what two way radio to buy.

[zguy]

I only have 2c to add to this.
Make sure you get radios that you can program with a USB cable.

Also check that the software to achieve this is actually available to home users without an exorbitant cost.

I think the easiest way to get started is with license free. Uhf is probably more ideal for outdoor areas. Vhf is also fine but you will need to see how terrain and mountains affect signal. This is applicable to both uhf and vhf

[Treeman]

Did I not give you a few options? Try them if the guys don't want to do business.

*******************************
I did and then got more options from your leads. Your leads created more questions.
Like should I not just go the licenced route ?, or should I go VHF or licenced UHF ?
 I know less than when I started - honestly!

AAh Treeman, you have just found another rabbit hole to dive into. Please, please, dig deeper, educate yourself, so that you can write it up and let us know what to get without us having to duplicate all the home work

***************************
Tell you what it is, its a total F-up, honestly!
You need a licence for the VHF radio, which I thought I did, after a year abouts waiting I received my short range licence - what I did not know is that the licence is only valid for marine use, you need another for your area and it seems the licence is only valid for 50 km around your specified area.
There appears to be private use licencing as well, but its a " don't even bother Treeman, you will kill someone".
Wherever you go it becomes clear that the demanded licencing needs have no facilities to for fill the needs in regards to processing and accounting for the demanded needs.
You are limited to a mere 0.5 w transmitting power without a licenced radio - to licence the radio ...... as above. Its a circle of you need a licence from a faculty that barely functioning, so can not get the licence to use the radio which need. (posted in a frustrating circle way on purpose)
I ended up buying a licence free set of Bosvark radio's with a booster antenna - we will now see how it works out.

[janfred]

When you have the time, get your HAM radio license. Takes a bit of studying, but that will allow you to use any power level radio transmitter as long as you do not intrude on anyone elses licensed frequencies. It opens up the radio spectrum significantly.

[oafpatroll]

When you have the time, get your HAM radio license. Takes a bit of studying, but that will allow you to use any power level radio transmitter as long as you do not intrude on anyone elses licensed frequencies. It opens up the radio spectrum significantly.

Is there monitoring and enforcement of the rules? When I was a member of an off-road club many people ran off piste without consequence.

[Newton]

Tell you what it is, its a total F-up, honestly!
Its a circle of you need a licence from a faculty that barely functioning, so can not get the licence to use the radio which need. (posted in a frustrating circle way on purpose)
I ended up buying a licence free set of Bosvark radio's with a booster antenna - we will now see how it works out.

Pretty much like every bit of [ mad and maddening] legislation in South Africa
One may not even have a RECEIVE ONLY radio that operates on aviation frequencies
People ( plane watchers ) have been prosecuted

You have to decide on the chances of being apprehended / caught / prosecuted
I am sure the perps have stolen police frequency hopping radios
Obtainable from the same place you get AK's , CZ's , DetKord and caps ...

For serious HAMS's and electronic boffins - easy enough to make your own !

Now THAT is an interesting "rabbit hole"

[Newton]

Is there monitoring and enforcement of the rules? When I was a member of an off-road club many people ran off piste without consequence.

Special dispensation for 4x4 ( and other formally constituted clubs )
You have to be a member in good standing - some other rigmarole - and only used for club activities

[Treeman]

Ok so so I got the cheapie radios, all charged and ready. Today I took the staff home and Cody was at home with the other radio to run a test.
 I live in a fully built up neighbourhood which is considered a green or wooded area by any standards, I also live about 140 m above sea level - the coast is about 9 km away. At exactly, and mentioned exactly because it was actually a 2.4 to click as I switched vehicle off, over to 0002.50 km we had comms. I drove to 2.7 km and we could not hear each other speak only the transmission noise. I drove back to a open spot and told Cody by phone to stand in our front yard with clearest open area in my direction, we had absolutely usable reception.
As far as sending, receiving is concerned, there is no fault with these cheapies, I would actually say they thrice as capable as my set of Cobra radio's were and a lot better than my Zartec (brand I think) perhaps 30 % better.
 I can give no other judgement yet, other than the batteries only took an hour 9 minutes to charge after being and played with a bit, very little for 29 hrs.
 Time will tell the rest, will test on farm land soon.

[Treeman]

The cheapie radios were unbelievable this week end, distances I good not believe over terrain that was supposed to be the cause of very poor reception.
I did not have one reason to complain or even wish for a better radio - 3 km give or take walking to the bakkie distance.
I dropped one radio - 30 cm, no more than that, 30 cm onto hard ground, and damage was instant. The radio needed the battery taken out, in after every switch off to get it on again and would not stay on for 30 minutes. As someone mentioned, one little drop and build quality come to mind.

They really do transmit something incredible, if this is R350 each, then I am expecting a lot for my R 2000 each radio's.
Get the fancy ones Wednesday.

[DaavG]

Which radios did you get Treeman?

[Treeman]

Which radios did you get Treeman?

***************************I bought two Ardvarks and two Baofing radios.
I want to test R2000 against R300 and decide from there if the known name brands are worth their cost.

[DaavG]

Interested to hear your feedback on the Aardvarks in due course...

[Newton]

Interested to hear your feedback on the Aardvarks in due course...

AARDVARK

or

VRATVARK

[Treeman]

Interested to hear your feedback on the Aardvarks in due course...

AARDVARK
or
VRATVARK

*********************************
Sorry about that, yes its actually the Bosvark radio from Vratvark