023

I've used Motorolla and Midland. I usually turn them off because of the people in my group like to talk to much

. But they are nice to have.
I may have to upgrade to the Rhino's for the "location" ability.

wilydawg · Mar 10, 2023

LIK2HNT said:
For those of you using the Baofangs, what models are you using?
Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Snoopdogg · Mar 10, 2023

Mitt Romney sucks, I don't like sorry-ass Rinos and am disappointed so many of you like them.

Whoops, my bad; Rhinos!

Snoopdogg · Mar 10, 2023

If you're not strictly looking for radios, this is on my list for this season. Similar to InReach and alternates between cell, wifi, or satellite service (depending on your current need) and it mates w/your phone to give you a text message experience.

ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

Buy ZOLEO Satellite Communicator at Sportsmans Warehouse online and in-store has everything for your outdoor sports adventure needs. Fishing, rods & reels, camping gear, tents and much more.

www.sportsmans.com

Joe2Kool · Mar 10, 2023

BF-F8HP

There may be a newer model of this one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

feddoc · Mar 10, 2023

wilydawg said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Same here. Ham license is easy.

JB1975 · Mar 10, 2023

wilydawg said:
Look into Baofeng. They are sold on Amazon.

Much better than typical "consumer grade" type radios...

We use these on frac sites and for infield comms with our water sources, linemen, etc. They work well.

elkassassin · Mar 10, 2023

BEST HUNTING RADIO'S THAT WORK??? | General Hunting

I Know this has been Brought up a few times over the years! Wondering if anything Newer is any better? Looking at getting some better Radio's that Work in the Hills/Mountains & Line of Sight? No,I'm Not Talking the 50.00-100.00 Kind! Wondering if there's any out there that actually Work Good...

www.monstermuleys.info

mevertsen · Mar 10, 2023

Joe2Kool said:
BF-F8HP

There may be a newer model of this one.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That requires an amateur radio license to operate.

elkassassin · Mar 10, 2023

And 2 Million DRATS Don't Have The License!

mevertsen said:
That requires an amateur radio license to operate.

mevertsen · Mar 10, 2023

elkassassin said:
And 2 Million DRATS Don't Have The License!

Just pointing it out.

After all we really don't need a hunting or fishing license either. (Kidding of course)

JB1975 · Mar 10, 2023

I would not worry about a HAM license one bit if using for hunting. We sure don’t worry about it on frac sites.

mevertsen · Mar 10, 2023

JB1975 said:
I would not worry about a HAM license one bit if using for hunting. We sure don’t worry about it on frac sites.

I have a real problem with that.

Do you worry about getting a deer tag?

After all it's just hunting.

Rules are rules. We follow them hunting or not, or when it's convenient.

If you're using them on frac sites, your company should have an fcc license to cover everyone.

But again, just laws , no big deal.

Joe2Kool · Mar 10, 2023

The license is pretty easy to get. Get the study guide, read the questions and the right answers 5X. Then, when you take the test, the answers will be easy.

elkassassin · Mar 10, 2023

JB1975 · Mar 11, 2023

mevertsen said:
I have a real problem with that.

Do you worry about getting a deer tag?

After all it's just hunting.

Rules are rules. We follow them hunting or not, or when it's convenient.

If you're using them on frac sites, your company should have an fcc license to cover everyone.

But again, just laws , no big deal.

Lol. Thanks Karen.

I drive 60-70 miles a year. Have for 20+ years. Not a single traffic violation, nor have I ever been in an accident. I speed (5-10mph over) and use a radar. I guess I should ask a cop to pull me over and write me a ticket.

Have hunted the west for longer than that. Never hunted without a tag in my pocket. Did get a ticket for not having a NM Habitat stamp one time. Bought the license online and missed the habitat stamp box. The G&F officer was a great guy and I did not mind heading back to town to service to buy the stamp.

I currently have 56 consultants working for me for 20+ O&G operators in west Texas. I send an email to the group every morning. Today I asked in the email if any of them had a HAM license for the radios all of these guys along with the frac companies out here use. Lol. 13 replies so far. 7 had never heard of a HAM radio license, and all have responded they don’t have one nor do the O&G operators. My rep for Liberty frac responded they don’t have them. Have not heard back from my other two pump companies.

Will keep you posted on the rest of the results of my survey. I am just a small sampling of reality, but happy to oblige you.

HikeHunt61 · Mar 11, 2023

Funny about all that HAM/FCC stuff. For decades, the powers that be said we were gonna run out of radio spectrum. Thus the need for all those licenses. Of course, technology advances and frequencies are used much more efficiently- and much like other "end of the world" scenarios it doesn't come to pass.

Ya, I got a license for my GMRS back when I first used one. Don't use them anymore and have no idea what the rules are today. But I will say I was the only dang person I knew who actually got a license. Probably the single most ignored law there is (next to speed limits)

mevertsen · Mar 11, 2023

JB1975 said:
Lol. Thanks Karen.

I drive 60-70 miles a year. Have for 20+ years. Not a single traffic violation, nor have I ever been in an accident. I speed (5-10mph over) and use a radar. I guess I should ask a cop to pull me over and write me a ticket.

Have hunted the west for longer than that. Never hunted without a tag in my pocket. Did get a ticket for not having a NM Habitat stamp one time. Bought the license online and missed the habitat stamp box. The G&F officer was a great guy and I did not mind heading back to town to service to buy the stamp.

I currently have 56 consultants working for me for 20+ O&G operators in west Texas. I send an email to the group every morning. Today I asked in the email if any of them had a HAM license for the radios all of these guys along with the frac companies out here use. Lol. 13 replies so far. 7 had never heard of a HAM radio license, and all have responded they don’t have one nor do the O&G operators. My rep for Liberty frac responded they don’t have them. Have not heard back from my other two pump companies.

Will keep you posted on the rest of the results of my survey. I am just a small sampling of reality, but happy to oblige you.

It's not an amateur radio license.
It would be a business license issued through the fcc for companies to use.

Call me a Karen all you want. That's fine.

I'm just pointing out the fact that we are supposed to be self policing in this world in regards to hunting. Doing the right thing when no one is looking, such as is taught in hunter safety, but yet people in this thread have admitted there is a law for radio use and openly point out its ok to violate it.

mevertsen · Mar 11, 2023

So laws don't matter?

JB1975 · Mar 11, 2023

mevertsen said:
So laws don't matter?

View attachment 105472

Look, I get it. You are an angel. Surely you have something better to worry about than whether or not most people don't get a license for these radios. If I get one, will you sleep better tonight??

mevertsen · Mar 11, 2023

No. I really don't care. Get one or not. I am certainly not going to change your behavior.

Someone asked for advice.

I was the first to respond with 2 possible options.

Replies after me pointed out that it's ok to violate the law regarding that if only used for certain things.

Basically spreading bad information on a public forum. A public forum where people absolutely take other people to the rails for the slightest thought of breaking other laws (poaching for instance).

I really just don't like people putting bad advice on a public forum and actually encouraging illegal behavior, regardless of how minor it may seem to some.

I am not an angel. I have broken many laws. But I don't go out encouraging others to do so.

The Gmrs license is all of 35 dollars. No test. There are a myriad of options out there from 20 dollar radios on up to 50 watt mobile units. It really is a fun hobby.

I also have my Amateur radio license. That opens up a lot more options. A few weeks of reading and doing some practice tests and I took the test online.

Good day.

Bwht4x4 · Mar 11, 2023

I have a set of these and they are pretty nice.

Rocky Talkie (Pre‑Order)

Lightweight radio that easily secures to backpacks and harnesses: 3-day battery life and 25+ mile range line-of-sight. Designed and tested in the Colorado Rockies.

rockytalkie.com

DBLung · Mar 13, 2023

IF you can get everyone you hunt with on board, use Garmin inReach. My family used rhinos for years. The older Rhinos are better than the new ones. The 530HCX was the best model out there. They stopped making it 7 years ago.

HikeHunt61 · Mar 13, 2023

DBLung said:
The older Rhinos are better than the new ones. The 530HCX was the best model out there. They stopped making it 7 years ago.

Right? I used the old ones when my son was a young hunter and I wanted to "turn him loose" but still know where he was at. I bought one newer model to replace a broken older one- and it totally sucked. Don't use them anymore- but the old Rhinos were awesome for that purpose.

ArizonaBuild · Mar 13, 2023

We use the Baofeng's with nagoya 771 and 701 antennas. They seem to have fairly good range, good battery life. Stick with the FRS/GMRS channels if you are worried about licensing. It's easy to get the license too.

honkerdwn · Mar 16, 2023

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I do have an inreach and have used it to text the wife back at home a few times just checking it but is somewhat of a pain trying to hold a conversation. You would think with the technology in phones we have now days they would make that inreach easier to type on. Just my opinion. Regardless sounds like there are some decent options out there for radios.

thanks again!
HD

sticksender · Mar 16, 2023

honkerdwn said:
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I do have an inreach and have used it to text the wife back at home a few times just checking it but is somewhat of a pain trying to hold a conversation. You would think with the technology in phones we have now days they would make that inreach easier to type on. Just my opinion. Regardless sounds like there are some decent options out there for radios.

thanks again!
HD

Agree the Inreach keypad (if you still had to use it) is awkward and slow. But in my experience around a lot of hunting camps, most people now use the Garmin Earthmate smartphone app to operate the Inreach via bluetooth. Then all your typing is done on the phone. Blazing fast compared to the old way. The only buttons you ever touch on the Inreach is to power it on and off. The newer "Mini" Inreach models don't even have a screen.