I need to buy two way radios for the work place, can you suggest any?

Question

Can u suggest any radios, must have a decent range .... any sites ? ta xx

Answer 1

you dont specify a required range, but anything using PMR 466 should be OK PMR 466 is a harmonised radio spectrum available for free use (of the bandwidth) in the UK and the rest of Europe so no licensces or technical training is required. the downside is that anyone else can probably listen in on your conversation. if thats a problem, get a radio with encryption.

What ever radio you do buy make sure its legal, as you will be transmitting from a relatively fixed point, discussing work matters, it isnt going to take a rocket scientist to track you down if you are illegally using a frequency and causing problems to the legit users of that frequency. IE you cannto rely on US or Far Eastern equipment to work OK, if its from a US or Far Eastern company sold through legitiamte channels (not EBAY etc) then its will work OK - and you have comeback.

bear in mind any quoted range would be best condtions (probably direct line of site between radios, batteries fully charged. Id guess the effective range would be aroung 30..50% of the quoted (but it may be better)

I dont think there is a lot of diffeence in them, but consider one from a good make, check how many frequencies it can use, does it haev a form of digital locking or encoding

check battery life (how long it operates on a set of batteries) - both standby (ie turned on but not in use, and amount of time when in use).

can it use rechargeable batteries, or replacement (standard or rechargeable) s if so does it come with a charger & base. that will affect the operating cost, and if the batteries die mid day if you can use the set straight away, or haev to wait for a recharge. this can be overcome by buying more radions that you need and have one or two on rechrage as spares

Answer 2

I went to Radio Shack and bought, off the shelf, a Motorolla Talkabout that has a 5-mile range. It's small, excellent quality, and could be secure due to the different bands and harmonics.

They come in 2-4 packs, too. They run off of AA bateries, but you can buy rechargable packs fo them, too.

Answer 3

Hi>
Used to use good old Motoralas. Decent for about 10 mlles.
Bit pricy though, but the Local Govt. supplied them.
Say about spending around £200 for a decent pair of
"Personal walkie-talkies"
Could upgrade to about 25 miles of comms, but why not just use a mobile, if your conversation does not need to be secure ?

Just a thought.Or two.

Bob

Answer 4

Motorola make a whole range of PMR radios from 'Toy' looking ones to more professional looking XTN models. Depends what you want to spend. Look on Ebay.

Answer 5

Maplins.

Answer 6

Try http://max.tv ithink they do some little Motorola ones that are very good and well priced

Answer 7

argos

Answer 8

ebay?