| nightguy |
We're going to Disney World with other people in a few days and will probably use radios. I currently have a set of Motorola T5720's that have an advertised range of 5 miles. When I've taken one in a car it's usually a good 2 miles before I lose the signal.
I read in a guide book that you need a $100 set to avoid other conversations. I got mine free (w/batteries and charger) but they're on amazon for $71.99 so they're not really a toy set. They seem pretty good for distance...I doubt we'd ever be in different parks on any given day and there's 22 channels and 38 subs for 836 combinations. We do have cell phones if we get totally shut out but unfortunately different providers so no free calling.
If I stick with these, I may buy another set for the others in our group. If there's something better I'll probably just get 1 set. I have about $100 in gift certificates from an outdoors store. Any advice would be great. I've never used these in a crowded area.
Thanks.
Here are the ones I have...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...ronics&n=507846 |
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| nightguy |
| Bump - possible technical issues with the site. |
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| TheWorm |
Isn't 22 channels with 38 subs pretty much the most you're going to get?
We used our cells @ Disneyland despite having GMRS/FRS with the same configuration, so I'm not sure about the crosstalk issue. Our intent was to use the radios, but with all the kiddie gear we had to carry, we decided to jettison the extra stuff.
As you've found out, the best-case realistic range anywhere but in the middle of a prairie is about 40% of the advertised range. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Isn't 22 channels with 38 subs pretty much the most you're going to get?
We used our cells @ Disneyland despite having GMRS/FRS with the same configuration, so I'm not sure about the crosstalk issue. Our intent was to use the radios, but with all the kiddie gear we had to carry, we decided to jettison the extra stuff.
As you've found out, the best-case realistic range anywhere but in the middle of a prairie is about 40% of the advertised range.
I just looked at the store and they do have 22 channels with 99 privacy codes. I wonder if that's just more decimals crammed into the same bandwidth ? There's also a few models that promise longer range, 7 or 8 miles or even 10.
It's not a big deal. Since we don't have kids I'm a minimalist when it comes to travel. I don't want to haul them down or waste my time carrying them for even one day. I'll already be carrying my cell and a digital camera. I don't even want guide books in the park. :)
Maybe somebody can answer this since I can't find the book. Is one end of the channel spectrum (low or high) better for longer distances ? I thought I read that somewhere. |
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| TheWorm |
The GMRS channels will be less crowded as fewer people own GMRS-capable radios and you're supposed to have an FCC license to use those. I can't remember which channels are GMRS but I think they were in the middle.
The subchannels aren't really seperate frequencies...they're just preprogrammed squelch settings so YOU don't hear the cross traffic. At least that's how it worked when we got ours a couple of years ago.
Not sure on which frequencies/channels carry farther than others, if any.
As with many things, more power = better, but my guess is that a 5mi advertised range would be adequate and I'd personally not invest in new ones @ this point. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Not sure on which frequencies/channels carry farther than others, if any.
FWIW, I settled on a second set of T5720's that I again got for free.
I did figure out the answer to this question...Channels 1-7, 15-22 are 1 watt channels - GMRS and require FCC licensing. Channels 8-14 are FMRS and do not require licensing, but are only .5 watt. I'm not sure if this makes a difference in the range, but this is what I was thinking of. |
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| hhwc |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
FWIW, I settled on a second set of T5720's that I again got for free.
I did figure out the answer to this question...Channels 1-7, 15-22 are 1 watt channels - GMRS and require FCC licensing. Channels 8-14 are FMRS and do not require licensing, but are only .5 watt. I'm not sure if this makes a difference in the range, but this is what I was thinking of.
You got it. It's the wattage that makes the difference. I have a set of Cobra brand radios with 2 watts on the GMRS frequencies. I've tried the Motorola's and were not impressed by the range. Anyway, look for more wattage if you want to increase range. |
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| TheWorm |
| Hook us up with getting some for free :) |
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| mgmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Hook us up with getting some for free :)
I'm in for a free set :4:. |
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| DaleB |
| Can this be a group freebie? :cool: |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
Hook us up with getting some for free :)
If you're at Disney World this week you can talk to me for free. :) I honestly don't know how we got these but I'll try to get the scoop. |
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| nightguy |
Almost forgot to update this...
Radios worked well at Disney. Granted we were never really far apart but within the same park and the crowds were relatively light but they were almost flawless. It made for easy finding when we'd do different things or one person would drift off somewhere or for when part of the group arrived at the park later. I highly recommend them.
And they weren't free, I guess we just got a really good deal on them. |
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| DaleB |
| By the way, if you are curious, the FCC license is $80. Hardly worth it for most people. But maybe it's tax deductible.... :rolleyes: |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
By the way, if you are curious, the FCC license is $80. Hardly worth it for most people. But maybe it's tax deductible.... :rolleyes:
I wonder how often they enforce that, especially with only 1 watt. Most people probably don't even know the difference between GMRS and FMRS. As I understand it, only one of the users needs to be licensed. I wonder if my old radio operator's license from my DJ days would cover me ? Probably not. :cool: |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by nightguy
I wonder how often they enforce that, especially with only 1 watt. Most people probably don't even know the difference between GMRS and FMRS. As I understand it, only one of the users needs to be licensed. I wonder if my old radio operator's license from my DJ days would cover me ? Probably not. :cool:
I thought the same thing. If you go to the site the ruling infers the public uses this allocation for non-commercial usage, etc. making it sound like it's acceptable. But no mention of exemptions.
Does not seem likely you would be caught by a detection van.
And yes, I read it that one user's license could cover the family, including in-laws.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/pe.../generalmobile/ |
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| DaleB |
| So what happens if you are with friends, not family? One licensee per group? dumb! 5 Watts I could see.. one watt? |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
So what happens if you are with friends, not family? One licensee per group? dumb! 5 Watts I could see.. one watt?
Because we need to fund the Michael Powell retirement villa, silly ! :1:
Everytime I hear about digital TV and radio, I don't even think about improved signal anymore, just more FCC licensing revenue with all the new open bandwidth in the analog spectrum. |
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