Mobile Radios
Two way mobile radios are a terrific way of staying in communication and fall into two different categories. There is the FRS, or Family Radio Service type of radios, which can be operated without a licence, but have a 2 mile limit on their transmission range. GMRS radios can have up to 50W for transmit power but most fall into the 1W to 5W range. GMRS also requires the user to obtain a licence.
The advantages of mobile two way radios is that they can be used without call costs to stay in touch in a variety of situations. They are excellent for family camping trips, shopping mall outings, and at sports events. The biggest disadvantage however, is that they achieve their peak operating performance in a line of sight environment. As soon as you introduce obstacles such as walls, trees, and hills into the equation, their performance can degrade considerably.
Motorola Mobile Radios
Generally, two way mobile radios will either fall into the FRS or GMRS range. However, almost all Motorola mobile radios have the ability to take advantage of the FRS or GMRS bands. This ability gives the user access to all 22 channels, providing they have a GMRS license.
All radios can use channels 1 through 7 regardless of whether they are FRS or GMRS. Channels 8 through 14 are reserved specifically for FRS and channels 15 through 22 can be used by GMRS radios.
There is a privacy problem in that all radios within range, and set to the same channel will be able to pick up all conversations transmitted on that channel. So it pays to watch what you say. Motorola two ways have a solution in the form of privacy codes. The privacy codes essentially break a frequency into a range of sub frequencies, allowing only the intended recipients to hear the conversation.
Midland Two Way Radios
Midland have been making two way mobile radios for the last fifty years, so know a thing or two about quality. They make a range of portable communication alternatives to suit a variety of operating conditions. The LXT380VP3 model has a 24 mile range along with a number of other enticing features. As with the Motorola range, it also has privacy options for keeping your conversations discreet. With two sources of power in the form of an inbuilt rechargeable, or triple a batteries, there is less chance of running out of power just when you need it. You also have the option of reducing the transmit power to conserve energy for longer.
Midland's GXT1000V4 two way radio is the perfect companion for the rugged adventurer. It will easily handle a light drizzle or a splash from your water bottle. With a claimed 36 mile range you can also send out an automatic distress beacon, with a location signal should the need arise. To keep things quiet you can also set the GXT1000V4 to alert you silently by vibration for any incoming signals.
What To Look For In A Two Way Radio
There are many differing feature sets to two way radios so it is important to consider what the radio is going to be used for. Back lighting is necessary if you are going to be operating in the dark. Use the listed range of transmission as a guideline only, as obstacles in the line of sight can seriously hamper the performance of these radios.
Other features you might like to have in your two way mobile radios are automatic squelch for easier operation. Auto scan is another handy feature for keeping on top of conversations. Adjustable power levels is great for when you know you are going to be away from a handy wall socket, so you still have the power when you need it most. It is important before purchasing, to have a clearly written list of features you need, before deciding on the model that is right for you.
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