Radios Used in NEO

[Remington]

I am hoping to get a good feel for what types of radios are being used here in Northeast Ohio (or at least at NEO events). The reason being is that I am looking to get a new radio, and want to make sure that it will be compatible with future encounters.

I am looking most seriously at the Motorola CP100, which is a VHF/UHF radio (I believe it is both). Now, from what I have read in the manual of this radio, it doesn't include FRS frequencies on it's list of UHF, so communicating with the cheap radios might be out of the question.

So, do the teams around here actually use GMRS radios, or is FRS highly used? Any suggestions on how I can choose the best radio to play in the NEO area? (I am hoping to get a Motorola AX, CLS, M, or XTN series as I already have compatible accessories).

[mac50]

I use a Motorola Talkback. Lots of people I've played with use them also

[orangegeko64]

The CP100 is capable of transmitting on the FRS freqs. FRS(and GMRS) are a part of the UHF spectrum.

http://www.zscca.org/techtopics/tech_topic_frs-gmrs-freq_and_power.htm

That chart lists the freqs for FRS. You would have to program them into your radio by frequency instead of channel, but you would be able to communicate with the other radios.

One thing to remember is that radios like Motorola Talkabouts have 'subchannels', which are actually CTCSS tones. Most higher end radios have CTCSS capabilities, but Motorola's CTCSS tones dont correspond exactly to their subchannels, so you may have to experiment a bit to find the correct tone to use

[Remington]

Thanks a lot, that's pretty helpful! I do appreciate your post.

I see a lot of Motorola radios marketed as operating on "Business exclusive" channels. Does that mean that they are limited to certain GMRS frequencies, or do they just have their channels pre-programmed to those frequencies?

I just want to make sure that the radio I buy has full access to the FRS/GMRS spectrum, and isn't limited to a certain subset.

[john]

we use trisquare radio that run off of cordless phone freqs. you can get them at walmarts etc. 10billion channels to choose from as well as text messege.

[Remington]

we use trisquare radio that run off of cordless phone freqs. you can get them at walmarts etc. 10billion channels to choose from as well as text messege.

I think Chuck at Synergy mentioned this type of radio to me. I plan to have a look at them.

[john]

the thing to consider is they do not work with any other type of radio. that is the only radio they will work with.