2 way radio suggestions

Shane Presley

Shane Presley

Senior
Jan 12, 2011
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.bssproductions.com
Hi Folks, I was just wondering if anyone had any prefernce as to radio brands, models that they have used on the road. I used a pair of motorolas this weekend, but didn't catch the model. It was great having com between the patch / monitor guy - without him having to run to the clearcom at the monitor console... I'd like to buy something, but i want to make sure if anyone had any suggestions as to "what to get, or stay away from...."
Thanks
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

The pro-level Motorola stuff is pretty much the standard, but it requires a license, and isn't the cheapest stuff on the market.

Personally, I'd stay away from FRS and GMRS radios, as interference is a bit too common, and you need the licensed GMRS power to get decent range. If you want to go cheap, look for used Motorola VHF radios and run them on MURS frequencies. Motorola SP10s come to mind as cheap, durable, and don't require a computer for programming.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Shane Presley said:
Hi Folks, I was just wondering if anyone had any prefernce as to radio brands, models that they have used on the road. I used a pair of motorolas this weekend, but didn't catch the model. It was great having com between the patch / monitor guy - without him having to run to the clearcom at the monitor console... I'd like to buy something, but i want to make sure if anyone had any suggestions as to "what to get, or stay away from...."
Thanks
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We use Motorola cp200. uhf We are happy with them. We have the 4 channel versions...
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

We have purchase several dozen of the Motorola DTR650. If you select versions 2 or 3 the antenna is removable so that a 1/2 wave whip can be attached to give about 2 mile range line of sight. We use them around large resort/ball room situation when there are many involved scattered about the facility.

The feature we like is the programing of groups, so that everyone doesn't have to listen to every call. It can also do private conversations between two units.

We have given up on coms and replace them with ear phones for these radios. With a battery life of about 20 hours they have been great.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Andrew Broughton said:
Sorry for the necro-bump, back interested in the Moto DTR radios again...

Any reason to get the 550/650 over the 410?
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Number of contacts is a good reason, if you ever want to extend the system past 4 or so radios. Also, you get a better antenna on the 550/650, and the 550 and 650 can accept a larger battery than the 410.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Thanks for the reply.

The DTR410 specs list up to 100 contacts and 25 groups. Why is that not enough for more than 4 radios?
From what I've read, the range on all the units is very similar. I'm not saying you're wrong, just trying to figure out more about why Motorola brought out 3 models that are almost the same, and all sell about the same price (at least online).
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Andrew Broughton said:
Thanks for the reply.

The DTR410 specs list up to 100 contacts and 25 groups. Why is that not enough for more than 4 radios?
From what I've read, the range on all the units is very similar. I'm not saying you're wrong, just trying to figure out more about why Motorola brought out 3 models that are almost the same, and all sell about the same price (at least online).
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Where are you getting 100 contacts and 25 groups for the 410? Motorola's website calls out 5 contacts/5 public groups for the 410, and 150 contacts/20 public groups/10 private groups for the 550. The 650 may be discontinued (it's the same hardware as the 550 as far as I can tell).

Range should be similar with the standard antennas, but the 550 and 650 can also accept a long antennna to get a bit more range (~20% if Motorola's specs are to be believed). That may be an option and not included, though.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Rob Timmerman said:
Where are you getting 100 contacts and 25 groups for the 410? Motorola's website calls out 5 contacts/5 public groups for the 410, and 150 contacts/20 public groups/10 private groups for the 550.
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I read it on the spec sheet.

The 650 may be discontinued (it's the same hardware as the 550 as far as I can tell).
Range should be similar with the standard antennas, but the 550 and 650 can also accept a long antennna to get a bit more range (~20% if Motorola's specs are to be believed). That may be an option and not included, though.
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Understood. Still odd that they make these 3 products that are almost identical (from what I can tell). Getting real information and real details is surprisingly hard.

I did however find this one review which gives a lot of information about the product, albeit from one person's accounting.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Max Warasila said:
When I tried to find all those models on the Motorola website, I could only find the 650, so I don't think it's discontinued.
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Where are you looking?
http://www.motorolasolutions.com/US...way+Radios/On-site+Business+Radios/DTR+Series

It's clear that motorola's documentation and web sites are way overdue for a cleanup, but using their online chat I was able to easily get a rep to call me and explain things. The DTR410 and 550 are the only models in North America. The DTR620 and 2350/2450 are for other countries.
I forgot to ask about the contact list specs for the DTR410, but he's supposed to be getting back to me anyway so I'll try and see if he can explain more of the differences between the models.
 
Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Hey Tim;

So you'd be in a good position to say whether the DTRs are road-worthy, reliable and so on if you rent them. Every place I call tries to talk me out of them, suggesting instead a Vertex or other digital radio, programmed on GMRS channels to avoid licensing issues. Good advice or not?
 
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Re: 2 way radio suggestions

Andrew Broughton said:
Hey Tim;

So you'd be in a good position to say whether the DTRs are road-worthy, reliable and so on if you rent them. Every place I call tries to talk me out of them, suggesting instead a Vertex or other digital radio, programmed on GMRS channels to avoid licensing issues. Good advice or not?
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How much do you care about interference? Also, GMRS still requires a license. See http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs
 
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