News

Motorola announced an extension of their warranty on all Motorola business two way radios. All business radio series previously covered for one year will now be covered for by a two year replacement warranty. According to the company, the new warranty also applies to all models already sold and currently in use.

Radios affected by the new two year warranty include all CLS, CLP, DLR, DTR, RDX (also known as RD), and RM series. All manufacturer branded Motorola business two way radio accessories are still covered by the standard one year replacement warranty.

The new two year warranty is now in effect.

Questions? contact us at 1-800-584-1445 from 8 AM to 6 PM weekdays, send us an e-mail or enter our live chat at www.buytwowyradios.com.

In June 2010, the FCC proposed sweeping changes to personal radio services, including the GMRS. WT Docket No. 10-119 included proposals such as lowering power limits of GMRS radios to 2 watts, changing the allowance for GMRS repeaters and, most notably, eliminating the license requirement for GMRS and license by rule. Now, after 7 long years, the FCC has finally moved to consider a ruling on these proposed changes, and more. The ruling didn't limit these changes to the GMRS, but affected FRS, CB, MURS, and other personal radio services. In effect, the FCC isn't merely wanting to change Part 95 rules, they are planning to reform them.

This Report and Order is a major re-write of the Part 95 Rules. It was apparently reorganized to make it more consistent and easier to read, and eliminating "Q&A" style structuring of some rules in the document. According to the FCC, the rules are being overhauled "to modernize them, remove outdated requirements, and reorganize them to make it easier to find information." In re-writing the rules, the commission hopes to make them "consistent, clear and concise".

Whether or not the FCC actually achieves this objective remains to be seen. The new Part 95 is still a long read, and at 114 pages, the full Report and Order, which includes the new Part 95 rules, is even longer. However, the changes are significant. For users of FRS, GMRS, and CB radios, here is a summary of key changes to those services.

Family Radio Service (FRS)
FRS would now have 22 channels. All 22 channels that today's combination FRS/GMRS radios use will become part of FRS. All FRS channels are also allotted to the GMRS channels on a shared basis.

FRS would now have higher wattage. Previously, FRS was limited to one-half of one watt. The new rules allow FRS radios to transmit at up to 2 watts of power. According to the FCC's new rules, "Each FRS transmitter type must be designed such that the effective radiated power (ERP) on channels 8 through 14 does not exceed 0.5 Watts and the ERP on channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22 does not exceed 2.0 Watts."

FRS radios may transmit digital data Previously, FRS transmissions were limited to voice conversations. Now, these units may also transmit and receive digital data as well. This includes location information or brief text messages to and from other FRS or GMRS stations. The FCC states " Digital data transmissions must be initiated by a manual action of the operator, except that a FRS unit receiving an interrogation request may automatically respond
with its location."

FRS will be allowed to be combined with Part 15 devices. This would permit combination with technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

FRS license by rule is still the rule, but different. Many current combination FRS/GMRS handheld two way radios will be reclassified as FRS and not require an individual license to operate on any of 22 the channels. In effect, if the currently classified FRS/GMRS radio transmits below 2 watts, it's officially an FRS radio and doesn't require a license to operate. Both individuals and businesses now seem to be explicitly authorized for use on the FRS.

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
GMRS would have 30 channels. The GMRS is allotted 30 total channels consisting of 16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels. The GMRS operators may use their GMRS station for two-way plain language voice communications with other GMRS stations and with FRS units for personal or business activities.

GMRS can still be used with repeaters. The rules allow for use of GMRS with repeaters on specified channels. GMRS repeater, base and fixed stations may be operated by remote control.

GMRS radios may transmit digital data. As with FRS, digital location information, requests for location information, and brief text messages to another specific unit are now allowed to be transmitted over GMRS. Previously this was allowed to Garmin through a special waiver.

GMRS still requires a license but for a longer term. Previously, a GMRS license was valid for 5 years. Licenses are now valid for 10 years. As for current FRS/GMRS radios, If it transmits above 2 watts, it's a GMRS radio and needs a license. Current repeater capable FRS/GMRS radios will be classified as GMRS and require a license. A license is still issued for use by individuals and their immediate families. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws. Non-individuals are grandfathered in.

Citizen's Band Radio Service (CBRS)
"Citizens Band Radio Service" would be officially named "CB Radio Service". Cordless microphones are allowed on CB. The restriction of long-range communications for CB has been eliminated, however the power limit was not increased. The CB serial number no longer required to be engraved into the transmitter chassis. Manufacturers are no longer required to include the FCC rules with CB radios.

Other notable changes affecting all of these services

• Voice obscuring features would be prohibited across the entire PRS.
• Continued use of existing radios that include scrambling features are now prohibited.
• 18 months after adoption, no person shall be permitted to manufacture, import, sell, or offer for sale any equipment that incorporates voice scrambling or obscuring for any of the PRS regardless of previous certification.
• Radios combining multiple services will no longer be approved. This includes FRS and GMRS (although GMRS is compatible with FRS).

Note: The reform is under tentative consideration by the FCC at its open meeting scheduled for May 18, 2017. From the FCC: "The issues... and the Commission's ultimate resolution of those issues remain under consideration and subject to change. This document does not constitute any official action by the Commission."

What do you think of the new Part 95 rules? Enter your comments below.

Guess the actual arrival date for a chance to win a new TYT MD-2017 radio or Two Way Radio Show T-Shirt! Send us your best guess of the date when you think the MD-2017 will arrive at our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios and if your guess is correct or the closest within seven (7) days of the arrival date, you could win a FREE TYT MD-2017 Dual Band DMR digital Two Way Radio. The winner with the second closest guess will get a FREE Two Way Radio Show T-shirt, valued at $10. If multiple correct entries are received, a drawing will be held among all correct entries to determine the winners.

Why are we doing this?
In 2016 TYT announced the MD-9600, their first digital mobile radio. This was big news, and anticipation was high. TYT kept delaying the release, and now, over a year later, we are still waiting for the MD-9600 to show up on the dock at our warehouse.

A few months ago we announced a new dual band digital handheld two way radio coming from TYT, the MD-2017. In episode #111 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, we discussed some of the features of the MD-2017 and a speculated on a possible arrival date based on the limited specs available from the manufacturer. Bacause of our experience with the MD-9600, naturally we are a bit hesitant to mention a firm date for the arrival of the MD-2017.

So during the show (about 6:30 into the episode), we came up with an idea. Rather than set expectations with speculative dates that TYT may or may not ever meet, why not have some fun with it and make it into a contest? So we did!

Official Contest Rules

• 1. One entry per person.
• 2. Enter the date you think the MD-2017 will arrive at our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios. Note: this is not the date TYT says it will ship to the US, but the date we actually receive it.
• 3. E-mail your entry to [email protected] or post it in the comments for Episode #111 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.
• 4. Entry must include Full name, a valid e-mail address and call sign to verify single entry per person rule. Entries without all three items for verification will be considered invalid.
• 5. The entry with the date closest to arrival within seven days wins an MD-2017 radio.
• 6. The entry second closest to the arrival date wins a T-Shirt.
• 7. If multiple entries are received with the same date, the winners will be determined by random drawing of all correct entries.
• 8. Due to international restrictions, the contest is open to residents of the US only.
• 9. Winners will be announced on The Two Way Radio Show Podcast and notified by e-mail after close of contest.
• 10. Contest ends April 21, 2017 at 11:59 PM EDT or when the radio arrives at Buy Two Way Radios from TYT, whichever comes first.

Note: Decisions of the judges are final.

Come visit Buy Two Way Radios this weekend at the 2017 Charlotte Hamfest!

The Charlotte Hamfest is an annual event hosted by The Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society (MARS). This year's event will be held March 10 and 11, 2017 in Concord, North Carolina. Activities include hourly prizes, forums, VEC amateur radio license testing and industry vendors, including Buy Two Way Radios!

If you are in the Charlotte, NC area this weekend, we encourage you to check out the hamfest. We'll be in booth #32. Come by and meet our staff and hosts of The Two Way Radio Show to talk about ham radio and two way radios in general.

The 2017 Charlotte Hamfest will be held Friday, March 10 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM ET and Saturday, March 11 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM ET. The hamfest will be located at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4571 Hwy 49 North, Concord, North Carolina 28025. The arena is just minutes away from Interstate 85 and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Admission is only $7 per person in advance and $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult and there is plenty of free parking.

For more information about the 2017 Charlotte Hamfest, visit their web site at www.charlottehamfest.org.

The TYT MD-380 is one of the most popular DMR radios on the market and one of our best selling digital handheld models at Buy Two Way Radios. Considering this, we are not at all surprised to receive inquiries about replacement parts for it. As an authorized TYT dealer for the US, Buy Two Way Radios now carries a selection of spare parts for the TYT MD-380 and MD-UV380 Plus two way radios.

If you need a specific part for your MD-380, such as a channel knob or accessory port cover, the specific item may be purchased individually. If multiple parts are needed, an entire kit of replacement parts is also available. This kit consists of all MD-380 parts currently sold on our web site at a substantial savings.

Of course, if you need another spare or replacement part for your radio, give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or enter our live chat and ask.

We also carry spare parts for select Wouxun, Kenwood and Ritron two way radios. If we don't have it, we'll try to get it. Just let us know what you need.

The new Kenwood TK-3230DX is almost the same as the old TK-3230 and uses the same KNB-46L 2000 mAh lithium-ion battery pack. So naturally one would assume both radios use the same charger as well. However, the two chargers are slightly different. The original TK-3230 uses the KSC-37, and the DX uses the KSC-37S. The question is, are they interchangeable with the radios?

There were only two differences we could find between the two chargers. The old KSC37 charger draws 1.0A and the new KSC37S draws 0.8A. This slight difference does not seem to affect charging of either radio. Both output the same 1.05 amps to the radio/battery.

We also noticed the two plastic tabs between the contacts in the pocket of the KSC37 were eliminated in the KSC37S, and this change allows both radios to sit more firmly in the new charger. Other than those two minor changes, there seemed to be no indication the changes prevent the use of old and new chargers with old and new radios in a mixed fleet.

Can both chargers be used to charge the DX? If not, is there another reason, other than the slight differences mentioned above, that would prevent this, even though both radios fit in both chargers and use the same battery?

We asked officials at Kenwood these very questions. The official answer? The changes are purely cosmetic. Both the KSC-37 and KSC-37S chargers are indeed cross-compatible with the TK-3230 and TK-3230DX radios and may be used with either one.

When Midland first announced the introduction of the MXT100 in early 2015, it was met with much anticipation. After all, This wasn't just another GMRS two way radio, it was a GMRS mobile radio, the first to enter the market in years, and a micro mobile at that. When the MXT100 finally arrived in the late autumn, it quickly became a popular item at Buy Two Way Radios and was generally well received.

Yet, some reviews were mixed. Many users liked the overall design and performance of this tiny mobile, but also wanted the addition of weather channels for use in off-road or recreational vehicles. Some GMRS operators needed repeater capability to truly maximize its use as a mobile. Many thought it lacked the higher wattage generally expected from a typical mobile radio.

Midland heard the feedback, listened, and took notes.

Now, Midland is introducing not one, not two, but three new mobiles in the MXT series, and all for the GMRS.

MXT105 - This model is the next generation of the now retired MXT100, and effectively replaces it. The 105 is essentially the same as the original, with 5 watts of power, 15 GMRS channels, 142 CTCSS/DCS codes, channel scan, adjustable squelch, signal strength meter, monitor function, keypad lock and 3.5mm external speaker jack. It also keeps the built-in internal speaker and the front panel backlit LCD display with 5 levels of adjustable brightness.

One of the best features of the old 100 was Display Flip, which allowed the unit to be installed upside down with an option to flip the readout on the screen around to keep it readable. The MXT105 kept this feature, as well as the flip frame detachable mount to accommodate either horizontal or vertical mounting on or under the dash.

In addition to the GMRS functionality of its predecessor, the MXT105 adds 10 NOAA weather channels and weather scan to the mix. It does all this at a lower price point than the original, taking the MXT series to a new level. The entire package includes a detachable hand microphone with a coiled cord, 12V power cable with vehicle adapter, flip frame detachable mount, microphone hanger, mounting hardware and a mobile magnetic mount antenna with 19 feet of cable. Price: $99.99.

MXT115 - The 115 has most of the same basic features found on the MXT105 and adds more power to take it to a full 15 watts. It has 15 GMRS channels, 10 NOAA weather channels and weather alert. Additional features include 5 selectable call tones, roger beep, tone alert and a USB charger port for charging other devices such as a handheld radio or cell phone. It does not include the Display Flip feature of the MXT105 but the display can be backlit in one of 8 selectable colors. The best part, it's repeater capable, with 8 GMRS repeater channels pre-programmed and ready to go.

The package includes a hand microphone, 12V power cable with vehicle adapter, flip frame detachable mount, mounting hardware, microphone hanger and mobile mag mount antenna with a 19 foot cable. Price: $149.99.

MXT400 - This powerful micromobile transmits at a full 40 watts on the GMRS and is the top of the MXT line. It doesn't have the weather channels included in the other models, but it does have the 8 repeater channels. It also has some features found on many business and amateur mobile two way radios, such as a voice compander, power and transmit LEDs, talk around function, and a timeout timer. The MXT400 comes with a hand microphone, 12V hard wire cord, flip frame detachable mount, microphone hanger and mounting hardware. Antenna not included. Price: $249.99.

For more details and an in-depth discussion on the new Midland mobile GMRS radios, listen to Episode 108 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast!

Kenwood has a well established reputation with their line of business two way radios, and the TK-3230 XLS has long been a favourite choice among small businesses. First introduced in 2007, it's considered one of the smallest portable handheld UHF business radios on the market. The TK-3230 is well known for its lightweight ergonomic design, tiny footprint and ease of use. Now, after nearly a decade of popularity, this tiny two way is being retired. Its replacement? The Kenwood ProTalk® TK-3230DX!

For fans of the original 3230, don't worry. Kenwood didn't really take their iconic ProTalk away. The new TK-3230 DX is almost exactly the same as the original TK-3230, only different. It's better.

These two radios essentially share the same model number, so the striking similarities between them are not surprising at all. Of course, the radios are essentially the same in both form and function.

Like it's predecessor, the TK-3230DX maxes out at 1.5 watts with a 0.5W minimum of user selectable power. Kenwood claims it has a maximum range of up to 5 miles or 250,000 square feet in open areas with no obstructions. Depending on your specific setting and situation, your mileage may vary.

Like the original, the DX weights only 5.5 ounces, surpassed only by the ProTalk LT PKT-23 as one of smallest and lightest Kenwood handheld business radios currently available. It's compact footprint puts the DX head-to-head with other tiny UHF business radios such as the Motorola CLS1410, CLP1040 and the Hytera HYT TC-310.

All the popular features of the old 3230 are in the DX too, such as 6 modifiable pre-set channels, FleetSync® PTT ID and caller ID display, channel scan, built-in VOX functionality, Privacy Talk voice scrambling, the compander, 10-call alert tone, busy channel lockout, and, yes, even the famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) Super Lock. The DX also has individual call, direct call and group call selective calling features. Add in the 7 segmeng backlit LCD display, and you've got a next gen Kenwood made just like the original.

But with all these similarities, there are some important differences. The original TK-3230 had 56 built-in frequencies. The TK-3230DX gives you an additional 35 for a total of 99 pre-stored selectable frequencies. The original TK-3230 had 39 QT and 83 DQT privacy codes for a total of 122 codes. The TK-3230 DX added 85 more digital codes, for a grand total of 207 privacy codes.

But that's not all. In addition to the extra codes, the TK-3230DX also has the capability to choose a different QT or DQT code for each individual channel. This feature alone adds important flexibility and control over business communications.

Kenwood also updated the face of the radio. The DX still sports the 4 digit, 7-segment backlit LCD display, but the buttons are slightly different and the front speaker grille is a new design. It's all for the better, though. The DX looks and feels a little more comfortable to grip.

It still has the power. The DX uses the same KNB-46L battery pack, with 2000mAh for up to 18 hours of uptime when the battery saver is on.

As for accessories, it's share and share alike. The TK-3230 DX has the same standard Kenwood (K1) two pin audio connector as the old 3230, so all of the earpieces, headsets and speaker mics with a K1 connector will work just fine. It even uses the same KBH-14 belt clip.

There is one exception, the drop-in desktop charger. The TK-3230 used a KSC-37 fast charger. The TK-3230DX uses a different charger, the KSC-37S. It's also a rapid charger, capable of charging the battery pack in only 2.5 hours, so when it comes to charging time, the DX is still on par.

The Kenwood ProTalk® TK-3230DX is here and available now at Buy Two Way Radios.

TK-3230/TK-3230DX Comparison Chart

TYT created quite a stir a couple of years ago when its iconic MD-380 DMR radio entered the market. The came the the MD-390, a waterproof, submersible digital radio with GPS capability. Now the company is about to make waves again, with the coming launch of the MD-2017 Dual Band DMR Digital Radio!

Details are still sketchy, but TYT has released a few specs on this new handheld.
Key features of the TYT MD-2017:

• Dual band
• Dual display
• Dual standby
• Complies with ETSI TS 102 360-1, -2, -3
• Uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
• Compatible with MotoTRBO Tier 1 and II
• GPS capable
• Lone worker function
• Encryption function
• Analog and Digital Modes
• Single Call, Group Call and All Call
• Remote Kill/Stun/Activate
• IP67 Waterproof.
• Firmware upgradeable

Rumour has it the MD-2017 could arrive sometime in March 2017. However, no official release date has been set. For the latest updates on this new radio, Keep checking in at Buy Two Way Radios and subscribe to our blog!

Last year we broke the news about a new portable DMR radio, the KG-D901. We announced it on our blog, covered it in Episode 99 of the Two Way Radio Show Podcast, and gave the world a first look at it in our Wouxun KG-D901 preview video.

Yes, it was certainly news, but it wasn't just about the radio itself. What made this newsworthy was the fact it was the first DMR from Wouxun, and it was an announcement of their plan to enter the digital radio market. Now their entrance is official. The Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Digital Two Way Radio has arrived!

Since we've told you about the radio already, we won't repeat it all here. The info and specs on the Wouxun KG-D901 are available at Buy Two Way Radios, and now, so is the radio!

There is just one thing to note. At the time of this publication, the Wouxun KG-D901 is currently available in a very limited quantity, so if you want to be one of the first to have it, you may want to get it now.