[Pritch]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but must be near enough

Do any of the groups here use 2-way radios for communicating with each other when travelling in groups / convoys etc.?

If so, what type / spec.: Model; frequency, range, battery life etc.

The reason for asking is there there are lots of discussions in Germany at the moment, and I was wondering about the general compatibility with other groups.

[dietcokeplease]

The Middlesex Maniacs use PMR 446 2 way radios. The range in car is generally poor, but it is useful in close convoy. In car range is generally about 0.5 mile.

Price is no indicator of performance as nearly all units transmit at the maximum 500milliwatts allowed. Just be sure to get a unit with sub-channels.

I use a pair of Motorola T5522 and others use the 6222. Battery life is good on the rechargables - no problem for a whole days MINI meet providing you don't talk too much.

[Nameless]

We had some Telcom T150's on the dales run - With 42 cars, as soon as we were moving - the front and back cars were out of range. Along the convoy they worked better, and they did save the Run leader having to come back and look for people on two occasions. I got them for £19 plus a tenner for the charger from currys.
Communication worked much better when I figured out they were set to Channel 2 - Subchannel 2, and we were trying to converse with two cars in the convoy that had T100's, set to Channel 2 ( No subchannels on the T100's ). Once I took the subchannel of the T150's, we were a bit more operational!

- Answer - £19 probably worthwhile. £100 for motorola's, unlikely to be worth it!

[Pritch]

Quote: Originally Posted by dietcokeplease

Price is no indicator of performance as nearly all units transmit at the maximum 500milliwatts allowed.

Firstly thanks for the response!

Presumably, if they are all limited to the same power output, the quality of the aerial will be the deciding factor concering the signal range then? - and as you say, then price is not necessarily the performance indicator.

[dcfkan]

Try reading the reviews on these sites:

http://www.delboy-enterprises.co.uk/pmr_446mhz.htm
http://www.cix.co.uk/~hdh/pmr446/pmr446.htm
http://www.446user.co.uk/

I have Motorola T6222s and kitted them out for handsfree use when I went to Germany with Red Cooper last year. The range for in-car use was not very good, as dcp said, no more than 0.5mile.

You would need to keep a tight convoy, or be very good at passing information backwards to the cars behind etc..

The T6222s are probably over spec'ed for what I need, and I did find the 60s time out annoying. However, I bought what I believe was the best available that I could afford at the time, and am glad to see that they are still considered as good little radios

DK :apple:

[Hat]

bumping this up for LeeH & anyone else searching for christmas pressie inspiration

[Hat]

ps interesting point this - in the UK 2-way radios are exempt from the new law regarding banning the use of mobile phones in cars

[Pritch]

Well as this topic is live again:

I did buy two Motorola T5512's in time for the Nürburgring Meet.
With normal batteries, they stayed fully charged for the whole weekend - at least 2 days, on all the time, plus lots of talking during the journey there and back...can't complain.

The sound quality is not as good as the best devices available (we have a few Stabo Freetalk UHF's), but for the money they are definitely good value

Happy Christmas

[Rakey]

one question more, are all the different brands and models of radio compatible to talk with each other? Or do motorolas only communicate with motorolas?

[Pritch]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

one question more, are all the different brands and models of radio compatible to talk with each other? Or do motorolas only communicate with motorolas?

PMR446 is the frequency standard that all these radios use - as long as you stay with this, then you can't go far wrong.

I did find that the Motorola could only hear the Stabo radios if I turned the sub-channel noise reduction off (you still have the automatic squelch, but do then hear potentially all communication on the main 1-8 channels (normally there are ~38 sub-channels

[Rakey]

thanks for the advice, right time to go shopping

[ToreB]

Some of these PMR sets have detachable antennas or external antenna output. By using an external antenna the range would be greatly improved. I've seen such with small magnet-based ones for use with cellular phones. I'm not sure there is some available for the PMR range (400Mhz or so), but I would bet a coin or two that the 900 versions would improve greatly compared to using the radio inside the car.
However, I do not know if external antennas is legal in this application in your country.
Regards, Tore

[Hat]

anyone got any opinions on the Motorola T5412 (£35 Comet) versus the oregon scientific TP329 (£40 Argos)

[Shamster]

DC is the ORACLE! .

We use a variety of different ones on our runs - mine are el cheapo £30 jobbies which are fine. The range on all of them, however, is totally crap. They indicate a range of *up to* 3km but you'd be lucky to get even half that. If you're in a convoy of more than about 10 cars communication between first and last car can get very patchy. Suggestion now (if not everyone on the run has radios) is to organise the convoy so you have radios at the front middle and back. Hat - I think they're all much of a muchness.

[aa3jy]

Anyone on this thread using Ham (Amateur) Radio mounted in their Mini's. I have mounted a Kenwood 742 (Tribander) that fits perfectly in the console, along with a Larsen 'Thru Glass' antenna that is mounted on the left rear window.

[KE3VP]

I'm not allowed to put an amateur radio in my wife's MINI. )
My current car (Ford Escort LX) is not NEARLY as much fun as the MINI, but it does have mobile HF, VHF, and UHF. (Yaesu FT-100D) I plan on installing it in my MINI when I FINALLY get it.

[aa3jy]

Hey Bob,
Try disguising your Ham radio and say it's the latest version HiFi Sterio that just so happens picks up freqs other than the common freqs on 3mtr FM or 180 mtr AM

[KE3VP]

I don't think, as an amateur radio operator, I need to disguise that fact. Considering my log-in name is my callsign, it's already pretty obvious!
The mobile radio I have (Yeasu FT-100D) DOES listen to ANY commercial broadcast (AM / FM / Aviation / Shortwave). But, it also has all mode HF, VHF and UHF amateur capability.
Having MINI2 members with amateur radio capability can REALLY be an asset. As you are aware, I'm sure, amateurs assist with bike-a-thons, walk-a-thons, assist local authorities in emergency situations (fire, flood, 911, etc.) in doing what we do best - communications. We (amateurs) can be exploited as a valuable asset to the group, providing communications for meets, rallies, etc. With so many MINIs and Minis appearing at some of these events, moving from one location to another can spread out the participants over a number of miles. Even with only 2 operators, one in front - one in back. We can help insure everyone gets from one location to the other safely.
It's certainly not about ego or what form of communication is better or worse, but about keeping the overall event fun and safe. Cell phones, FRS radios, CB, and other forms of communication are all valuable, as well. As long as there is a coordinated plan for the event, all modes can be used to augment the overall communications for the event coordinators.
Most non-hams really don't know the capabilities of amateurs or the fact that they are willing to help out. It's more of an educational process, whether it's a MINI event coordinator or a county emergency manager.
Yes, we have fun PRACTICING using the radios in different modes by talking to other people - sometimes in other countries. But, it only ensures we can perform when the stuff hits the fan. I know, for the amateurs out there, I'm preaching to the choir, however, there are lot's (I hope) who will read this and get a glimpse of what amateur radio is really all about.

73 (best wishes) and happy motoring,
KE3VP

PS - It's also just plain FUN to be able to chat with other MINI drivers while motoring.

[vegasmini]

I use a set of Motorola T5920 two-way radios. They seem to get the job done. Most 2-way radios put out a max. of 1/2 watt. These have 22 channels, and 17 of them put out 1 watt. Very nice if you ask me. They also are rechargable and were under $80.

[Hat]

i got myself a pair of the Oregon Scientific TP329's in the end:



they have hands free option & come with rechargeables (3xAAA per handset) plus a recharging stand/base unit. They are nice & compact & have a rubberised finish