View Full Version : two way radios
phidelt157
02-12-2002, 11:31 AM
Recently, I've been looking into buying a pair of two way radios for use in Ontario this summer. I wanted to check here to see what you guys have (or have had) and see what's the best for the money. Most claim to cover "up to" two miles, but we all know what that sometimes means. I don't really want to sell my car to pay for them either. Any help is appreciated.
NateW
02-12-2002, 11:55 AM
I got two Motorola Talkabout 5200's for Christmas and plan on using them for the same thing. I get about 1 to 1 1/2 miles in town, so 2 unobstructed miles might actually be possible. I believe Best Buy has them for $39/pr. So far I like them, but the test will come in July when we got up north.
Ya, I've been looking at those actually. Fairly clear sound at that distance??
Big Laker
02-12-2002, 02:38 PM
Our Talkabouts often worked worse over water than on land. Sometimes they worked fine, other times they wouldn't work more than a 1/2 mile apart. We suspected the water had something to do with it, so I did a little research on the topic. Unfortunately most of the stuff I read was to technical for my simple mind. But I did find some information that said the water surface can cause abnormal behavior of radio waves. Of course, marine radios don't seem to have an issue with the water. I'm sure there is someone out there that can explain this...
Pitts
02-12-2002, 02:50 PM
They work very well for short distance comunication and I have seen them reach 1.5 miles in total woods so 2 miles are probably a good top range. They all have exactly the same power but the price goes up when you add all the bells and whistles. I seen K-Marts add is advertising a cheap pair this week for 30$ or so check their add out.
I personally do not need the bells and whistles.
Pitts
see bass \wall. mag this month
We were up ice fishing a few weeks ago, and there were 6 radios in the group. Various brands, and all had the capability to tune the same channel.
During a slow time, we did some range checking over the ice.
In general - line of sight was very clear at 1.5 miles.
If one of the radios was elevated a bit - as was the case when one got on shore - and up a 20 foot bank, we then had clear reception to 2 miles.
However, we fell off very quickly over 1.5 miles if we were on the level on the ice.
Basically, if you can see each other on the water, it is probably safe to say that the radios will work for you. If you can't see each other - then it is just as likely that you won't be able to hear each other.
If there is an island in the way, the distance falls off very abruptly.
Take care
REW
AquaMan
02-12-2002, 03:52 PM
I have the same problem with my Motorola Talkabouts. In the boat, I can get a lot of static and sometime no signal at all depending on where the other radio is in relation to my boat. The other radio was within shouting distance off the side. If I stood up the signal imprved. If I headed at them the signal was strong. We figured that the aluminum must be blocking the signal since they worked perfectly on land a 1+ away.
Sometimes I get limited distance when near or in the vehicle, too.
Other then those little issues, I am happy with mine as long as you realize their limitations.
AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It all begins and ends at the water's edge...
THUMPER
02-12-2002, 04:06 PM
We have used the talk abouts and knockoffs for a number of years both icefishing and summer fishing. REWs post is very accurate and duplicates our findings. In the summer in the bush here they are not very usefull. Distance is 1km give or take. We camp on an elevated island and this makes a difference. They are a novelty for us and are not a substitute for a good plan of your travel route.
We use T6320's and XU 2600's in the production of our tv series. We have had ranges of up to 5 miles in the woods. I never experienced the on the water problems discussed here but our boats are glass.
Rich
phidelt157
02-12-2002, 08:08 PM
Got a price range on that pair????????
$125.00 each on the 6320's and $210 on the 2600. Not cheap but you get what you pay for.
W'eyes Guy
02-12-2002, 09:18 PM
I picked up a couple radios made by Coleman for a fishin trip a couple years ago to communicate between boats. I actually purchased them with the intension of returning them when we got back( shame on me) However, I still have them and we use them all the time with a 1 1/2 to 2 mile range. We often use them between vehicles when traveling together and they serve the purpose well.
#610
marcbodi
02-12-2002, 09:32 PM
Hi,
I have apair of C B radios and they only work 1 to 1 1/2 miles on water. I just use my Cell Phone now and I have no problem with reception.
phidelt157
02-13-2002, 06:10 AM
Well, the cell phone would work for me too, but I'm afraid my roaming charges in another country would cause me to sell my right arm.
Guy,
Any price on those Coleman's?
Thanks for the help.
157
RicKK
02-13-2002, 06:17 AM
Ya know,.. I got a pair of Audiovox from Best Buy on sale for 89.00 !5 channel 38 privacy codes NOAA weather alert built in VOX Emergency channel,dual watch,scan etc. says up to 5 miles,..suppose to get an FCC license as it has more power than the 2 mile ones,..now I tested it once,..I was on a shore on a bay,..my wife was on the other,..we DID get 5 miles out of it,...however I was on a high bank (this was at the ocean and she was on another,.I'm guessing 20 feet so perhaps its not a good test,..but they sure work better than the 2 mile ones I had before,....I don't know if spending more makes much of a difference......
Tim FRick
02-13-2002, 06:41 AM
We go up to ontario too every year and last year I bought a pair. The talkabouts one only $60 with $30 rebate and they worked pretty good. Good enough to keep them and use them again. One thing though, up in canada you have allot of granite hills. So when we were going up rivers to get to different lakes the reception range would drop off considerably. Most times when talking I would stand on my sit to get better reception. I also used it on vacation at the outer banks and was suprised as to how many other people you pick up in a crowd. In all I think it's worth the investment and it's fun to see how the other guys are doing on the lake.
Good Luck!
Tim FRick
Phide: Go with the marine hand held radios. More power and you can talk to everyone else who uses marine radios. If you want privicy, just go to a channel where nobody else is using. You will be much happier in the long run....Good luck SHOPPING....Kaz
NateW
02-13-2002, 11:28 AM
This is probably a stupid idea...but I wonder if the limited range over the water has something to do with interference from trolling motors and electronics? has anybody tried a radios test with electronics off vs electronics on? Just a thought.
We borrowed Talkabout 250s on our last trip and got about a mile at best, maybe less. On thing that works well is to have everyone cynch their watches and set them to chime at the top of the hour. The when your watch chimes you know it's time for a radio check. It save bateries this way. I read on another post that somebody else did this on their trip too.
phidelt157
02-13-2002, 12:34 PM
Sounds good, what's the scoop on the marines? Are they that much more expensive?
Wayne
02-13-2002, 04:37 PM
The only problem with marine radios by law they have to be licensed,meaning you have to take a coarse and pass a test in Ontario Canada anyway.
Phide: If you are a US citizen, no licence required, and if you travel to Canada you can operate them legally there too. I understand that Canada is changing or has changed there law to be the same as the US one, no licence required. Cost, $100 approx (+ -), but check the discounters, and the catalog stores have specials too. I've seen them down to $70, for full 5watts and you can put an regular marine antenna on some of them. Plug in 12vdc power is also a "plus" while in the boat. Good Luck SHOPPING....Kaz