Walkie-talkie advice, please.

[Denis]

Mrs Denis and I are going to be spending our next holidays in a place where mobile phone reception is poor, unreliable and expensive. I'll be out in the woods, and she at base; no more than 4 miles as the crow flies. Rather than relying on the mobile phone, I'd like to get a pair of walkie-talkies.

Bearing in mind I know nothing about walkie-talkies, and less than nothing about HAM radio (yes, I did look at previous threads on getting into HAM).

I see that DX sells lots of walkie-talkies and accessories.

This Baofeng BF-UV5R for US$45 delivered seems to get good reviews, or there is the Baofeng UV-3R for a few dollars less. Perhaps the Baofeng BF-U3 for US$26 delivered.

I have no clue what would be suitable to my needs. I'm not interested in getting into HAM, or needing a licence, just finding some more reliable way of staying in touch than the flaky mobile phone network.

Help, advice, suggestions, please? Thanks!

[Weetabix]

Check the local laws on frequencies and power. The BF-UV5R can broadcast on lots of frequencies, including GRMS at 4W. I'd think that would give you better range than FRS or GMRS radios at 1W.

Not sure if FRS or GMRS mean anything where you'll be, though.

[Denis]

Check the local laws on frequencies and power. The BF-UV5R can broadcast on lots of frequencies, including GRMS at 4W. I'd think that would give you better range than FRS or GMRS radios at 1W.

Not sure if FRS or GMRS mean anything where you'll be, though.

Thanks! As I said, I haven't a clue.

I did look at the website of the Belgian radio rules authority (BIPT) - available in English. As far as I could figure out, "CB" type radio is allowed without a licence, and then there are various levels of licence, from "amateur" on upwards. The rest of what I read was complete gobbledegook to me.

[Weetabix]

I'm having trouble following it, too.

Here's a page that links to radio equipment that may be used in Belgium without a license. The link is in French and... er... Dutch?

Where's Randy? Maybe he can decipher some of this.

One page said if you buy radio equipment with the CE mark but without the ! in a circle, you can use it with no license.

[Rumpshot]

Read over the part about the equipment without license. Pay attention to frequencies and power limits. Note both of those, then go shopping. The document was not obviously available in English.

[Weetabix]

Also, some of the bands in the US prohibit you from using equipment with a removable antenna. Don't know if Belgium has that or not. The Baofeng has a removable antenna.

Of course, the whole thing boils down to "Will you get caught if you inadvertently violate a rule, and what will happen then?"

Maybe you should consult a lawyer.... oh, wait.

[Yogimus]

Handy-talkie.

[Precision]

I have these.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT1000VP ... B001WMFYH4

They are our SHTF communication plan if cells are dead. We also use them at my school for interbuilding communications.

Between the buildings (both with metal roofs and concrete walls) and through a third thick walled reinforced concrente building, we get decent coverage at about .3 miles. In the town, we tested it with the bus driver and she got about 2.5 miles away before the signal faded out to undecipherable. This is in dead flat terrain and primarily 1 and 2 story concrete block buildings. In our hunting property, we get 4-5 miles as long as someone is not in a deep depression. There are rolling hills and thick forest in much of this area.

we also have a base unit that has slightly greater throw and much better reception (bigger antenna) .

[randy]

Where's Randy? Maybe he can decipher some of this.

On the road in Phoenix with limited internet access (Mom and Aunt don't have any, not even any PC's. Getting my limited access via weak signal from my cousin's internet next door)

I haven't had time to look at the links, but every country has different rules and regs on unlicensed radios and I'm not up on Euro CB/FRS regs.

Denis, you might check forums for European motorcycle clubs that tour, RV'ers etc as over here those groups use such radios extensively.

[Denis]

Denis, you might check forums for European motorcycle clubs that tour, RV'ers etc as over here those groups use such radios extensively.

Thanks. If I don't check in again, I'll have discovered a new hobby.