| Author |
Message |
    
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 8:07 pm: | 
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I am going on a school trip to Costa Rica in Late January that lasts 9 weeks. We need radio communications when we are there, and my school principle knows I am a radio enthusiast. The school has its own property down there (115 acres) and this is the first trip for students down there and I was one of the lucky 17 chosen to go, and this is an extra credit deal for me.
My main question is; what kind of radios can we use stay communicated down there when scouting through the jungle, and between the lodge and the ship reliably?
Don't nail me for this, but I don't beleive ham radios are regulated there, so I was thinking some nice hand helds would be best, and also between the lodge and the ship.
Can anyone give me some ideas and opinions?
Taz |
rattlesnakejake
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 8:40 pm: |
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I'd say to use handheld vhf. They are real great. If you need something a lil cheaper, go for some old cobra handhelds. |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 8:44 pm: |
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TAZ YOU BETTER CHECK YOUR TICKET, I think yours is only one way,
You are not talking about great distance, I have a Cobra HH 45 WXST with Sound Tracker, it is a 40 Channel , Duel watch, and full channel scan,
It seems to really get out good, if we lived closer I would let you use it. |
Buck
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 10:01 pm: |
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I would try Frs or Gmrs.....If those wont work go with Murs....Murs is impressive. I do have two Cheap Frs radios I would lend to you if you wanted them. I also have two single channel(14) handheld cb that I would lend you to use if you wanted to go that route...
Buck |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 10:52 pm: |
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GMRS crossed my mind, and I think that they may work but wasn't sure because I have not ever been in thick trees or jungle such as Costa Rica before.
I want something we can use for on and off talking for an entire day of sunlight and not have to worry about charging them..
Budget is not an issue, within reality of course. |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:09 pm: |
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Taz,
I cast my vote for MURS radios if you can get a hold of some. They operate in the VHF band, so the forest won't be as much of a problem and if you can still find them at Radio Shacks out your way they are real cheap because they (R.S.) discontinued them. Look for models 19-1210 (a small mobile) or 19-1206, 19-1207 which are both HTs. Now the good part. If you can find the the HTs were selling for $8.00 apiece. No that's not a misprint. The mobile was a bit more at $13.00.
The mobile and the 19-1206 are 2w. The 19-1207s are 1w Motorola radios (P10s I think).
Veil Gluck,
73
Barracuda |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:16 pm: |
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From what I have heard lower freqs towards 27MHz work best, I just wasn't sure. |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:25 pm: |
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I got my eye on some MURS operates at 462MHz, and GMRS is just above that. Some 4w GMRS HT's would do the trick then huh>? |
Bruce
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:29 pm: |
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Taz
Illeagal
MURS, GMRS, FRS ( but i dont think they will keep you locked up too long )
Leagal
Probly a 40 ch cb and a 2 meter radio if you had a ham license
take a pair of MURS ht's ..... tell them there cb sets |
Bruce
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:33 pm: |
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NEGITIVE
MURS
151.820
151.880
151.940
154.570
154.600 |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:36 pm: |
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Bruce, I don't care whats legal and whats not.
All I wan't to know is what works best in the jungle. |
Bruce
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:46 pm: |
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MURS by far
Taz i was only kidding but you will be leaving this country and other nations dont allways play by our rules.....
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Tech808
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:46 pm: |
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Yaesu FT-50R 2 Meter / 440 HT with HD Battery will last all day long on low power.
Just my 2 cent's worth |
Crafter
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:52 pm: |
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Take a couple of motorola handhelds like they sale in the dept stores for hunting bet they would work. |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2003 - 11:56 pm: |
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Bruce, this is such a remote place we are staying there isn't even roads to the property.
The only way there is by boat, and thats even complicated... |
Tech808
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:24 am: |
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de, DE, Deadlyeyes,
You need to use your "PASSWORD" on your post's and use the Screen Name that goes with your PASSWORD so we can know who they are coming from.
With so many post's comeing in from the name DE, de, Deadlyeyes, Deadly eyes, we have no idea who is trying to post.
Lon
Tech808 |
Deadlyeyes
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 1:03 am: |
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@ the good Mr Lon....
I sent you an Email. Just wanted to let ya know that I have recently been making a bunch of quick posts. Chatting as it were on the BB. |
Bruce
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 4:26 am: |
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Taz
I just was pointing out its there rules but as long as your safe im for it MURS ! |
Znut
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 10:18 am: |
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I would go for VHF if the elevation of the property varies, the signal will make it over a hill better than UHF. Even more of a consideration is that you will be there during the rainy season and UHF freqs won't penetrate the wet foliage, that's why the military still uses vhf comms esp in the jungle. Forget 27mhz for good range with such a small antenna.
I'm confused Bruce, I thought murs freqs are unlicensed now. What is the power limit for unlicensed operation (in the US?)
I would go for MURS Taz. If possible find an old Motorola business band repeater and set it up in an elevated area. Run it on a very low power setting for reliability and consideration for other stations who may recieve interference in the early AM and at sundown when ducting tends to occur with VHF freqs.
Good luck! |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:00 am: |
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Actually Znut its the Dry season in Costa Rica this time of year.
Does anyone know where I can pick up some MURS handhelds? We are going to need about 4 of them. |
Barracuda
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:18 am: |
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Taz,
I goofed the 19-1207 should be 19-1217 for the RS 2w MURS HT. The 19-1207 is a UHF radio.
Barracuda |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:24 am: |
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Hey guys, I found this on the MURS site;
Compared with CB (Citizens Band Radio) at 27 MHz:
CB radios may transmit with more power than MURS units may, but communications range is highly dependent on channel congestion and atmospheric conditions. CB communications can also be significantly degraded by noise from vehicle ignition systems and from other man-made sources.
CB signals bend over hills and around obstacles much better than MURS (at 150 MHz) or FRS/GMRS (at 460 MHz) signals.
Vehicle-to-vehicle MURS communications will probably be comparable and possibly quite superior to that available in the CB service.
MURS communications will not suffer from the kind of long-range "skip" interference frequently encountered on CB radio at 27 MHz.
Has anyone ever used MURS in any type of heavy forest or jungle? |
Mr_Rf
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:05 am: |
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Taz, I'm gonna throw a twist into your plans...
When going through Costa Rica customs they like to..well..lets say they're usually not the most likeable guys. They like to PLAY with your stuff and enjoy taking anything they see, especially two-way radios, etc. We (the radio shop I worked for back in the 90's) used to send and take radio equipment over there and setup and donate it to the hospitals, ambulance, and doctor services on the less flurishing side of Costa Rica. The customs guys had a field day with the gear and I really think they thought they needed it worse than the poor side of town!
I have no suggestions to what helps or doesn't help...just don't attempt to hide the gear, that really pisses them off. And, mentally be prepared that you won't have any gear after passing through customs.
Be Safe! |
Bruce
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:09 pm: |
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MURS
NO LICENSE NEEDED
NO RESTRICTION ON ANTENNA YES YOU CAN RUN A GAIN ANTENNA EVEN A 100 elm BEAM AT 100 foot!
power 2 watts
radio shack 2 ch moble radio
Range @ 151.820 using a hustler 5 db gain coliner on car and a 40 foot high ringoranger is 7-10 miles solid.
MURS
151.820
151.880
151.940
154.570
154.600 |
Bruce
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:17 pm: |
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Taz this is the handhelds i use not cheep but fine quilty
http://www.topaz3.com/product.asp?StrProd=MURS25
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Sarge
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:35 pm: |
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Actually ham radio is regulated all over the world by international treaty as well as host nation regulations. Equipment that is legal in the US may not be legal in other countries. Each country makes it's own rules & regulations for communication systems.
Hams on DX'peditions have learned that unless you can produce documentation showing authority from the host government to operate radio equipment, the customs officials will likely impound all the radio gear.
Based upon this and the experiences reported by Mr. RF, I would recommend inexpensive FRS/GMRS portable radios. Your biggest hurdle will be getting through the Customs checkpoint. If you can get past them and out of the airport then you can run whatever you want. However, if Customs decides to confiscate your radios it would be best if they were the inexpensive FRS/GMRS portables so you are not out a great amount of money. |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 12:44 pm: |
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Thanks bruce, exactly what I was looking for. |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 1:02 pm: |
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Mr.RF
Yes, I knew they probably arent the nicest guys in the world and am prepared.
Thanks for your help guys,
Taz  |
707
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 2:53 pm: |
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Oh, forgot to add-
You and your classmates still have time to study up on your Tech licenses and take the test, which would then allow you to carry actual decent handie talkies like VX-5 Yaesus or something that would give you some different bands to communicate on. Plus, you would be allowed to do so under the reciprocal amateur radio agreement with Costa Rica, so shouldn't be a problem ;-) |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 3:13 pm: |
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Sarge, we are sailing down and docking the boat on our propertys dock. We depart from Sandiego USA.
Does anyone know if MURS are allowed to be used there? |
Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 3:29 pm: |
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I found this http://www.provide.net/~prsg/murs_faq.htm#Q16
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707
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 2:51 pm: |
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Taz-
I do know Costa Rica has a reciprocal amateur radio agreement with the U.S., but that doesn't apply to your situation.
It does appear FRS and GMRS radios are available and in use in Costa Rica, as you can see here:
http://www.intelicom.co.cr/radio.htm
I sent off a question regarding this to the Costa Rica embassy and I'll let you know what they reply with, if anything. One idea, though. You might consider shipping the radios to the school location in Costa Rica ahead of your trip. That way, you won't be dealing with Customs directly. If the school location there regularly receives items from the U.S., chances are they would go unnoticed. Better yet, if you were to purchase them online from a Costa Rican site, you could have them shipped locally to your school location.
With FRS, remember you only have a half watt radio at best, so range will not be great unless you are absolutely line of sight. You might do well to get a mile or so on the open road, much much less in vegetated areas. GMRS radios might giove you a bit more power, but might also need to be licensed. My suggestion for use in jungle areas would be something down on the 30MHz FM business band, or some import FM CB walkie talkies, if you could find them. Unfortunately, those might well be really difficult to get past officials.
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Taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 7:31 pm: |
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All of us arent going to take our test, 707 thats just not going to happen.
We cant ship anything to this property, the only way to get there is by boat. There is not even ONE road to this property.
Like I have said before, we are sailing down from Sandiego.
Anyhow, I found out my origional question, which was just what radio would work best in the junglous area.
Thanks,
Taz |
Ss8541
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2003 - 11:19 pm: |
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bruce gave a good link.
here is another to check out. it gives you -4w- of power.
http://www.icomamerica.com/frs/icf21gmmain.html
the retail on this radio is $214. there may be a 'contract' price for your state on this radio for state and local government. schools count, and if your state has such a contract with icom, you will get 36% off these radios. that will drop them down to $137. your local icom dealer can let you know if you have such a contract in your state. just something to look into as it may save your school some money, and get you some good radios at the same time.
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