FRS radios

[guest]

these new "family" radios that have ~ 1- 2 mile max range and 1/2 watt of power output.

several companies make them. mostly they seem to be marketed to families so that they can talk to each other at the mall or disneyland.

so.....................................
are they useful for other purposes?
such as ground crew communication.
they seem inexpensive and light weight enough to be useful and disposable.

do you use them ?

do they have any problems with channel overlap if used in fairly remote locations?

which brand do you use?

any specific recommendations which is best to buy?

thanks

kleggo

[Mike]

I have a set of two-channel radios, they cost about $60 at circuit city. I can't remember the name, Cobra I think. They have a 2 mile range. Dirt cheap, but at least I don't have to worry about dropping them. You can get the same kind of radio with 14 channels, digital etc. for over $100 EACH, i.e. Motorola. But in remote locations you'll only need one or two channels.

[imported_mknutson]

I can't say enough about these $99.00 wonders. They have tons of channel options, their lightweight and all of your base jumping friends can buy the same radios, and everyone can talk together. I would not buy anything but these!
I own 3 and when I am in Moab, everyone I am with has at least one. Now, everyjumper has contact with every other jumper. This makes communication very complete and very easy for everyone.
--
Thanks

Mick Knutson
BLiNC Magazine

"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know who to ask."
--

[guest]

Motorola just came out with a Nickel Cadnium battery radio.... so you don't have to burn a 6 pack of AA's every base trip

[guest]

I bought a set at Walmart for $40 each, with 14 ch, 38 privacy codes. I "snuck" them back home to Canada since they were not legal in the great white north 6 mos ago.

MUCH better than jumping with that 40 ch CB !

[imported_mknutson]

The smaller Motorolas:
PROS:
Small

Cons:
Battery only lasts about 10 hours between charges.

Larger 200/250's
Pros:
3 AA Batteries last 36 hours.

Cons:
A bit larger than the the above model.
--
Thanks

Mick Knutson
BLiNC Magazine

"Everything you ever wanted to know about BASE Jumping, but didn't know who to ask."
--

[guest]

The radio's are great. Just remember, anyone else with one on the same freq can hear your conversation. I've had other peolpe come up on the radio and ask "are you there?". Speak in some "code" if possible to cover your intentions. Cell phones work great in areas with coverage. Digital cell phones provide the most security.

Rich

[guest]

yeah...I second what Mick said....our's worked together well at Sotano....and since mine were left behind with the locals there, I replaced my Talkabouts with the 280 model....nice features..compact...3 AA batts...again cheap and easy....and call signal to get the other party's attention....and cheap....I got em at buy2way.com....$95 each...I've only had interference in high population densities....or at Bridge Day when many are using em...FYI...range through dense forest with slight hills is about 1/2 mile....doing A's and B's no problems...and that's all I got to say about that...peace

[guest]

On a recent trip to France one of our Motorola's accidentally fell off a 400 ft bridge.
Following the jump we went to search for the wreckage in order to retrieve it for the insurance. After looking around for a short while we found it imbedded in the ground below in perfect working order.
They come highly recomended.

Craig

[guest]

Sears has their 14 channel "Ranger" radios on sale this Saturday only for $34.99 plus a $15. mail-in rebate.

[guest]

thanks for the comments guys.