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What Walkie Talkies to get?
- Thread starter Zmmyt
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That looks like a link to a Motorola authorized reseller/radio shop. They also list several other models of which I use.
APX 6000
APX 7000 (UHF + VHF)
APX 6500 (mobile)
XTS 5000
XTS 2500
XTS 2500 submersible portable
XTS 1500 1.5
XTL 5000 (mobile)
I should also mention that these radios are capable of "walkie talkie" mode called "direct mode" but, by and large, they're meant for an infrastructure supported radio system. I just built one for my county at a cost of $12 million.
Yes you would need a license for these considering the bands that they operate in. 700MHz, 800MHz (typically, though they can be used in the lower bands like 300MHz and 400MHz) and the APX 7000 also does VHF in the 136MHz to 174MHz range.
Without looking it up, I cannot recall what the free "family bands" are in. Then there is also CB....
These radios in "direct mode" (no supporting infrastructure) have an approximate range of 1 to 3 miles which is dependent on the frequency band used, terrain, heavy vegetation and other factors.
CB can go quite far if one chooses to use an illegal linear amplifier! lol
Sure, you can get 100 miles out of CB but you will be drowning out everyone else around you.
Sure, you can get 100 miles out of CB but you will be drowning out everyone else around you.
I've heard people broadcasting on CB from Florida and Texas to up here in Michigan before. I don't know what kind of power they were pushing, but it had to be an awful lot. I've always wondered if the FCC ever knocked on their door.
A rig that strong would have to affect everything around it. I would asume the neighbors would noticeI've heard people broadcasting on CB from Florida and Texas to up here in Michigan before. I don't know what kind of power they were pushing, but it had to be an awful lot. I've always wondered if the FCC ever knocked on their door.
Holy smokes people, suggesting an APX - any APX - is like recommending someone get an H-bomb for a 4th of July fireworks celebration.
Funny, but in the end not really helpful. Heck, good luck in getting Motorola to sell an APX anyways.
If the OP would explain a bit more about what his needs are and what the situation is, some better suggestions can be made.
There are license-free frequencies that can be set up in used/surplus Motorola radios, for example. That would meet the ruggedness requirement, but finding more than a handful of those at a time could be problematic.
Edited to add: some list prices for APXs are in the $6k range.
Funny, but in the end not really helpful. Heck, good luck in getting Motorola to sell an APX anyways.
If the OP would explain a bit more about what his needs are and what the situation is, some better suggestions can be made.
There are license-free frequencies that can be set up in used/surplus Motorola radios, for example. That would meet the ruggedness requirement, but finding more than a handful of those at a time could be problematic.
Edited to add: some list prices for APXs are in the $6k range.
Yep. I did mention they were pricey.
But they are reliable and well made. Like you said, the OP needs to be more descriptive of what his needs are and his budget.
Sorry for the late reply!
Yes, nothing too expensive please. We use them in a care environment....for carers to call for assistance when necessary.
8 channels...rechargeable...with clip...that's all we need.
Knowing your relative budget and approximate distances to transmit would be helpful so we could recommend a class of radio that could best suit your needs.
If you're communicating to others in an office or something like that where everyone is close by, you can probably get by using FRS (Family Radio Service) radios. These are FM and operate in the UHF band and have 14 channels. They aren't real expensive, either.
On the other hand, if you need to communicate with others in different locations, you will probably need something more reliable, like commercial business two-way radios with repeater support. This option is going to be a lot more expensive, but it will be very reliable with clear audio and good signal.
Motorola is kind of the granddaddy of commercial radios, so anything Motorola will be good quality, but rather expensive. ICOM is another good brand of radios - they make commercial and personal (HAM radio) equipment.
You mentioned these are for caregivers. You might want to make sure that whatever you get does not have any interference issues with any medical equipment you utilize.
On the other hand, if you need to communicate with others in different locations, you will probably need something more reliable, like commercial business two-way radios with repeater support. This option is going to be a lot more expensive, but it will be very reliable with clear audio and good signal.
Motorola is kind of the granddaddy of commercial radios, so anything Motorola will be good quality, but rather expensive. ICOM is another good brand of radios - they make commercial and personal (HAM radio) equipment.
You mentioned these are for caregivers. You might want to make sure that whatever you get does not have any interference issues with any medical equipment you utilize.
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