Decent two way radios needed
 

At our local autocross we have to talk to the corner workers & control. The furthest part is about 1/2 mile apart and NOT line of sight. We have tried various cheap radios from Radio Shack & Wal Mart and had the expected poor results. You have to wait several seconds to start talking or the other end will not hear you.

We sure don't need police grade two way radios, but something that will work for a mile, and have a decent sound and a built in rechargeable battery. I figure someone on this board will have a recommendation. We will want 5 or 6 radios.

Any suggestions on where and what to buy?

Go here for examples Radio Package #2

5 watts are like 200 bucks each.

A decent FRS (Family Radio Service) or GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) radio should do that fine. I think GMRS has higher allowable power. Often both FRS and GMRS bands are in the same unit. Motorola makes some for not too much, sold in blister packs. We used to use them when the kids were little (they'd run off into the mall, excitedly clutching their radios, playing "spy") and 1/2 mile or even 1 mile was no problem. Is that what you've been using w/ no success?

I thought GMRS required you to buy a license? MURS does not. ?

Kenwood TK3302UK also, get the mic part # KMC45. We use these on our commerical projects. Good radios, rechargable. Not cheap--expect to pay around 350-400 per radio and around 90.00 per mic. Check on-line for distributors in your state.

FRS doesn't require a license. It is the higher frequency CB band, FM. GMRS requires a license, but you can run a lot more power.

Radio Shack should sell something like that. They used to also see 1/4 watt 40MHZ units which were the same bands as the old wireless phones and baby monitors. He might have been using those.

The higher priced FRS radios have PL tones built in and other features, bigger/rechargable batteries, microphone connections, better antennas, higher output, etc.

I just picked up a new Alinco Dual band (2M and 70cm) Ham transciever for about $175. It is really nice and can be, hrrramph, adjusted, harramph, to work the FRS frequencies.

That looks more like what we are needing.

Any other suggestions?

Even 2 watts is likely better than what u can get from wally-world

We use these at my hunt camp, and they work great.

Cabela's: Midland GXT 1050 VP4 Radio Pack

They claim 36 mile range under ideal conditions, we've seen 5 in realistic, back-woods scenarios.

Yaesu make good stuff.

YAESU FT 250R VHF Handheld Two Way Radio FT250

Amazon.com: Midland GXT1000VP4 36-Mile 50-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Radio (Pair) (Black/Silver): Electronics


I linked that in your email as well glen... Some of the LeMons racers seem to be having good luck with these.