Ladies and Gentlemen,

I've been trying to find a thread on what type of walkie-talkie's that Mini Owners use for communication in group rides/going to the dragon, etc. I have heard that there are two types, but don't remember anything about the types other than one is more powerful than the other and the costs are reasonable and they usually come in pairs. So, I know just enough:impatient to be dangerous. I need some expert Mini Owner information , suggestions, recommendations, etc about what I should (or should not) be purchasing for enhancing my fun in my Mini and making me aware of what's going on around me in group rides. I understand that there is a channel and a sub-channel that is the for Mini's. I saw this somewhere in relation to Dragon weekend.

Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated,
Thanks in advance,
DROPDTOP

 

Be sure to get radios that are FRS AND GMRS, with sub-audiable coding. Motorola makes good ones You can get them at Radio Shack, CostCo, Sam's Club, etc.
The official MINI channel is 7-21, meaning Channel 7, sub 21.
The Dragon may use it's own channels though!

 

Nope we use 7-21 at the Dragon also, while driving and communicating with other drivers. Different groups use different channels for idle chit chat.

Steve

 

... and they usually come in mileage ratings too. 3-mile range, 5-mile range, etc. For Mini Drives, I've found my little 5-mile range is sufficient. Some have the sub-channels and some don't. As Califzeph said, we gennerally use Channel 7-21, so having the sub-channels comes in handy.

You can get all fancy and get one with NOAA, but really, a basic one works just fine on the drives. IMHO.

 

If you are going to use the radios on the Dragon, then get the longest range possible. The area is very bad for 2-way radio communications and anything that helps is a plus.

Steve

 

Up until this point I have been using Motorola, but this spring I bought a set of these for $50:

Cobra PR 4700-2 WX VP MicroTalk FRS/GMRS 2 Way Radio two pack with up to 12 mile range

Besides including the recharable battiers, charger, and hands free set, they also do wheather band! I have been very happy with them so far. I have not been able to do a good test of the range yet, but they appear to do as well as the GMRS Motorola radios I have used in the past.

 

Of course if range was the primary concern then Ham or CB would be the way to go, but there are only a coulpe of Hams and only a few more CB users here, so a least they'll be chatter free.

 

I use Cobras myself. Got them at Wally-world for about $55 and have found them adequate for the runs. The model I have is supposed to have a 7 mile range, but up in the mountains that gets cut down to a quarter mile or so, depending on the terrain.

 

I've been waiting for these to become available.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Cobra...oductDetail.do

Doesn't look like I will have them before the Dragon though.

Steve