Setting up a family radio network

[forth77]

Hi I have been thinking of setting up a family radio network for the family instead of using phones. I was thinking of getting some sort of contract with a radio hire firm for the job and get them to sort out the kits and stuff. Would like to here peoples thoughts on this. Cheers 73

[superdave]

What size area would it need to cover?

[forth77]

A few countys and I see that one of the radio companys have a community reapeater that would cover the area required

[radiogaga]

A few countys and I see that one of the radio companys have a community reapeater that would cover the area required

I think you'll find that's going to get VERY costly!

Probably cheaper and easier to get them all on a Foundation Licence course

[forth77]

How much would we be looking at if it was a shared transmitter with a few taxi firms

[radiogaga]

How much would we be looking at if it was a shared transmitter with a few taxi firms

It's going to depend on the local companies you've already looked at but as a ball park figure.. £30(ish) a quarter per radio (base/mobile/portable) + OFCOM licence costs + equipment... + Any other costs the repeater operator decides to charge, some want an annual fee or initial fee..

Foundation Licence is going to be £30-£40 and that's you licenced for life...

HF thru UHF ....

[radiogaga]

Duplicate ... Sorry

[forth77]

Ok thanks for that I know a few local private hire driver and they said that they get a full radio set up for £210 a year ( the company have one base station and 2 mobiles and 3 handhelds) I have a foundation myself and we would also be using the radios as I am self employed maintence so thats why we cant use ham

[radiogaga]

Ahh.. OK, read you first post which said "family radio network", which would be fine for Amateur Radio.

I agree you'll need a PMR setup... Good luck.

[forth77]

Ok thanks it would be used for work and family use but thanks anyway

[Admiral]

I'd stick with mobile phones if I were thee.

[forth77]

Why do you say that

[TheBestGuyInTheWorld]

I'd just look for some good contract deals for GSM phones.

[Panteneman]

I'd just look for some good contract deals for GSM phones.

In the case of this instance, I would seriously consider GiffGaff SIM cards. It's bound to work out cheaper than using PMR, which is why many businesses and people use phones now.

I know, this sounds like a counter productive idea but unfortunately it sounds the best to suit your needs.

UNLESS - You went totally old school and expected them to all use CB radio. But, I don't think family members would take kindly to having a load of cheap 1/2 wave Silver Rods plonked on their houses!

Another thing to consider is - using anything for two way radio is broadcast 'in the clear', for anyone to pick up with a scanner. Again, another reason why people moved away from PMR or using radio (especially the emergency services).

THIS SAID - I did get my GF to use PMR 446 handhelds to chat to a friend of hers several streets away to save on phone credit with successful results.

[forth77]

Thanks very much for all the advice and another reason we were considering pmr was because a lot of the areas in lothians where we work are quite bad cellular signal and we know that we would be able to use a repeater to cover they areas