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For the purpose you're using them for, your present radios ought to work just fine. If you want to 'up-grade', that's normal, but I really don't think it's necessary. I also think your thinking is probably right about the antennas being used. No idea why you don't seem to have more 'range' except maybe they aren't tuned all that well?? I don't think a fiberglass antenna is the solution. Nothing wrong with them, they do just as well as all metal antennas. Their biggest draw back is that they are sort of 'fragile', especially in colder weather. Fiberglass can get brittle, which is not good if it has to take some heavy knocks. I think your best bet would be going in the other direction, as in using a 'standard' 102" whip. You'll certainly hit things with them, but they tend to withstand that sort of thingy fairly well. A 'stake-pocket' mount ought to work out as good as any in your particular application. Installing/tuning them is sort of a 'given', you should do that right.
If you're really thinking about a 'wide' system for yours and other's general use, you might look into a 'MURS/FRS' type thing. That can be used for commercial purposes, and would typically have the range you're looking for (the MURS, not the FRS, but FRS could give you more general public 'input' for informational purposes, sort of). A VHS radio system should provide you with all the local range you'd need. If not, and especially if other companies think it's a good idea, you could set up a repeater for it fairly easily (NOT cheaply, just easily, and those other companies could help defray the cost, they pay a cell phone bill so what's the difference). A 'dedicated' radio system is almost always worth the effort in the long run.
Oh well, just a thought.
- 'Doc

<blockquote data-quote="W5LZ" data-source="post: 156238" data-attributes="member: 129">For the purpose you&#039;re using them for, your present radios ought to work just fine.&nbsp; If you want to &#039;up-grade&#039;, that&#039;s normal, but I really don&#039;t think it&#039;s necessary.&nbsp; I also think your thinking is probably right about the antennas being used.&nbsp; No idea why you don&#039;t seem to have more &#039;range&#039; except maybe they aren&#039;t tuned all that well??&nbsp; I don&#039;t think a fiberglass antenna is the solution.&nbsp; Nothing wrong with them, they do just as well as all metal antennas.&nbsp; Their biggest draw back is that they are sort of &#039;fragile&#039;, especially in colder weather.&nbsp; Fiberglass can get brittle, which is not good if it has to take some heavy knocks.&nbsp; I think your best bet would be going in the other direction, as in using a &#039;standard&#039; 102&quot; whip.&nbsp; You&#039;ll certainly hit things with them, but they tend to withstand that sort of thingy fairly well.&nbsp; A &#039;stake-pocket&#039; mount ought to work out as good as any in your particular application.&nbsp; Installing/tuning them is sort of a &#039;given&#039;, you should do that right.If you&#039;re really thinking about a &#039;wide&#039; system for yours and other&#039;s general use, you might look into a &#039;MURS/FRS&#039; type thing.&nbsp; That can be used for commercial purposes, and would typically have the range you&#039;re looking for (the MURS, not the FRS, but FRS could give you more general public &#039;input&#039; for informational purposes, sort of).&nbsp; A VHS radio system should provide you with all the local range you&#039;d need.&nbsp; If not, and especially if other companies think it&#039;s a good idea, you could set up a repeater for it fairly easily (NOT cheaply, just easily, and those other companies could help defray the cost, they pay a cell phone bill so what&#039;s the difference).&nbsp; A &#039;dedicated&#039; radio system is almost always worth the effort in the long run.&nbsp; Oh well, just a thought.&nbsp;- &#039;Doc</blockquote>

[QUOTE="W5LZ, post: 156238, member: 129"] For the purpose you're using them for, your present radios ought to work just fine. If you want to 'up-grade', that's normal, but I really don't think it's necessary. I also think your thinking is probably right about the antennas being used. No idea why you don't seem to have more 'range' except maybe they aren't tuned all that well?? I don't think a fiberglass antenna is the solution. Nothing wrong with them, they do just as well as all metal antennas. Their biggest draw back is that they are sort of 'fragile', especially in colder weather. Fiberglass can get brittle, which is not good if it has to take some heavy knocks. I think your best bet would be going in the other direction, as in using a 'standard' 102" whip. You'll certainly hit things with them, but they tend to withstand that sort of thingy fairly well. A 'stake-pocket' mount ought to work out as good as any in your particular application. Installing/tuning them is sort of a 'given', you should do that right. If you're really thinking about a 'wide' system for yours and other's general use, you might look into a 'MURS/FRS' type thing. That can be used for commercial purposes, and would typically have the range you're looking for (the MURS, not the FRS, but FRS could give you more general public 'input' for informational purposes, sort of). A VHS radio system should provide you with all the local range you'd need. If not, and especially if other companies think it's a good idea, you could set up a repeater for it fairly easily (NOT cheaply, just easily, and those other companies could help defray the cost, they pay a cell phone bill so what's the difference). A 'dedicated' radio system is almost always worth the effort in the long run. Oh well, just a thought. - 'Doc [/QUOTE]

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