Save On Radios

[Cheesevillage]

Thought I'd post this up:

http://www.buytwowayradios.com/produ...ce=E20081209-2



Pretty legitimate price on some nice radios. The cost per handset is very reasonable. Buy a set with a friend!


I own these and have only used them a couple times but honestly for the money...they take AAs and there is an included battery pack.
Supposedly waterproof and recommended by Field & Stream magazine

[Amos]

Too bad they're only GMRS... They look pretty good for the price though.

[coach]

Originally Posted by Amos

Too bad they're only GMRS... They look pretty good for the price though.

¿Qué?

# 42 Channels (22 Standard, 20 Extra)
# 30 Mile Range
# 7 FRS Channels
# 8 GMRS Channels
# 7 Shared FRS/GMRS Channels
# 142 Privacy Codes
# 5.0 Watt Output Power
# Uses 4 AA Batteries or Rechargeable Battery Pack
# Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack Included
# Desktop Charger Included
# NOAA Weather Channels
# NOAA Weather Alerts


5 watts is nice but is there a lower power PTT as well?

[coach]

just glanced through the owners manual and that unit is a bit sketchy:

* Be sure you are on a GMRS channel FRS channels are restricted by FCC to low power.
* Be sure to set your radio to use HI power

I'll stick with my moto's as it will lock me out of hi power when on FRS channels and also allow low or high power transmitting when on GMRS.

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by coachster

just glanced through the owners manual and that unit is a bit sketchy:




I'll stick with my moto's as it will lock me out of hi power when on FRS channels and also allow low or high power transmitting when on GMRS.

Lulz.
The FCC is in the US.
Canada doesn't have any restrictions.

[coach]

Originally Posted by Styrak

Lulz.
The FCC is in the US.
Canada doesn't have any restrictions.

yes there is. FRS max is still 0.5 watts and GMRS is 2.0 watts without requiring a license

In Canada, hand-held GMRS radios up to 2 watts have been approved for use without a license since September 2004.[4] Typically these are dual FRS and GMRS units, with fixed antennas, and operating at 2 watts on some GMRS channels and 0.5 watts on the FRS-only channels. Mobile units (permanently mounted in vehicles), base stations and repeaters are not currently permitted on the GMRS channels in Canada.

[coach]

and in case you wish a better reference:

A6.1.4 Output Power

The maximum permissible transmitter output power under any operating conditions is 0.5 W effective radiated power (e.r.p.). The radio shall be equipped with an integral antenna.

http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gs.../sf08478e.html

[Cheesevillage]

[kstinson]

Originally Posted by coachster

yes there is. FRS max is still 0.5 watts and GMRS is 2.0 watts without requiring a license

Hmmm, which license would they require. I have my RTORC (radio telephone operators restricted certificate), however it's aircraft category. Anyone know if they'll accept that as enough credentials? lol

Kevin

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by coachster

yes there is. FRS max is still 0.5 watts and GMRS is 2.0 watts without requiring a license

Bahaha, my radio is SO illegal.

[Mitchell12]

Originally Posted by kstinson

Hmmm, which license would they require. I have my RTORC (radio telephone operators restricted certificate), however it's aircraft category. Anyone know if they'll accept that as enough credentials? lol

Kevin

Some of them are valid for Aeronautical,Nautical AND land while others are not... It's weird I know but I think you'll be fine.

[L473ncy]

Being a soon to be pilot myself, I'm pretty sure it's just your standard Ham Radio License.

I don't have my from the ground up book for reference right now or my AIP but I believe that is is just the "Ham Radio license".

[Lisa]

yes, it's your standard ham licence. I forget which bandwidth it falls in but it's not 2 meter.

[Kos-Mos]

Here for those worried about power/battery life:

Quoted from the website:

The power selectable feature allows you to switch between high and low power modes for GMRS frequencies. Low power mode would reduce the range of your two way radio. If your group is using a GMRS frequency, it could be useful to have to option to reduce your range if you are receiving unwanted transmissions from outside of your group.

[coach]

GMRS isn't the issue, but FRS is since it's limited to 0.5 watts for the average joe. Is FRS output selectable?