Best two way radio's/walkie talkie's

[Pip5ter]

I'm a total numpty at this stuff so need some common sense advice. I'm looking for a pair of handsets that we can use when I'm off wild camping in the hill's and SWMBO is left at camp site with the dog. We visit the Cairngorms regularly and mobile phone coverage is iffy to say the least so I figured walkie talkie's might be the answer for comunicating where I am and when and where I need picking up from.
Obviously don't want something that needs a licence but a product that provides best coverage in a mountain environment. I know some of you tossers are well versed on this subject so any advice/help on products available would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance..........

 

[Paul Young]

You'll find that UK radios transmit on 446Mhz with a max 0.5w transmitter. This makes them good for about 3 miles range on open water, but about 500yds if there's anything thicker than a damp paper bag between you both. You can get stronger transmitters, but then you need a radio licence (think radio ham...) & the strongest are usually 2w.

Take a look at eBay.com & search for walkie talkies on there. I got some rechargable Midland ones with a 20mile range (8w) & these use 466Mhz. Not strictly legal in UK/Europe, but they don't cause problems with anyone & are ridiculously cheap. $70 for 4 units when I bought them & we take them with us when we go & stay in Florida.

HTH,

 

[roddy]

you may struggle with range in the mountains unless your on the same side of the hill as your wife, that basic rule is if you can see line of sight to where the other radio is you'll have nearly 1 mile range, but if theres any reductions this range will be greatly reduced to the point where the sugnal gets blocked totally.

you can buy PMR radios that have hidden function that can increase the power Intaride do some the Wintec A80 is one I use on the bike and it's a robust wee radio that can have it's power increased to 2w just by some simple keypress's, Intaride also do another radio that can go upto 4w, if I remember correctly it's a rebadged radio if you do a search somebody did find out the model and where to get it from.

 

[Boon]

If you want legalish rooking radios you can pay £140 for a pair of these and its a doddle to increase the power settings


http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/intek-mt5050.html


or

get a couple of UHF radios from hong kong that will transmit 4 or 5 watts straight out the box and programme them to PMR frequencies

eg puxing 777's

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-Puxing-PX...ecialistRadioEquipment_SM?hash=item5181b653e3


or buy uhf ham gear that can also cover the pmr frequencies


http://www.rigpix.com/mischam/rexon_rl402.htm






We should actually pool our knowledge and put up a sticky about various radios and how to ...ahem...... modify them....as whether your going overland in rough places or camping in wales they tend to be handy bits of kit.

 

[Paul Young]

A couple of examples:

Motorolas...

Midlands...

 

[Pip5ter]

Two way radio advice

Thanks to all for replying to my request, that's all really useful stuff.
I'll do a bit of digging about now and come back if ....no, when I get stuck.
Much appreciated,
Phil