Any Radio Buffs - Intek MT 5050 - Walkie Talki for Euro trip

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Guys,

Doing a bit of research about comms for a 6 car convey round Europe. This is not the first time and we have used the normal "Argos or Maplins Specials" for £30 or so quid which were very limited when the convey got stretched.

Made a few enquiries about a more powerful radio and base stations were mentioned which seemed to fit the bill but then could not be attached to an ear piece and lapel mic ( which make the process of wearing and using a radio nice and easy when driving )

It seems that hire companies do not want to hire the more powerful radios to people going abroad as there are licence issues not being the same across borders.

Found a Radio called an INTEK MT 5050 which seems to fit the bill - portable and battery powered and easily ( instructions on google) ugradable to 4W power which is way more than the PMR stuff.

Now , heres the question , I have no need to go messing around with frequencies I do not understand but if I get this radio and mod it to make it more powerful and add the bigger aerial as well. Will the range on the PMR free to air channels be massively increased ???? or do I have to use on the of the LDP channels for the extra range ???

Thanks in advance

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My last experience of a CB was a huge box with a big handheld mic. Have not got that room this time round hence the need for something compact like a handheld that we can attach an ear piece and lapel mic to. I see that handheld CB`s are about £50 more than the Intek MT5050.

Once the handset mentioned is modded to output 4W , will that be enough ?

From what I have read , the PMR is only .5W so not very powerful hence allowed in most countries. Once you get above a certain power output then radio licences are required and each country is different so you could drive from the UK to Germany through France and Belgium and only be legal in 50% of the places.

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TheRainMaker said:

We used these on our last road trip



http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/co...

Only needed to charge them once the whole trip, I think they last for 36 hours or something like that anyway.

They also worked well in a convertible

A quick google shows these have only .5W output on PMR which is the same as the Argos specials. A further google reveals these which get a good review on various radio forums. It seems its quite common for amateurs like me to get one and use the PMR channels but with pumped up output. Sounds the job for £35. They also come with better aerial and accessories.
Baofeng gt3
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/11453

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So the question still stands.... Would a 5W handheld with the upgraded aerial be suitable for a euro trip not withstanding the legalities ?

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mph1977 said:

disregarding the licencing and legalities - and expect thecontinentials to be more uptight about it than the UK - most uk BiB are fairly ignorant or laissez faire on radio use


a 5 w VHF or UHF PMR handheld driving a suitable mag mount aerial on the car roof would give you a good few miles coverage car to car in relatively open terrain ...

Thank you. Seen the Baofeng which is £35 and the same as the Intek but already modded as standard and comes with upgraded antenna. Seems ideal for the purpose.

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All understood thanks.

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Having taken delivery of the Baofeng GT3 mk2 I am impressed with the quality compared to what I expected ! I have only scratched the surface with them and have used them in Low Power setting on the PMR channels. They seem fine. I appreciate they can do all manner of things ( I have no idea what a repeater is or does )but they will be dormant in the drawer until they are used abroad purley as a back to back radio ( obviously on low power too ahem )

Thanks for all the advice