Radios - what do you use ?

I use the throw away models you can get in almost all chain stores. Come 2 to a package.
jud

It depends. I currently use el-cheapos from Wally world and they serve my purposes very well. If you do a lot of surveying in a congested urban environment I'd recommend a set with channels, the Motorolas have always been very popular and I can personally recommend them.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y357Y2/ref=asc_df_B000Y357Y22061582?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B000Y357Y2&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1903944588400809940&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

motorola sp50's nice and small with clip on mic's...always have used them, probably always will. good range and the clip on mic is worth every extra penny

I just got some new Motorola cp110. They are loud as hell and stay charged for like three days.

You cannot go wrong with these, they are the best I have ever used.

> motorola sp50's nice and small with clip on mic's...always have used them, probably always will. good range and the clip on mic is worth every extra penny

Note that the SP50 isn't a narrowband model. You'll probably never get caught, but if you do the fines can be startling, or so I'm told.

I'm using the Motorola CP200 these days. Similar to the SP50 but smaller. I decided to get them narrowbanded (it's just a programming change, relatively inexpensive), and finally got around to applying for a license -- not so inexpensive ($475.00).

I still have a pair of SP50s around. With the narrowbanding mandate, their commercial value is hovering near zero.

Radios - what do you use ?>Jim Frame

Well now you have brought up something that I'm not familiar with regarding narrow band vs. others....

Can you point me in the right direction to get myself a little educated?

Why spend a lot of money on radios, el-cheapo Motorola's work great and they weigh next to nothing. Maybe if you are doing remote work with several spaced out crews it would be worth obtaining radios with a license to obtain the extra coverage.

Radios - what do you use ?>Jim Frame

Read all about narrowbanding straight from the FCC website.

Once you get your FCC license taken care of, then you have to get narrowband hardware. If you use RTK radios, don't forget those either.

SHG

Using Motorola CP185 and CP200 models. Tried the wally world cheapos but they did not last long and had limited range.

The motos work great and the ear bud/mike add on are great when working in traffic.

COBRA CXT425 Micro Talk 25 Mile Two Way Radios NOAA are my latest radios.

😉

That's what I use. I've tried Motorola, Kenwood, Midland, Radio Shack. Some aren't load enough and all never lasted more than a year. I have used these Cobra's for over two years without a problem and they have good range.:good:

Gme for us. Don't use radios very often though.

http://www.gme.net.au/products/radio-communications/commercial-handhelds/BX720

Apparently some SP50s were manufactured with narrow band. There's more info here at the bottom of the page:

http://www.eradiostore.com/cart/images/narrowb_worksh.pdf

I use older CP100s that I programmed for narrow band about a year ago.

And if you use one of the MURS frequencies, you do not need an FCC license:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-Use_Radio_Service

I found the cheap little FRS/GMRS radios to be almost useless. The speakers are way too small for one thing. I've always had good luck with Motorolas.

-Jeff

Seeing how I'm solo, I only talk to myself. I've discovered, however, that the range is terrible, the static is maddening, and sometimes the message fails to get through. :pissed:

I hear you Target. And I can only hear out of one ear. That really makes it tough!

If you and your crew have smart phones, you can use an app called Zello, use the cell network, name your own channel, and not have to worry about licensing. Sounds just like that Nextel walkie-talkie function, and it's free (assuming you already have the smart phone).

> Apparently some SP50s were manufactured with narrow band.

I guess I'd better look into this. My SP50s might not be worthless after all!

It looks like these Cobra radios work on frequencies that aren't affected by the FCC narrowband mandate coming at the end of the year. Is that true?