I've built 2 "Handie-Talkie" type devices.Using DOJORI DRA818V VHF Band Voice Transceiver Module V1.21- I have found them on Ebay- in single lot quantities for $11. You program them with a USB to TTL (UART) serial dongle. You can program them with CTCSS and DPL, both receive and Xmit. 1 watt output. I've run them at 3.0V (2AA's) and they tune 134-174 Mhz. There is also a UHF version- DRA818U. They will remember (powered off) 1TX freq, 1RX freq. RX or TX Tone type, RX or TX Tone Frequency, It has 8 squelch levels and 8 volume levels.. TX out is 500/1000mW
It basically looks like a 1/2 stick of gum in aluminum foil wrap. Down side.. simple 3-4 component bandpass filter needed on XMIT.. 2nd harmonic reduction is needed.
-Larry W8LM
