Two Way Radio Reviews and Buying Guide:

Consumer Search.com ^ | 11/19/12

[Kartographer]

You might remember growing up with walkie talkies, well today they are called two-way radios. I remember going to Radio Shack to look at their selection of walkie talkies as a kid and always dreaming of having a high powered military set that had ranges of over a mile. Today almost all two-way radios have ranges from 1 to 2 miles and they are much smaller than the ones we had a decade or so ago. Two-way radios are very useful - they are great for long road trips when taking separate cars, on the ski slopes, at amusement parks, when hunting or camping, on backcountry hiking trips, or even in large shopping malls. Businesses can use two-way radios instead of cell phones in many situations as well. There are no per minute charges with 2-way radios which is one benefit over traditional cell phone use. Plus, if you are in the woods where cell phone don't always work, a two-way radio may just save your life. What should you look for in a two-way radio from the store? We get into two-way radio features in our buying guide down below.

[dragnet2]

VX-150, by Vertex Standard / YAESU

Probably the best, portable hand held radio in it's class for the money. About 160 bucks.

2 meter, with a range of anywhere from 25 miles to around the globe using links/repeaters.

Amateur radio license required.

[5thGenTexan]

But isn’t lowering your profile also smart? Isn’t the first rule of prepping to not let people know you’re a prepper?

[JRandomFreeper]

I'm not a coward. I'm an American. I do what I do without hiding. If I die doing that, that's ok (Jesus and I are good). What I won't do is hide out of fear.

/johnny

[bigbob]

Also -

Your FRS/GMRS radios are fine for the purpose you have in mind, in an emergency there will likely be a boatload of them on the air and the potential to form neighborhood nets and segregate traffic by channel is a plus.

But if you’re looking for SECURE digital mode voice communications that would provide similar secure comms to military SINGCARS take a look at: http://www.trisquare.us/

These are 900 mhz frequency hopping spread spectrum radios, meaning their are virtually impervious to eavesdropping and jamming. These radios would serve a different - but vital - role in emergency comms, because they would be immune to the congestion and interference that may easily render FRS/GMRS unusable. Plus, you might want a private and secure channel that could not be monitored by anyone else.

The range of these digital radios is no greater than any other radio of similar power. In fact, Trisquared’s “truth about range” is a good no BS explanation. About $70 a pair.

[JRandomFreeper]

LOS(Line of sight). It's not just a good idea at VHF/UHF freqencies. Unless you get sporadic E skip (not this cycle).

I have used an FRS radio effectively at over 2 miles.

From a mountaintop, looking at where I was trying to communicate with.

Step back in the tree-line 60 ft, fergetit.

I don't know anyone today that knows what a Smith Chart is. But there you go.

/johnny

[Kartographer]

I am 95% sure my work here alone on FR has placed me on a couple of list.

There’s even more than one FReeper who hates preppers so much I am 100% sure they will make sure I am on some list if it be in their power.

[dragnet2]

According to the manual, outdoors over flat terrain the TSX300’s effective range was about one and a half miles.

Throw in buildings, RF, hills etc.....well..

[5thGenTexan]

I’m not a coward. I’m an American. I was just passing on an observation to an interest group (preppers) that tend to care about staying under the radar (they came up with “Rule #1”, not me).

[ansel12]

I guess it is OK to share this on freerepublic, we are all trustworthy patriots that can keep our security concerns secret, and only among ourselves.

I developed a code that I think is unbreakable, I even tried it with a special operations radio operator and he could only roll his eyes when he was totally baffled by it’s complexity.

To use it, the first consonant (or consonant cluster) is moved to the end of the word and an ay is affixed (for example, computer yields omputercay or truancy yields uancytray). The objective is to conceal the meaning of the words from others not familiar with the rules.

With practice, skilled operators can use it to quickly share information, safe from the prying ears of the NSA, and others.

[JRandomFreeper]

I prep. It's not a rule I recognize.

Perhaps you have a false concept about an 'interest group'.

/johnny

[Red_Devil 232]

I have had a pair of Cobras for years.
My wife and I have used them whenever we are on the road in two separate vehicles. They are much easier to use than a cell phone. Just press the transmit button and talk - no dialing a number. Very handy tools when traveling.

[JRandomFreeper]

Anyone that wants to cause me trouble needs to take a number. I've got ex-wives near the head of the line. ;)

I don't worry about lists.

/johnny

[moose07]

The Smith chart:
Never used one in my life.

[5thGenTexan]

Thanks for setting me straight. I am fortunate to have connected with the Offical Prepper Spokeperson so quickly.

I will save a lot of posting bandwidth for Free Republic in the future by simply running things past you first.

[Nowhere Man]

Can the BaoFeng UV-5R run on external power like from a cigarette lighter using 12 volts? BTW, I have an HTX-202 Two meter handheld from Radio Shack.

[JRandomFreeper]

If you replace the chip on your shoulder with a kitten, you'll feel better.

/johnny

[5thGenTexan]

Chip on MY shoulder? I simply passed on a small amount of info from the FCC website. I did not say anything but "by the way, the license DB is search-able, FYI".

You respond by attacking me and portending to speak for preppers everywhere. To what end? How have I done anything to you by pointing out what I did? Why respond to my comment if you didn't care about the issue? Why attempt to shut down another voice here?

I thought the Prepper ping list was a group to share information, not a chest-beating bravado session. Maybe I am on the wrong list. Where is the one where we respect others and share useful information?

[JRandomFreeper]

I simply passed on information that some don't give a rat's pointy little tail about what lists we are on, and don't care to hide like cowards.

I have never pretended to speak for anyone besides myself.

You are certainly doing what you can to divert the thread, though.

/johnny

[steve86]

I do agree with your philosophy on heavy real world testing when practical.

I also carry a GMRS on the mountain trips (PNW), and a spare alkaline battery pack for the Wouxun besides the li pack it comes with, and many spare loose batteries that fit the two GPSs and GMRS also.

[5thGenTexan]

You said:

Perhaps you have a false concept about an 'interest group'.

...followed by:

I have never pretended to speak for anyone besides myself.

You statement is accurate only if you eat enough to be an 'interst group'. I didn't divert the thread, the FCC website information is certainly more germane than your ramblings over your philosopy of what defines courage and patriotism.