Two-way radios

[76nemo]

What are you guys/gals using for two-way radios? I have been eyeballing Motorola's Talkabout's. The set I have my eyes on has a 25 mile range. Of course that's not in a building or highrise I realize, poet didn't know it:roll: :grin:

You guys have any opinions on specific models or functions you have really found useful in the field?

 

[480sparky]

I've had a couple pairs of 2ways that operate on the FRS frequencies. I don't think that's the kind that have the 25-mile range. Maybe 2 under ideal conditions.

I found in concrete & steel buildings, they didn't work well at about 500-600 feet. Maybe those with the 25-mile claims will work better.

But they work great it wood-frame construction. Several channels, paging capability, etc. I can see the advantage of them.

 

[76nemo]

I've had a couple pairs of 2ways that operate on the FRS frequencies. I don't think that's the kind that have the 25-mile range. Maybe 2 under ideal conditions.

I found in concrete & steel buildings, they didn't work well at about 500-600 feet. Maybe those with the 25-mile claims will work better.

But they work great it wood-frame construction. Several channels, paging capability, etc. I can see the advantage of them.

Thanks Ken. Using the FRS frequencies, could you clearly talk to a helper in a finished highrise 6,7,8 floors up/down?

EDIT: Sorry Ken, I see you wrote, "under ideal conditions".

 

[480sparky]

Thanks Ken. Using the FRS frequencies, could you clearly talk to a helper in a finished highrise 6,7,8 floors up/down?

Never used them on any jobs that high. Usually one or two-floor jobs. But they didn't work so well through a lot of CMU walls (usually over 6 they'd get hard to use), so I'd bet they're the same with concrete floors as well.

The price has really come down... my first pair was $300. So they're definately worth getting these days, even with their limitations.

 

[mdshunk]

I tend to buy whatever FRS radios happen to be on sale. They get busted up and lost pretty easily. The camping supply stores usually have pretty good deals around deer season.

In PA, we have 6 seasons. Spring, Turkey, Summer, Fall, Deer, and Winter.

 

[76nemo]

Here's what I'm eyeballing

Here's what I'm eyeballing

Yeah Ken, they have come down aways from the $300 range. Here's what I like for $65:grin: :smile: :wink:


http://www.twowayradioonline.com/T9500.asp


What do you think?

 

[76nemo]

Anyone out there tried or used that specific set????

 

[480sparky]

I tend to buy whatever FRS radios happen to be on sale. They get busted up and lost pretty easily. The camping supply stores usually have pretty good deals around deer season.

In PA, we have 6 seasons. Spring, Turkey, Summer, Fall, Deer, and Winter.

In Iowa, it's two.... Winter and Road Repair.

 

[iwire]

These look rugged. :smile:

Seriously Motorola makes some great models, but I have to agree with Marc, they get trashed quickly.

 

[76nemo]

These look rugged. :smile:

Seriously Motorola makes some great models, but I have to agree with Marc, they get trashed quickly.

Eeeeeshhhh, hope there's working elevators everywhere you go if you use that model:grin:

I like the model in the link I listed. Shoot, $80 w/shipping, not bad at all. They also have a camo model as well. I had to somewhat chuckle at that. Yeah, get the camo model, and drop those in the woods, there goes $80, but hey, the color blind deer couldn't see it anyway. Won't spook them with the camo version:roll:

 

[480sparky]

You could go a little old-fashioned as well...

 

[76nemo]

No kidding,......

No kidding,......

You could go a little old-fashioned as well...

At least your idea is alot easier on the back. Bob was trying to retire me before I even opened up the gear bags!

These would be cheaper. Have you used that model Ken? Are they successful through several floors of concrete, say a minimum of 3-4 floors?

 

[ultramegabob]

I have some Uniden GMR855-2CK handheld radios, they work pretty good, probley get 1/2 to 3/4 mile in the city due to buildings, trees, and power lines. Im sure they would get a couple miles easy in an open area. Some areas around me other people use them and they can cut in on you when your talking, so heres what Im going to get next....

http://www.hitechwireless.com/TriSq...UserID=1883159&SessionID=yjQPQpxTPfSHSL7QsrXU

 

[480sparky]

...These would be cheaper. Have you used that model Ken? Are they successful through several floors of concrete, say a minimum of 3-4 floors?

They work great!

It's the GC, however, who keeps yelling at me for core drilling all those holes in the floor.

You may want to try these, as well:

Sorry, I couldn't find an image of an Aldis lamp or the Semaphore positions on such short notice.

 

[76nemo]

I have some Uniden GMR855-2CK handheld radios, they work pretty good, probley get 1/2 to 3/4 mile in the city due to buildings, trees, and power lines. Im sure they would get a couple miles easy in an open area. Some areas around me other people use them and they can cut in on you when your talking, so heres what Im going to get next....

http://www.hitechwireless.com/TriSq...UserID=1883159&SessionID=yjQPQpxTPfSHSL7QsrXU

Pretty neat Bob, have you tried them yet first hand?

 

[76nemo]

They work great!

It's the GC, however, who keeps yelling at me for core drilling all those holes in the floor.

You may want to try these, as well:

Sorry, I couldn't find an image of an Aldis lamp or the Semaphore positions on such short notice.

"Engine 64 to Engine 61, we have smoke rolling out of floor 6, it seems to be intermittent, a second caller stated he saw them from the second floor as well. We'll need to get at least four more trucks here, like pronto!"


:grin: :roll: :grin: LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ultramegabob]

Pretty neat Bob, have you tried them yet first hand?

not yet, but I have been reading about them for a while...

 

[brian john]

Bob when I was a kid in the 50's my dad had those fields radios and field phones in his office (retired as a Command Sergent Major 33 years service). My brother and I could be entertained for hours and hours playing with them on Saturdays as my father did his work

 

[ultramegabob]

Most people dont realize, that you are supposed to be licensed to operate all these FRS/GMRS radios on the GMRS frequencies. and the FRS frequencies are actually supposed to be for non-commercial use. These laws arnt typically enforced, but who knows when you will run across someone with a burr in thier behind that complains about you to the FCC....

 

[76nemo]

Most people dont realize, that you are supposed to be licensed to operate all these FRS/GMRS radios on the GMRS frequencies. and the FRS frequencies are actually supposed to be for non-commercial use. These laws arnt typically enforced, but who knows when you will run across someone with a burr in thier behind that complains about you to the FCC....

Good answer Bob, I had wondered about that. Any hunters around here can buy them eight days out of the week My brother who works maintenance here for the local school system can't have anything with a range over four miles without the school having the licensing.

I am still reading up on the link you sent me on what you are considering next.

Thanks alot Bob, you've been a big help. Thanks again.