I regularly hear people in the off-grid mindset ask about radios for communications. And there are A LOT of considerations and essentially no single answer to all questions about radios. So … let’s start with one of most basic radio needs or wants.
Radio for your property. If you are blessed, you may be going off-grid on an acre of land. Maybe more. You may want to check with your partner and not stop them from what they are doing to come back to the house. Or stop what you are doing to walk out to them and back. It may be as simple as reminding them it’s time to take a medication or asking if they need water to keep hydrated. And a large part of off-grid living is about efficiency.
There are a few common ‘radio ideas’ that people have for off-grid situations in their mind.
The first is CB Radio. CB’s are great. In perfect conditions they have a range of about 5 miles. Over the years, I have spent many hours on CB and even had a job at a truck stop for a year or so, fixing them. But, they are power hungry. They do not use electricity well. And though they may work well in a vehicle, they are not very reliable as a more portable solution. Also, weather conditions have a very serious impact on the performance of a CB.
Next are the FRS radios sold in many stores, even ‘survivalist’ and sporting stores. These radios are designed to work with channels, like a CB, between 462 and 467 MHz (megahertz). This frequency range usually has less interference and static. Like CB, FRS radios do not require a license top operate. Typical range is a quarter to 1 mile distance. There is no particular equipment required to operate, other than the radios, themselves. And they are often sold in pairs. The newer FRS radios even have PL (private line) codes. The idea for PL on FRS is if using the radios in an area that is crowded with many other FRS users, you can block out the others that are not using the same PL code on the same frequency as you. This does not mean your conversations are actually private. They can still be heard by someone who may not be a part of your party, but found your PL code, just by scanning the frequencies.
GMRS is the next usual follow-up. GMRS operates in the same frequency range as FRS and is also divided into channels beside those used by FRS. One major difference, legally, about GMRS is that a license is required to operate. Applying for a license with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). This license is usually applicable to the immediate family as GMRS is very popular on farms. Though most GMRS radios are walkie-talkie style portables, there are more powerful and larger mobile (car / truck / tractor) models with as much as 50 watts of transmission power. The typical range of the handheld models, operating at about 5 watts output will range form a half to a full mile.
Next is a sub category of HAM radios for the 2 meter and 70 centimeter ‘bands’. In this frequency range, the most popular ‘starter radio’ is the Baofeng UV series. These are small walkie-talkie style radios ranging from 1 to 8 watts of transmission power. They have a wider range of frequencies that includes the GMRS and FRS bands. And they have a wide range of accessories that makes them very popular for many different scenarios. One of the negatives that many have with the Baofeng radios is the need of a HAM radio operator’s license to operate legally, in non-emergency situations. As these radios operate in much the same way, as the FRS and GMRS radios, and even share common frequencies, they have similar distance limitations. Especially when using one to contact another.
A caveat to the FRS / GMRS / Licensed HAM radios listed above and their ranges of operation: These radios and the frequencies they operate on are greatly impacted by terrain. Their packaging my state their range to be 10, 16, even 30 miles. As a licensed HAM radio operator with experience with these radios and frequencies, it MIGHT be possible to reach 5 miles distance between two walkie-talkie style radios in near perfect conditions. Near perfect conditions would be an unobstructed, flat terrain. Something like on a lake, or a large sandy desert with no buildings, hills, trees, or other obstructions. Modifying an FRS radio is not allowed and the construction is such that to try to change the radio will damage the case, considerably, in most situations. GMRS does allow for some modifications, including longer, more effective antennas. Most 2meter and 7cm band HAM radios are even more configurable with a wider range of antenna options. But the primary limiter on these devices is their output power. It is limited in large part, because they are battery operated. The extended battery packs available will not allow them to ‘talk farther’. It just allows the user to have more time on the radio.
There are other HAM radios and frequencies available for short, medium and long distances. But these will be discussed in another article.
If you have questions about radio communications, please feel free to contact us or your local HAM radio club. HAMs are known to be very helpful with people interested in joining their hobby.
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