What Radio?

gerrowadat

So after the gethering at the weekend, I'm thinking maybe getting some comms gear might be an idea, if only for events like this (since I'm still teamless it'll be mainly for listening into stuff for now :-))

Anyone have any recommendations for a good radio, and a good place to get one? Just needs to be functional, and having a mic and PTT would be a plus.

NakedDex

Two words. Motorola XTX446.

Ok so it's a word and a code. I've been using them for years and everyone I've talked into getting one or has used mine and then bought their own has never once regretted it. It's pretty much the best radio you can use on the PMR frequency.

Fiach Dubh

If you want good performance and not too high cost I'd have to recommend a Motorola Talkabout. They are quite clear over the usual ranges you'll be dealing with in a game. Cheaper radios just don't cut it.

The best are the likes of Motorola 's XTX series or HYT's TC series and the high end Kenwood but they'll run you between 200-300 euro a pop.

kdouglas

NakedDex wrote: »

Two words. Motorola XTX446.

Ok so it's a word and a code. I've been using them for years and everyone I've talked into getting one or has used mine and then bought their own has never once regretted it. It's pretty much the best radio you can use on the PMR frequency.

That or the XTN446, if you keep an eye on ebay you should be able to get one in good condition with a charger for absolute maximum of 150

MiniNukinfuts

Have you tried looking in argos as the have some good radios at fairly low prices. heres the link: http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ArgosBrowseCounts?storeId=30001&identifier=9571255&jspStoreDir=argosie&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500012859%3EC%24cip%3D1500012910&catalogId=1500001101&langId=-1

kdouglas

honestly, the ones in argos just do not compare to a good proper radio like the motorola xtn/xtx. You may think they'll do the job, i even used a set of oregen scientific ones that i got in argos for a while, but as soon as i got the xtn446 you could really feel and hear the difference in quality.

NakedDex

Actually, the XTN was the one I meant. I was looking at my XTX while I was typing. The power of suggestion eh?

Other very good brands to look out for are Iasus, Icom and Yaesu (though most Yaesu units need licensing)

Masada

you'll never beat the likes of the XTN radios that KD has, but if your looking to spend less for something usable, I got them motorbike ones that are in lidl and its pretty good, its really clear and the range is decent for the cost of it, Of all the cheaper range of radios i find these ones the most inpressive.,
Im still getting an XTN though.,

Fiach Dubh

Have to agree with KD. I was using my HYT on scan at the gathering and got quite a clear picture on the difference in quality between units. The Motorola XTX's and XTN's were very clear. The Talkabouts were quite clear most of the time and a few of the cheaper units were about as good as the talkabouts. Many of the cheap units were very garbled though and they weren't being operated over a very long range.

Although all PMR's are limited to .5watts power the more expensive ones do more things to keep the signal clear such as advanced squelch and more complicated CTCSS and DCS. They'll have better mic pickups and speakers too.

Stercus Accidit

Speaking as someone interested in getting a radio myself, what is it that makes certain radios restricted, I assume its the wavelengths they can broadcast in?
If so, how can I tell what isn't restricted here?

Fiach Dubh

It has to have the CE stamp and be PMR446 certified. Anything else needs a radio experimenter licence and that only covers certain frequencies. Any of the radio's you can pick up in packs should be PMR446.

NakedDex

It also has to be under .5W transmission power. You can get 446MHz radios over .5W but they require licences. You won't find those on general sale here though. You'll have to go to a specialist comms store and order one or buy online. Again, you will need a licence to operate them. Often the licence is are specific so it's more hassle than it's worth.

TheDoc

think ill pick one of them xtn's up...when i save enough dosh

comms seemed to be such an integral part and advantage to people who had them, and the teams

Masada

yeah having comms makes a huge difference., if the guys from fiachs team had of brought them into that game where the others had to take the dummy from us, i could have directed them to no less than 7-10 kills from the spotting position i had. also neal had a great position to get some kills too but the bastid fell asleep in the bushes., haha.,:D

Tactical

Has anyone considered the likes of the Motorola DTR series of sets?

Expensive but really in line with real battlefield comms. These sets operate on the license free 2.4GHz allocation and even allow text (SMS) functions.

These sets cannot be scanned with another receiver, so comms are essentially "secure".

kdouglas

Would be a good idea for an entire team to get them and use them, but it means if you wanna communicate with anyone on PMR frequencies you're stuck.

Puding

there great but they do fource everyone to use to buy the same radio and not everyone has that money, where as im happy with my xtn and others can go for cheaper options and still communicat with me

if people scan chanels there normaly cheating (normaly for use its against the game rules) airsoft is a game of honour if people can not follow one rules means they do not normaly follow others

fayer

Just ordered a Motorola XTN ID myself. Had a talkabout but it was the dirt cheep model and did not find it very good.

Last thing you want is your coms going faulty just when you need it.

TheDoc

im having a goosey round the net and they look to be in the 100+ region, pricey

ebay just isnt as good as it used to be, its more an online shop now then getting bargains

kdouglas

There's 2 xtn446 listed on ebay at the moment for £49 buy it now. Used but good condition apparently:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOROLA-XTN446-TWO-WAY-RADIO-8-CHANNELS-YELLOW_W0QQitemZ280246194044QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280246194044

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTOROLA-XTN446-TWO-WAY-RADION-8-CHANNELS-BLACK_W0QQitemZ270255688364QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270255688364

TheDoc

wont post to ireland though

meh ive more important things o buy first off, but its on my list

BioHazRd

tbh 100+ for an xtn is good. To buy them here new, they cost about 225. And yes, I also heartily endorse the XTN

NakedDex

Tactical wrote: »

Has anyone considered the likes of the Motorola DTR series of sets?

Expensive but really in line with real battlefield comms. These sets operate on the license free 2.4GHz allocation and even allow text (SMS) functions.

These sets cannot be scanned with another receiver, so comms are essentially "secure".

They're on a licence free frequency to an extent, similar to 446MHz. Those ones go over the transmission power limit for licence free radios though. You'll have to get licences for each individual unit to use them and a declaration of callsign for each set, as well as a declaration of area of use. If I remember right, that adds up to about 45 bucks per radio per year, and that's only if you're using it in one specific area.

Tactical

NakedDex wrote: »

They're on a licence free frequency to an extent, similar to 446MHz. Those ones go over the transmission power limit for licence free radios though. You'll have to get licences for each individual unit to use them and a declaration of callsign for each set, as well as a declaration of area of use. If I remember right, that adds up to about 45 bucks per radio per year, and that's only if you're using it in one specific area.

Oops!

You're quite right, I had misread the O/P power initially.

The licence free allocation in Ireland allows for 10mW O/P power and not the 100mW these radios are capable of.

I got a bit too excited there for a minute!

Back to the XTN 446MHz so then in that case.

senordingdong

Good work lads.
Motorola would be proud!

Tactical

I'm currently trying to ascertain from Motorola if these units (the DTR series) can be factory modified to be supplied compliant with current Irish WT legislation.

It'll really depend on the chipset used. Watch this space;)

fayer

Hi Lads,

On the xtn unit it has channel settings of 1 to 16 ? On the Talk-about it has 1 and a sub channel?

Dose any one know if the 2 can talk to each other ?

Steve

kdouglas

On the xtn you've got channels 1-8 and 120 sub channels on each one.
The talkabout should have channels 1-8 and 32 subchannels, once they are on the same channel and sub channel they should be able to talk to eachother.

fayer

Humm I seem to have Channels 1 - 16 no sum channels unless i enter a program mode by switching on the unit while pressing a key combination.

This is on the new XTN ID, it is defo PRM446 tho.

Fiach Dubh

Don't know about your XTN but PMR's can have 16 channels. My HYT does.

senordingdong

How tall are the XTNs?

fayer

About 7" inc antenna. The Body is about 4"

Steve

Tactical

Tactical wrote: »

Oops!

You're quite right, I had misread the O/P power initially.

The licence free allocation in Ireland allows for 10mW O/P power and not the 100mW these radios are capable of.

I got a bit too excited there for a minute!

Back to the XTN 446MHz so then in that case.

Have been in contact with Motorola and they were sure that the DTR units were compliant but are now aware that they are in fact not compliant. I've sent them on the details and the contact info for Comreg.

They were initially prepared to perform a factory mod on a quantity (rather large unfortunately) to bring them into compliance, but this was before they were made aware of the lower power limit for Ireland.

Keep watching...:)

TheDoc

well on vtecs good advice, i shot out to lidl in coolock this morning and grabbed a ucom twintalker 6800.

was 25 euro and i have to say im fairly impressed. sturdy, looks like it can perform well, can turn off all sounds like roger bleeps.

Comes with charger, car charger and a headset ( though would have to be stuck to something, helmet etc) but can take those cool earpieces you see for nothing on ebay

have to say seems a decent purchase for the price

did a quick rainman in the store and id guess they have about 70 left

Masada

yep thats the one, ive been using it since gathering 1, great for what it is and the price you get it for., its never given me any hassle.,

senordingdong

May have to check these out...

TheDoc

gave them a test there with me mate down the road, some range for like ....house interferance, good quality

(was out the back garden)

well impressed

senordingdong

Does it have one of those earpiece things?

Masada

it comes with headphones and a mic thingy, its designed for a motorbike helmet so it'll fit perfectly into a full face mask,
im gonna pick up one of these new headsets from ebaybanned for when i dont want to wear ful face too.,

senordingdong

Jaysus, it's a bleed'n helmet.

I meant something smaller....ah you all know what type I'm talking of.

Masada

yeah you can get the other ones that just attach to the ear but from experience wearing one of them they drive ya crazy before long and cause pain in your ear., the sound clarity from them isnt great either.,

senordingdong

Serious?

Maybe I'll use to hands free ear phones from my mobile????

Masada

i dunno if that'd work though since most of the headsets have a PTT or "push to talk" button on them.,

Tigger

vtec wrote: »

it comes with headphones and a mic thingy, its designed for a motorbike helmet so it'll fit perfectly into a full face mask,
im gonna pick up one of these new headsets from ebaybanned for when i dont want to wear ful face too.,

will that fit?

i have two of those twin talkers and it'd be handy to know which cav headsets fit

senordingdong

vtec wrote: »

i dunno if that'd work though since most of the headsets have a PTT or "push to talk" button on them.,

Don't get me wring, it sounds great for what you're paying but I don't use the face mask so the whole headset telephone thing would be a bit of a nuisance I reckon.