Obviously, I don't have my MC S yet, but I would love to hear about the first succesful FRS/GMRS radio conversation that occurred without planning on channel 7-21. I love the concept, but I am highly skeptical of it working. So here is a challenge for you in high MINI concentrated areas. Report the first successful radio contact between two MINIs!

We all are waiting in eager anticipation.

jc

 

Nothing stellar, but I got a pair of Uniden GMRS540 2-way radios from my honey for Chanakuh. Will be great for club runs. I think our club is going to get a couple more sets of these to use as they were a blessed thing on our last club run.



R

 

Just as an FYI for anyone in Southern California that is interested in getting the Motorola T6400, Costco is selling a "kit" for $99, which includes two T6400's, and two NiMH desktop rechargers and batteries. Seems like a pretty good deal, and you don't have to hassle with any rebates.

Plus, I think there's a lifetime satisfaction guaranteed policy on electronics from Costco (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

 

Will this FRS system (X2X by Xact) communicate with the ones you guys are talking about. I know nothing about them so I don't know what to look for in trying to figure out compatibility...

http://www.xactcommunication.com

Tech TV write up on X2X



_________________

Dominic MINI Cooper S

wait-list: 3/11/02 Ordered: 12/4/02
Production date: 1/24/03

2k3 MCS LY/W, #1, #2, bootbox, HK & 6-disc

 

Funky little thing. Don't think it would be comfortable on my wrist as it looks kind of bulky for a watch and small for a FRS radio. Yes it would be compatible!

jc

 

Normally the higher power models use the GRMS. But typically for general use, the FRS channels are enough. FRS is 1-2 miles and GRMS is up to 5 miles. I doubt the watch will make it five miles with watch battery power.

 

>>>>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...
>>


I saw the T6400's in a 2-pack with NiMH recharge kit at Costco for $99.99 before the Motorola manuf. rebate ($25/radio). This would result in each radio (with the NiMH kit included) costing about $25 plus applicable tax - A GREAT DEAL!

One catch however, is that you need to purchase the radios by 12/31/02 to qualify for the rebate (which you can print from Motorola's T6400 Website). I'm leaving to get mine in a few minutes.

 

Reviving this thread..........

Wanted to let anyone who is in to this sort of thing know that I recently added a pair of Motorola T7200's to my FRS/GMRS radio collection. The T7200's are a little bigger/heavier than the average FRS/GMRS radio. They have NOAA weather in them and the ability to use a repeater if desired/allowed. NOAA comes in handy if you hike/climb/bike/ski/kayak/etc. So what you say......

Well these babies transmit on the GMRS bands at a full 2.0 watts instead of the common 1.0 watt for GMRS (FRS only channels are still legally restricted to 0.5 watts). These were the 4th model of Talkabout radios that I have bought to date and I must say they actually give you a solid 5 miles of contact. I was out using them the other day mountain biking and I could still reach the other radio that was at the car (at least 5 miles through the hill and trees). They still use the single pin connecter for accessories.

These would be great for Mini Runs. Give one to the guy in front and the guy bringing up the rear. Just thought that I would share

PS: They recently underwent a price reduction. You can find them now to about 110.00/radio for the NiMH version. They used to be closer to 150.00/radio!

 

I have a pair of Motorola T5420 Talkabouts my wife got for me for xmas. I use them a ton when I'm out mountain biking with a group of people.
_________________
2002 Dark Silver MCS. Premium / Sport / Nav

 

FRS good. CB better. Cell Phone best.

 

Wouldn't it be cool if we could wire up that 'mystery button' on the MFSW to work with our radios? Or better yet, have MINI integrate walkie-talkies into the car!!

 

On the road: CB. Multiple channels. Good distance.

Around town and fool'n around: FRS. Inexpensive.

 

I guess I have the hookup then.... a Cobra CB, Cobra FRS/GMRS radio, and a cell phone with a National plan! YAY!

 

I got my Motorola Talkabout for the Feman Meet last weekend. Simply amazing, it made coordinating our driving sooooo much easier. Plus it made the traffic jams on the way back to the hotel quite funny!

I can't stress this enough... if you don't have one or haven't used one... do yourself a favour. Buy one!

And no I'm not a salesman.

~Joe

 

Cell phones are nice, but only if you are in an area that has coverage. Also, if you are trying to get a whole group of people in on the conversation, this is not very easy to set up with cellular.

Also... if you are planning on attending the Deals Gap rally, I can assure you... cell phones do NOT work there. :smile:

 

>>Nothing stellar, but I got a pair of Uniden GMRS540 2-way radios from my honey for Chanakuh. Will be great for club runs. I think our club is going to get a couple more sets of these to use as they were a blessed thing on our last club run.
>>
>>

_________________

 

>>Screw it I got gray ones!! (This is for rocketboy) OOOH! 666 posts. The devil made me do it.
>>

Congrats on the number of the beast Sirron!

Do they let you brits have radios, You could all band together with your illegal communicators and cause the government to crumble. I figure that radios would be considered equal to guns by the labour party. sorry probably not funny.

jc

 

>>Do they let you brits have radios,

I'm an ancient Brit, having lived in the colonies for over 40 years.
I used to have a crystal set.

_________________

 

I just wanted to make a update to this.
I found a great deal on quality FRS and GMRS radios. I talked to some clerks at various stores and the Midland were recommended. At Bass Pro shops they say Motorola are returned the most for defects but that may be because they sell more, but I thought these were great deals:
http://www.discountfamilyradios.com/midlandgmrs.htm

I personally suggest the 225.

 

Since this thread happened to hit page 1 while I was here, I decided to ask again.

Anybody actually made contact with a strange MINI by using frequency 7-21? We used them this weekend for the Southern Missouri Rally. They were used there and we were all on 7-21. I now use 7-21 all the time, so I hope someday to find another MINI on my frequency. I almost never have the silly thing on while I am in the car. Oh well

jc

 

Since this thread happened to hit page 1 while I was here, I decided to ask again.

Anybody actually made contact with a strange MINI by using frequency 7-21? We used them this weekend for the Southern Missouri Rally. They were used there and we were all on 7-21. I now use 7-21 all the time, so I hope someday to find another MINI on my frequency. I almost never have the silly thing on while I am in the car. Oh well

jc

 

I keep one FRS radio in the car at all times, but I generally dont have it on unless there is some sort of run happening. I have tried in the past when I have spotted another MINI to make contact to no avail, but these days might be different.

The FRS radios are great to have while at theme parks, car shows, driving in caravans, etc. I also keep a CB walkietalkie in the car as well to keep up with the traffic conditions since the truckers are the best source for that.

 

I love the idea. I am going to get me a set this weekend! Thanks, Albert, for the tip on Costco. Maybe all "tuned in" MINI or Mini owners could put a "7-21" sticker in their front and rear windows. Can anyone design and manufactur a standard sticker?

 

Bump for a great idea. It's getting that time of year again when clubs start venturing out.

I picked up a pair of Cobra Microtalk radios today at Walmart. They were $34 and included two 22 channel/38 code FRS/GMRS radios, rechargeable batteries and a charger. They are only .5 watts and good for 2 miles but they should be fine for those which prefer not to spend a lot.

I'm about to head out of town so I'll be sure to keep it on 7-21 and say hi if anyone is listening.

 

We used them on the Vegas trip with some success. Be sure to have everyone check to make sure there's no crypo-encoding going on. We lost a couple of drivers because they didn't know they had it in crypo mode, they could here eachother, but when we spoke, it sounded like garbage/noise.