I have 2 XTN Motorola radios model XV1100, they need new antennas do they make a replacement antenna?
That was weird: seeing a thread by Steve Gardiner appear as Recent, since he died several years ago.
We stopped using radios a while ago. Instead, we use our cell phones with ear buds. Works great, especially in busy areas. It's hands-free, continuous communication. You just have to keep your head up and look around a lot, so you're aware of traffic. Also, you need to have unlimited talk plans.
I use Icom F50. Because we work along the rivers a lot, I programmed in the standard itinerant frequencies that we are licensed for (151.625, etc) as well as a couple of marine band frequencies so that we can talk to the Corps of Engineers at the locks and also to boats. These are small, waterproof and very rugged, I have dropped mine on concrete a number of times with no problem. And I have had mine submerged. We have the external mic, which I clip on my life vest or work vest. Another nice thing is the keypad can be locked, so you don't accidentally change frequencies. They are rechargeable, but we also have spare battery packs that use standard AA batteries. I have had these radios for at least 5 years, and they are still working fine.
On a critical item like radios, I don't want to scrimp and try to save money. I have used several of the unlicensed band radios, the last one I threw into the Cheat river in a fit of rage because the sound was unintelligible. I then gave the rest of them away. I would not use FMRS or GMRS for work, I prefer to use licensed VHF (or UHF) frequencies.
http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/landmobile/portables/f50V_series/default.aspx&apos ;">ICOM F50
Those Icom F50's look like the ones to get..... I have icom ic-f4100d's with external mics.
What ever radio you get I would go with digital radios, they make your voice sound a bit odd ( must be the compression or something) but the clarity of the sound and signal is brilliant.
I think these digital radios are a bit like the digital tv signal, you either get the whole signal transmission or nothing... no static or garbled messages. All or nothing.
I have wasted lotsa money on those cheapies, but worse was the frustration at not being able to communicate clearly.