2m radio?

[MidKnight123]

Hi

Im new to the amateur side of things, havent got lic yet, im only starting to look into it. but my first question is, is a 2m radio any good? or is 70cm better way to go?

[Nick]

Howdy, Basically 2 metres has more repeaters throughout the state / country.Generally has more power and being lower in frequency more range and much less mobile chop . Hope this helps.
Nick VK6YNE

[MidKnight123]

comparing UHF CB operating on simplex and 2m also on simplex,what sort of range would the 2m give, and is it like uhf that if theres a hill in between the radios it shortens the range

[WPXZBP]

Depends on whether you are using 5W or more and whether you are operating on FM or other modes. It's like asking "How long is a piece of string?"

From personal experience you get better range from handheld radios on 2m than 70cm.

Hills will impact more on higher frequencies than lower frequencies thus they would impact more on UHF.

[Nick]

vhf hiband (2 metres) is affected by hills and terrain as is uhf however the effect is less.The antenna is physically longer for two metres (approx 500mm for a quarter wave vs 150mm for uhf ) . The 2 metre repeater at Mt William (Yarloop) is able to easily contact amateur operaters in Bunbury ,Busselton ,Collie Boddington etc From Most Perth base stations .
This I hope gives you an idea of the performance.

[MidKnight123]

so the repeater is basically the same as the uhf repeater, its shared for all users, except you wont have as many dickheads on it

[Nick]

Lots more power . Most operators also have SELF discipline bought on by the study required to get a full license hence they try to keep it as pleasant hobby . Other advantages are you can use your two metre radio also to talk to other countries as we have repeater linking via the internet.
Also NO four letter words or conversations that you would not like your wife and kids to hear. Imagine leaving the local cb repeater channel on for your kids to listen to.
It is worth the basic study bto gain a foundation license to get a taste and see if you want to continue study for advance priviledges.

[Bonez]

2m is far better in range than UHF CB. I've been in Bunbury before in my car, parked on a driveway and have been able to talk directly to the Roleystone repeater.

One of the disadvantages of 2m is that it's very close to the pager frequencies, and is prone to a lot of interference when driving around the city area... most of the problems occur in Perth/Subiaco but once you get out into the suburbs it's pretty good, unless you drive past a big pager tower

[The Green Bastard]

That of course would of been ducting.

[Bonez]

Indeed.