General

This has been an exciting year for GMRS two way radios. Major manufacturers such as Cobra, Midland and Motorola have announced or launched a number of new models for 2012 with new designs, upgrades and features. Not to be outdone, Uniden has recently updated their product line as well, with such models as the GMR3799, GMR4099 and GMR5099. In fact, they are still at it. Uniden just introduced two new entries in their GMR Series of two way radios, the GMR4040-2CKHS and GMR5089-2CKHS.

The Vertex Standard rebate promotion is ending August 17, 2012 at Buy Two Way Radios. If you are planning to purchase land mobile two way radios for your factory, warehouse, farm, school or other business operation, now may be the best time to buy.

You get $20 or $40 back on every radio purchased, depending on which model you choose. You must purchase a minimum of six radios to qualify for the rebate, but there is no purchase limit, so your savings can be substantial!

The following radios qualify for the rebates:

This offer fulfilled by Vertex Standard, so you will need to send your rebate redemption form directly to them after purchase. This offer is valid on radios purchased through August 17, 2012. You can mix and match models within a series, however all radios purchased must be within the same product series and must be ordered on a single order and on the same invoice. The Minimum rebate is $120 (6 radios x $20) or $240 (6 radios x $40). Click here for full details. Visit vertexstandardrebate.com and follow the instructions to redeem your rebate.

Please remember all redemption requests must be postmarked on or before August 17, 2012.
Redemption submissions received after that date will NOT be eligible. Redemptions cannot be sent to P.O. Boxes. Please allow 4-6 weeks from receipt of your submission for to receive your rebates. Offer good only in the U.S. and Canada and is void where prohibited, taxed and restricted by law.

All Vertex Standard radios on this list are narrowband compliant.

We talk about using FRS radios in assorted recreational activities. We also review the new Motorola Talkabout MT350 Series of two way radios.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:18

Topic Discussion 1:38
Today we'll learn the basics of the Family Radio Service and introduce some popular pastimes that rely on FRS radio communications, such as model railroading, model rocketry, bird watching, paintball and laser tag. We also recommend some FRS radios for use in these activities. Radios discussed include the Cobra CXT135, CXT225, Midland LXT500VP3, LXT535VP3, LXT560VP3, Motorola MD200R, Motorola MH230R, and MH230TPR FRS/GMRS two way radios. For more information about FRS frequencies, refer to our chart of FRS and GMRS Frequencies.

Commercial Break 19:49
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 20:48
Today we review the new Motorola TALKABOUT MT350R and MT352R two way radios.

Questions and Answers 27:10
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 33:21
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show(at)buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2012 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Air band or avionic radios are used in aviation as for both navigation and two way communication. If you are into aviation, you probably already know how important it is to have a radio while in the air.

Air Band Basics
Air Band radios use VHF frequencies in the 108 MHz - 137 MHz range. VHF air band channels are different than those used for land based radios and are specifically allotted by the FCC for use in avionics. In addition to the VHF channels, trans-oceanic aircraft may use HF frequencies as well. But that's another topic for another time. For now, we will focus exclusively on VHF.

VHF provides optimal coverage in open spaces with a clear line of sight. Since air band radio transmissions primarily occur in the air or air to ground from high altitudes, range will generally be much greater than land-based radios. This means typical 5 watt handheld airband radios in flight will reach considerably farther than typical 5 watt UHF or VHF radios communicating ground to ground. Panel mounted NAV/COM airband radios around 8 watts can go even farther.

Air band is divided into COM and NAV channels. COM channels use the higher end of the band and are programmed to frequencies used specifically for voice communication. In the US, the frequencies assigned for amplitude modulated voice communication are between 118.000 MHz to 136.975 MHz. NAV channels use the lower end of the band and are assigned the frequencies from 108.000 MHz to 117.95 MHz for navigational assistance. These frequencies are split into 200 narrow-band channels of 50 kHZ.

One navigation system is the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR). It is a system of short-range radio beacons developed by the US in 1937 to help pilots determine their position and stay on course. It is now a global standard for navigation in aviation with around 3000 VOR stations worldwide.

In addition to the COM and NAV channels, VHF air band radios typically support NOAA marine weather channels and NOAA weather alerts. Air band also includes an emergency communication frequency at 121.5 MHz with a 100 kHz bandwidth. This frequency is known as International Air Distress (IAD).

Licensing
Until the mid 1990's, a license was required to operate air band radios in most countries, including the US. On October 25, 1996, the FCC released a Report and Order in WT Docket No. 96-82, 11 FCC Rcd 14849, FCC 96-421 (pdf) eliminating the individual licensing requirement for aircraft radio stations operating domestically which are not required by law to carry a radio.

Currently In Part 87 Subpart B of Title 47, the FCC rules are as follows:

(a) Except as noted in paragraph (b) of this section, stations in the aviation service must be licensed by the FCC either individually or by fleet.

(b) An aircraft station is licensed by rule and does not need an individual license issued by the FCC if the aircraft station is not required by statute, treaty, or agreement to which the United States is signatory to carry a radio, and the aircraft station does not make international flights or communications. Even though an individual license is not required, an aircraft station licensed by rule must be operated in accordance with all applicable operating requirements, procedures, and technical specifications found in this part.

Types of Air Band Radios
There are three basic types of air band radios. A handheld air band radio is about the same design as a typical handheld portable land mobile two way radio. Panel mount air band radios generally mount in the cockpit of an airplane or other aircraft, much like the typical mobile radio in a vehicle. A ground station refers to an air band radio that operates on the ground, whether mounted in a vehicle or sitting on a desk.

Examples of handheld airband radios are the Icom IC-A6 and IC-A14. The A6 offers COM channels only. The A14 includes both NAV and COM channels. Both models are available from Buy Two Way Radios.

We just received word that TriSquare is going out of business and its products will no longer be available. The entire TriSquare TSX Series has been discontinued.

We know a lot of our customers are fans of TriSquare radios. It's no big secret why. First, the TSX Series radios use Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology, allowing operators to choose from up to ten billion channels for greater privacy and more secure communications than typical business or consumer two way radios. Second, the radios often include advanced functionality typically found on cell phones, such as direct call, text messaging, contact lists and great displays.

Most importantly, TriSquare radios can be used by anyone or any business without a license, unlike GMRS. They operate in the 900 Mhz range, so no FCC license is required, yet coverage and performance is roughly equivalent to a conventional GMRS two way radio.

However, there is one caveat to TriSquare TSX Series radios - these models only communicate with each other and are not compatible with other makes and models of two way radios. This is important to consider when buying TriSquare radios, especially now.

We have sold out our last inventory of radios and TriSquare accessories at Buy Two Way Radios. Since these models are no longer manufactured, they will not be restocked. If you are shopping around for radios and considered purchasing TriSquare, we recommend that you choose among our other business or consumer two way radios instead.

For those who are die-hard fans of TriSquare (and there are quite a few out there), your long term options are to either continue using the TSX Radios available to you or replace them with conventional radios. if you do decide to stay with the TriSquare radios, The TSX100, TSX100-2VP, TSX100R-2VP, TSX300-2VP, and TSX300R-2VP are no longer available. All Accessories such as the TriSquare Replacement Battery (TSX-BP) and the TriSquare TSX10A Accessory Pack are now sold out.

If you recently purchased TriSquare radios from us and are concerned about warranty and support issues, not to worry. TriSquare informed us that your warranty is valid and they will continue product warranty and support for the radios "for as long as needed". If a warranty or support issue arises, the company recommends customers contact the service or sales email addresses on their web site for assistance or call Buy Two Way Radios at 1-800-584-1445.

This video from Motorola introduces the Talkabout MD200R two way radio and demonstrates some key features such as call tones, accessory jack, keypad lock and dual power options.

The Motorola Talkabout MD200R is available to ship from our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios.

This video from Motorola gives you a up-close and personal look at the Talkabout MT350 / MT352 two way radios in action. It includes a demonstration of key features such weatherproof capability, built-in flashlight, emergency alert button, NOAA weather alert and audio clarity,

Both models are available to ship from our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios.

Updated June 6, 2020.

There are a number of GMRS two way radios on the market today that are advertised as weatherproof for outdoor use, and many of them are. However, there are varying degrees of such protection, and these different levels are not always considered or even known to consumers, who are largely unaware of rating standards such as Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) and Ingress Protection Code (IP). The terms weatherproofing, water resistance and water proofing can become confusing and unintentionally misleading, because many consumers think of them as interchangeable. Such misunderstanding can lead to a frustrating experience when radios purchased for their ruggedness in rough, outdoor weather turn out not to be all that resilient to the elements, or not resilient at all.

There is a big difference between weather resistant, weather proof, water resistant, and water proof. It's important know what each one means and what it doesn't. That is why the JIS and IP ratings exist. These are standards of measurement to determine and define levels of resistance of an object (in this case, a two way radio) to a liquid such as water. The different ratings determine the level of waterproofing (and with IP, dust proofing as well) the radio can handle.

To simplify the terms somewhat, a weather resistant radio can likely handle a little cold and damp air, but a weather proof device is protected from slightly harsher elements. A Water resistant radio can handle some rain and splashing, but a water proof radio will not allow the liquid to enter the enclosure if the device is immersed in it or, in some cases, even submersed.

A radio that is rated submersible to JIS and IP specifications means that it can withstand complete submersion in water to a specified depth for a specified period of time (usually up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes).

When choosing a two way radio for outdoor or all-weather use, it is important to know and understand the difference between the words weather and water and between the terms resistant and proof. To make it even easier, we created this simple Guide to Weatherproof GMRS Two Way Radios below.

	Weatherproof GMRS Radios	Rating	Details
	Garmin Rino 610	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Garmin Rino 650	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Garmin Rino 655t	IPX7	Waterproof Submersible
	Midland GXT1000VP4	JIS4	Water Resistant
	Midland GXT1050VP4	JIS4	Water Resistant
	Midland GXT5000	IP67, MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, F	Waterproof Shock and Dust Proof
	Midland T290VP4		Water Resistant
	Midland T295VP4		Water Resistant
	Motorola Talkabout MS350R	IP-67	Water Resistant Submersible
	Motorola Talkabout MT350R	IP54	Weatherproof
	Motorola Talkabout MT352R	IP54	Weatherproof
	Uniden GMR-2240-2CK	JIS1	Weather Resistant
	Uniden GMR-2875-2CK	JIS7	Water Resistant
	Uniden GMR4099-2CKHS	JIS2	Weather Resistant
	Uniden GMR-3699-2CK	JIS7	Water Resistant Floats
	Uniden GMR5099-2CKHS	JIS7	Water Resistant Floats, Submersible
	Wouxun KG-805G	IP55	Water Resistant

The special promotion on Kenwood business two way radios is about to expire at Buy Two Way Radios. If you are planning to purchase or upgrade radios for your business or operation at our already low prices, now is the time to take advantage of this rebate offer and save!

Purchase at least six Kenwood TK-3230 radios and you qualify for a $25 rebate per radio with a maximum purchase of 48 radios for a potential savings of $1,200!

Purchase at least six Kenwood TK-2300V16P or TK-3300U16P radios and you qualify for a $30 rebate per radio with a maximum of 48 radios and a potential savings of over $1,440!

This offer is fulfilled by Kenwood directly, so the rebate will be mailed to you after Kenwood receives your rebate form. This offer valid on up to a maximum purchase of 48 radios through July 31, 2012. To redeem the rebate, visit http://protalkrebates.kenwoodusa.com.

NOTE: Rebates must be postmarked on or before August 6, 2012. Read the Kenwood promotional flyer for full details.

This video from Motorola explains the IP and JIS Ratings on two way radios for dust and water protection and what they mean. Understanding what these ratings are and what they mean are important when choosing a two way radio based on its resistance to environmental factors such as dust and water.

The following resources provide more in-depth information on IP and JIS ratings:
The IP and JIS Specification for Water/Dust Resistance
The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-32 - JIS and IP Specifications