danny: have they ever tried real quality Am and FM broadcast band receiving antennas? sounds like they've got some property, so antenna sizes and locations shouldnt' be an issue. A directional yaggi for the FM broadcast band will fix any issues they're having with fringe reception. A good long wire for the AM broadcast band will also fix those receiving issues...I would suggest a beverage antenna...low to the ground, but very lengthy for best broadcast band reception. Something over 1000 feet should do the trick very nicely. As for personal coms, there is quite a staggering variety of FRS radios availible with VOX features etc. If they are looking at communications of say half a mile or so, over relatively flat ground, any decent FRS rig with vox and a headset will work very well. No need for commercial gear or spending of allot of money to get this stuff. I would do some searches for this kind of gear with google and see what sort of options you can come up with. As for the AM/FM antennas, lots of those are availible on the consumer market as well. Put up a sky loop tuned for the middle of the AM broadcast band and that'll fix allot of their receiving issues. As for the other part about a good receiver that can digitally record, no idea there. 73 Colin, V A6BKX ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan B Dyer Jr,/Danny" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2011 9:22 PM Subject: OTNeed RadioRecorder +2WaySimplex Radio Guidance > As a lifetime blind, longtime ham, who's not really found what he's = > seeking in his on line searching, and actually prefering anecdotal = > experience to advertising,/(Maybe that comes from my more than 40 years = > in broadcasting,) > *I Really need to tap into the combined wisdom of those on these lists, > interested in listening to and recording from radios,=20 > as well as those participating in=20 > simplex two way radio communications. =20 > **Although not directly ham radio related, > this_ Ham would sure appreciate hearing from you, In order to help my = > sister and her husband, , {who, though not hams, are really interested = > in this type of thing,}make some informed radio purchasing decisions. > ***And, of course, if you have anything along either of these lines to = > offer for sale or swap, I'm interested in hearing that too. But even if = > you don't, let me hear your observations, your = > experience/Recommendations. > Please reply off list to, and many thanks from, > Danny Dyer, Wb4idu. > *Background,=20 > **1, my sister and her husband live in an area where there is no = > internet access except for dial up, which is too slow for streaming = > radio, and Hughes Net Satelite, the cost of which is=20 > prohibitive. > So Internet Radio_*Isn't useable at this point. > *2They live in a mountainous, fringe area for the FM and A M stations = > they want to hear/record, (There's not even a cell signal available = > except at the top of their property, a good quarter mile from the = > house.) > There interest is mainly voice/talk radio, and they'd like to be able to = > set the units' timer to turn on and off, the recording when they're not = > there. Something with a digital tuner for exactness sake, but with a = > sensitivity that's better than most; and something with a fairly good = > possibly upgradeable recording capacity: > *{something as good as the first two models of the GE Super Radio, = > that's digital with a recorder, is there such a thing?} > *Either portable or desktop is fine. > ***Secondarily, > *1, They have occasion to trim limbs and cut down trees on their = > property. > Husband who usually operates the chainsaw, and wife who helps to watch = > and signal him from a ways back, as things progress. =20 > **2, They need some type of vox operated, hands free, two way units, = > that are either built into helmits, or can be added to such, so they can = > adequately stay in touch with each other, despite noise and motion. > ***Any help in either venue will be greatly_ appreciated. > Thank You, Danny Dyer, Wb4idu.