Let me try this again. I asked for suggestions for handheld radios in the General category and didn't have much luck. Ideally, I'm looking for some that aren't too expensive, have a range of a mile or two, fairly durable and don't need direct line of sight. Thank you. I apologize to Dave for not putting this in P&R because the airwaves are regulated by the government.
Steve, I bought a pair of Motorola XTN series radios a couple of years ago that seem to work reasonably well. Found them on ebay for approximately $300 (new in boxes). They come with a "privacy" setting (or something like that)that enables you to use them without having to listen to all the other chatter out there. As for the line of sight issue, I have not used them in the other type of environment. Not sure how one would get around that. Anyone?
On the Motorola website, they have radios for $60,70,80 apiece that claim "up to" 25-35 mile range. I can't even get a mile or so out of the ones I've got now if somebody goes over a hill.
The obvious retort to myself is walkie-talkies don't require a license 😉
I'm sorry for being annoying; I seem to be good at it.
We use handy talkies (HTs) (what the FD has called them since the 1970s) which are bigger, heavier and more expensive than most Surveyors would want. The good news is if I hit the repeater correctly I can talk to someone in San Diego from Fort Bragg. We use a TAC channel no one else uses so the ECC doesn't have to hear "got it" or "good" 600 times per day.
I have two older model maxon radios that have the collar mic and are great. The newer models are half the size and better.
Mostly I use the cheaper Audiovox models GMRS8862CH or GMR63082CH. They cost about $20-$30 per pair and come with recharge batts and chargers.
Good morning Steve,
I have previously worked for companies that had 10+ crews, thereby I've used a few different brands of radios. Personally I have found the Motorola's to be expensive and problematic. One specific thing I really didn't like about the Motorola's is the speaker volume is rather weak (yes, I am partially deaf). I had a pair of Jobcom radios that became my favorite, never gave me any problems and the volume is good and loud sufficiently so for even me.
So there's my 2 cents. Good luck!
CV
I had some Jobcoms at one time. They were really big and heavy but good radios. I wonder what happened to those. Am I just out of luck in mountainous terrain? I'm willing to spend a couple hundred bucks but not if they're not going to work any better than what I've got.
After reading your first post and the replies I wanted to add
Years ago I found that old school CB radios are better at longer distances than the newer FM radios.
If I was wanting to buy me two radios today, I would buy two of the Relm/SmartCom SCV32 radios.
http://www.fm2way.com/fmhand.htm (scroll down)
The VHF (150+/-) radios work better from one handheld to the other than UHF (450+/-).
Our fire dept has bought several of the older version of these in the past. The new version is now narrow band capable which is why we quit buying the old ones. I still have two of the older ones but will have to quit using them when narrowbanding is implemented.
They are not as good of quality as the older Motorola radios but the newer Motorola radios are not as good either.
If you need to match the frequency of other radios you have, you may want the UHF version. They can be programmed to the frequency you want. Programming is not what I would call simple but can be done. They can be set to low power to conserve battery if you are looking at each other.
James
Motorola SP50 work well for us for years.
Only had a 'rebattery' once in about 15 years of use.
Cheers
Derek
I have had considerable luck with the ICOM brand radios I purchased over 10 years ago. They are the F21 series and with Mikes and Alkaline battery packs were
just over $200 a piece. They are dual frequency but easily self programmed if you encounter alot of chatter. Speaking on the subject, I have a voice activated headset for hands free communication. Works great when running the gun and keeping notes. They are actually not very expensive however be careful. Your rodman might hear some spoken thoughts you did not intend him/her to hear. 😉
We have been using Motorola CLS Series Model 1110 Two-Way Radios for years. I picked up a dozen on Ebay at a great price and still have half of them left. The only problems we have had is that like all electronics, they don't like water.
> Steve, I bought a pair of Motorola XTN series radios a couple of years ago...
We have had 3 sets of Motorola XTN's, the oldest are now about 6 years old and still in service. The on-board mike buttons have become a little cantankerous lately, but an external mike solves that. Reception very reliable. A worthwhile investment. If you don't need all the channels Motorola has cheaper, simpler models.
> I can't even get a mile or so out of the ones I've got now if somebody goes over a hill.
That's the nature of the FM signal. Line of sight.
At one job I had a pair of radios that worked great at 20 miles. On the other hand, talking to my rodman 200 feet away was out of the question. Useless.
About 5 years ago I had one of my Motorola's die on me one Saturday when I couldn't get a spare on short notice. Just out of desperation that morning I grabbed a set of camo generic walkie talkies that I had purchased from radio shack that we use on the deer lease.
They are Midland brand and rubber armored with a stubby antennae. They have proved out to have a consistently good two mile range and batteries last forever. The volume is great and the clarity is perfect. I've been using them for fives years now and not had one hiccup out of them.
The only possible issue I've ever had with them is picking up other radio traffic when I am working in town (DFW area) but this is not that frequent.
I think I paid around $60 for the pair.
Snoop
I just about bought two CP110's yesterday because the local wireless shop said they had them in stock. When my guys went to pick them up, all of a sudden they had to order them and the lady was telling me you need an FCC license because they're 2 watts and you need to have them programmed although they will talk to each other right out of the box on the "default" channel and that all costs another several hundred dollars. T or F?
How is it that Snoop has Kent's avatar?
Snoop
> I just about bought two CP110's yesterday because the local wireless shop said they had them in stock. When my guys went to pick them up, all of a sudden they had to order them....
That's a deal killer right there. Is there a need to go on?
> ....and the lady was telling me you need an FCC license because they're 2 watts...
FCC Rules on Walkie Talkies
It's true, you are supposed to have a FCC license. That doesn't make it her business to make sure you have one. I can't remember what we paid but it isn't expensive. I'm thinking $25. Needed one for our robot, too. But no one has ever asked us to show it, and we routinely work inside a secured air operations area of a major airport.
>....and you need to have them programmed although they will talk to each other right out of the box on the "default" channel and that all costs another several hundred dollars. T or F?
I don't know, but it isn't so with my XTN's. It's likely that if you only have the one default channel you will encounter a lot of traffic on it.
He put a Kent mask on for Halloween...