|
Post by X on Jul 11, 2012 10:31:04 GMT -5
The GP68 (if what I'm seeing internet wise is correct) also requires a HAM license. I don't remember if you need the license for the radio or if you are using certain frequency bands, but once you start messing around with other frequencies outside of the typical "walkie talkie" you become a much larger target by the FCC. Basically this thing is overkill for most Michigan games. Also, I would like to point out that this thing can get FAR greater range than any Motorola talk-about. It has removable and replaceable antennas, and can also benefit from the simple addition of a tiger tail, greatly extending the effective range. This is just wrong. The hardware is not part 90 certified. It's illegal no matter what license you have. Tank and I bought these and tested them first hand with extended batteries (probably doesn't make a difference) and quarter wave antennas. They barely out perform Talkabouts by about 0.2 mile. Besides that they are not compatible with any narrowband radios. All bubble pack radios (Talkabouts, $40 midlands) are narrowband. These are not overkill. They simply are not a good radio for the average airsofter. Saying they are overkill would imply that they do something well, which they don't. The hardware is junk unless you want to break out the soldering iron and perform radio brain surgery. The only good thing about them is that they are cheap and can be programmed on the radio. Any radio that can be programmed without special software will not get part 90 type acceptance. If he's looking for something better than a Talkabout, $40 midlands aren't going to be any better. These will likely have fixed antennas and low power output. Sent from my DROID RAZR using ProBoards
|
|
ctres
New Member
Posts: 955
|
Radios!
Jul 11, 2012 17:37:53 GMT -5
Post by ctres on Jul 11, 2012 17:37:53 GMT -5
Okay, so what I need is a UHF radio to use FRS/GMRS frequencies correct? Is it not possible to program any wideband radios to work with talkabouts? Have you heard anything about the icom ic u85? www.ebay.com/itm/IC-U85-professional-wireless-walkie-talkie-/120823239364?pt=2_Way_Radios_FRS&hash=item1c21a052c4It looks pretty compact and I think I could get it to fit in an mbitr shell. I just ran across it after some quick browsing and thought it looked like a decent option. Another one that I have heard of being used is the icom t90a. It is called a multiband though, would it be workable with talkabouts?
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 11, 2012 18:02:33 GMT -5
Post by X on Jul 11, 2012 18:02:33 GMT -5
Fairly certain that what you linked to is a Chinese clone of an iCOM. It's cheap and ships out of Hong Kong. Also you can't find it on any legitimate retailers, only ebay. I only see the V-85 on icoms website which is a VHF radio. iCOM doesn't even list it under their discontinued products. EDIT: Found it... www.icom.co.jp/world/notice/alert_trademark/list/The iCOM IC-4001 is slightly cheaper and smaller. Downsides are that you lose the lithium ion battery and the fast charger. Gunslinger bought one new and I think he's selling it. You might be able to buy his. Although it probably won't come cheap as he got ripped off by the guy who sold it to him. If you decide to just buy one new off the internet I highly recommend action communications. They did a great job when I bought mine. They're also the cheapest retailer that I found. www.ebay.com/itm/ICOM-F4001-02-DTC-UHF-16-CHANNEL-4-WATT-TWO-WAY-RADIO-/170866251863?pt=2_Way_Radios_FRS&hash=item27c86c1857
|
|
ctres
New Member
Posts: 955
|
Radios!
Jul 12, 2012 11:49:33 GMT -5
Post by ctres on Jul 12, 2012 11:49:33 GMT -5
Thanks for the help about the counterfeit icoms. It actually looks as if the f4001 would fit in an mbitr shell, even if a bit of modification was required. The thickness is actually what worries me do you know if the 1 7/32 inch is the thickness including the belt clip or without it?
Also, I like the idea of programming in the field, something that the icoms mentioned do not offer. Have you had an issue with this ever, or do you just program for all of the common GMRS and FRS channels?
|
|
|
Post by Tank on Jul 12, 2012 13:52:37 GMT -5
X and I have the programming software, so no it hasn't been an issue for us. If the 4001 is like or 4011, the belt clip doesn't have to be attached.
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 12, 2012 17:52:10 GMT -5
Post by X on Jul 12, 2012 17:52:10 GMT -5
Tank, I don't know for sure that our software will work for the 4001. Technically it only says 3011 and 4011. It could work since the radios are so similar, but I can't say for sure.
I always program the radio the night before the game with all of the channels that I will be using that day. Although you could program it to all the FRS/GMRS channels (minus 2 of your choosing).
|
|
|
Post by Tank on Jul 12, 2012 19:47:58 GMT -5
Tank, I don't know for sure that our software will work for the 4001. Technically it only says 3011 and 4011. It could work since the radios are so similar, but I can't say for sure. I always program the radio the night before the game with all of the channels that I will be using that day. Although you could program it to all the FRS/GMRS channels (minus 2 of your choosing). I guess I should of been more specific. I didn't actually mean that we for sure had the end all software to program all iCOM, I was just stating that we have never had to worry about the programming that we chose since we can reprogram as we wish. If someone wants to let us try programming a 4001, we can do that.
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 12, 2012 19:49:29 GMT -5
Post by X on Jul 12, 2012 19:49:29 GMT -5
Never mind I misread your post.
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 13, 2012 8:11:16 GMT -5
Post by Knief on Jul 13, 2012 8:11:16 GMT -5
X, how much did the programming software and cable cost you?
|
|
|
Post by Tank on Jul 13, 2012 20:04:53 GMT -5
I could be wrong, but I believe the cable and software ran around $40.
|
|
|
Post by X on Jul 13, 2012 21:06:19 GMT -5
I could be wrong but I should be able to share the software.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using ProBoards
|
|
|
Post by Tank on Jul 13, 2012 22:43:25 GMT -5
iCOM IC-F4011. I used Motorola talkabouts in the past, but when I decided to go to OP Northern Light III i decided to take the plunge into more serious radio gear. At this event, the only way you were going to get communication from one end of the AO to the other was with a higher powered radio. The iCOM radios can broadcast at 4 Watts. In comparison, a talkabout is around 1 to 1.5 Watt. We had also tried business class Motorola radios (GP68), but were not impressed. With the iCOM radios we have actually gotten 3 miles range, in the city, with one of the guys in a car. I honestly can't find a single thing wrong with these radios. Tank I was wondering what about that iCOM IC-F4011, what made you buy it because if i could get something similar for a little bit cheaper that would be nice because i do plan on going to OP. Irene this year and $150 radio and $225 is a bit to bite, plus transportation costs . So it would be nice to find something like that ICOM but for only around 100. Well, it all started with OP Northern Light 3. Greg Brothers indicated that a standard talkabout could barely reach from one end of the building to the other, let alone the rest of the AO. That started X and I to look for another radio. My first thought was to go with an iCOM, since I've owned a VHF iCOM for my boat for the past 7 years and have loved its performance. Then I started to feel the same way as you, and wanted to save on some spending. So we purchased the GP68s since they had a replaceable antenna so we could roll with a quarter wave, and they were 4watts. After extensive messing with them, we got them fully functional, then discovered that narrow band radios work for crap with wide band radios. We couldn't understand what the other person was saying while listening on the talkabout. While listening on the GP68, trying to receive from a talkabout, it was much quieter than normal. The fact that the range was barely any further than the talkabouts, also sucked. Keep in mind, this was not theoretical range, we actually tested it, with fully charged batteries. We finally broke down and said fine, lets just do it, lets spend the money on more of a sure thing. I have to tell you, I couldn't be more happy. The radio is loud, clear, rugged, and works great, even with the 106 degree heat we played in, the extremely dusty environment, and also using it in another game in an all day rain. Oh yeah, I feel the same about my KWA M4 too. That gun is a real trooper! We choose this particular model due to it coming stock with a LiPo, and the fast charger.
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 16, 2012 21:24:17 GMT -5
Post by Overkill on Jul 16, 2012 21:24:17 GMT -5
Were you guys using just a quarter-wave monopole whip antenna?
|
|
|
Post by X on Jul 16, 2012 23:01:23 GMT -5
Wideband only! It doesn't matter! To answer your question, yes. Sent from my DROID RAZR using ProBoards
|
|
|
Radios!
Jul 20, 2012 19:31:06 GMT -5
Post by eagledriver on Jul 20, 2012 19:31:06 GMT -5
I know there is a lot of ICOM love on MIA but I use the Wouxun KG-UVD1P and KG-UV6D (upgraded to the 6D for my primary radios and have 4 1P's for unit/loaners). We have five licensed UHF frequencies that our team uses so they work well for that (they are Part 90 certified in the US.) But we can also use them for other UHF/FRS/GMRS frequencies, and since they are dual band, they come in handy for VHF/MURS/Marine bands too.
Accessories and parts are readily available (Andy's LCD display took a hit at Pine Plains and it was $3.70 for a replacement LCD.) They take Kenwood 2 pin accessories (headsets and mics.)
Programming cable is $10 and software is free. In fact there is a program called the KG-UV Commander that a guy developed for them as well.
I have used them at every OP, from Irene to Pine Plains in the US and at Berget in Sweden. They have withstood all of the punishment that I could put them through.
I run two radios at a time and use a Peltor dual PTT, going to either a Comtac II headset or a TEA Lite headset (fits under a mesh mask.) The antennas that I use are 5/8 rubber duck antennas from Smiley Antenna, specific to the frequency range I'm on (different sizes for different freqs.)
|
|