Best Walkie Talkies For Runs?

I got my two the night before the March 5th run we did. I saw you and Eric had them in January and thought what a great idea. I have to say, im glad I got them. Got me in the "right" lane a few times.

When Vik and I got a little nuts on the way to Lupe's, i say they came in handy. Just one example..

I got a pair of 8mile range Cobra's. I checked the major retailers online and found Walmart, of all places, had the best deal by about $20.00.

2 WT, base charger and ear phones for both: $35.99

Cant beat that! My only complaint is that my cockpit is F'in LOUD, especially the way I drive. Its hard to hear. I have to hold it to my ear to listen. Other than that, i think we all should have em. Always better to have good company on a good drive.

 

As far as strength, that's due to power and since the XU2100 is a 2 watt radio, it shouldn't be any different from a 2 watt GMRS radio.

As far as cross-talk, that's due to user activity. There are more users on FRS/GMRS, since that is licensed as an entire band. But the business radio frequencies the XU2100 uses are assigned by the FCC to businesses for their use in a region. Most of the time a business gets assigned 1 frequency for their use, that's why the XU2100 is designated as a 1 channel radio (you can change the frequency, but it is in a configuration menu, it is not designed for users to easily switch frequencies). A business will be used to "owning" their frequency or at least knowing who they share it with. Since a business has no alternative frequencies, if you happen to pick a frequency that interferes with them, they are much more likely to file a complaint.

My "official" advice is to get licensed, buy FRS/GMRS radios and mostly use the GMRS channels 15-22, where you get the extra power and avoid the FRS chatter. You can then also stay compatible with FRS users who join your drives.

 

"licenses? We don't need no stinkin licenses"

 

You know what they say......" You get what you pay for "
I have both a pair of FRS and three XU2100's I dont know how the new GMRS radios are performance wise but the XTN's are amazing and I have used them on the job and off.

 

Sounds like a lot of work considering for thirty five bucks you can walk in and out of Walmart with an 8 mile range walkie talkie that works just fine for what we use it for.

?!?!?

 

Stick with what you have then. Some of the earlier posters on this thread seemed to feel the need to move up though.

 

Thinking about these Motorolas...anyone have ant thoughts? Main uses will be theme parks, caravaning and camping:

With a range of up to 12 miles and loaded with features, you know that with the SX700R you are ready for the extreme outdoors. Lightweight and rugged, with side grips to help you hold on, and a holster to provide you with quick access, the SX700 is built to handle virtually any challenge without weighing you down. Acting as a speakerphone, the iVOX hands free communication allows you to use your hands for other activities while keeping in touch. Tune into a NOAA channel (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on your SX700 for continuous local and regional weather broadcasting. And when you are out having fun, weather alerts will provide you with warnings of incoming weather to protect from the dangers of a sudden storm.

*
2.0 watt power delivers a range of up to 12 miles
*
22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations
*
NiMH rechargeable
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Approximately 7 hr. NiMH estimated talk time
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iVOX hands-free communication without the need of an audio accessory
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NOAA weather alert feature
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QT™ (Quiet Talk) interruption feature
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Commanding technology
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Backlit display
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LCD battery meter
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Battery save feature
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VibraCall vibrating alert
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Audible low battery alert
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Keypad lock
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10 call tones
*
Time-out timer
* Priority scan
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Yeah. They look obscene.

 

They look like a modern version of the wouff-hong
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Think splinters here.

 

WTF

http://www.cebik.com/tales/wouf.html

 

The "walmart" cobras i have are 22 channel, come with the charging base, scan, battery save, i think 5 calling tones, ear phones (havent used em yet).

 

http://www.motorola2wayradios.com/motorola-two-way-radios.html

http://www.motorola2wayradios.com/kenwood-radio-tk3202u8p.html


Just bought the Kenwood 4 watt UHF 8 channels for home use.
They are the best....4 watts UHF goes further than 5 watts VHF.
Without an external antenna, don't expect much distance car to car from 1 or 2 watts.

 

Those are $200 each......

Can anyone recommend a decent, sub $100 per pair, radio for family / run use? I think that is what many of the members here are looking for.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

http://www.motorola2wayradios.com/sx-700-radio.html
When they say 7 mile range, it is written on the Box from Mountain top to Mountain top!

For $100.00 a pair , You can open up a pair of windows and shout....

Really, In the Malls, at the independent cell phone stores they sell the Talk a bouts quite inexpensivly.But You get what you pay for.

 

I guess.....the one I posted about is rated at 2 watts and 12 miles.....so I figure that might give me two to three in the real world.....for $65 - and at that price, I could let my 4 year old play with it. I may give them a try and can always return them if they don't perform.

 

Just in the past year have you been seeing anything saying that claims 12 miles. that is an advertising ploy to sell to uneducated consumers.Incar radio to InCar radio with no external antenna even 5 watts will fade quickly at 3 miles..Too much metal inside car and too short an antenna.External antennas will quadruple your distance

 

Hmmm.....are the more expensive units an exception to that at 4 watts or is an exterior antennae advised for longer distances no matter what radio?

 

I agree but we are beating a dead horse here since I think they have already decided on using the FRS/GMRS band radios.

 

No all radios work the same and the best performance can be obtained from a unobstructed line of sight.

 

maybe we should carrier pigeons?

 

just picked up the Motorola SX700R's i'll try them out later in the week.

 

http://www.russellind.com/Russell/Antennas/main.htm#Rubber%20Duckie%20AntennasWalkie-Talkie


These guys make high gain or higher gain antennas that will extend the range of any hand held unit

 

Am I reading that right....they're between 2 and 3 feet long when extended?

 

Yes Thats the Viagra version....scroll down to the rubber duckie..

I ordered the tri band 10" rubber duckie...I do not think it is on display...have to call.