Icom F221S UHF Radio - GMRS Mobile

**acruxksa** · 12-07-2007, 01:07 PM

Greetings,
Anyone have any experience installing this radio in an FJ? I'm torn between going this route or just putting in a CB. The reason I'm leaning towards the Mobile GMRS is that I can then buy cheap blister pack radios for my family and have a reasonable comms range with the FJ acting as a base station. Portable CB radios are another option, but they seem pretty big and are much more expensive to replace than the frs/gmrs type radios.

What I'm basically asking is if anyone has a similar setup and if it helped increase the range they could communicate with the handhelds. On the surface it would seem like a better antenna and more Tx power could only help, but sometimes the real world results are less than one would expect. We have 50acres in the interior that is reasonably flat with trees and I would like to be able to reliably communicate within that area. Handheld to handheld doesn't quite cut it at the edges of the property.

I'm fully aware of the GMRS license requirement and have no qualms about getting it should I decide to go with GMRS. The other question I have is, it appears most GMRS devices are limited to 5w, is a different license required to Tx at a higher output power? Can the F221S be programmed to reduce it's output power? (knowing Icom, I believe this must be possible, although I may need a different model). The licensing and Tx power issues seem a bit troubling, so I may in the end just end up getting a high quality Icom handheld for myself and giving the kids the blister pack radios, but I would really like to go the base station route if possible.

**radiorobwalker** · 12-07-2007, 01:52 PM

GMRS is a good solution for what you want to do. Antenna height is an important factor in your GMRS setup. Also, you might want to really conside the lack of space in the FJ when it comes to sticking a radio in there.
The Icom F221 isn't a remote head radio, so you'll be mounting the whole thing in a place where you can get at it. There are several other choices for radios. The Kenwood TK-830 comes to mind, as does a Motorola Spectra.
Both can be found configured as remote head radios and can be had for cheap. (Read: Under $250) The frequency programming is a one shot deal and must be done by someone with the software and cables, but there are several of us on the board that program radios.

If you haven't been there yet, I suggest looking at the GMRS FAQ page. Popular Wireless Magazines: GMRS & FRS Frequently Asked Questions

Good luck.

**acruxksa** · 12-07-2007, 03:16 PM

Thanks,
I'll look into the other units.

I just completed my fcc license app and have bought 3 Motorola t7200's for the family, so I guess I'm committed now.

I also joined popular wireless's forum - good source of info.

**acruxksa** · 12-08-2007, 01:41 PM

Radiorobwalker,
Thanks again. I just picked up a pretty complete motorola spectra setup on e-bay for $200. I will have to get a better antenna / cable, but it's remote mountable and seem like it should work great for my needs. They are even going to program the first 25 channels for free so I should be good to go. At least initially, these things have a habit of snow balling into a huge money sink for me though

My wife just rolled here eyes when I told her of my new project.

**radiorobwalker** · 12-10-2007, 12:00 AM

Good luck with that Spectra! They are great radios. If you're new to Motorola radios, I suggest you read some of the posts at Batboard • Index page You'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about the big /\/\.

Make sure you DO NOT ask for any programming software on that message board. After you read a few posts, you'll see why.

Drop me a PM if I can help.

***LandCruiserSteve*** · 12-10-2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

radiorobwalker previously said:

The frequency programming is a one shot deal and must be done by someone with the software and cables, but there are several of us on the board that program radios.

radiorobwalker, are there any mobile GMRS units that do not require software programming and have the same user-programmable features as a hand-held (i.e., channel / privacy code selection)??

**radiorobwalker** · 12-10-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

LandCruiserSteve previously said:

radiorobwalker, are there any mobile GMRS units that do not require software programming and have the same user-programmable features as a hand-held (i.e., channel / privacy code selection)??

Steve, none that I'm aware of. Most (if not all) of the GMRS mobile radios are commercial grade radios that are software programmable only. However, a dealer may have pre-programmed radios that they sell as part of a GMRS package. These are usualy lower tier radios that are not as bullet proof as the public safety grade radios that I'm fond of, like the Moto Spectra and Kenwood TK series below.

Remember, Some radios are easier to configure than others. For example, Kenwood mobiles are a snap to program and Motorola radios are more involved than most. It's a matter of having the correct cable, software, radio interface box or "RIB" and a computer that's able to run the software.

Almost every commercial radio will have all of the features you could want, including an up to a 50 watt power output, multiple channels, CTCSS or "privacy tone", scan, remote head mounting options and loads of other bells and whistles.

As another nice feature, many commercial radios may be able to be programmed for both 70cm ham freqs and GMRS, while a UHF ham radio is not type accecpted for GMRS and can't be used or both services.

If you're looking for a GMRS mobile or commercial radio to use as a ham rig, do your homework on the radio. What may look like a great deal may wind up costing more in the way of programming and purchasing any missing accessories. Also, the band split (the frequency spread that radio covers) may be incompatable with what you want to use the radio for.

I'm happy to help in any way I can. I'm always just a PM away.

**acruxksa** · 12-10-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

radiorobwalker previously said:

..................... You'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about the big /\/\.

Make sure you DO NOT ask for any programming software on that message board. After you read a few posts, you'll see why.

................

Ya, I'm wise to big /\/\'s ways. I've owned their cellphones for years.

The biggest issue I'm having right now is that I began the process of signing up for an MOL account to buy the spectra RSS only to find out that it has been discontinued

My next mobile will be a TK 830. (and yes there will be a next, I'm already thinking about putting one in the wifes car

, then there's the house.................)

Since they eliminated morse code from the basic (no code) amatuer license I may eventually get that too. I always avoided it because I detest morse. My uscg license used to require 6 word per minute on a flashing light, which I would religiously learn before every test and then promptly forget 30 seconds after passing the test, but there is a huge difference between 6wpm flashing light and 12 or 13wpm cw so I always put it off. Alas, no more flashing light for me since they don't make any bigger licenses for me to upgrade to

so I would likely never bother learning CW to upgrade my amateur license.

**radiorobwalker** · 12-10-2007, 02:45 PM

They eliminated code from the Technician ham license years ago, and just recently eliminated code from the upgraded licenses. If you're looking to get your ham license, there's no code to stand in your way!

It's a little studying, and the whole world is open to you!

As far as GMRS goes, you may want to consider a repeater for your property. It's easy to set up and if you got the antenna up high enough you’d have solid coverage across all of your acreage, even on a portable.

And yes, the RSS for Spectra is NLA from Motorola, as is the software for programming any of the other popular surplus radios, like the very rugged Saber portables. So, let me know if you need a hand with that Spectra.