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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 10:31:57 GMT -5
Post by Bubba on Jan 18, 2013 10:31:57 GMT -5
I don't know a lot about radios, but I want to get a really good one that isn't extremely expensive. What are some good radios that are fairly easy to use and don't take a lot of programming?
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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 13:01:16 GMT -5
Post by Mosin on Jan 18, 2013 13:01:16 GMT -5
With radios, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for.
The easiest way to decide what is right for you depends on what specifically you intend on using it for. If dense forest is your game, you want something that pushes out UHF (Ultra High Frequency), if you want something that does well on long distance, but not so much with obstructions, VHF (Very High Frequency) is your friend.
Now that you've determined whether or not you'll be going with UHF/VHF, the next choice is power. Basic Wal*Mart radios usually push out .5 - 1.0 watts of power, and run you about $50 for a set of two. These are typically VHF, and only really work (realistically) if you're not more than 2-300 meters apart.
If you want something more serious, the way to go is iCom. I personally would reccomend the iCom F4011, this radio pushes out 4 watts of power at UHF, will cut through anything (just about) that stands in the way of the receiver. These usually run about $160(ish) PER radio and also require that you know the frequencies that you wish to program into the set as they're 16 channels preset.
Radios can get confusing, and so far the biggest barrier I've run into is combining a great radio with a realistic (Military) headset. As just about every radio has their own style of plug in, it's near impossible to find a good headset w/ PTT that functions on an iCom F4011 (If someone has a link, please let me know. I'm hunting).
Hope this helps give you an idea.
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Post by Tank on Jan 18, 2013 13:20:53 GMT -5
The only thing I would add is that those cheaper $50 radios are UHF as well, just low power. That power is what is legal to have within the frequency range that you would be interested in. The iCOMs, that Mosin mentioned (my personal fav) are higher powered than what is legal in the GMRS/FRS frequency range (again the range you will want, because that is where everyone at the games will be at). You can get in trouble, in theory for using them at those frequencies. Now that the disclaimer is out there, they work phenomenal. The preset frequencies that he mentioned can be reprogrammed, a handful of MiA have the software/hardware to do so and change them based on what channels that are needed for each game. The price is high in comparison, but they are built like tanks and performance is not even in the same ballpark as the lower priced units.
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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 13:21:20 GMT -5
Post by Zorak on Jan 18, 2013 13:21:20 GMT -5
Using anything that requires a license (ie, not type-certified as FRS, GMRS, or MURS) means you're breaking the law. Chance of being busted is probably low though it varies - if you keep playing in the same place and piss off the local licensed operators enough that they complain to the FCC, it would be bad. On the other hand it's increasingly hard to find GMRS radios that aren't kid stuff inside.
Mosin - go real steel and I bet you can find plenty of people who will make Icom-compatible sets.
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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 13:34:18 GMT -5
Post by Bubba on Jan 18, 2013 13:34:18 GMT -5
Is there something that is legal and works like an icom?
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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 13:46:22 GMT -5
Post by Knief on Jan 18, 2013 13:46:22 GMT -5
No. What makes the Icom and other commercial grade radios effective is their output power. Radios that transmit on FRS frequencies (disclaimers: legally and on "channels 8-14" out of the box) cannot have that output power. They're legally limited to an output power of below .5 Watts, where as commercial grade GMRS radios (which can legally transmit on FRS "channels 1-7") typically have about 5 Watts of output power. If you buy a Motorola Talkabout, or the Midland or Cobra version of the same, you'll be limited to .5W. If you want more than that, you're looking at a radio that requires a license.
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Radios
Jan 18, 2013 13:49:38 GMT -5
Post by Zorak on Jan 18, 2013 13:49:38 GMT -5
FYI while GMRS technically requires a license, the FCC has said outright that they have no interest or intention of enforcing that rule. If you buy one and that rule changes, you'll need to spend $75 (IIRC), but that's all that's involved. Legally using other bands requires a license with real training requirements, and the FCC rules aren't real friendly for tactical use. It's aging a bit but the basic into in my airsoft radio page is still accurate as to the physics of this stuff.
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Sham
New Member
R14
Posts: 88
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 2:51:06 GMT -5
Post by Sham on Feb 14, 2013 2:51:06 GMT -5
I would like to ask if anyone here recommends the HT1000 by Motorola. Trying to choose a good radio is giving me an ulcer.
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 7:57:24 GMT -5
Post by X on Feb 14, 2013 7:57:24 GMT -5
Keep in mind that you want a narrow band version. If the model number ends in AN or BN it is a wide band ONLY model. If the model number ends in a CN or DN it is a narrow band model (according to the internet). You're also going to want to make sure you are looking at the UHF model.
Looks like you're going to need a computer that's really old in order to program that radio. The software runs on DOS. Have fun with that.
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Snarf
New Member
Ambidextrous selector switches are the bane of my existence
Posts: 560
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 16:18:53 GMT -5
Post by Snarf on Feb 14, 2013 16:18:53 GMT -5
Actually my Motorola Talkabout M350's can operate in GMRS frequencies; it clearly states it in the manual and the channels go from 1 to 22. Also, it can operate from .5 to 1.5 watts. That's coming from radios that were just $35 a pair (at Costco). I'm not saying you should get a super cheap radio, I just wanted to put that out there since it seems like the general stereotype is that cheap radios are strictly FRS channels 8-14.
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ctres
New Member
Posts: 955
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 16:24:26 GMT -5
Post by ctres on Feb 14, 2013 16:24:26 GMT -5
Yes, pretty much all talkabouts from the last eight or so years can operate on GMRS frequencies as well as FRS. Here is a list of those channels. www.walkie-talkie-watch.com/frs-gmrs-frequency.htmlThose twenty two channels are shared by GMRS and FRS but GMRS radios over .5W (I think) cannot use the FRS specific ones.
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 17:09:56 GMT -5
Post by X on Feb 14, 2013 17:09:56 GMT -5
Is it too soon to say "read the stickies"? +1 for trying ctres you were pretty close. Newer GMRS radios switch between "high power" (1.5 watts or so) and low power (<.5 Watts). I show the difference between the two on a Motorola Talkabout in my video. miairsoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=accessories&action=display&thread=46204Snarfdog, I think everyone is aware of the fact that Talkabouts operate on GMRS. The reason why people are looking for alternatives is because instead of the 1-2 watts the talkabouts transmit other radios will go to 4-5 Watts. This is besides other benefits like better circuitry, durability, etc..
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Snarf
New Member
Ambidextrous selector switches are the bane of my existence
Posts: 560
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 18:18:28 GMT -5
Post by Snarf on Feb 14, 2013 18:18:28 GMT -5
Oh sorry I was just clueless.
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Radios
Feb 14, 2013 20:29:17 GMT -5
Post by X on Feb 14, 2013 20:29:17 GMT -5
No worries, everyone was clueless at some point. That's what we're here for.
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auzzie
New Member
NRPH and Fairlawn forever...
Posts: 523
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Radios
Jun 16, 2013 22:21:52 GMT -5
Post by auzzie on Jun 16, 2013 22:21:52 GMT -5
I know this is old but it does have good info we should keep...
Sweet I learned a bunch of stuff from you guys but what is a good set of radios (2) that I can hook up a head set to? I don't feel like spending a ton of cash either.
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