Walkie-Talkies

[JONO]

Dear all,

 

I’m looking to buy some license-free two-way radios/walkie-talkies so that I can chat to buddies in other hides etc up to a mile away or so and for other handy fishing/shooting uses.

 

There’s a multitude of them out there and very little guidance for buyers. Judging by searches on ebay, not all of the models sold are UK legal in meeting the (UHF) PMR 446 requirement (so be careful!) and others require licensing.

 

I’m after the following:-

 

· as much range as possible (3-5km or 2 miles)

· as much build quality as possible

· Features like VOX, minimum 8 channels, water-resistant and with provision to use headsets etc. all for about £50-£60 the pair.

 

Can anyone recommend any particular makes/models or point out ones to avoid?

 

Thanks

 

Jon

[M ROBSON]

I've used a mates Motorolla walkie talkies and they were excellent. :thumbs:

 

Sorry don't know the spec, price, model number etc

[stirky]

On our shoot we use a pair of cobra radios from sas products, they work on most of the shoot, there is only one part in a deep wooded valley where you loose reception but having said that every mobile phone on the shoot looses reception in this area, they have a v good battery life, but on the down side they have an anoying bleep when you finish talking.

[Guest Mr Pieman]

I use a pair of Motorola radios that I brought from Argos for around £30-00. Excellent range, good battery life AND you can turn off the annoying beep after you talk!!!!!

 

Cheers

 

PP

[The Big Red Fox]

I'm with the pieman.....roger bleep can be taken off.

[henry c]

i got a pair of Binatone ones from Aldi !!!!! only £30 and have a range of 3km even upto 10miles on a hill top, with no obstructions.

[jonno 357]

There’s a multitude of them out there and very little guidance for buyers. Judging by searches on ebay, not all of the models sold are UK legal in meeting the (UHF) PMR 446 requirement (so be careful!) and others require licensing.

A few years ago, the company I work for updated the Motorola radios. I asked what was to become of the old ones ? I was told thrown in the skip. I asked if I could have them and was told yes, but later told no because of the licensing on them. Theses radio units are IS and cost around the £400 each. 8 radios, 16 batteries and there charging units all scraped

 

Jonno

[Ears]

Bought some Cobra 2 ways from ebay couple of years ago about £52.00 done well so far. They do about 3 kilometers range very good saved us alot of money in phone calles and makes life in the field a little more fun for having a laugh to. if you do alot of shooting with a friend or family best get some. worth it.

[stupidsalmon]

Try these.

I have them and they work a treat. Plus headsets and VOX aswell.

 

Walkie-talkies

[Staffs-Shooter]

I bought a pair from Tesco for £14.99. work well - upto 3/4mile range.

[pete evans]

i just bought a set of 3km binatone ones from homebase for £13 havnt field tested them yet.

[stupidsalmon]

Trouble is for me its bloody hilly where i live. Therfore the 3km doesnt really apply because there are no flat areas with a diameter more than that. Otherwise there fine for talking hill top to hill top and down/up valleys, as long as there are no major obstacles obstructing the wave paths.

[Axe]

Trouble is for me its bloody hilly where i live. Therfore the 3km doesnt really apply because there are no flat areas with a diameter more than that. Otherwise there fine for talking hill top to hill top and down/up valleys, as long as there are no major obstacles obstructing the wave paths.

I would reccomend a professional radio from Motorola, they give much better, more reliable distances and dont suffer like a cheap walkie talkie. But watch out for the price, they arent cheap!!

[Malc]

I was in Toys R Us yesterday, (don't ask) and I noticed that they sell a pair of either Binatone or Motorola radios with dual charger for £24.95. the model was 250 or something. I nearly bought some..... I did, nearly....