2 way radios ???????

[774x4ram]

Does anyone out have or know about a good set of 2 way radios that don't cost an arm and a leg . I got some motorola talk about radios from costco and they have never worked right except once last year at moab ,after that every time I really needed them they failed leaving me Very VERY PIST OFF

So are there any out there that you "real people" have used , I don't trust those online reviews Any input will help

Thanks Chris

PS don't buy these

 

[BlackSheep]

I have a set of cobra microtalk radios. The range is something like 5 miles, but I have probably never had more than 1 mile separating them. They have always worked. When I bought them about 5 years ago, they were $99 / set. The best part is they come with a rechargeable battery, but I carry a set of AA (or AAA - can't remember now) batts as backup.

 

[774x4ram]

Thanks for the reply

 

[kkemp]

I have a set of cobra microtalk radios. The range is something like 5 miles, but I have probably never had more than 1 mile separating them. They have always worked. When I bought them about 5 years ago, they were $99 / set. The best part is they come with a rechargeable battery, but I carry a set of AA (or AAA - can't remember now) batts as backup.

Sounds like same ones I have. They are very sensitive to obstacles, in other words, they are only good for line of sight. The best I have gotten out of them is about a mile.

 

[Spork]

I've got a pair of midland radios and wheel with guys with the motorolas and Uniden. All of them are lucky to communicate over a mile (yes even if they say 18 miles on the package).

On one of mine the talk button quit working, so I'm down to a single radio. Most my communication is just with the rest in the group and we can usually see each other so they work.

 

[soda blaster]

I have bought probably every two way radio out there and have not found 1 yet that you could depend on. The ones that worked the best were the kind you could buy airtime on for like 10 bucks a month but you had to share the channel with 2 other people. When you were out of repeater range they could communicate as 2 ways, those were the only ones that every worked dependably for me but they were as big as a brick.

 

[774x4ram]

So I bought a set of uniden radios for about $70 a few months ago and they have been working really good so far, I will have to see how they do in the cold weather this winter .

 

[rollover]

Marine band work well very clear 1-5 miles at moab.

 

[Vonski]

I just recently did alot of research on hand-held radios. If you want to get a little more serious ($130-ish per unit), look into the Yaesu VX-170 (or similar) DX or "ham" radios.

As-is, they're good for up to 10-12 miles depending on terrain, but if you add an 18" rubber whip antennae, you could be good for up to 20 miles.

I throw one in my pack w/ the antennae poking out and a VOX headset in my helmet.

I tested them out last weekend and never lost contact with the pits throughout my 20 mile loop.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

And as a rabid HAM operator, I'll give you the forewarning that its illegal to operate a HAM radio without a license. Von I will be personally ticketing you!

 

[774x4ram]

yea I know if you really want something that works you have to shell out some $$$$
I remember when my dad had a set of top of the line motorola radios I rode my bike across town to see how far they would work and they ended up maxing out at about 5 miles but he was sitting in our house and I was in a store so thats not to bad but
unfortunately we sold them a long time ago

 

[mbryson]

And as a rabid HAM operator, I'll give you the forewarning that its illegal to operate a HAM radio without a license. Von I will be personally ticketing you!

You're rabid?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

You're rabid?

violently intense, irrationally extreme in opinion or practice...

Absolutely.

OK, maybe I'm not that into HAM, but there are some that are and the go out of their way to enforce the laws. While its highly unlikely a non-licensed user would every see a stitch of trouble, its possible and has happened. As easy as it is to get the license its worth it just to learn about the radios alone.

On that note, do Marine Band radios require any training or certification? I was under the impression that they were illegal to use for land to land communication?

 

[Vonski]

And as a rabid HAM operator, I'll give you the forewarning that its illegal to operate a HAM radio without a license. Von I will be personally ticketing you!

Kurt is right, and I'll look into getting the license. More than anything, I could use some education on how to get the most out of 'em.

In the meantime, you'll have to catch me to give me that ticket Kurt.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...In the meantime, you'll have to catch me to give me that ticket Kurt.

I'm triangulating in on your position as we speak

 

[mbryson]

violently intense, irrationally extreme in opinion or practice...

Absolutely.

OK, maybe I'm not that into HAM, but there are some that are and the go out of their way to enforce the laws. While its highly unlikely a non-licensed user would every see a stitch of trouble, its possible and has happened. As easy as it is to get the license its worth it just to learn about the radios alone.....

Sounds about right. I got mine and really don't use it much. I've used it on a few Jeep trips, but that's about it.

 

[rollover]

Kurt,

I believe your right on the marine radio use for shore to water or water only. A group I ran in to from Colorado was using them from town to Poison Spider. It sounded very clear. They said they use them snowmobiling and thought they'd try them down in Moab.

I don't know that you need any training or certification for marine radio use. you can get them at any boat store like Robinson's Marine.

The Ham idea is the best over all I'm sure. Radio to radio short range or use a repeater for longer range. Like Salt Lake to Moab.