2 way radio info. needed

[richw]

hey guys need some help on making up my mind about getting a new radio. I was looking at just getting a new motorola t7400 radio package. And then i seen the garmin rino 520 gps and radio all in one. I already have a gps and dont understand how to work it at times just looking on info. if they are worth it or just get a radio and learn how my gps works? All help is welcome.

Thank You Rich

 

[pbrdog]

I have a Garmin Rhino 120. I really like it. I didn't know they had a 520. I thought the Rhino 130 was new. It's relatively easy to use too.

 

[Speckmisser]

Rich, if you've already got a GPS then spend the extra bucks on a quality radio. The Rhino is nice, but the best feature (in my opinion) is only good if you're hunting with another Rhino user because then you have the ability to see where the other person is located.

I'm constantly kicking myself for buying these Motorola 5500s. When I'm hunting places like Chopper's or Tejon, it really makes me realize how much better off I'd have been to spend the money on a better unit.

 

[oneshothunter]

speck what would u get if money was not a problem ?lol

 

[Speckmisser]

Oneshot,

I haven't really done the research, but you can bet I will when I can afford to replace what I have now.

I'm not knocking Motorola, but the little 5500 that I bought is just not up to snuff in the hills and canyons of CA. Works great in the flatlands of NC, but put some geography between you and it drops off pretty quick.

 

[larrysogla]

I just go to Fry's when they have a sale and buy the Midland brand. I bought so many different brands of radios over the 30 yrs. that I have been hunting in California that I find the Midland brand to be good for the price and the reach in range. The Motorolas are very good but cannot compete in price and range of reach. I bought a pair of Midland 7 mile radios from Fry's for $14/pair after the mail-in rebate(originally $29/pair as I remember). This was back in 2005. The Midlands work very good and produce good reach at FHL. Of course the advertised 7 miles is during optimum conditions(flat, unobstructed line of sight distance with no interference from other transmitters). But within 3-4 miles, the communications is clear and workable at flat areas of FHL even with the nearby trees in the area. I have bought more expensive radios from Motorola but they were good only for 1 mile or less at FHL. In my opinion, the Audiovox brand is just trash. All the Audiovox radios I bought over the years conked out prematurely after only a few times of use. The Midlands are still going strong. I have also lost radios that fell out of my pocket while hunting in the thickets. So no more expensive radios for me. Also if my GPS and radio were combined in one unit, if I lose the unit while hunting I will be without both GPS and a radio. 'Nuff said.

 

[easymoney]

rich,
I'm with mr. misser and larrysogla on this one.
If you have a GPS just get a quality radio. I have tried out loads of radios and I use a VHF by ICOM (same one used by my fire dept.). It has great range, was a about the same price as a Motorola, has taken a swim and a dusting of snow over night with no ill effects, very reliable, built in rechargeable batteries, charges in 8 hrs(overnight), is relatively small (2 x 1 x 4.5), 16 channel(new ones are 32 channels) with scan and fits in a pocket.
Oh, and to deal with the falling out of the pocket(see above loss and swim) I had my wife sew in a strong elastic loop and 1" web onto my waders, vest and hunting coats... Thanks honey, No more problems...

 

[PIGIG]

Richw
i have had all kinds of problems with buying raidos, but uasualy just hunt chopper and sonoma so what ever i bought only worked when i could easialy just yelled at my partner. i bought the Motorola T7400 Series FRS/GMRS and have no problems talking from the canyon bottom at choppers or sonoma. the price is only 100 bucks and i have no regreats note below

There are no restrictions against purchasing this radio. However, before you use it, you will need to contact the FCC to obtain a license. FCC website: www.fcc.gov Phone Number: 1-888-225-5322 This radio is intended for private use and is not for use as a Commercial (Business Band) radio. Please note that Cabela's does not offer radios for commercial applications.

Motorola has recalibrated the testing for the range of these radios to 12 miles, The radio is still the same make and model. (Updated 8-1-05) (Package may or may not state the change in range)

 

[YoungBlood]

Hi Richw,

I have the Rhino 530 and really like it. SacFire also has a rhino and it worked great while we hunted at Sonoma a little while back. They are a little pricy, but it has some really unique features that I like. Good luck bro.

-YoungBlood

 

[pbrdog]

I just got these today. Pretty good deal. Midland radios at Buy.com

 

[larrysogla]

Pbrdog,
14 Miles!!!! Dude, you almost don't need a cellphone anymore with that vast footprint. Gosh!!! Technology advances so fast it is crazy to spend a ton of money on gadgets when they will be obsolete before they ever wear out. Amazing!!!! I remember when Motorola came out with the first 5 mile radios. They were $500+ and so big it needed a holster belted to your waist and you needed to pull out that whip antenna and NOW we have pocket radios that cost $59(with rebate) and will reach 14 miles on optimum conditions. Don't you just love electronics and how they get cheaper and better and more convenient and powerful with advances in technology. The ultimate I guess will be satellite phones under $100 and subscription under $25/month. That will be the ultimate hunting radio. Congratulations on your new hunting gadget. 'Nuff said.

 

[FForF]

Hey Pbrdog I got the same radios from E-bay. You got a good price. I like the weather feature on them and all the other options. Be aware you are actually supposed to get a FCC license to use the 5 watt GMRS 14 mile range frequencies. The other frequencies are 1 watt (good for about 1- 2 mile in flat land) The license runs about $90.00 and is good for a whole family. Nobody bothers with the license and I haven't ever seen the FCC police out in the field.

My marine radio on my boat is 5 watts and requires a license. I've used it for years and never seen the FCC police. Kind of like the 55 mile speed limit.

 

[spectr17]

I'm a licensed FCC tech who tests and maintains radios for a living. The 14 mile range claims are bogus since that is done in a lab. Real world you get about a mile per watt if you have line of sight. Add in trees or inside a car and your range will drop.

Many of these models like the FRS are limited to 1/2 watt or 2 watts. You can can get the higher watt GMRS radios but you are supposed to get a FCC license if you use those bands. You'll probably never bother anyone else on GMRS but there are some repeaters around bigger cities that are in use by GMRS license holders that you could bother. A day or two no problem but if you take up residence on their channel I can guarantee they will DF you and find you. It's one chore we do at work when someone decides to use our public safety channels for their business or family. Takes several hours to DF someone if they talk regularly and you have some luck.

Just an FYI, I'm not advocating any use of GMRS without a FCC license. You're on your own.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

I've used it for years and never seen the FCC police[/b]

Doesn't mean they are not out there listening. One day I was tuning a transmitter in north Rialto on the air which is the lazy way to do it and Uncle Charlie (FCC) in San Diego asked me to identify my station callsign. He knew what I was doing and told me to knock it off.

You have to remember they are feds with wide open search and seizure. One goof in Riverside who was running a 5KW CB base told them to go fly a kite years back. Uncle Charlie showed up and confiscated EVERYTHING that might be causing the interference. This included everything in his house that was plugged in to AC or had batteries in it.

I'm not sure if he ever got his stuff back. I'm sure it took a lot of lawyers and money.

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

My marine radio on my boat is 5 watts and requires a license. I've used it for years and never seen the FCC police. Kind of like the 55 mile speed limit.[/b]

I'm fairly certain that they axed the license requirement for recreational boaters a few years back. I remember BoatUS was part of the group fighting it, and the core of their argument was that if the requirement was enforced, a lot of boaters would get rid of an important piece of safety equipment. That was back in the very early days of cell phones, but even now, a VHF is preferable to cell coverage. Much easier to issue a Mayday.

The requirement is definitely still in place on land, just like the requirement for CB and VHF license. Will the average user get dinged? Probably not. But you should always know before you go... then at least you have the option of doing the "right" thing. Remember, claiming ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.

 

[easymoney]

As has been said, the wattage and range are set by the government. 1 watt for each mile, depending on the cover and weather. Some of the claims being made are pretty sketchy...

 

[BDB]

I thought we were supposed to get into a heated debate about the legality of using radios to hunt with by post 5 of any posting about radios

As to the actual thread

I would definitely get the rinos if I was hunting with the same group quite a bit. If someone gets something down it sure would be a lot easier to find eachother to help get the critter out!

 

[Backcountry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BDB @ Mar 3 2006, 03:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I thought we were supposed to get into a heated debate about the legality of using radios to hunt with by post 5 of any posting about radios

[/b]

 

[YoungBlood]

CopperJohn just bought the Rhino 530 also. It will be really handy when we're trying to circle around hogs and not have to talk to figure out where each other are, just look on the screen.

 

[FresnoHunter]

richw I got the rino120 and really like it. The ability to download a topo map to the unit and see where your buddy is at in relation to where you are at is another awesome feature. Some people try to knock it for say only good for line of sight etc, this hasnt stopped me from using it and having good communication from someone nearly 2 miles away. Imagine if you were injured and couldnt walk, this might be the only thing you have to use to communicate with a rescue team or helo. Someone made a comment about if they lost it then they would be out of both a radio and a gps, well sure you might lose your compass , your knife etc worrying about losing it as a means to decide to not buy it is a pretty sorry excuse.

 

[larrysogla]

How much are those Rhino 120 and how far is the radio range???? 'Nuff said.