G'morning all. Wellington has cleared the Panama Canal, so I'm starting to plan for his arrival! I'm hioping to be able to join in on some of the group drives that 5280 plans, and I've noticed that people take walkee talkees to talk among the group. Any recommendations on what to buy? I'd like to keep the cost down but make sure to get something that has the right channels/frequencies. Thanks!

 

i got a set from Amazon.com for $25 a pair. Works great on ski and mtn bike get aways as well. They will all work, group usually determines a fixed channel and one back up channel prior to departure.

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-GMR1235...721229&sr=1-10

Congrats on the MINI.

 

Just FYI, it's almost always Channel 7, sub 21.

-Dianne

 

Is "sub 21" the backup channel?

 

Make sure the radios support the sub or security channels, the cheapies usually do NOT have sub channels, just 22-30 main channels. Check out the picture in the thumb. Notice that it has a big 22 and then a small 38. The 38 represents the subs. The group will stay on channel 7, sub 21. If you don't buy ones with the sub, either we won't hear you or vice versa (simplified version)

A quick Amazon showed this:

• Includes 2 GMRS Radios (without Batteries or Chargers)
• 2 Watts (output) delivers up to 5 Mile Range
• Works with All FRS Radios
• 836 Privacy Channel Combinations with 22 Channels and 38 Privacy Codes
• Water Resistant

Again, it's about the Privacy channels...

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Two-Way-.../dp/B0000696HQ

 

I got these radios http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8402514

Mostly because it was yellow and matched the car. gotta match, right? lol

 

About a year ago I went to Radio Shack and picked up a pair of the Radio Shack 5-10 mile units.

They come in a pack of two for under $50. I imagine they are cheaper or have better models now.

I leave them in the charger and take two on runs. When one is out of charge I switch to the other. On some of the MINI 5280 runs, you will use two unless what you get is very good with battery power.

 

Since range (actual distance the transmitter/receiver will reach) is one of the most important factors, it's best to go for the most range you can afford. With cheaper (lower range) walkie talkie sets, the person on the other end may hear your transmission but probably won't be able to understand what you're saying. That means about $70 to $80 for a set (2) with charger, etc. Power is next, so get lithium batteries if possible. The cheaper sets work ok if you're close to everybody else and your batteries are fresh, but on longer runs (weekend trips), invariably the group get dispersed, especially in the mountains and the cheaper sets don't work very well (you can't understand others and they can't understand you). Finally, the third thing is to practice speaking clearly, slowly and not directly into the mic. Your voice quality will suffer (distorted) in the cheaper sets. Be sure to key the mic (press the button to talk) about 1 to 2 seconds BEFORE talking, then holding the button down a bit after you stop talking. It's best to stay away from the very low cost walkie talkies because the quoted range is only under ideal (laboratory) conditions and you really need the power to be hear others and be heard.
Rick

 

So Rick, that must be why you never hear me. Time to scope out some new radios.

Actually, the Radio Shack units have worked well for me, but they discharge fast, if there is a lot of radio chatter.

Don

 

Looks like more shopping in my future...

 

Ditto Rick's comments.

I am not sure if I can be heard clearly or not, but I have a hard time hearing 30% & miss completey 20% of what is said by the people on rides. If I had it to do over again, I would buy the best radio I could find (on sale of course).

I never hear some voices but I do hear the ones w/ better radios reply quite clearly to those I barely heard. On the Western Slope ride I could always hear Rick & Nancy & could hear them reply to those I never heard at all. A few were heard but w/ static or mostly garbled.

Another thing we notice is those w/ hands free voice activated radios lose the 1st word as it is activating. It gets hard to know what is going on w/ a 2 or 3 word response when 33% - 50% of the words were not transmitted.... ("Roger that" is heard as only, "that".)

I am in favor of having a radio check at the beginning of a ride to verify each is being heard, & as Rick mentioned, knows how to use their radio effectively (myself included).

My 2 bits (okay, 4 bits),

Mike

 

I've been checking out these radios on a bunch of websites, and it looks like you have to get an FCC license to operate anything marked GMRS. Is this true?

 

YOU JUST WAIT!!!!! shopping for MINI accessories, swag, ANYTHING MINI is soooooooo much fun

 

No MINI yet (still on the ship), but I have a front license plate mount, motoring badge mount (and some badges), a KUDA mount for my NUVI, and a few other items...

 

I was at Schomp yesterday thinking of your baby on the ship. He (or she) isn't off the boat yet??? Poor baby

 

Not only still on the boat, he's taking his sweet old time getting here. The WW schedule updated today and arrival at Port Hueneme went from June 24 to June 26.

Too bad we're not just a little closer to the east coast - would have had him by now!

 

I'm sure he has buddies with him to keep him company.

 

Good point Mike -- the hands free mode (VOX) should not be used, as some of your music, cockpit noise and unwanted conversation gets picked up and transmitted for the world to hear by the VOX (you don't have to key the mic). And the pre-ride radio check is a very good idea.
Rick

 

I hear you. I just can't always decipher your words. It's not always the walkie talkies, but good ones help. It just takes a little practice with someone who will let you know how you're sounding at a fair distance away.
Rick

 

Well I do mumble, I think the radio check idea is a good one. This Saturday, if time allows?

 

Well I do mumble,

Don, the White Hairs on our heads receive honorary free passes for many things....forgetfulness, mumbling, &..... I don't membr tha rest.....

 

Sometimes it's more of a pain to use non-rechargeable batteries, but they tend to work better, especially in older walkie talkies. It's worth a try and good practice to carry an extra set of fresh batteries. Most radios use 3 single AA batteries or one rechargeable batter pack composed of the same.
Rick

 

I've narrowed down my brand choices to Midland or Motorola because of batteries. They both have rechargeable battery packs, but you can also use "normal" (AA/AAA) batteries. I like having the option for a backup. I liked some of the Cobra models, but they only take battery packs.

I still have old digital cameras and cordless phones that only take special (and very expensive) battery packs!

 

This set from Amazon rocks. I got my wife to respond from over 3 miles away...in a city with tons of trees. They say 20 miles, but I was impressed with 3 miles...no line of site.

 

Roger that JohnJohn! One of the best ranges I've seen, plus lithium batteries to boot. All at the great price of about $45 plus the usual shipping, etc.
Rick