[Az-Geocaching] Garmin Rino 520/530

[Lisa G.]

Roping The Wind wrote:

> So all this is great and definetly looks like a great device for a 
> balloon operation. The key question is this: will it be a better and 
> farther reaching radio than my current 1 watt Motorola's? I already 
> have a GPS and if the Rino cant live up to my needs, it wouldnt be 
> money well spent. The key thing I am trying to understand is... the 
> motorola radio is a different type of radio and I think it is a higher 
> frequency than the GMRS radios. With that, if you have only 1 watt in 
> a higher frequency radio than 5 watts in a lower frequency radio... 
> which is going to be more powerful and reach farther out?

I've neglected to respond because I'm not exactly an expert, but I'll 
say what I do know regarding standard AM/FM radio bands.  AM radio has a 
lower frequency.  It has the ability to reach farther, but is more 
susceptible to environmental interference.  FM has a higher 
frequency...it doesn't reach as far, but is more reliable.  That why AM 
radio has a crappier quality overall, but sometimes you find yourself 
picking up things from very far away (I once picked up something 
broadcasting from Arkansas when I was in Austin, TX).  My guess is that 
the 5 watt lower frequency would reach farther, and the additional 
wattage would be enough to help overcome the additional susceptibility 
to environmental interference, but that is just that...a guess.

-Lisa