Radios: Who's using what and why?
 

Im in the process of sourcing gear for a team a friend and I are throwing together for this coming season and lately I've been doing a bit of reading on radios.
Lots of choices out there, not to mention variables in terms of needs vs. price. Found a lot of good info out there, one site I found was particularly informative: http://www.techwholesale.com/two-way...ew.html#uhfvhf

So far, Im leaning toward the Motorola GP68, as I've found the typical 2 way FRS/GMRS jobs sold at CT or LeBaron lacking in terms of performance and versatility, which I find a bit funny as they are marketed to "hikers" and "Campers" who usually do those activities in heavily wooded or hilly areas where these types of radios tend to be next to useless :rolleyes:

But Im curious to know what others are using, specially those that run teams.

I use a puxing PX888.

As for teams radios, you all dont need to run the same model and brand. What it comes down to is TX power and the Freq's your using (which should e GMRS and FRS freqs)

~Infdel

i just picked up a Puxing 777 and so far im quite pleased with its performance compared to "bubble pack" radios found at CT Walmart etc.

This is what I use : Wouxun KG-UVD1P Dual Band 136-174MHz(5W)/420-520MHz(4W)

I have both options to go UHF or VHF but most players have UHF radios. The battery life is good enough for a full day of airsoft as squad leader (with some talking).

Hmmm... interesting..So you guys are getting good performance out of the Chinese brands? I've been eyeing some of these but wasn't sure if they were going to be worth buying.
What kind of range and clarity are you getting with them?

As for team radios, I've read a couple of articles that warn of incompatibility issues when using un-programable FRS/GMRS radios. Case in point, I had tried to use a Midland GXT here in Canada that I had bought to game in Europe (Italy) and I couldn't pick up anyones freq. It was weird.

Well thats regional. It has to due to the break of the the Freq band. There is only a small band in Canada for GMRS and FRS radio freqs. It was most likely a different band in Europe.

All GMRS and FRS radios in Canada should be able to talk to each other.

This radio is awesome. Especially the ability to clone off another radio so they have the same setting and freqs programmed.

and you can programmed them on pc too so i like it for that

I also use the wouxun kg-uvd1p and it's been amazing to me. Phenomenal tx/rx quality regardless of forest density, rock formations, etc. well above that seen by my old Motorola talkabout. Gonna be picking up a 40cm antenna for it soon and make it my command net radio for 24h milsims

GP68s are crap. I've had 3 fail on me
I use the wouxun KG-UVD1P. longer lasting LiPo batteries, WAY more range, does VHF AND UHF, it's dual channel, and it's waterproof so you can use it in heavy rain.
GP68s need to be bagged in rain or they fry.

Huh.... I guess thats why so many are "former" police radios. I'll definitely check out the Wouxun. Sounds like it'll do nicely.

I didn't know they were police radios, motorola only commercially retails them outside north america, that's why all of ours come from hong kong lol

I will vouch for wouxon , although the programming is a little tedious

Wouxun KG-UVD1P or Puxing 777/888

That is all!

Our group just placed an order for 18 of the Puxing PX-777 UHF Professional Handheld Radio Transceiver.

http://www.northtrailsports.com/TWO-...duct_info.html

I have both the puxing 777 & the Baofeng UV-3R Amazon.com: Baofeng UV-3R Dual Band Dual Display VHF/UHF 136-174/400-470MHz Ham Radio: Electronics

Both are very durable , while the puxing 777 has a little more tx power
I actually like the baofeng due to its size , its very small & light
I program them b y hand but some prefer the software ,..at these prices they are practically disposable radios

Northtrail is great to deal with as well
http://www.northtrailsports.com/TWO-...c94/index.html

Since when? They don't operate on the same frequency as the police band!

PX888

There's an auction on ebay right now for 8 former police GP68's:http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Lot-of-8-Moto...#ht_989wt_1096

I use a Motorola talk about variant..... Beacause I'm talking to people within 44miles.

Got a XTS2500I mod3 with nacre quietpro. Low profile and comfortable for all day milsim game. Well build quality, will take a shower of bb and not break like talkabout.

Wouxun KG-UVD1P (Personal radios)
members of the team who just want single band went to the FDC 460A

Awesome radios both brands

Same thing, and bought from the same site.

In high mode, I have yet to get bad signal or noise on the coms.
Programing them from the radio is a lot easier than what it seems, it just takes about 20 min per radio.
The ear piece that comes with it is an in-ear tube, security officer style (the little spring thing). Really good and I have seen no reason to change it to anything else yet.

Good thing I don't plan on shooting at my radio while its in its protected pouch.

I like these,a bit large for some.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...sprc-77004.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...sprc-77005.jpg

Could be the smartest thing you've said so far on here.

Ahh...the good ol' days. Have just about as much chance picking up local TV stations as you would your team with the PRC 25's LOL!

ALthoug at least you can jerry rig antennas for those things:cool:

I just use an old Motorolla GP68 :P

This is airsoft, the sport of shooting other people...

They are both PRC 77, I can get cbc and a few other channels of interest.;)
They are nice clear too. I have the book of improvised antennas,good range.:cool:

You can put another vote for the wouxun KG-UVD1P. Used the GP68 before and glad I made the switch.

Im curious... where do you get batteries for those things? I know the "bricks" were essentially just a bunch of D cells in a box, but are you buying surplus batteries for em?

You can order a frame that will fit in the bat area,and just buy
batteries from the store,10 of them.
Right now I am using a car plug and cord from CTC and plugged
into a small sealed 12 volt battery attached to my carrier or in my
ruck.
http://www.prc68.com/I/Images/2577BA62D.jpg

Cool... must be a bit heavy though eh? ;)

Not after you get used to it. I don't mind the weight,
All this gear doubles as my bug out kit.

For sure... I used to hump the PRC 25 years ago in my Cadet days on the pattern 64 rucks.... think I still have the scars! BTW... where'd you pick up your 77's?

Israel, more stuff coming soon.