Batboard

Ok, In your opinion what band would be BEST to run IMBE Apco25 on in a rural environment (pine trees, mountains...)? This would be closer-range simplex (within a mile).

VHF

I use IMBE on VHF in the Catskill Mountains regularly. There is also a nearby conventional VHF IMBE PS repeater that I can pick up over 60 air miles away.

Pretty much the same deal here in the Olympic Mountains. I can't imagine a UHF system performing nearly as well as a VHF system, mainly due to the differences in propagation and multipath. But that's for both close and long-range communications.

If you're using radios close-in and would never use them for longer-range applications, I can only imagine that the band really wouldn't matter (FRS/GMRS radios for example)...

kj7xe wrote:
If you're using radios close-in and would never use them for longer-range applications, I can only imagine that the band really wouldn't matter (FRS/GMRS radios for example)...

I had the same exact thought when I first read this thread
earlier today.

In the technical sense, I've found that almost any band can
be made to work, IF the system is properly engineered, which
can be taken to mean you have enough sites and remote
receivers, which in the final sense translates to enough money.

Cool, thats what I was thinking (The VHF part and the having enough money part too). It was coming down to either VHF or 800, lol and I know 800 would do awful in that environment.

VHF is definitely best in the environment you've described.

Here in the Albuquerque area with the Sandia Mtns. nearby, I've experienced first hand how much better VHF simplex works amongst the Pinon Pines, Junipers and uneven terrain than UHF simplex.

Even 2 watt MURS H/T's (Midland MURS 22) get nearly twice the range and better clarity than my Motorola UHF MTS2000's using a GMRS frequency at 4 watts.

For sure, go with VHF.

Just my 2 cents, for what it's worth...

Law Enforcement and Fire is going to a statewide P-25 interoperable project on UHF 450ish here in West Virginia and so far it works prettygood..

VHF nothing more......