Best Walkie Talkies For Runs?

Good thread. My Radio Shack units aren't bad, but they don't always interface well with the other brands. Strange since we are on th same frequency, but neve the less I'm down for picking up a "group" buy on some good units.

 

We tried this a year ago. Bleh on the quality.
Although the range was adequate (1 mile or so), the quality of the transmission was not. Fuggetabout tunnels.
Yelling into them was mandatory and rots-o-ruck trying to figure out what was being said.

BTW: I used motorola (650's??? with 5mi radius) with headsets.

update: I think I have the 6250s & I wouldn't recommend them.
Motorola T6250
Single Package Up to 5 Mile Range
8 GMRS 1 watt channels
7 GMRS/FRS 1 watt channels
7 FRS 1/2 watt channels
38 interference eliminator codes
10 audible call alerts
Ring alert
Talk confirmation tone
Lock - single key
Button beeps
36 segment LCD display with icons
Backlit LED
Transmit LED
Battery meter indicator with audible low battery alert
Audio accessory connector (single pin)
Time out timer
6.02(h) x 2.20 (w) x 1.32 (d) - size of two-way radio including antenna
Includes:
Removable Swivel Belt Clip
One Year Warranty
Users Guide

 

I just ordered a set of Motorola SX700R's
Voice activated so you can talk & keep both hands on the wheel,
22 Channels, 2 watts, "12 miles" (doubt it), FRS/GMRS

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=9047898&search=motorola+sx700r

 

Having been on over 50 runs in the past few years some of them over 200 miles in distance one way I highly recommend the motorola XTN line of business 2 way portable radios. They offer all the features you are looking for from VOX ( Voice Activated Transmission ) to several different headphone to covert hidden ear/mic set ups. They offfer everything from a 1 watt to a 5 watt model but 2 watts is what I have been using with the Nsx Club and it covers about 3 miles effectively with a maximum quoted range of 5 miles. I do not recommend getting anything less then a 2 watt model. Problems that maybe encountered with radios of less and more wattage can be this. People with low wattage radios can recieve transimissions from others with high wattage radios but cannot effectively transimit back because they maybe beyond there effective transmission range. The cars most effected by this are the lead cars and end cars. I think everyone gets the point here without me going into this further. I would post pics but I am beyond my limitations for a non subscriber so here are links.

This is the radio I recommend and use

http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/northamerica/en-us/public/functions/browseproduct/productdetailpage.aspx?navigationpath=id_803i/id_1388i/id_2352i/id_2200i

Brand New Lot of 6 New Motorola XU2100 Two-Watt, One Channel UHF Radios

Range up to 6 miles outdoors / 250,000 sq. ft. or 20 floors indoors 2-watt technology provides up to four times the power of family radios

Operates on 56 UHF business-exclusive frequencies

Single-channel operation with 121 Interference Eliminator Codes (83 Digital and 38 Analog)

Voice-activated, hands-free operation (VOX) capability. Requires optional accessories. Requires FCC License

Each XU2100 Radio includes the following:

2 Watts of Power 56 UHF Business Exclusive Frequencies (FCC License Required)

Designed to Mil-Spec 810 and IP54 Specifications

38 Analog and 83 Digital Interference Eliminator Codes

3 Scramble Settings To Reduce Eavesdropping

Audible Call Tones VOX (Hands-Free Use With Accessories) With 3 Sensitivity Levels

Cloning Compatible (Multi-Unit Charger Required)

Drop-In Charger Compatible (Drop-In Charger Required) Lightweight - Only 9.9 oz With NIMH Battery

2 Pin Accessory Plug 1500 mAh NiMH Rechargeable Battery

10-Hour Plug-In Charger

Swivel Belt Holster


This unit will take standard AA batteries as well as a nicad pak which is a nice feature. I carry a compact inverter in my car and keep mine plugged in so that I have full power all the time.

You can find them used and new on ebay.

Typically used you can find them from $50 - $120

New on Ebay they can be had for less then $160

I recommend getting the UHF models XU2100 and up.

 

These are ok as far as wattage but on the FRS/GMRS frequency band you will get alot of interference and cross talk and anyone with a regular FRS/GMRS no matter what there wattage is if there with in your range can interfere with you.

 

Here are some examples on ebay now which are good deals. A good price for new would be under $160 each Used I would use your best judegement

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-MOTOROLA-XTN-XU2600-UHF-2-WAY-6-CHANNEL-RADIOS_W0QQitemZ5880588070QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/One-Motorola-XTN-Two-Way-Radio-XU2100_W0QQitemZ5881584244QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-MOTOROLA-XTN-XU2100-WALKIE-TALKIES-2-WAY-RADIOS_W0QQitemZ5881822388QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-XTN-XU2600-Two-way-Business-Radio-NIB_W0QQitemZ9700176326QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/motorola-2-way-radio-XU2600-XTN-series-PROFESSIONAL_W0QQitemZ5880915965QQcategoryZ20383QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

I've been looking for some new ones as well......

Check out here:

http://www.gearreview.com/frsreview98.asp

and here....

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Motorola_Talkabout_T6500_FRS_GMRS_two_way_radio/4540-3502_16-30921293-4.html?tag=sub

 

I do not use the VOX feature but I do have the remote mic/speaker for mine which I attach to the seatbeat up by my shoulder. Its the same way highway patrolman wear theres and I find it is easy to toggle and transmit as well as hear clearly. View link to see what I mean

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7582/radio0rp.jpg

 

For those who are concerned about the notation that a license is required I have never been asked for one and you can buy these radios at any staples or office depot. In the case that you want to cover yourself anyone person can get a license and you can use theres. So in this case fchat or someone here submits a application for one and then everyone here can use it for club drive events and it makes it legal so that you dont have to worry about the FCC coming down on you. The nsx club has a similiar license and I operate under there license.

 

I did check with the FCC on this. Technically, it does require a yearly license renewal. Something like $90 as I recall. But as Bailey suggested, these radios are sold in volume all over. Do you really think everyone is getting their licenses when they use the high-power band?

 

Here are some of the advantages of having radio communitions

You will hear announcements that

" We are getting off at the next exit ....PLEASE dont crash into me or cause an accident trying to exit "

" There is law enforcement up ahead or coming up the rear ...SLOW DOWN ! "

" I am stuck at the light or intersection .....Please slow down so I can catch up with out breaking the sound of speed "

" I think my car is on fire I am pulling over to check before the smoke in the cabin over comes me "

 

I have never tried this but I see that yes the FRS frequencies do overlap the business frequencies but I could not find any specific information as to what frequency the motorola frs radios operate on. Also the FRS radios mentioned earlier by john I did notice a notation that said that they also require a license. In my experience thou when using the business band radios it is very private with Little to no cross talk and extremely clean and clear communications.

 

They look like factory refurb units and there NIB. There are still five days plus left for bids and these will go for no less then $120 a unit I bet.

 

Here's the scoop on FRS/GMRS channels and usage/licensing.

FRS is unlicensed, limited to 0.5 watts and uses 14 frequencies, commonly designated as channels 1-14. FRS radios are handheld and have fixed/integrated antennas. Usual range for FRS is 0.5-1 mile.

GMRS is licensed, can be higher power, up to 50 watts for a basestation, but usually 1-4 watts for a handheld. GMRS radios operate on FRS channels 1-7 (these 7 frequencies are shared between FRS and GMRS) and an additional 8 channels designated 15-22 (note that a GMRS radio does NOT normally include FRS channels 8-14). Under normal power, a handheld GMRS radio is capable of 1-2 mile range and a mobile/base radio is capable of 2-5 miles. Also GMRS radios often have an external antenna capability (such as a car mount antenna), using an external antenna can significantly extend the range within the same power limits. GMRS channels have "little crosstalk" and are "clean and clear" because there's less traffic and more power.

GMRS also has an additional 8 frequencies, paired with channels 15-22 that are assigned as "repeater" frequencies. Using those frequencies with an active repeater in the area can extend the range of a GMRS radio to as much as 50 miles. Repeaters are privately owned and misuse will probably result in the repeater being shut down against the abusers and a complaint being filed.

An FRS/GMRS radio will operate on all FRS channels 1-14 plus GMRS channels 15-22, but use on channels 15-22 requires a GMRS license. GMRS license violations have not traditionally be tracked down and enforced. However, that was partly due to bureacratic confusion between the complaints office and the enforcement office of the FCC (the complaints office wasn't passing on GMRS violation complaints). Recently, the FCC enforcement office has agreed to take GMRS complaints directly. Penalties include confiscation and fines on the order of about $10K.

 

BTW, the XU2100 does NOT operate on any FRS/GMRS channel. It's another business service entirely. The FRS/GMRS frequencies are in the same general frequency band (460-470 MHz), but they are not the same frequencies as those listed for the XU2100.

 

OK looking into it alittle further I dont think that the two frs radios and business radios will work with each other as the frequencies are alittle off

Here is the frs channels/frequencies

http://www.ba-marc.org/writeups/gmrs-frs-freq.htm


Here are the Business channels/frequencies

 

I'm in on this group buy. Let's make a good offer and also get the ear bud accessory.

 

You could have just said this before and saved me from doing more research on this relic of a computer at my sisters house. Thank You thou for the info it is greatly appreciated.