2 Way Radios.

[macphanatic]

Go with Motorola. It's the one product that they have left that is really good. In fact they are still the leader in this field. Years ago, one of my clients bought new Kenwood radios as they were supposed to be better. They didn't work as well and didn't survive the daily use/abuse. If the radios are to be used in a plant setting, they are bound to be dropped or banged. The FRS/GMRS radios just aren't going to hold up and they don't have the range of the commercial grade two ways. I know about the range issue, as a colleague and I tried using them at a client's facility that was approximetely 500,000 sq ft with some walls. The FRS/GMRS would work occasionally, but not all the time. And forget about it if one was outside and at a distance from the inside radio - just too much electrical interference. The plant two-ways worked everywhere including off site.

[Lux Interior]

[spacescape]

Anyone know what the FCC Licensing involve? Costs? Do we need to pay per radio? I'll call the FCC later from my cell phone to ask but wanted to know if anyone knew off hand. Their site sucks.

Thanks.
Bill

[mlfrank]

We've been using two-ways for 5 or 6 years now. As we only use the FRS (lower numbered channels) there has never been an issue of licensing. From what I hear from several people is that they don't like the newer Motorolas - they seem to die sooner. I keep an eye out at the flea markets for the older ones.

Another problem is the mic/earpiece. Very few folks at work seem to get them to last more that 4 or 5 months. At $15 to $20 a pop this gets a bit costly. I found a source on eBay that keeps it down to around $5 each when I buy a dozen.

michael