Walkee Talkee / Radio for group drives?
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
OK, I went out and got the Cobra LI 5600 DX. I understand the manual but am puzzled by the choice of CTCSS or DCS privacy codes.
Which do you use?
aka SPOT ON
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Parker, Colorado
But I needed them the next day so it was worth it and they work great too!
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock, CO
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Cheapie FRS radios from Walmart/Target will 'do' for 2-3 car caravans, but any more than that and they suffer from the lower transmission wattage that you get from them. The newer, higher powered GMRS ones can transmit up to 4 watts and give you more channels to use, so they get more distance... much better for larger MINI club caravans.
If you really want to be able to reach to the back of the 15-20 car caravan, you are gonna need to get the antenna out of the car, which is the true limiting factor to these radios. Unfortunately, the laws are structured to require that FRS/GMRS radios have antennas built into the handset... no remote antennas... unless, you buy a commercial VHF transmitter/receiver like police cars and taxis use. I've got one in my boot right now for install to use with a magnetic mount antenna... looks like a CB radio and can transmit at 45 watts (blows the 1/2 watt power of my old FRS handheld out of the water and has an external antenna, which will help more than all that power).
You can get a pro grade handheld, a magnetic mount antenna and a BNC adaptor to get them together for around $200.
If you really want to be able to reach to the back of the 15-20 car caravan, you are gonna need to get the antenna out of the car, which is the true limiting factor to these radios. Unfortunately, the laws are structured to require that FRS/GMRS radios have antennas built into the handset... no remote antennas... unless, you buy a commercial VHF transmitter/receiver like police cars and taxis use. I've got one in my boot right now for install to use with a magnetic mount antenna... looks like a CB radio and can transmit at 45 watts (blows the 1/2 watt power of my old FRS handheld out of the water and has an external antenna, which will help more than all that power).
You can get a pro grade handheld, a magnetic mount antenna and a BNC adaptor to get them together for around $200.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Cheapie FRS radios from Walmart/Target will 'do' for 2-3 car caravans, but any more than that and they suffer from the lower transmission wattage that you get from them. The newer, higher powered GMRS ones can transmit up to 4 watts and give you more channels to use, so they get more distance... much better for larger MINI club caravans.
If you really want to be able to reach to the back of the 15-20 car caravan, you are gonna need to get the antenna out of the car, which is the true limiting factor to these radios. Unfortunately, the laws are structured to require that FRS/GMRS radios have antennas built into the handset... no remote antennas... unless, you buy a commercial VHF transmitter/receiver like police cars and taxis use. I've got one in my boot right now for install to use with a magnetic mount antenna... looks like a CB radio and can transmit at 45 watts (blows the 1/2 watt power of my old FRS handheld out of the water and has an external antenna, which will help more than all that power).
You can get a pro grade handheld, a magnetic mount antenna and a BNC adaptor to get them together for around $200.
If you really want to be able to reach to the back of the 15-20 car caravan, you are gonna need to get the antenna out of the car, which is the true limiting factor to these radios. Unfortunately, the laws are structured to require that FRS/GMRS radios have antennas built into the handset... no remote antennas... unless, you buy a commercial VHF transmitter/receiver like police cars and taxis use. I've got one in my boot right now for install to use with a magnetic mount antenna... looks like a CB radio and can transmit at 45 watts (blows the 1/2 watt power of my old FRS handheld out of the water and has an external antenna, which will help more than all that power).
You can get a pro grade handheld, a magnetic mount antenna and a BNC adaptor to get them together for around $200.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
From what I understand (from the professionals who program these radios regularly for this use), you can use channel 1-7 at 5 watts, listen only on channels 8-14 and use 45 watts on channels 15+ in the GMRS range.
This is the standard FRS/GMRS setup that they will program into a radio for this type of use.
Channel 1-7 requires no license to use. Channel 8-14 requires no license, but they can't be used by a radio with an external antenna, so my radio is set up to listen only and not transmit on those channels. Channels 15+ require the standard GMRS license... I'm a bit cash-poor in the fun-funds department right now after the radio purchase, so I'm not broadcasting in those channels right now. Many people in my club only have FRS radios anyway and cant use channels 15+, so it is a moot point for my planned uses anyway. I'll eventually get the license in a few months when I re-fuel the modding fund.
I may start playing in other frequencies, but that requires a more serious license with testing involved. I've got a lot of homework to do before that time, so I'm leaving the program on my radio on the FRS/GMRS generic settings that the programmer assured me was a legal setup.
PS: I got my u's and v's messed up... it is a UHF radio that will transmit on FRS/GMRS frequencies.
This is the standard FRS/GMRS setup that they will program into a radio for this type of use.
Channel 1-7 requires no license to use. Channel 8-14 requires no license, but they can't be used by a radio with an external antenna, so my radio is set up to listen only and not transmit on those channels. Channels 15+ require the standard GMRS license... I'm a bit cash-poor in the fun-funds department right now after the radio purchase, so I'm not broadcasting in those channels right now. Many people in my club only have FRS radios anyway and cant use channels 15+, so it is a moot point for my planned uses anyway. I'll eventually get the license in a few months when I re-fuel the modding fund.
I may start playing in other frequencies, but that requires a more serious license with testing involved. I've got a lot of homework to do before that time, so I'm leaving the program on my radio on the FRS/GMRS generic settings that the programmer assured me was a legal setup.
PS: I got my u's and v's messed up... it is a UHF radio that will transmit on FRS/GMRS frequencies.
Last edited by agranger; Nov 28, 2008 at 07:49 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Pics of the radio, install and more details on frequencies/power are over here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=135254&page=2
Hi all
I bought a Midland pair off amazon for about $65 shipped,
good range, hold a charge nicely and can use alkaline AA in a pinch,
plus the black/grey color scheme matches my Mini interior, cool!
boxcars
I bought a Midland pair off amazon for about $65 shipped,
good range, hold a charge nicely and can use alkaline AA in a pinch,
plus the black/grey color scheme matches my Mini interior, cool!
boxcars
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