Please click on the following link: http://www.corncreations.co.uk/i/map.jpg The image you see is that of the general area in which I live, with my home situated toward the bottom left of the picture. 
I am trying to find a reliable means of communication between my home and the beach (running from bottom to top right of image) which lies approx. 0.5 miles away, using something other than cell phones.
It takes about 4 minutes for me to walk the distance from my house to the beach, with the terrain between these 2 points being flat, and covered in what are mostly bungalows. <gotproof>
I've tried communicating over this distance using a pair of PMR radios, each running 0.5 watts. I guess I imagined there would be no problem in obtaining very good communications over such a short distance, whereas in reality it seemed virtually impossible, even with the person using the handset back at my house being situated upstairs.
Another factor worth considering (and one which may potentially make communication even more tricky) is that between land and water is situated a sea wall, over which it is necessary to climb to gain access to the beach.
When I tried the PMR, I was standing on the land side of the sea wall, so I'm guessing that once on the beach side (no longer a line of sight between the 2 handsets) communication is likely to become even more difficult. :headbang
I have considered CB handhelds instead of PMR, but without first buying a pair, and then being stuck with them if they don't perform any better than PMR, its difficult to know whether this idea is sensible. :bdh:
I understand that PMR is actually supposed to be more efficient than CB (even though PMR runs only 0.5 watts as opposed to the 4 watts of a CB handheld) simply because the aerial of a PMR is more efficient than the negative gain rubber duck of a CB, and therefore more successfully 'launches' its signal into the ether. :w00t:
This being the case, and if aerial types is what makes the difference, I could always replace the rubber duck of a CB handheld with a longer whip-type aerial, so as to more successfully benefit from its increased power output.... only problem with this being that bang goes the compact nature of the handheld rig, which I was hoping would just slip into a coat pocket, and be attached to a lapel speaker mic.
Having thought for a long time about the best way to proceed, I happened to recall a time (perhaps about 30 years ago) when out in the countryside with a friend who had with him a AM CB handheld, equipped with a very long telescopic aerial.
If my memory serves me correctly, he managed communication (albeit rather scratchy) to a home base setup connected to a outdoor rod aerial, all of which was located about 3 miles away. :w00t:
So I'm guessing it's probably more about the equipment and aerial installed back at home, than the portable handset itself? :sneaky2:
All of this said, is there really any point in me expecting to achieve reliable communication over a distance of less than a mile using a pair of handsets alone, or should I just use what cash I would have spent on handsets and home base aerials to pay for cellphone call costs? :thumbdown:
Incidentally, how do the authorities manage reliable communications with portable equipment, such as walkie talkies, that seem to have great signal everywhere. I guess they must work through some form of repeater system?
Any constructive advice gratefully received. :drool:
I am trying to find a reliable means of communication between my home and the beach (running from bottom to top right of image) which lies approx. 0.5 miles away, using something other than cell phones.
It takes about 4 minutes for me to walk the distance from my house to the beach, with the terrain between these 2 points being flat, and covered in what are mostly bungalows. <gotproof>
I've tried communicating over this distance using a pair of PMR radios, each running 0.5 watts. I guess I imagined there would be no problem in obtaining very good communications over such a short distance, whereas in reality it seemed virtually impossible, even with the person using the handset back at my house being situated upstairs.
Another factor worth considering (and one which may potentially make communication even more tricky) is that between land and water is situated a sea wall, over which it is necessary to climb to gain access to the beach.
When I tried the PMR, I was standing on the land side of the sea wall, so I'm guessing that once on the beach side (no longer a line of sight between the 2 handsets) communication is likely to become even more difficult. :headbang
I have considered CB handhelds instead of PMR, but without first buying a pair, and then being stuck with them if they don't perform any better than PMR, its difficult to know whether this idea is sensible. :bdh:
I understand that PMR is actually supposed to be more efficient than CB (even though PMR runs only 0.5 watts as opposed to the 4 watts of a CB handheld) simply because the aerial of a PMR is more efficient than the negative gain rubber duck of a CB, and therefore more successfully 'launches' its signal into the ether. :w00t:
This being the case, and if aerial types is what makes the difference, I could always replace the rubber duck of a CB handheld with a longer whip-type aerial, so as to more successfully benefit from its increased power output.... only problem with this being that bang goes the compact nature of the handheld rig, which I was hoping would just slip into a coat pocket, and be attached to a lapel speaker mic.
Having thought for a long time about the best way to proceed, I happened to recall a time (perhaps about 30 years ago) when out in the countryside with a friend who had with him a AM CB handheld, equipped with a very long telescopic aerial.
If my memory serves me correctly, he managed communication (albeit rather scratchy) to a home base setup connected to a outdoor rod aerial, all of which was located about 3 miles away. :w00t:
So I'm guessing it's probably more about the equipment and aerial installed back at home, than the portable handset itself? :sneaky2:
All of this said, is there really any point in me expecting to achieve reliable communication over a distance of less than a mile using a pair of handsets alone, or should I just use what cash I would have spent on handsets and home base aerials to pay for cellphone call costs? :thumbdown:
Incidentally, how do the authorities manage reliable communications with portable equipment, such as walkie talkies, that seem to have great signal everywhere. I guess they must work through some form of repeater system?
Any constructive advice gratefully received. :drool: