I think when it comes to analog communication, the logistics are a little too technical for most people even vaguely familiar with OTA transmissions/receptions.

I also have experience in this field, and you forgot to mention that after buying the $50+ dollar antenna, you need to pray that you don't have ground interference in the signal (a very common problem when it comes to hardwiring a radio to any vehicle simply because the power an alternator produces is just plain dirty). If you do have high interference, you'll need to reroute your antenna conduit and, in most cases, find another source for your positive and ground connections in the vehicle to minimize the problem. Once that is done, you need to tune your antenna and adjust the length that is optimal for your setup because the antenna is essentially only half of what receives a signal. The other half is actually the car itself, with the exterior being the ground in most cases.

As Chris mentioned, you can make your own antenna and it'll only cost you a few bucks, BUT you really need to have a good understanding of how frequency modulation and/or amplitude works to be successful.

Having said all that, I think everyone should just stick with FRS radios. True, they are UHF spectrum transmissions, but regardless of relying heavily on line-of-sight communication, the quality and range in general trumps all other transmission protocols. There's more to it than that, as Chris knows, but it's boring lol.

 

Me too man I need to buy a walkie too !!! How much does yours guys run for?

 

I think I paid $1.40 for two Dixie cups and some string. The range isnt all the great though...

 

Fishing line, my friend. Fishing line and Progresso soup cans lol

 

Smart ***...lol

 

of course, can you count on anything else but that from me?

 

I think Chris paid $100 he said for his two yellow Motorola's.

 

Ouch, I kinda wanna stick to Campbell soup and dental floss... S..t this is pricey!!!!!

 

Chris is a bit of a communications nerd though, I think I paid $30 for a pair a while back.

 

Actually they were $50 from Radio Shack. I bought them the day we all cruised to Bodega Bay on HWY 1

 

I guess I ll buy some this coming up week!!

 

Maybe I thought $50 each lol

 

Nice profile pic Chris....
I believe my Motorola ones where 50$@ costco few yrs ago. Haven't had any problems with them. I really really dont get none of that mombo-jumbo u guys are talking about with the ****ng antena **** and frequency crap hahaha i jst know how to use them hahaha....i think ill stick with the red cups nd a string. All i know is that it worka both ways lol

 

Thanks Jose. The simple walkies we've been using are perfect for what we use them for. There's really no reason to learn communication lingo unless you become interested in it.

 

I'm with you Mickael we just need a couple spools of floss. At least well never have to worry about interference on our frequency