Can anyone recommend something (as in radio type or particular device) for relatively portable battery based comms between two hiking groups? The use case is a big group hike that often gets separated into two or more smaller groups walking at different speeds, but wanting to still be able to check in with each other every so often. There's no cell reception out there.
Basically just want a glorified walkie talkie with a bit more range (a few miles through woods and across hills of possible).
I just got my GMRS license and some cheap 5W handhelds to experiment with, but I'm not sure if that is the best option.
We might also have the option of setting up a "base station" at the trailhead (our cars or someone relaxing at a picnic table) to act as a higher powered repeater if that would help.
How much of it is frequency (radio type), wattage, line of sight, operator skill. etc.?
Basically just want a glorified walkie talkie with a bit more range (a few miles through woods and across hills of possible).
I just got my GMRS license and some cheap 5W handhelds to experiment with, but I'm not sure if that is the best option.
We might also have the option of setting up a "base station" at the trailhead (our cars or someone relaxing at a picnic table) to act as a higher powered repeater if that would help.
How much of it is frequency (radio type), wattage, line of sight, operator skill. etc.?