Walkie-Talkie help please!

Author
Discussion

Arif110

Original Poster:

794 posts

214 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
Hi Collective!

So we've as a family been using PMR446 radios to-date (Motorola TLKR), and mainly most recently to allow my nine-year old's 'adventure envelope' to expand beyond the limited range of about a mile around our home, and also in places like Center Parcs, where for example Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot.

I know I'm looking at licenced radios now (basic OfCom licence), and am after 4W to 5W output.

It needs to be from the Motorola Mototrbo range, digital, and as compact as possible, subject to the cost implications of super-compact (e.g. SL4000 - lovely, but poss too expensive, given its form factor). I'm happy with a bit bigger, if need-be.

I don't need any of the bells and whistles which often come with 'business' radio - just reliable, clear voice, and the best range possible for hand-held units.

The SL1600 looks close to what I'm after - but I'd really like input from anyone who actually knows about all this, what might be a better bet.

I'm looking at UHF over VHF - as trees and buildings will be in the picture.

Thanks in advance,


Arif


2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin

marshalla

15,902 posts

201 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
Have a look here : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=161...
(someone else asking a very similar question within the last few weeks)

joshleb

1,544 posts

144 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...

Arif110

Original Poster:

794 posts

214 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
marshalla said:
Have a look here : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=161...
(someone else asking a very similar question within the last few weeks)
Indeed, thanks - but that thread provides no useful additional information as far as my question-as-posed and needs are concerned.

Arif

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
joshleb said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...
As I said biggrin

popeyewhite

19,873 posts

120 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
joshleb said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...
So is Snowdonia, much of the Peak district and Yorkshire Moors.

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
joshleb said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...
So is Snowdonia, much of the Peak district and Yorkshire Moors.
Some aeroplanes are blue. True statement but irrelevant. OP is in Northants?

popeyewhite

19,873 posts

120 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
popeyewhite said:
joshleb said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...
So is Snowdonia, much of the Peak district and Yorkshire Moors.
Some aeroplanes are blue. True statement but irrelevant. OP is in Northants?
You'll struggle to get reception on an aeroplane, blue or not.

RE: Irrelevance.
OP says a relatively local forest is a mobile signal blackspot, hence he wants to use walkie-talkies.

The places I mentioned can also be mobile signal blackspots, which is why we use walkie-talkies when hiking in those locations.

Happy now? smile

2 sMoKiN bArReLs

30,254 posts

235 months

Monday 29th August 2016
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
popeyewhite said:
joshleb said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
Don't mobile phones with unlimited minutes nearly make this kit obsolete? (as long as there is coverage obviously)

Just a thought

Roger, over & out ten four biggrin
"Thetford Forest is a mobile signal blackspot"

Great when you have signal...
So is Snowdonia, much of the Peak district and Yorkshire Moors.
Some aeroplanes are blue. True statement but irrelevant. OP is in Northants?
You'll struggle to get reception on an aeroplane, blue or not.

RE: Irrelevance.
OP says a relatively local forest is a mobile signal blackspot, hence he wants to use walkie-talkies.

The places I mentioned can also be mobile signal blackspots, which is why we use walkie-talkies when hiking in those locations.

Happy now? smile
thumbupbiggrin