Ed-u-me-cate Me - 2-Way Radios

[the_pack_rat]

Was reading the other CB titled thread and rather than highjack that one too far .....

I figured I'd start my own.

Other than what I've read here :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_way_radio

What can people tell me about them ?. What features should I look for in one ?.

Would FRS suffice or should I get one with GMRS capabilities as well ?.

Searching google didn't really turn much up other than the above. I was hoping for something more related to comparisons - reviews or "2-way radios for dummies" ..... but I didn't see such stuff.

It seems you can pick up a pair of these pretty cheap ....

But I'm not really one to impulsively pick something up just because it's a dirt cheap deal ..... only to find out later, I could have spent a couple more dollars(within reason) for something with more features & better quality.

[Hotrauder]

Eric, can't do a comparison for you because I don't know much either other than I really enjoyed using Chuck's T4900R's and that the T7100R's I bought work great. I can sit here at my desk looking at the lake with a brew and talk with Penny in her car downtown. Pretty cool. If she can figure out where she is I can give her directions home.:D They are a whole lot of fun in a convoy! Motorola has been doing 2 way radios since Marconi. Dennis:beer:

[metroplex]

We were using FRS and GMRS around the industrial area during a project and got a lot of interference due to the sheer # of other people using the same system.

When i worked in a remote area once at a different job, we had these radios that used specific frequency crystals and would only communicate with other radios on the same freq. The reception was pretty damn good for that area.

[Bluerauder]

What can people tell me about them ?. What features should I look for in one ?.

Would FRS suffice or should I get one with GMRS capabilities as well ?.
I had a set of FRS only radios. Their power is limited to 1/4 to 1/2 watt, only 7 FRS channels, and range is extremely limited. My set said 2 miles ... I was lucky to get 1/2 mile or even less under most circumstances, and had static and reception problems even in a short MM convoy.

My current set is the Motorola T5500 dual FRS/GMRS. More power to 1 watt, range is 5-10 miles, and more channels 7 FRS only, 7 FRS/GMRS shared, 8 GMRS only (22 channels total). Much better for communication in convoys. I had no problems enroute to or from MV III and many local meets since. Downside is that GMRS use requires an FCC license. The license costs nearly as much as the radios themselves. The process was painless and can be done over the internet. Had my license in under 7 days.

[dwasson]

We used the FRS radios to coordinate the MVIII Convoy to Milan. It worked fine for 40+ cars spread over a mile or two. My wife and I bring our 1/2 watt Motorola FRS radios to dog shows and they work well inside a large convention hall. I think that they are a good value.