Two-way radios

[infinity]

We gave up on NEXTEL PTT communications long ago. They just aren't reliable in high rise buildings. Go above the 15th floor and they don't work, go down into the basement and they don't work. Although VHF/UHF radios are expensive they do offer great reliability which is paramount when doing things like pulling large feeder conductors. Nothing worse than have to stop a long wire pull and having radios that don't work.

 

[480sparky]

If you're pulling 3 #4s and an 8 across two bays of a strip mall, FRS-type radios are the way to go.

If you're pulling six parallel runs of 750s up 12 floors of a high-rise, then you've got the money to buy something a little more reliable than a $20 'CB radio'.

Don't try to skimp out here.... buy the right tool for the job.

 

[brian john]

Nothing worse than have to stop a long wire pull and having radios that don't work.

and yelling down the shaft or empty conduit

"FEED THAT &*%^$#*@( cable,

SOAP IT YOU &*^%$(##$%",

"FEED IT",

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ENGLISH".

and the response "what did you say?"

 

[K8MHZ]

For toughness, you can't beat Motorola products. The business band radios I have used are Motorola Radius and they take a beating. I have used them in foundries where they got dropped all the time and never failed. I have had Motorola pagers go through wash machines and dryers and still work. My Nextel I60 got washed a couple times too, and never failed.

Next up to dependability would be Yaesu R series. I have an FT-50RD that has taken several spills of my belt, once it hit the concrete so hard it knocked the battery off it and but a fair sized gouge in the case, I just put the battery back on and it worked. One time it fell off my belt and skidded across the concrete and scratched the display all up. It worked fine and I used a polish made for plastic to fix the display.

Any tough radio will be expensive. The Radius rigs run 500 bucks or better per copy. They are business band radios and a license is needed and the FCC does enforce the rules on the business bands.

 

[K8MHZ]

Here is a great site to visit to learn about radios that can be used for business purposes. Check out the MURS band and the Motorola Spirits for that band.

http://www.ultimatefrs.com/murs.html

 

[cowboyjwc]

I used to have a pair of voice activated radios, so you could keep working and talk to your partner at the same time, they also had a switch so they could be converted to push to talk. Like I said they were old (had this big whip antenna on the headset) never really tested the range, but they worked great for pulling wire and such. I believe I got them at Radio Shack or some such place. No channel selector, but never had anyone talk over me either.

I've worked events where we've used some of the other types you guys have talked about and it's a real pain when someone gets on your channel and you have to have 20 people change after you find a clear one.

 

[K8MHZ]

I used to have a pair of voice activated radios, so you could keep working and talk to your partner at the same time, they also had a switch so they could be converted to push to talk. Like I said they were old (had this big whip antenna on the headset) never really tested the range, but they worked great for pulling wire and such. I believe I got them at Radio Shack or some such place. No channel selector, but never had anyone talk over me either.

I've worked events where we've used some of the other types you guys have talked about and it's a real pain when someone gets on your channel and you have to have 20 people change after you find a clear one.

The old VOX radios were probably the 49 MHz rigs. I used to use them too and they did work pretty well. Baby monitors are also in that range. If you want to have some fun, do a band scan on 49 MHz and see what you pick up. Many people think that by turning off the receiver they are turning off their monitors.

NOT!

 

[csparkrun]

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?

i have that 9500 motorola i use for hunting works great. ive used an older model motorola on the 14th floor and worked great 3 floors down, ive even been able to talk to someone on the ground floor but only if they were on the same side of the bldg and i was next to window

 

[K8MHZ]

RE: Motorola 9500

The link takes us to an ad that makes the claim that the 2 watt hand held portables have a range of up to 25 miles.

I sure would like to see that substantiated. These small UHF radios must be marketed by the same folks that sell weight loss programs. Except the weight loss programs can truthfully boast that at least one person has actually done what their product claims.

Can Motorola show us even *one* instance where a pair of 9500s have been able to successfully communicate over a range of 25 miles?

In all honesty, a 2 watt HT will be lucky to work over a range of a mile or so.

Prove me wrong. We may be able to come up with scenarios where this may be possible, but I am looking for actual proof. Sure, we can surmise they would pull off such a feat from mountain top to mountain top but until someone actually does it I remain skeptical.

 

[480sparky]

RE: Motorola 9500

The link takes us to an ad that makes the claim that the 2 watt hand held portables have a range of up to 25 miles.

I sure would like to see that substantiated. These small UHF radios must be marketed by the same folks that sell weight loss programs. Except the weight loss programs can truthfully boast that at least one person has actually done what their product claims.

Can Motorola show us even *one* instance where a pair of 9500s have been able to successfully communicate over a range of 25 miles?

In all honesty, a 2 watt HT will be lucky to work over a range of a mile or so.

Prove me wrong. We may be able to come up with scenarios where this may be possible, but I am looking for actual proof. Sure, we can surmise they would pull off such a feat from mountain top to mountain top but until someone actually does it I remain skeptical.

Maybe they used a parabolic dish around the units' antenna.

 

[K8MHZ]

Maybe they used a parabolic dish around the units' antenna.

I would still like to see that actually work. Gain does not compensate for line of site propagation. Since the horizon in most parts of the world is about 12 miles away, 25 miles seems to be something a salesman would say and not be able to demonstrate, even with a gun to his head.