magnus
New Member
The true measure of a hero is when he gives his life, knowing that those he saves will never know.
Posts: 110
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Post by magnus on Aug 8, 2013 13:04:09 GMT -5
Hello guys,
In airsoft, I am used to playing a kind of forward-passive scout role, funneling information about troop movements and such to other players. However, through all this time, I have stuck with a Motorola T5410 radio - which has a range of just 2 miles (max). In forest scenarios, that actual range can be under 1 mile. I am looking to upgrade radios. Does anyone know of a decent, roughly 10-mile range radio under $20? (I only need 1 radio, not a set of 2).
Thanks!
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Post by sneakytiger on Aug 9, 2013 1:32:01 GMT -5
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Post by X on Aug 9, 2013 7:42:32 GMT -5
I'm going to say that you will not find a decent radio for less than $20. For your budget, a used, newer model Motorola Talkabout is your best bet.
I'm not a fan of the Chinese radios because of my experience with the Motorola GP68s which are actually Chinese remanufactured radios. Those were about $60 a piece and they were total crap. They had slightly (<0.25 mile) better range but we took them apart and the internals were just waiting to fall apart. So personally I have no faith in a $30 Chinese radio. In many ways you get what you pay for. That being said buying something used is going to be a better value than buying one new. Since it sounds like you don't have a lot of money I would go with something that many people have used and has been proven to work. You should only have difficulties on the biggest fields like maybe Splatmandu or Hell's Survivors.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards
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Post by Gimpalong on Aug 9, 2013 9:47:25 GMT -5
Where are you playing that you need a radio with a ten mile range?
I know that in the age of computers where everyone carries a smart phone (or at least a cell phone) radios can seem sort of old school, low-tech and should be inexpensive. This is not the case. If you want something that will work well you've got to pay for it. $20 won't buy you all that much today, but $40-$60 could get you something quite functional, while $100-$200 could get you something very, very nice.
I have two radio set-ups. The first is a Talkabout, which I use for average games where the majority of players are also running talkabouts. This is the radio that comes out at rec, scenario and most milsim games.
For larger AOs, I have an ICOM F4011.
The Talkabout I purchased in a two pack and sold one off to a buddy. So the radios cost probably $80 for the two pack; so $40 for mine by itself. Then a PTT and headset to make it useable on the field pushed the total up to about $100.
The ICOM F4011 was $156 by itself and then probably another $50 or so for PTT, headset, etc.
I've generally found that Talkabouts will suffice for the vast majority of AOs here in Michigan. A few, like the Northern Lights AO, are too big, with too many causes of interference to function well 100% of the time.
The biggest problem with radios is not that you can't hear people, but that people are constantly spamming the mic and/or hitting the call button.
My advice if you're on a budget is to buy a two pack of Talkabouts, sell one off and then make sure you use a specific dedicated channel for the guys that you play with.
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Post by Zorak on Aug 9, 2013 12:06:31 GMT -5
Are those things FCC-certified for any of the frequencies we use? |
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Post by sneakytiger on Aug 9, 2013 12:21:58 GMT -5
Honestly I couldn't tell you. They are made overseas so if you are concerned with that do a little research. I do know you technically need a basic ham radio liscinse to use some of the available channels. Our entire team is looking into getting ours to use the murs channels.
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Post by X on Aug 9, 2013 12:39:12 GMT -5
Honestly I couldn't tell you. They are made overseas so if you are concerned with that do a little research. I do know you technically need a basic ham radio liscinse to use some of the available channels. Our entire team is looking into getting ours to use the murs channels. This is something you should research since you're the one who would be breaking the law if it isn't. Regardless, Zorak is really asking a rhetorical question here. Since they can be programmed on the fly the answer is no. Which makes them illegal to use in the U.S. The FCC rarely enforces the law, but if your trying to follow the straight and narrow then you can't use these. Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards |
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Post by sneakytiger on Aug 9, 2013 12:49:01 GMT -5
We've ran them at various military bases and operations over the last year, no problems. I do not believe the FCC has the time or manpower to worry about someone using a technically illegal radio at an Airsoft game where 400 other people are also using radios. I could understand if it were harming or affecting someone else in a negative way, but so long as its used intelligently there shouldnt, and will not be a problem
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Post by Zorak on Aug 9, 2013 14:04:58 GMT -5
I mostly ask those questions to make sure people understand that they're buying radios that they can't legally use for airsoft. I can't stop them from doing it but I want the buyer to know the situation.
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Post by Puma1 on Aug 9, 2013 17:00:10 GMT -5
Magnus, if you do take Gimpalongs advice, I will gladly take the other one off your hands. There good radios, and i've been looking into getting myself a pair for a while. There are often times when radios aren't even needed at airsoft games. At no limits especially, there are several times where you're within talking distance of a team mate or even your enemy. As useful as they are, it shouldn't be a priority. If you've got your other stuff sorted out, then radios it is  just my .02$ |
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Roger Monk
New Member
Just call me monk ... please
Posts: 451
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Post by Roger Monk on Aug 9, 2013 18:18:51 GMT -5
While we are on this topic, does anyone think the toy solder radios are worth the cash?
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Post by X on Aug 9, 2013 22:02:22 GMT -5
Magnus, if you do take Gimpalongs advice, I will gladly take the other one off your hands. There good radios, and i've been looking into getting myself a pair for a while. There are often times when radios aren't even needed at airsoft games. At no limits especially, there are several times where you're within talking distance of a team mate or even your enemy. As useful as they are, it shouldn't be a priority. If you've got your other stuff sorted out, then radios it is just my .02$ I couldn't disagree with you more. Without exception I use my radio at every game. There's no quicker way to ask a ref a rule question or ask your teammate how the other side of the castle is holding up or to figure out that your other teammate is back at the truck reloading or... At rec games you can get by but often times event hosts will literally list it as a requirement for MILSIMs. Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards |
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Post by Puma1 on Aug 9, 2013 22:11:37 GMT -5
well, i will stand my ground here. As a newcomer, i barely had enough gear to outlast 2 or 3 gunfights. Now I'll admit to not being very smart with my money, but with the limited cashflow I had, I put a radio on the bottom of my list. I just didn't see the point in using a nbb co2 pistol but having a nice radio. Radios are great, but until I had the basics covered, i could live without a radio.
The way i look at it is like this: If someone calls for back up or help, and i have a gun capable of shooting barely 50 feet, but i have a really nice radio: am i of any real help to that player?
Not really.
Am i saying don't get one? no, but I am saying i needed a good gun first to make it worthwhile.
Maybe after i actually get a radio, I might think differently.
As I said in my post above, if you've got a good system for yourself, then radios become an essential. I didn't until semi-recently have a good set up. now, I'm into the radio thing. Agree to disagree?
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Post by X on Aug 9, 2013 22:16:07 GMT -5
OK sure if you don't own an airsoft gun a radio won't help you get kills. I agree with that.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using proboards
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Snarf
New Member
Ambidextrous selector switches are the bane of my existence
Posts: 560
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Post by Snarf on Aug 10, 2013 13:26:14 GMT -5
You can get a pair of talkabouts on amazon for pretty cheap. I personally got my radio right after my primary, even before gear or anything like a sidearm.
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