What kind of radios does everyone use i have cobra 6 mile range and midland xtra talk just got them today they say they have a 12 mile range

 

its GMRS - General Mobile Radio Service.....anyways, one radio to look at is the Midland GXT450VPI or VP2 (rechargeable). They have a 10-12 mile range. I've used them, the audio kinda sucks compared to good radio's, but they work okay for the purpose and they are cheap to buy...

One thing to remember, you need to be licensed on GMRS. I'll complain about this because so many people jump on to GMRS that are not licensed, because it has more power. The new Midland radio's are 4 watts. I am licensed on GMRS and since I paid my dues ($75 for 5 years), I like clean air and not some kids or people messing around on it like on FRS.

Take a look at the midland radio's, you can get them for about $60 + shipping for the battery model and about $75-80 for the rechargeable model...

dave

 

I always get that backwards i know its gmrs but i allways get that wrong i have the midland GXT450VPI they SUCK you are right about the audio i got about 1 mile out of them the vibrate function does not always work and over all they are not the quality i thought they would be they are going back ill stick with my cobra microtalk they say 6 miles and i have gotten about 3 or so out of them

 

Elkbow is right, you need an FCC license to operate GMRS band radios. As for the rating that they give in miles, this is just a reference. RF propagation depends on so many factors (weather, terrain, etc). It is just impossible to say how many miles you will be able to talk because it changes by the hour.

 

We have three Motorola Distance DPS's. They are kind of old, they probably don't make the same model anymore. They are GMRS, and we have the licenses. We also have a large collection of cheap FRS ones (probably about 6 or 7 handsets and 2 watch-radios). Very useful when splitting up, and with the MotoComm headsets we used to use, they made the ride literally 5 times more enjoyable. If you have never tried one of those communicators for riding, you really should.

 

Interesting info Hellhound. I used the Midland one day when we were quail hunting, they guy with me had them so I put one on my belt. We did talk a couple of miles away.

For hunting season, we all have Motorola professional radio's. We use either HT750's, HT1250's or GP300's. These are commercial radio's and the audio is awesome. The radio's are programmable by connecting up to a computer use a RIB (Radio Interface Box) and the appropriate software.

I actually carry the Motorola HT1550. They are all 4 watts. I have 16 channel HT750's and GP300's. My HT1550 is 160 channels, with an LCD display so I can see all information. And also with a special battery, the HT1550 is programmable in the field.

Not that you would want to buy these, the HT1550 costs around $1200 new, but you can pick up a used one for around $600....

dave