As a club leader, you should probably have about the best on the market and that is going to be that T7200 with 2.0watts of power to make sure that at least everyone can hear you even if they cannot transmit a clear signal back.

Since the T7200 comes with a NiMH battery and charger, it is a pretty good deal if you want recharging capability (which you do because you too hate to throw away batteries).

But the T6250 like I got would be a great cheaper alternative. Get the charger kit (with battery) for it for about $35 and the total cost would be about $80 for a nearly top notch radio (transmitting at 1.0watts instead of the 2.0watts of the T7200) . You could then buy a really cheap set of basic FRS radios that you can lend to club members or friends without them. Now you have 3 radios, one with a lot of extra features, for about the same price as one of the T7200's.

Just match your needs to your budget, but get the best you can for yourself if you are going to be leading a lot of group drives. Your club members may purchase any brand of inexpensive FRS radio that uses the sub-codes.

If you were a very super cool trip leader, you might even keep your eyes peeled for any especially good deals on inexpensive sets of radios and buy a couple sets that you can offer to someone who shows up for a drive without a radio. They could just give you the $15 or $20 it would cost you to provide a single radio with fresh batteries in it right when they need it (and they would think you were the coolest scout leader ever!)
_________________
~Yucca Patrol~
Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.

7 sub 21

 

>>I think the T6400's are a good choice. They are small and powerful (FRS 0.5/GMRS 1.0 watts). They do not have a ton of fancy features but most people don't need all that fancy stuff (i.e. digital compass, altimeter, etc). I would recommend this model for what you plan on using it for (motoring?)
>>
>>Comes in cool colors too

Picked these up at OD yesterday...34.99 after rebate.
Work great..and a nice feature is we can use them with
the Motorola direct connect headsets that are available
for Nextel phones to communicate while motorcycling......
5 stars...

 

As long as you have an FRS radio that has subchannels they will all communicate with each other just fine.

And thanks for noticing the sig Yucca.

 

Thankee guys, once I get some more members, I'll start passing along that information.

 

Great idea guys! As soon as I return to Hawaii (I'm suffering through a couple weeks of Minnesota winter, I'll be getting some for my MINI. Hopefully there will be others on Oahu who are interested too...

Jason

 

I have the Motorolas also and I agree that they are EXTREMELY handy. For our last meet I managed to forget them and was lucky enough to be able to borrow a friend's...but I don't know what I would have done without it.

Definitely a must on group drives!

 

Geez.. I cant even remember what brand I have.. but. I agree.. they are awesome! We used ours on a trip to Ireland 1 1/2 years ago. Us in one rentacar.. and friends of ours in another! They came in really handy on our trip! one of the friends we were travelling with is from Ireland, and he would pass along information to us as we were driving along! It worked out so great, it was like we were all in the same car. We also used them in Greece this past summer! There was a big group of us in 4 different rental cars on Crete! and again, it was awesome having them! We also used them on the island of Santorini, where we did mostly all walking. They definetly helped us keep in contact with each other!

 

7 - 21!!! THE MINI CHANNEL!!!!

 

L.Mini:

Which model Motorolas do you have?

I'll ask Santa for a pair

 

>>L.Mini:
>>
>>Which model Motorolas do you have?
>>
>>I'll ask Santa for a pair

 

Has anyone been able to contact another MINI on the "MINI channel" while motoring. I saw a red/w S today and gave a shout but got no reply. I was just curious if anyone had any luck on 7-21 yet.

 

>>Has anyone been able to contact another MINI on the "MINI channel" while motoring.

Haven't gotten my radios yet, but should be soon - I'll follow up later.

Anyone else?

 

Since there are only 4 or 5 MINIs in town the chances of my seeing one and them having the radios are pretty small. I have a couple of sets of the FRS radios and they are great for the shopping mall or vacations. So I will throw one in the car, but since my S won't arrive for 6 months... the MINIs I call on the radio will say who is the nerd in the Maxima or RX300!

jc

I think it is a cool idea, but I am not very hopeful the 7-21 will become a haven for MINI but we can always dream. It was very cool Saturday after we left MINI of St. Louis and I saw 5 on I64/40 on the way to see the Producers at the Fox.

 

Well ... I just took the plunge and bought a pair of Motorola 6400s (a Christmas gift to myself).

 

There is a cool FRS/GRMS radio out now called the Rino. Comes in two models 110/120. Here is why it is cool. It has built in GPS and when you key the mike, the others in the area who have one can see exactly where you are. Is that kool or what?


_________________

MCS Due Mar2k3, IBB, #1#3

 

>>There is a cool FRS/GRMS radio out now called the Rino. Comes in two models 110/120. Here is why it is cool. It has built in GPS and when you key the mike, the others in the area who have one can see exactly where you are. Is that kool or what?


Thats Awesome!! How much? (I'm afraid to ask almost!)

 

I would check the ole eBay for latest. 120 runs around 225+

 

Yes the Rino are very cool, and great for keeping track of your friends... although as a GPS they are only average. But still very very cool.

jc

 

>>I don't know what L. has but the T6400s
>>are on sale at Office Depot for 34.99 after rebate.
>>These originally sold for over $100 and
>>I am real happy with mine...

2minis: I was checking these out and saw that Motorola is offering a manufacturer rebate of $25 (per radio up to 6). Was this the same rebate deal at the Depot? I like what I read about this set... just trying to find the best deal. The OD deal sounds very reasonable!

Oh, was there a date on the OD offer? The manuf. rebate is valid only for purchases through 12/31/02.

 

That be the one. I bought two.
Cheaper in the store than online.

 

>>In theory (by law), you are supposed to have a license from the FCC to operate a GMRS radio (but not a FRS radio transmitting at 0.5watts), but you do not need it for FRS. I doubt many people actually fill out the application, but you will need FORM 605 and FORM 159 from the FCC (Adobe Acrobat Reader required to view forms). You can also apparently file this online here: FCC.GOV
>>
>>I wonder how many people actually go through the trouble of being legal with these things? I think I will do it, just so I don't find myself a fugitive from the radio cops. Or I might just make sure to only use the first 14 channels as they are all FRS channels and I think I could sweet-talk a radio cop into just giving me a warning if I promised to go and get a license ASAP.
>>
>>_________________
>>~Yucca Patrol~

Just went through the process of applying for an operator permit for a GMRS radio. The entire process can be completed online. You need to complete a Form 160 to apply for a FCC Registration Number (FRN). Without a FRN you cannot apply for an operator permit. The Form 605 mentioned above is the application for the permit. The Form 159 is used for submitting payment for the permit. This can also be done online with a credit card. The cost of the permit is $75.00. I have not been able to determine how long the permit is valid. It costs another $75.00 to renew.

Be good out there, I'm watching to see who is naughty and who is nice!!

 

Just recd. a pair of Motorola T5820's for Christmas. Used them yesterday on a run to Tucson to meet up with other MINI Motorers. They work great. Had to search the forums for the 'MINI Channel'. 7-21 okay, will let all the MIni people know in AZ.

 

>>Well ... I just took the plunge and bought a pair of Motorola 6400s (a Christmas gift to myself).

I don't remember what kind I have, but I can tell you this.....they are blue. Get this snow on outta here!!!!

 

>>I don't remember what kind I have, but I can tell you this.....they are blue.
I'm beginning to wonder...perhaps Bob is right.
Has the snow damaged the cardboard?

 

The ice caved it in a little bit but it's supposed to warm up to the big 4-0 today.....hopefully that will dry it out before there's a complete collapse.

They are blue (more of an indie) motorola....somethings.....I need to check.