[bloodtrail1]

Anyone have experience using the 12 mile Motorola radios?
Do they work any better than say the 5 mile ones? I have a 5 mile one now, but wondered if the 12 mile work any better in the woods? I know the 12 mile is rated under perfect conditions, but lets say your in the woods and the 5 mile is losing its range. Would a 12 mile work any better?

 

[mmckay2302]

The 12 mile radios are GMRS, the 5mile are FRS which work on the 70cm band. Because of this frequency they have issues with the terain and trees as far as effective range goes. The small GMRS put out about 1 watt of power and the FRS 1/2 watt. They cost about the same but the 5 watt GMRS will cost about $300.00 and are quite a bit larger. GMRS's are supposed to be licened at a tune of $75.00 a year but if you use the small ones and stay away from large towns you wont have any problems. Ive been using FRS's for years and never had a problem keeping in contact with my party. Good luck.

mike

 

[Viper69]

Actually Midland has radios that have 5 watts of GMRS that only cost $65 a pair. They say 18 miles on them but in rough terrian you wont get that. I have noticed that over the past few years the companies keep raising the distance on there radios but you really need to check the watts of power not the rated distance. Ive seen Motorola radio that are 1 watt that said 5 miles and then the next year the same radio at 1 watt says 7 miles or even 10 miles. Those ratings are just to sell radios. Anything over the five miles (GMRS) requires a FCC license (in Pa) but trust me everyone around here uses these radios and Im sure they dont all have licenses to do so.

 

[Dredly]

We used the 5 mile radios in Maine last year (I think they required an FCC license as well) and the range was a huge disappointment. Terrain and trees SEVERLY limited the range, we were getting about 1 - 2 miles maximum rnage on them.

Just a side note - we also used the Midlands and they outperformed the Motorolas by a signifigant margin. In areas where the Motorolas wouldn't even pickup what was being said the midlands could be used without a problem. I know because we tested this on purpose

 

[Hvyhitter19]

I have the Midland ones, and they work great... We had the 2 mile Motorola's before that, and we could not talk throughout our entire farm... But with the Midlands it's not a problem at all... How far do they work in the woods...?? No Idea... But further then the Motorola's... I think that the 5 Watts makes the differnce as Viper stated...

 

[bloodtrail1]

I think then I might look into some 5 watt Midlands and see how well they work!

 

[BowhntrOma]

I bought the 12 mile Midlands after using the 5 mile Motorola's for years. I didn't see any advantage to the Midland. Also I think Midland has a quality control issue. I am on my fourth set of radios. They all have had some kind of malfunction that I could not resolve. I am getting tired of returning them for a new set that develops a problem in short order. The Motorola's have been good to go from day one.

 

[Snood Slapper]

I've had Midland, Motorola and Cobra in GMRS. The Midlands out performed the others by far, and were cheaper than the Motos. Terrain does affect performance. IMO, wattage is an issue, but not as much an issue as the quality and design of the antenna.

Believe it or not, I've actually heard from some of my buddies that the Radio Shack brand 18 mile radios for $70 are very good as well. They don't come in camo though I don't think, but personally, I don't get too many accessories in camo because I don't want to loose them.

 

[BigBirdVA]

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=82851&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults
Haven't used these but if they don't work with BP you can always return them.

 

[Tater12]

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=82851&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults
Haven't used these but if they don't work with BP you can always return them.

That looks pretty good, anyone have in experience with these?

 

[labrat]

i was on the fcc website the other day to update my license and I believe I saw that they actually raised the price to $80.

 

[t8ter]

Good info.I'm in the market.Thanks I thought the watts would be better to go by.I wonder if Radio Shack would say who made theres?