GMRS Radios

[crp5]

Looking for some feedback on GMRS radios. I just ordered my Autocom and need to start looking at my bike to bike options. I've read several reviews about the Kenwood Freetalk XL & XLS, also the MIDLAND GXT500 series.

What else is out there? :confused: (Personal experiences prefered)

[STeve1300]

Unless someone suggests otherwise, I plan on picking up a pair of Cobra FRS/GMRS radios for $40-$60 depending on model.(More expensive ones have NOAA weather) I'm undecided on "self regestering" for the FCC license. Only drawback I see is battery power only. On this site (http://www.premiercycleproducts.com/autocombtbaccessories.html) the picture of the Cobra connecting cable shows it to be straight - the others are coiled. I'm thinking that will help me route it up front where I will mount the radio. (Perhaps a Ram mount on the right resevior.) I too am open to any suggestions!!

[vnsfxr]

Cobra GMRS are dual pin the straight cord shown will not work.

[crp5]

How happy are you with the Freetalk? What kind of range do you get and the Autocom site talks about the extra powers provides a better (clear) signal when transmitting / receiving, is this true? The Kenwood is what I'm leaning towards, but wanted to hear some first hand experiences before plopping down $200.

[Blrfl]

The Kenwood is what I'm leaning towards, but wanted to hear some first hand experiences before plopping down $200.

The TK3101 is derived from one of their commercial models and is a much higher grade piece of gear than the $40 radios you buy in blister packs. I've owned a few thousand dollars' worth of Kenwood's other stuff, and it's all been excellent. What you get for the extra money is a sensitive receiver that's tight enough not to get clobbered by intermod in urban areas where there's a lot of RF floating around, very clean transmit output and an enclosure that meets MIL 810 C/D/E for moisture, shock and vibration.

Range is a sticky subject because there are so many factors that affect it. With GMRS you at least have the option of having an external antenna, so you can stuff the radio under the seat and put the antenna outside the bike where it will radiate more of its energy into the air and less into your bottom.

--Mark

[STeve1300]

Cobra GMRS are dual pin the straight cord shown will not work.

Hmmm. I just bought a pair of Cobra PR2 3550 FRS/GMRS radios for $49.86 at Walmart. They are definately single pin. Comes with 8 rechargeable batteries, charger, & ear buds that I wont be needing. Claimed 10 mile range, 22 channels, scan, NOAA weather alerts, and is "water resistant". I think they'll be fine for the limited use I'll give them.

[crazykz]

Hmmm. I just bought a pair of Cobra PR2 3550 FRS/GMRS radios for $49.86 at Walmart. They are definately single pin. Comes with 8 rechargeable batteries, charger, & ear buds that I wont be needing. Claimed 10 mile range, 22 channels, scan, NOAA weather alerts, and is "water resistant". I think they'll be fine for the limited use I'll give them.

Hey Steve are you going to be around this weekend? I would like to plug them into my intercom setup and see if they work with the IMC.

Let me know.

Thanks,
Curt

[STeve1300]

I have a PM out to MNWing to see if he wants to do lunch somewhere on the Minnesota border. If I don't hear from him, I want to go to the Kewaskum HS State playoff football game at 1PM. I would be free all morning and I have a full tank of gas...so I'll charge the radios just in case.

[tinfish81]

The TK3101 is derived from one of their commercial models and is a much higher grade piece of gear than the $40 radios you buy in blister packs. I've owned a few thousand dollars' worth of Kenwood's other stuff, and it's all been excellent. What you get for the extra money is a sensitive receiver that's tight enough not to get clobbered by intermod in urban areas where there's a lot of RF floating around, very clean transmit output and an enclosure that meets MIL 810 C/D/E for moisture, shock and vibration.

Range is a sticky subject because there are so many factors that affect it. With GMRS you at least have the option of having an external antenna, so you can stuff the radio under the seat and put the antenna outside the bike where it will radiate more of its energy into the air and less into your bottom.

--Mark
I agree with everything Mark says; I have used the Kenwood FreeTalk XL, (TK-3101), interfaced with the Autocom Pro 7 Sport for a couple of years now and have had 0 (zero) problems rain or shine. It's powered off the bike,(with accessory from Autocom), so I don't mess with batteries, and I'm told it puts out clean transmissions and I get excellent reception with no engine/electrical noise. I also use the PTT accessory interfaced to the Autocom helmet headset/mic...found it a little better for transmitting than voice actuated. PTT is wire-tied as far in as possible on the left grip so there is no interference with the clutch and is really quite convenient to use. The radio RAM-mounted on the Heli-bars but I like the idea of putting it under the seat and running an external antenna...hmmm...will have to look into that.

System is a bit pricy but based on experience, if I was starting over I wouldn't hesitate to do it all the same way. The ONLY thing I didn't like was stuffing and hiding all the wires!! Maybe in a couple of years the wireless/bluetooth technology will mature and clean things up for us.:)

[vnsfxr]

Hmmm. I just bought a pair of Cobra PR2 3550 FRS/GMRS radios for $49.86 at Walmart. They are definately single pin. Comes with 8 rechargeable batteries, charger, & ear buds that I wont be needing. Claimed 10 mile range, 22 channels, scan, NOAA weather alerts, and is "water resistant". I think they'll be fine for the limited use I'll give them.

Sounds similar to mine. Can't remember the model # but its in their Micro Talk line. Has all of the above plus compass and hi/lo power settings along with security code system to avoid bleed over from other FM transmissions. A couple years old. Maybe the newer Cobra models have the single pin?

[Tim4255]

For bike to bike radio you can find some good deals on EBAY for a Kenwood TK-3207/3201 Combo unit. It can do everything from 440 to 480 (FRS/GMRS/PMR446) and can output up to 4 watts (not legal in some places)
You can get a programming cable and software to program your own radio also. They have battery eliminators if you ask for them, so you can run off bike power. You can see the details here:
http://radios2u.com/kenwood/tk3207.htm Watch for their EBAY sales (I paid 42 Pounds for mine there)

This radio is newer than the TK-3101 FRS/GMRS Radio and a tiny bit smaller but uses the same pins for Autocom/Starcom systems. The Bike power option for Autocom won't fit it but you can order a battery eliminator with it that can be hooked to the bikes power system or cigar plug.

Tim :03biker: