Two-way radios, FRS, GMRS?

[MyDisneySig]

We have used a decent pair of FRS radios at the parks, with lots of subcodes, and still had much chatter and distance problems. Are the GMRS really better? Do the rechargeable batteries last all day? Does the GMRS really require a license fee?

Any info would be appreciated!

 

[Poohnatic]

Yes, you need a $75. license for the GMRS. My radios are both FRS and GMRS, we've just stayed on the lower channels at this time. I have Motorola talkabouts, and they've got 5 mile range on lower and upper.

The main reason why I went with the particular model I have is that it listed 22 channels and 36 subchannels. If we're ever at WDW and it's getting crazy on the lower channels, we thought it'd be good to 'jump up'...we've never had to, though!

Leave it to DH, the Nascar nut, our channel/subchannel combos are all drivers (okay Martin/Kenseth, Park/Stewart, or Waltrip/Martin, among others) I'm in trouble if those drivers ever switch to numbers above 36!

Yes, the rechargeables do last all day...we even got a couple days out of a pair when we forgot to charge them that night. The model I have will take either the rechargeables or AAA batteries, so I always carried some batteries (just in case).

Ironically enough, DH and I now have free mobile to mobile, so they aren't getting used nearly as much as I'd hoped, but I think as my kids get older, they'll be sent out with them when they go play. 5 mile range means there's no excuse in our neighborhood for "I didn't hear you, mom!"

Suzanne

 

[MyDisneySig]

Thanks for the info! Do you happen to know the model number of the Motorolas you are using? I'd like to start looking at the different models.

Does the package come with the licensing info when you buy them?

I'm glad to hear that you don't have a lot of chatter to deal with - with all the extra channels! Did you get a lot of distance out of them? We may be doing a lot of splitting up while on our next visit.

Our cell phones also have free mobile to mobile, but only from within our calling area. Unfortunately, WDW is not in our calling area.


Thanks again!

 

[Poohnatic]

I've got the Talkabout TS5800's. They didn't come with the rechargeables, but I was able to get those at Wal Mart.

Unfortunately, I don't have the packaging anymore, but I remember there being information clearly stating that anything above channel 14 required the GMRS license. It gave info about the licensing, but not a lot.

I tested them out the first day we had them...went to a convenience store 5 miles away from the house. We live in a hilly area, and found that we lost the signal at 3.6 miles. At WDW, a friend and I went out by ourselves while the men napped (DH was a little under the weather). We hailed DH on our way back into the All Stars, about 3 miles away and were able to talk to him. Nearly everything else was within the same park or from parking lot to park, and the further apart we were, the fainter it would get, but still was intelligible.

The one place that we could not get ANY signal out was Melody Hall. I went in there (room was fairly close) and tried calling DH to see if he wanted anything...no dice. Tried a few minutes later to tell him I ran into some of my favorite customers from my store, still couldn't get him. Learned to check in before going into the building or upon leaving it.

We kept the squelch up pretty high because we don't like the static. If I couldn't get an answer, I'd lower it.

It might be worth checking into whether your cell carrier will upgrade your phones to nationwide. Now that you can take your number with you, many companies are bending over backwards!

Good luck with finding radios!

Suzanne

yippee, I just hit 1,000 posts!!!