Easy to operate 2 meter HT for the wife? NOT Baofeng

My wife has no interest in getting an operator’s license, but she has mild interest in carrying an ht with her for emergency comms.

What are some recommendations for a rugged, easy to use, high output 2 meter ht? I don’t want baofeng or another cheaper radio for this application due the high spurious emissions and vulnerability to being over powered by stronger signals.

Around $100 would be good.

 

@Rujack From my understanding, you absolutely need a license to operate (transmit) between 144 MHz and 148MHz (2 meter). Does she want to transmit or just listen? Do you need NOAA weather station capability? Is the test for the license something she wants to avoid?

I have a GMRS license (WREC674, if you're listening in my area) and there is no test involved. There is a one time fee, and all of your immediate and extended family can operate on it using your license. Unfortunately, your options are limited to FRS if you don't want a license. this means you have to transmit at less that 2 watts on most channels and .5 watts on some (8-14 I believe).

If you'd like a decent radio with FRS and GMRS capability, I'd recommend a pair of Midland GTX1000.

 

You’re right about the license, with the exception of emergency comms, in which case she could transmit. I think I could keep working on pushing her to get her technician class, esp if I show her how it works and let her do some third-party traffic with me.

I want to stick with a 2 meter radio since there are so many repeaters.

It’s not the test per se that she’s avoiding, it’s the studying. She’s a little intimidated by it despite it not being terribly complicated.

 

The TYT DMR radios come in 2m and have an analog capability. They're pretty cheap too since most DMR repeaters seem to be on 70cm. Maybe worth a look

 

You're absolutely right about the emergency communications and I think you have a good idea. Here's the FCC's ruling for reference:

§ 97.401 Operation during a disaster.
(a) When normal communication systems are overloaded, damaged or disrupted because a disaster has occurred, or is likely to occur, in an area where the amateur service is regulated by the FCC, an amateur station may make transmissions necessary to meet essential communication needs and facilitate relief actions.

So there are criteria that obviously need to be met to allow this. However, it might not be wise for your first transmission being in an emergency. Go ahead and keep a 2m unit handy, maybe get some practice in on FRS too. Are you licensed?

 

Htx-202. It's old school but fricken robust.

Yaesu ft1dr can be had used for a pinch over $100 in the right market.

Baofengs as cheap as they are are reliable enough. Tyt and wouxen (sp) is in the sameish category.

Radioddity radios have been my recent go to. On the cheaper side but very effective especially in the dmr category.

Honestly, push on her to get her tech ticket. It's not hard and keeps things legit. Granted in an emergency nearly anything goes... To an extent permissable by law, but still very much advise against the current plan.

-PyroTaco (Licensed ham)

 

Thanks. Yes, I’m licensed. KM6GWZ

The idea was to let her operate on my license as third-party traffic during non-emergency conditions, which I understand to be perfectly legal, to get the hang of it.

 

The HTX-202 looks good, I’ll have to take a closer look but it makes a lot of sense.

The reason I want to avoid the cheaper baofeng etc is that I understand that they can easily be over powered by stronger signals, which I can see being increasingly likely and more consequential in an emergency.

 

Just to clarify, she can operate under your direct supervision only.

As for being overpowered, I honestly wouldn't worry about it that much. You're talking really extreme circumstances at which point probably any HT or mobile unit would become desensed.

 

Yes understood re: under my supervision. Just so she knows what to do when I’m not around.

 

Looking at the HTX202, it won’t do. She wants it to fit in her purse. Makes sense and seems reasonable, but

 

It does... If you remove the rubber duck and the battery