I have a couple of the Kenwood FRS radios. They work great. Have gotten a good 2 miles of range out of them here in the flatlands of Kansas. I see a few companies are coming out with GMRS radios. Same frequencies but have more power. They claim 5 mile range but these are all line of sight radios so it may or may not be of value. Price is more in the $150 range I think.
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Mobil Radios
- Thread starter TonyC
- Start date
- Views: 2347
HalseyGreen
Silver Member
We have 4 Motorola 6220's, about $35 each with coupoun. Use them at events, fairs, etc when the family goes in all different directions. They use 3 AA batteries, not sure of life, usually replace them each day of use. A radio with dead battery is not worth much. Range appears about 2 miles, but we have never really tried to determine max range, and they do pretty good in and around metal buildings. We have 2 Cobra FRS80's here at work, used to communicate between cafeteria and satelite cafeteria with much steel inbetween, work well, although the ni-cad batteries don't work well. The radio's have a low battery cutout that doesn't allow for setting battery type, the lower voltage of ni-cad's cause short use time. The Motorola's I have are settable as to battery type to prevent this problem.
I have a number of mobile radio's in my truck including FRS. Depending on the range and terrain, FRS may work for you.While the ads says FRS is good upto 2 miles, most are not usable past 1/4 mile. NOTE!!! There are some radio's that claim 5 miles, These are NOT FRS (even if the box says they will talk to FRS radio) and are GMRS radio and require a license ($85).
My mobile is a bit crowded, but I do have one more radio to squeeze in .
http://www.k2bj.com/images/Photos/MOTM/sanders_3.jpg
FRS radios can be had for as low as $15 and as much as $200 depending on the features.
Note FRS has only 14 channels. There is no such thing as a subchannel even if your manuals says it has it.
The so called sub channels are simply sub tones or digital squelch. They provide no privacy (again no mater what the manual says). they simply keep your radio from hearing other converstation that dont match your tone.
If you are ok with the short range then FRS may be for you.
My mobile is a bit crowded, but I do have one more radio to squeeze in .
http://www.k2bj.com/images/Photos/MOTM/sanders_3.jpg
FRS radios can be had for as low as $15 and as much as $200 depending on the features.
Note FRS has only 14 channels. There is no such thing as a subchannel even if your manuals says it has it.
The so called sub channels are simply sub tones or digital squelch. They provide no privacy (again no mater what the manual says). they simply keep your radio from hearing other converstation that dont match your tone.
If you are ok with the short range then FRS may be for you.
First a double thank you to Kevin for digging out the thread.
And thank you Harv for all of the info. I am thinking about getting either the T-5100's or the T-5200's. They run $35 and $33 each respectively. I think the only difference is the T5200 has the interference eliminator codes. I don't know how useful that is but it sounds good!
And thank you Harv for all of the info. I am thinking about getting either the T-5100's or the T-5200's. They run $35 and $33 each respectively. I think the only difference is the T5200 has the interference eliminator codes. I don't know how useful that is but it sounds good!
Pks
Platinum Member
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- Apr 6, 2000
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- 773
- Location
- Saline, Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota L3700SU, Cub Cadet 1430, Hustler Super-Z 66in, Vermeer 1250
Do any of these FRS type radios have a jack for remote headphones? I have an application where two motorcycle riders, who are about 100 yards apart, need to comunicate easily. But helmets are worn so headphones of some variety is necessary.
Peter
Peter
HalseyGreen
Silver Member
I was looking at a Cabela's catalogue the other night noticed that the Motorola units have a whole collection of remote mike accessories and I know mine has jacks.
looch
Veteran Member
This is the primary function of the Nady MRC-11. I believe most FRS radios have a headset jack, but on a bike you also a need a remote push-to-talk (PTT) button. The Nady comes with one. Added bonus - you can plug in an external audio source (radio, MP3 player) to the Nady and it will play through the headset. The external audio is cut when you press the PTT button. More info at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nadywireless.com/mrc11.html>http://www.nadywireless.com/mrc11.html</A>
One thing though, I haven't been too successful at getting the VOX to work properly at speeds.
One thing though, I haven't been too successful at getting the VOX to work properly at speeds.
Harv
Elite Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2000
- Messages
- 3,346
- Tractor
- Kubota L2500DT Standard Transmission
<font color=blue>any of these FRS type radios have a jack for remote headphones? </font color=blue>
Yep, my Motorola TalkAbout 250's have both a microphone and headphone jack. According to the manual, they have a VOX (Voice Activated Transmission) mode, too, but I haven't tried it yet.
Yep, my Motorola TalkAbout 250's have both a microphone and headphone jack. According to the manual, they have a VOX (Voice Activated Transmission) mode, too, but I haven't tried it yet.
Pks
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 773
- Location
- Saline, Michigan
- Tractor
- Kubota L3700SU, Cub Cadet 1430, Hustler Super-Z 66in, Vermeer 1250
Thanks for the info. Looks like I have created another research project.
As if designing a barn isn't enough!
Peter
As if designing a barn isn't enough!
Peter
Russ,
GMRS and FRS are different, even though there are 7 overlapping channels.. GMRS is a licensed service, even when using the shared channels. FRS is an unlicensed service. Note, unlicensed does not mean no rules. There are FCC regulations around FRS radios.
GMRS has been around for 20 years, FRS only a few. GMRS can go upto 50watts of power depending on freq, GMRS can use repeaters for large coverage. GMRS requires a license ($75 for 5 years). GMRS also allows removable antennas to improve range. FRS antennas are fixed.
Range from a GMRS 5watt vs a FRS 1/2watt radio is often a fact of the quality of the radio. While 5watts will travel farther than 1/2 watts. The GMRS radio are often better constructed radios. Your low end FRS radio selling for $20 or even the $50 FRS radio is not going to have the quality compoents or filters a $150 and up radio would.
GMRS and FRS are different, even though there are 7 overlapping channels.. GMRS is a licensed service, even when using the shared channels. FRS is an unlicensed service. Note, unlicensed does not mean no rules. There are FCC regulations around FRS radios.
GMRS has been around for 20 years, FRS only a few. GMRS can go upto 50watts of power depending on freq, GMRS can use repeaters for large coverage. GMRS requires a license ($75 for 5 years). GMRS also allows removable antennas to improve range. FRS antennas are fixed.
Range from a GMRS 5watt vs a FRS 1/2watt radio is often a fact of the quality of the radio. While 5watts will travel farther than 1/2 watts. The GMRS radio are often better constructed radios. Your low end FRS radio selling for $20 or even the $50 FRS radio is not going to have the quality compoents or filters a $150 and up radio would.