So about those Motorola Talkabouts...

[cbmontgo]

I did a search and found some info, but it was not exactly what I was looking for.

I am taking a long road trip next month and want to get a good set of the Walkabouts. I have always used CB radios, but when we went to Big Bend last year, a buddy of mine brought his Walkabouts and it totally changed my attitude towards 2-way communication. They were perfect for the trip and we could use them in the tow rigs on the way down and just move them into our FJs once we got there. No more screwing with CB wires, antennas, and fuses.

I can also use them for hunting, which is another plus.

I want to set that is rechargeable but that can hold a good charge for a long trip. Any suggestions/thoughts on which model to buy? Any other manufacturers to look at? It seems like there are quite a few different types available now...

Thanks--

[e9999]

the FRS ones are 0.5 W.
Very limited range (1 mi?)

you can get a GMRS up to 4 or 5W relatively inexpensively (between $50 and 100? for a pair). Maybe 10 mi unobstructed line of sight if you're lucky? Of course, you need a license to use those, but they are sold over the counter...

[D'Animal]

We use the Motorolla T5100 and then stepped up the the T5720's. The T5100 works good and take 4 AA batteries. The T5720 came with a charge base and semi-built in rechargeable batteries. The reason I say semi-built in is because you can take them out an put in AA batteries if you are not near a charger.

Both are headset compatible.

It may be my opinion, but the T5720 seem to have a longer range than the T5100.

[cbmontgo]

Originally Posted by e9999

the FRS ones are 0.5 W.
Very limited range (1 mi?)

you can get a GMRS up to 4 or 5W relatively inexpensively (between $50 and 100? for a pair). Maybe 10 mi unobstructed line of sight if you're lucky? Of course, you need a license to use those, but they are sold over the counter...

Do I really have to get a license or do I just *technically* need one?

Originally Posted by D'Animal

We use the Motorolla T5100 and then stepped up the the T5720's. The T5100 works good and take 4 AA batteries. The T5720 came with a charge base and semi-built in rechargeable batteries. The reason I say semi-built in is because you can take them out an put in AA batteries if you are not near a charger.

Both are headset compatible.

It may be my opinion, but the T5720 seem to have a longer range than the T5100.

Are those GMRS or FRS? I do like the abiliy to swap in AAs if I need to.

[e9999]

Originally Posted by cbmontgo

Do I really have to get a license or do I just *technically* need one?

well, do you really have to get a drivers' license to drive a car on public roads or do you just "technically" need one...?

[bigndn]

Originally Posted by e9999

well, do you really have to get a drivers' license to drive a car on public roads or do you just "technically" need one...?

Only if you get stopped by the po-po.

[cbmontgo]

Exactly. That is what I am getting at...

[cbmontgo]

So what are some recommended models I need to look for?

[george_tlc]

Regarding GMRS and whether or not you need to be licensed - the answer is simple:
YES_TO_BE_LEGAL_YOU_MUST_BE_LICENSED

It costs about $75 for 5 years and you and your immediate family are covered under the one license fee. There is no test - you just use the FCC online ULS to pay for the license.

If you really don't want to pay for the license then don't use the GMRS channels and stick with an FRS only radio.

Google "GMRS license" and you'll learn all you need to decide whether or not to break the law - that will be your decision and only yours. Nobody on this forum should be in the position to tell you it's ok to use GMRS without a license...

I have a GMRS license and a HAM license, we're not talking megabucks here...

Wow, that's a long way down from this horse I seem to have gotten up on

cheers,
george.

[D'Animal]

Originally Posted by cbmontgo

Are those GMRS or FRS? I do like the abiliy to swap in AAs if I need to.

Um, mine are Blue.


I don't have a clue what GMRS or FRS is.

[prado t]

I have the Motorolla T9500. In Vancouver Canada I can pick up every other Radio in the City on scan mode. They are a total POS because recently after using them a couple of times they wont communicate together even with the codes set on or off. Warranty up and lost the bill .First Motorolla product that sucks. Areal shame because I use the industrial hanhelds at work.

[splitshot]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Um, mine are Blue.


I don't have a clue what GMRS or FRS is.

LOL,
You are a smart man reguarding the Blue, mine are camo, and if you set one down in the field, sometimes you need the other to find it.

I've got a set of Cobra's and am very happy with them. They even pick up the weather channel, which is handy.

[evldave]

Cabela's -- Midland GXT750 VP1 Radio Pack

I use these, with the rechargeable pack + car adapter. I started w/cobra, which were good, but had crappy range, and have moved to the midlands. The VOX works fantastic - great for mtn biking (look ma! no hands!) and ease of use. They include the weather band - a real plus! I have 2 2x packs (4 total). 2 stay in the house charging and 2 are in the truck, plugged in all the time.

A note on these though, no matter what the power/range they say, in real-world conditions with hills, trees, etc - you can expect maybe 1/2 mile. On flat groun they go a lot further, but I don't have any expectations they are better than CB or ham radios, just more convenient.

I think I got mine, with the full VOX, home/car kit + rechargeable batteries on sale for $60. Probably one of the better 'want to have' conveniences.

[cbmontgo]

Originally Posted by evldave

Cabela's -- Midland GXT750 VP1 Radio Pack

I use these, with the rechargeable pack + car adapter. I started w/cobra, which were good, but had crappy range, and have moved to the midlands. The VOX works fantastic - great for mtn biking (look ma! no hands!) and ease of use. They include the weather band - a real plus! I have 2 2x packs (4 total). 2 stay in the house charging and 2 are in the truck, plugged in all the time.

A note on these though, no matter what the power/range they say, in real-world conditions with hills, trees, etc - you can expect maybe 1/2 mile. On flat groun they go a lot further, but I don't have any expectations they are better than CB or ham radios, just more convenient.

I think I got mine, with the full VOX, home/car kit + rechargeable batteries on sale for $60. Probably one of the better 'want to have' conveniences.

Cool...what is the home/car kit? I would love to find one that you can recharge in the 12V cig lighter...

[LandCruisers4Life]

Originally Posted by george_tlc

Regarding GMRS and whether or not you need to be licensed - the answer is simple:
YES_TO_BE_LEGAL_YOU_MUST_BE_LICENSED

It costs about $75 for 5 years and you and your immediate family are covered under the one license fee. There is no test - you just use the FCC online ULS to pay for the license.

So in other words it's just another tax, and there isn't a true reason why you should have a 'license'.

I bought some of these radios a few years ago and they didn't work very well so I tossed em.

Give me HAM anyday.

[MAD40er]

Originally Posted by D'Animal

We use the Motorolla T5100 and then stepped up the the T5720's. The T5100 works good and take 4 AA batteries. The T5720 came with a charge base and semi-built in rechargeable batteries. The reason I say semi-built in is because you can take them out an put in AA batteries if you are not near a charger.

Both are headset compatible.

It may be my opinion, but the T5720 seem to have a longer range than the T5100.

x2 on these handsets. I have a set i use for road trips and outdoor activities and the range is great. i have the T5412 with the charging station. Good battery life, good price, and damn well built.
Obviously not comparable to proper setups, but useful none the less, and perfect for what they are made for.

[evldave]

Originally Posted by cbmontgo

Cool...what is the home/car kit? I would love to find one that you can recharge in the 12V cig lighter...

The Home/Car kit comes w/a regular 12V adapter (for home) and then a cig lighter adapter for the car. I keep it plugged in all the time so I know I've got fully charged units (plus I keep 4 AA batteries charged in the car just in case).

[cbmontgo]

Just to follow up, I ended up buying the Motorola T8500. I just got back from a 16-hour drive in the FJ60 with a friend following, and they held up great. It made the trip much more bearable, and only cost around $ 60.

[albertom]

Originally Posted by cbmontgo

I want to set that is rechargeable but that can hold a good charge for a long trip. Any suggestions/thoughts on which model to buy? Any other manufacturers to look at? It seems like there are quite a few different types available now...

Thanks--

I bought my UNIDEN's a while back, and compared to Motorolas i get much better reception as well as better range. Seem to be cheaper too... Look into their newer models, if they worked on what i have, they are probably pretty darn good.

[e9999]

Originally Posted by albertom

I bought my UNIDEN's a while back, and compared to Motorolas i get much better reception as well as better range. Seem to be cheaper too... Look into their newer models, if they worked on what i have, they are probably pretty darn good.

IIANM, many of the Radio Shack radio units are rebadged Unidens...