2-way radios
09-11-2002, 09:11 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Kingsport Tennessee USA
Posts: 2
2-way radios
I am searching for a set of very GOOD but Cheap 2-way radios for me and my father to use in this up comeing hunting season. My fathers health has been a problem the last year and I have a very dear concern for him while we are i the woods enjoying the hunting season so I want to be able to have contact with him each and every time out. I have looked at several different types and price range but not sure which one would be the best. So I have a couple questions that i am hopeing some of you can answer.. 1. When they say 2 or 5 mile range is that ture? is 5 miles really 5 miles? if I get a 2 mile will I oly really get 1 mile? 2. I have heard that you have to get FCC something before you can get a GMRC type radio.. is that right? 3. Is Midland a good company that makes good radios? 4. How good do they realy work when in the woods? 5. How long do the batteries last?
I have looked at and like the midland F-12 series and would like to know if anyone has used these before.. Thank you so much for you time and trouble.. Best of luck to everyone..
Robert Jr. and Sr.
I have looked at and like the midland F-12 series and would like to know if anyone has used these before.. Thank you so much for you time and trouble.. Best of luck to everyone..
Robert Jr. and Sr.
09-11-2002, 11:30 PM
#2
RE: 2-way radios
We all use the Motorola 6220 FRS radios. They have NEVER let us down. The two or five mile range you refer to is line of site. So if you're in some pot hole or in another drainage area . . . you will probably experience some difficulties whether you have the two or five mile varieties.
We have discussed our radios with others and they have all told us they prefer ours.
Bowhunter
We have discussed our radios with others and they have all told us they prefer ours.
Bowhunter
09-12-2002, 04:45 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 333
RE: 2-way radios
Roba22,
I've had very good luck with the Cobra FRS radios. I took back my Motorolas, because the Cobras worked so much better. After comparing the two, several of my buddies did the same. The Cobras seemed to be much more clear, especially when whispering to each other. You had to talk much louder into the Motorolas, and had more static. Not bashing Motorolas, the Cobras just worked better for us in a hunting situation. Cheaper, too.
Trebark
Become one with nature...then grill it.
I've had very good luck with the Cobra FRS radios. I took back my Motorolas, because the Cobras worked so much better. After comparing the two, several of my buddies did the same. The Cobras seemed to be much more clear, especially when whispering to each other. You had to talk much louder into the Motorolas, and had more static. Not bashing Motorolas, the Cobras just worked better for us in a hunting situation. Cheaper, too.
Trebark
Become one with nature...then grill it.
09-12-2002, 05:03 AM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: 2-way radios
Robert,
All very good questions and I think I can offer you further assistance. First off, check out www.popularwireless.com . They have a "bulletin board" message board system similar to this one. The link is in the middle of the page titled "Bulletin Board". Every question you could possibly ask about FRS/GMRS radios can be answered there.
But, to save you the time....First, you asked about "Good" FRS radios. When you say "good" I am to assume that you mean "durable" with quality components...not necessarily in reference to performance. The reason I mention this is because almost all FRS ("2 mile"
radios offer about the same performance in terms of transmitting distance, overall clarity, etc... That is, unless we get into the "bargain basement" models. In which case you might experience some distortion with the audio quality.
As the gentleman stated above FRS radios are advertised as 2 mile radios but that is only in ground level situation with no obstructions between radios...ie "line of sight". If you have trees, houses, a hill, etc.. between the two units then it will drastically decrease the transmission range.
Same thing goes for the GMRS units. They also use UHF frequencies (some are the same as FRS) so they will also be affected by any obstructions between the two units transmitting to one another. But, most GMRS units offer more versatility in that you can place a "better", more efficient antenna on the radio unit to increase effective transmitting range. You can also hook a magnetic mount antenna up to many of them to use in a vehicle. Oh, I didn't mention that earlier....operating them inside a metal box...ie a car...also reduces transmitting range unless you have an externally mounted antenna.
Now I did say "most" GMRS units because not all of the GMRS units have detachable antennas. Some are just like FRS radios in that they use the little, non-detachable "rubber duck" antenna. You need to pay special attention to this when considering what you want.
Something else along those lines to think about is that although a radio might be advertised as a "1 watt" or "2 watt" unit that does not necessarily mean that will be the power output "out of the antenna". The radio might generate a 1 watt signal internally but because of the limitations of a rubber duck antenna less actual power might be radiated from the antenna itself. This term is referred to as "ERP". So, a radio might have a 1 watt rating but only generate .6 watt ERP. Basically then, even an advertised "5 mile" radio might only realistically go 2 or 2.5 miles.
A good point of reference is 1 mile for every 1 watt in poor conditions. So, your typical .5 watt FRS radio might go a half mile in extremely hilly, tree covered terrain while a 2 watt GMRS unit might actually push closer to 2 miles provided it has an antenna on it that fully utilizes its power output.
2. Yes, in order to legally transmit on a GMRS band radio you must obtain an FCC license at www.fcc.gov . It costs $75 for 5 years but covers everyone in your immediate family. So, you and your wife could chat with two GMRS units under one GMRS license while you and your buddy would have to each get one to legally transmit to one another.
3. Midland makes some very decent radios. I have owned their 75-515 and 75-517 FRS units. Both performed flawlessly and they are loaded with features. www.cabelas.com has some of these units on sale in their web bargain cave if I remember correctly. Price is around $30-$40 a unit.
4. I covered that one above...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
5. That depends on usage. Typical usage is 90% down time with 5% receive and 5% transmit. Under these conditions most FRS units can last anywhere from 18-30 hours with normal alkaline batteries.
If you want a suggestion as for a very good FRS/GMRS radio that is low in cost I would probably suggest the Motorola T6400. It utilizes all 14 of the FRS channels and 15 of the GMRS channels. Channels 1-7 are called "Interstitial" channels as both FRS and GMRS utilize them as channels 1-7 on their units. It is loaded with features and can be found on Ebay for roughly $38 a unit after rebate. DougMd recently purchased a set from there and is very pleased with them. Hopefully he will post.
If you have any more questions then fire away...
All very good questions and I think I can offer you further assistance. First off, check out www.popularwireless.com . They have a "bulletin board" message board system similar to this one. The link is in the middle of the page titled "Bulletin Board". Every question you could possibly ask about FRS/GMRS radios can be answered there.
But, to save you the time....First, you asked about "Good" FRS radios. When you say "good" I am to assume that you mean "durable" with quality components...not necessarily in reference to performance. The reason I mention this is because almost all FRS ("2 mile"
radios offer about the same performance in terms of transmitting distance, overall clarity, etc... That is, unless we get into the "bargain basement" models. In which case you might experience some distortion with the audio quality.As the gentleman stated above FRS radios are advertised as 2 mile radios but that is only in ground level situation with no obstructions between radios...ie "line of sight". If you have trees, houses, a hill, etc.. between the two units then it will drastically decrease the transmission range.
Same thing goes for the GMRS units. They also use UHF frequencies (some are the same as FRS) so they will also be affected by any obstructions between the two units transmitting to one another. But, most GMRS units offer more versatility in that you can place a "better", more efficient antenna on the radio unit to increase effective transmitting range. You can also hook a magnetic mount antenna up to many of them to use in a vehicle. Oh, I didn't mention that earlier....operating them inside a metal box...ie a car...also reduces transmitting range unless you have an externally mounted antenna.
Now I did say "most" GMRS units because not all of the GMRS units have detachable antennas. Some are just like FRS radios in that they use the little, non-detachable "rubber duck" antenna. You need to pay special attention to this when considering what you want.
Something else along those lines to think about is that although a radio might be advertised as a "1 watt" or "2 watt" unit that does not necessarily mean that will be the power output "out of the antenna". The radio might generate a 1 watt signal internally but because of the limitations of a rubber duck antenna less actual power might be radiated from the antenna itself. This term is referred to as "ERP". So, a radio might have a 1 watt rating but only generate .6 watt ERP. Basically then, even an advertised "5 mile" radio might only realistically go 2 or 2.5 miles.
A good point of reference is 1 mile for every 1 watt in poor conditions. So, your typical .5 watt FRS radio might go a half mile in extremely hilly, tree covered terrain while a 2 watt GMRS unit might actually push closer to 2 miles provided it has an antenna on it that fully utilizes its power output.
2. Yes, in order to legally transmit on a GMRS band radio you must obtain an FCC license at www.fcc.gov . It costs $75 for 5 years but covers everyone in your immediate family. So, you and your wife could chat with two GMRS units under one GMRS license while you and your buddy would have to each get one to legally transmit to one another.
3. Midland makes some very decent radios. I have owned their 75-515 and 75-517 FRS units. Both performed flawlessly and they are loaded with features. www.cabelas.com has some of these units on sale in their web bargain cave if I remember correctly. Price is around $30-$40 a unit.
4. I covered that one above...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
5. That depends on usage. Typical usage is 90% down time with 5% receive and 5% transmit. Under these conditions most FRS units can last anywhere from 18-30 hours with normal alkaline batteries.
If you want a suggestion as for a very good FRS/GMRS radio that is low in cost I would probably suggest the Motorola T6400. It utilizes all 14 of the FRS channels and 15 of the GMRS channels. Channels 1-7 are called "Interstitial" channels as both FRS and GMRS utilize them as channels 1-7 on their units. It is loaded with features and can be found on Ebay for roughly $38 a unit after rebate. DougMd recently purchased a set from there and is very pleased with them. Hopefully he will post.
If you have any more questions then fire away...
09-12-2002, 07:39 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA
Posts: 2,890
RE: 2-way radios
I have used sevral brands and the motarola 6220 Dick Cress speaks of is very nice, good features [ vibrate exc ] and very clear compared to others I have tryed [ sony comes to mind and I cant remember the other brand I used and was disapointed in I think it was uniden ]
If information provided by the members of this board have helped you please let us know .
If information provided by the members of this board have helped you please let us know .
09-12-2002, 09:07 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Ohio USA
Posts: 1,532
RE: 2-way radios
I just got back from hunting in Oregon. My hunting buddy has a brand new pair of Midland's model G-11. I know he bought them from Cabela's. We were about three miles from each other in the mountains and still had great reception.... I know one thing, I'm buying a pair of the same ones....
09-13-2002, 08:44 AM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: 2-way radios
BS,
Yep, those G-11s are sweet. I had the G15 unit earlier this year and was impressed at its simplicity and durability. It is basically the GMRS version of the 75-515 FRS model.
Yep, those G-11s are sweet. I had the G15 unit earlier this year and was impressed at its simplicity and durability. It is basically the GMRS version of the 75-515 FRS model.
09-13-2002, 11:51 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lehigh County PA USA
Posts: 12,157
RE: 2-way radios
Wirehair,
I wish I could answer that for you with 100% certainty but I can't. I do believe that CB has now gone license-free. The GMRS band requires a GMRS specific license.
You can check more into this subject at the link I provided in my original post www.popularwireless.com . The site has a different forum for each of the different radio bands...GMRS, FRS, CB, MURS, Cell Phones, etc....
I wish I could answer that for you with 100% certainty but I can't. I do believe that CB has now gone license-free. The GMRS band requires a GMRS specific license.
You can check more into this subject at the link I provided in my original post www.popularwireless.com . The site has a different forum for each of the different radio bands...GMRS, FRS, CB, MURS, Cell Phones, etc....
