News

Kenwood is offering special a rebate on select two way radios in its new ProTalk® 400 Series!

For a limited time, when you purchase at least 6 Kenwood TK-2400V16P or TK-3400U16P two way radios, you can get a $30 rebate per radio purchased. This offer is good for up to 60 radios purchased from now until April 30, 2013. If you're shopping for new radios or are planning to add to your current fleet, now is the time to buy and save!

In addition, Kenwood is also offering a $25 rebate on the TK-3230. You can purchase up to 60 from Buy Two Way Radios for a total savings of up to $1500!

To redeem your rebate, visit the Kenwood ProTalk Rebate Center and follow the instructions. This offer is fulfilled by the Kenwood directly, so the rebate will be mailed to you after Kenwood receives your rebate form. The Kenwood Rebate offer expires April 30, 2013, so if you want to take advantage of it, now is the time to buy.

NOTE: Rebates must be postmarked on or before May 6, 2013. The Kenwood rebate is NOT valid on radios delivered before February 1, 2013 or after April 30, 2013, regardless of invoice date.

Read the Kenwood promotional flyer for full details.

The new year is here and the new product announcements are starting to roll in! We recently received information on some additions to the Motorola Talkabout line of FRS and GMRS walkie talkies that will be available later in the year and thought our loyal blog readers might be interested in the details.

There are only four new radios this year and two of them are basic, entry level models. They more than make up for it though with the MU350R - the first consumer grade FRS/GMRS radio with built-in Bluetooth support! Read on for more details.

What is Going Away
Usually when something new is released, something old is discontinued. Before I get into the new stuff, let's cover what's going away. First on the list is the Motorola T9680R-SAME. Even though this model has been around since 2008, I really hate to see it go. While it was never really a big seller, it is the only GMRS radio available that supports S.A.M.E. technology for proactive area-based weather alerts. Also going away is the MB140R, which is a very low cost radio with little range and just the basic features.

New Entry Level Models
Replacing the MB140R are two models, the MG160A and the MG167A. Like their predecessor, these are very basic entry level radios that will have an MSRP of $29.99 for a set of two. Unlike the MB140R, however, both of these models will ship absent rechargeable batteries and a charger. They will operate using standard AAA batteries, which are not included.

The most interesting thing about these new models is the color. The MG167A is hot pink from the bottom of the radio to the tip of the antenna! This is very unique and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes this set of radios a hot seller! The MG160A is identical to the MG167A except it is dark blue. Both of these models are expected to start shipping in May, 2013.

Expanding the MD Series
Last year Motorola introduced the MD200R. This radio is black with almost-obnoxious green buttons and a large PTT, but people seem to love the look. It's a low priced radio with a basic feature set, but with decent range/performance.

This year, Motorola is introducing the MD207R. They're keeping the same look as the MD200 except they're switching the obnoxious-green buttons with obnoxious-orange ones. More importantly, they're adding two of the most popular features: privacy codes and weather channels! I expect that the addition of these features will quickly make the Motorola MD207R one of the most popular radios in the line. The MSRP is $54.99 and they are expected to launch in June, 2013.

Bluetooth Support in a Consumer Grade Radio
I have saved the best for last! The Motorola MU350R will be the new flagship radio in the Talkabout line and adds several new features over current models. I'll be doing a special post taking an in-depth look at the Motorola MU350R, so we're just going to scratch the surface here.

This model will not ship with Bluetooth headsets, but will be able to pair with the same type of headsets that you use with your cell phone. This is a big deal and is something people have requested for a long time. You see this type of functionality on a business radio like the Motorola CLP1060 for 5 times the cost.

The MU350R also adds the ability to scan NOAA weather radio channels and claims to have achieved improved audio performance by adding a Class D amplifier and DSP filter. It also adds Dual Watch, which is the ability to monitor two channels at once. This model also comes with two high capacity rechargeable battery packs (NiMH), charges through a mini-USB port, and has "fast charge capabilities". The MU350R has an MSRP of $149.99 and is currently expected to ship in July, 2013.

The Motorola CLP1060 was one of the first two way radios to provide built-in support for a Bluetooth earpiece. As we mentioned in our Motorola CLP1060 review that aired last May during The Two Way Radio Show, this freedom from wires was something that many businesses had been looking forward to for years.

The CLP1060 uses standard Bluetooth technology and will work with most Bluetooth earpieces that are designed to work with cell phones. It even ships with the Motorola HK200, which is also sold separately for use with cell phones. As convenient as it seems to be to use a standard headset, the feedback that came from businesses was clear: they wanted a different earpiece. Motorola determined that businesses were looking for an earpiece that was more comfortable to wear for long shifts, was optimized for either ear, deterred theft, had longer battery life, and was less expensive to replace.

On January 10th, Motorola announced the CLP Bluetooth Accessory Kit. The "guts" of this product is the Bluetooth Pod (HKLN4512). This is a small (1.75" x 1.25" x .5") device that communicates with the CLP1060 radio using Bluetooth. A swivel earpiece with an in-line microphone (HKLN4513) is included and connects to the Pod. A charging cradle (HKLN4509) is also included for charging the battery powered pod.

This accessory kit will start shipping with the CLP1060 radios instead of the current HK200 headset later this year (estimated to be sometime in May). This addresses many of the concerns some businesses had with the previous headset and is expected to be a more business friendly solution. If you liked the old earpiece, don't get too upset about this change. The CLP1060 will still maintain compatibility with standard cell phone style Bluetooth headsets, so you can always purchase one separately.

Want more info? Check out this flyer on the Bluetooth Accessory Kit for CLP Radios.

If you have been waiting on a pre-ordered Midland GXT2000VP4 radio, we have great news! On Friday, January 11 we received our first shipment of this much anticipated new model at Buy Two Way Radios!

Now the bad news: this first shipment was very small, and we didn't even receive enough radios to fill our pre-orders. We will be filling our pre-orders on a first-come first served basis, so the oldest orders will be given priority. If your order was filled, you will have received an email with your tracking number by 6:00PM EST Friday (1/11/2013).

The Midland GXT2000 has been a much anticipated model because it is essentially a GXT1000VP4 - our best-selling GMRS radio - with a few nice enhancements. The biggest improvements are a lithium battery with the ability to fully charge in 2 hours and a larger and better quality display.

Since it's been almost a year since we first announced the Midland GXT2000VP4, we couldn't wait to test one out! Check out the exclusive video unboxing of the GXT2000 and stay tuned for more information on the performance and features of this new radio from Midland!

Buy Two Way Radios would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous and safe 2013! Our offices will be closed for the day on Monday, December 31, 2012 and Tuesday, January 1, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our forums or give us a call after 8 AM EST Tuesday, January 2, 2013. Please stay safe while traveling during the new year.

Are you narrowband compliant? If not, the FCC deadline for narrowbanding is almost upon us and you are almost out of time.

What is the narrowband requirement? The FCC mandated that all manufacturers of business two way radios must cease the manufacture and import of radios that include a 25 kHz mode and all VHF/UHF industrial, business and Public Safety Radio Pool licensees must operate on 12.5 kHz (11.25 kHz occupied bandwidth) or narrower channels By January 1, 2013. At that time, all business land mobile radios and licensees operating in the 150-174 MHz VHF and 421-512 MHz UHF bands must be at 12.5 KHz or narrower.

The good news is that most business class radios sold in the United States within the last eight to ten years are already narrowband capable or compliant. If you are currently operating on wideband, you may simply need to re-program your radios for narrowband. However, if your radios are older, they may need to be upgraded. Fortunately, Kenwood and Motorola are both offering special rebate offers on new UHF and VHF business radios that are narrowband ready. Motorola is currently offering a trade-in promotion as well, in which you can trade in your old wideband radios for newer narroband-compliant models. These promotions end December 31, 2012, so if you need to upgrade, now is the time.

In addition to the radios themselves, business operators must also be licensed for narrowband frequencies. If you are already licensed for narrowband, you're all set. If your license covers wideband only you will need to update your license by December 31, 2012. If you need assistance, give us a call. We can help.

For more information about the new FCC narrowband requirements there are several resources available at Buy Two Way Radios.

The final countdown to narrowband compliance has begun - are you ready?
The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-12 - The Migration to Narrowband
Existing License Narrowband Update
FCC Public Notice DA 12-12

You can also give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or enter our live chat weekdays from 10 AM to 6 PM ET.

When it comes to choosing and using your two way radios, we want you to be informed. There are informative blogs, articles, podcasts and videos available with tips, tricks and reviews to help you navigate the world of radio technology and keep you ahead of the curve. We have a number of resources at Buy Two Way Radios to help you get the most out of your radios. To make them even better, Here's one more. We now carry books about two way radios!

Our new premium selection of books covers every type of two way radio available, including FRS and GMRS radios, marine radios, UHF/VHF business radios, CB and Ham. They're all listed right here on our web site and available now.

Need a basic book for beginners? Two Way Radios and Scanners for Dummies is the perfect choice. It's easy to read, easy to understand, humorous and just a little technical without being boring.

If you want to get into amateur radio, Ham Radio For Dummies is also a great choice. This book how to understand Ham jargon, prepare for your amateur license and how to set up a station. Getting acquainted with amateur radio has never been easier!

Need a technical book for the serious amateur? The ARRL Handbook is a must read for you. Recognized as the standard reference for amateur radio operators everywhere, this handbook covers nearly every aspect of radio communication and is now available in a hard cover 90th edition for 2013.

The ARRL Repeater Directory is a handy resource for locating repeaters across America. The directory lists 21,800 repeaters across the country in a spiral bound 2012-2013 desktop edition.

These are just a sampling of the publications now available to provide you with the knowledge you need maximize the potential of your radios and put you in control of your communications. Whether you are new to two way radios, or you're a seasoned pro, There's a radio book waiting for you.

If the publication you need is not listed on our site, please contact us and let us know.

We've talked on the Two Way Radio Show about how two way radios are used by model railroaders. Well, we just got a great review from Chris The Train Guy of Falls Church Station, Virginia that we thought we should share! Chris purchased an XLT Communications HS150-MT headset for his Motorola Talkabout radio on the recommendation of other members of his model railroad club. Here's what he had to say:

Good morning! I am a first time buyer, and am duly impressed with the service from Buytwowayradios.com! On the recommendation of several members of my Vienna Virginia model railroad club, I ordered an XLT HS150-MT headset last Friday afternoon, and BOOM, it arrived, carefully packed, by Priority mail, on Monday afternoon! Thanks and a tip of the engineers hat to the good Folks in the SHIPPING DEPT., the unsung heroes of any mail-order business!!!

Thanks for the kind words, Chris!

This year has been a big one in the world of GMRS radios with the launch of a lot of exciting new products. Cobra, Midland, Motorola and Uniden have all entered new models (and in some cases, whole new series of models) into the marketplace. One of the most anticipated new GMRS radios for 2012, however, is yet to be released. It's the Midland GXT2000.

This new radio from Midland has generated quite a lot of buzz, and it's no wonder. Midland promises some big features that make the 2000 quite attractive to campers, hikers, hunters and other sports and outdoor enthusiasts. The big question is - when? When will the Midland GXT2000 arrive?

As of this writing, an exact date has not yet been confirmed. However, the latest word from Midland is that the company may finally release the GXT2000 to the market sometime around the holidays - possibly in December 2012.

No doubt those who are waiting to get their hands on the new GXT2000 will be happy to hear this. We are excited about this news as well. However, there is one potential problem. It is not uncommon for a much anticipated item such as the GXT2000 to sell out immediately after its initial release. This may quickly deplete supplies and create a situation in which the factory cannot keep up with orders. Such a scenario can be especially problematic during the holiday season, when many of these radios may be purchased as gifts.

To offset this potential supply shortage during the holidays, Buy Two Way Radios is pleased to offer you an opportunity to pre-order the new GXT2000 now! Pre-ordering these new Midland radios will ensure you get them before the initial sell out, so you aren't caught in the nightmare of a perpetual back-order vortex for an indefinite period of time. Don't get stuck in a back-order vortex. Reserve your Midland GXT2000 two way radios today and get your order shipped to you as soon as they arrive!

For a sneak peek at the new GTX2000, take a look at this video from Midland.

Want a first look at the Midland GXT2000? Here it is! This video is a brief overview of the new series of Midland GMRS two way radios due sometime this fall. Better yet, you can pre-order the Midland GXT2000VP4 now at Buy Two Way Radios!