Buy Two Way Radios

A vast majority of the two way radios that we sell come standard with rechargeable batteries. These rechargeable batteries fall into three categories (NiCd, NiMH, Lithium), and we are often asked to explain the difference.

I recently found some information on Motorola's web site that does a great job of explaining the difference. This page also provides links to material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for Motorola batteries, and battery recycling and safety information.

Here's an excerpt that discusses the differences:

Motorola makes many different models of batteries, with the majority of them falling into three major types: Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium Ion (Li-Ion).

Motorola Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are currently one of the most cost effective chemistries on the market. NiCd batteries give you more watt-hours of operation per shift than other battery chemistries. They are ideal for a user who needs a high-performance battery and who communicates under extreme conditions of cold and heat (-30C to +50C) Historically, a NiCd battery's major drawback has been its susceptibility to memory effect, or its propensity to "forget" and not utilize its full capacity. Today, this remains to be a serious tradeoff, but can be minimized with proper charging/reconditioning practices.

Motorola Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries can offer superior operation life between charges. This battery chemistry provides 30-40% longer operation time than NiCd, but does not operate as efficiently in extreme temperatures. In addition, NiMH is less susceptible to "memory effect" compared to NiCd batteries.

One of the major advantages of Motorola Lithium Ion (Li Ion) batteries is their power to weight ratio, which easily exceeds that of NiMH for a lighter, smaller power supply. These batteries tend to be the industry's most expensive chemistry, and they offer a major advantage of not experiencing "memory effect".

Motorola has recently released their latest series of business radios: the RDX series. The RDX series will eventually replace the highly popular XTN and AX series's, and they provide a number of improvements.

The biggest improvement is in voice clarity and loudness. The RDX models are 30% louder, and the sound clarity that Motorola has achieved is simply astounding. The one watt/one channel models have been eliminated and now all of the "low powered" models are a full two watts and have either two or eight channels. Models without a display are available for those wanting simple-as-possible operation. High powered, fully programmable 4/5 watt models will be available soon.

The following is a breakdown of the new RDX models, along with their primary differences.

The following features are new, or have been improved with the RDX series.

Transmission Clarity - Motorola radios have always been exceptional in terms of noise reduction and transmission clarity, but with the RDX series they have outdone themselves. There is considerable improvement in clarity even over the AX and XTN series radios.

Loudness - 30% increase over AX and XTN series models.

Battery - All RDX radios come equipped with a lithium battery. Lithium batteries provide more life and are more lightweight than the NiMH batteries used by previous series's. The 2 watt RDX radios come standard with a 12 hour battery, and the 4/5 watt models include a 18.5 hour battery. Upgraded battery options are also available.

Configurability - All RDX series radios can be configured via a PC using an optional programming cable and Motorola's Customer Programming Software (CPS). The CPS is a free download from Motorola's web site.

Ease of Setup - The Customer Programming Software is one way to setup a personality for your radios once, and easily copy the configuration to other handsets. Cloning is another. Using an optional cloning cable, you can easily copy settings from one radio to another.

Ease of Use - By offering several models without a display and front panel buttons, Motorola now has options for customers looking for a straightforward, easy to use radio.

Durability - The RDX series radios have an aluminum chassis and are even more durable that their predecessors.

Voice Scrambling - All RDX models support scramble codes.

All Motorola RDX radios are compatible with AX and XTN series audio accessories. Other accessories such as a multi-unit chargers, extra batteries, PC and cloning cables will be available soon.

Popular Communications, an industry publication, has just published a review of the TriSquare eXRS radios! The author of this review, Bernard Bates, does a fantastic job - producing the most in-depth review of the TSX-300 thus far.

The following excerpt details the features that Mr. Bates liked best about the TriSquare TSX300.

There's a lot to like in the TSX300 (see Figure 2), and its many features make it an exceptional price/performance value. It's clear that much thought went into the design of this radio and its accessories. Following are some features I particularly liked:

• Exceptional communications privacy
• No interference from other users
• Advanced technology made easy
• All accessories included
• Geek/coolness appeal
• Good ergonomics
• No license required
• Non-volatile memory
• NiMH or alkaline batteries

Click here to read the full review.

I would like to thank Popular Communications for publishing this detailed review. I would encourage any radio enthusiast out there to subscribe to this fantastic publication.

Update: Popular Communications ceased publication in 2013 and is now called CQ Magazine.

A fantastic new Kenwood promotion began today on their two channel business radios, the TK2200V2P and TK3200U2P. If you purchase six or more of these radios you qualify for a $30 rebate per radio, up to a maximum of $1080!

This offer is good on radios purchases between February 5, 2008 and April 30, 2008. This is a mail-in offer, direct from Kenwood, that we have been authorized to offer. Click here for full details and rebate form.

We are pleased to be a part of a new Motorola promotion, offering free gas cards to customers purchasing Motorola AX, CLS, or XTN series business radios! For every six Motorola CLS series radios purchased, you qualify for $150 in gas cards. For every six AX or XTN series radios purchased, you receive $300 in free gas!

This promo is valid on up to 48 radios, meaning you could earn gas rebates worth up to $2,400! This promotion is valid for radios purchased from September 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, and is fulfilled by Motorola directly.

In addition, we are still offering our own promotion with Motorola business radios. Buy two Motorola AX, CLS, or XTN radios and receive a Sarge NU-32 Xenon Flashlight. Buy four or more and get the Sarge SKT-160 Flashlight / Multi-Tool set.

With these promotions, our great prices, same day shipping and great support, why would you buy from anywhere else?

Who would have thought these flashlights would be so popular? Customers loved our free flashlight promotion, and when it ended last month we were swamped with emails from customers who wanted it back. Well, we've listened to your requests and made the promotion better than ever before!

Through June 30th, we will be giving away a free NU-32 Xenon flashlight to customers who purchase two or more Motorola business radios (AX, CLS, DTR, and XTN series). Purchase five or more radios and you will receive the Sarge NU-35 model, which is a more durable Xenon model that is rechargeable and includes a nylon holster!

Specifically, this promotion applies to the following models: CLS1110, CLS1410, XU1100, XV1100, XU2100, XV2100, XU2600, XV2600, AXU4100, AXU5100.

Motorola's 2007 GMRS / FRS line up is now in stock. The new models are the T9550XLR, T9500XLR, T8550R, T8500R, FV750R, and FV700R.

This series includes 3 camo colored models, the T9550XLR, T8550R, and FV750R. The 9550 and 8550 camo models also include a pair of push-to-talk earbuds (model 53727). These earbud packs are a nice addition, and gives Motorola a package similar to the GXT600VP4 and GXT650VP4 value pack offerings from Midland.

The feature set is very similar between all of these new models, with the primary difference being the power / range of the radios. The 9500 and 9550 have an antenna that is about 1 1/2 inches longer than current models, giving them a 25 mile range in ideal conditions (typically 2 miles in urban conditions). The 8500 and 8550's advertise an 18 mile range (1.8 in urban conditions), and the FV700R and FV750R's advertise a 12 mile range (1 mile in urban conditions). Motorola has not yet provided us with the actual wattage of the radios.

All of these models include rechargeable batteries and a dual pocket charger, and they all support 11 NOAA weather channels. The 9000 and 8000 series' have the VibraCall vibrate alert.

Our free flashlight promotion is back by popular demand! For the month of May, customers will receive a free Sarge NU-32 Xenon Flashlight with the purchase of 4 Motorola business radios. This powerful flashlight offers powerful Xenon brightness, but also has an LED mode that will allow you to conserve battery life. It has a solid, weather proof aluminum body with a non slip rubber grip - a $25 value! This promotion applies to all AX, CLS, and XTN series two way radios, and expires May 31, 2007.

We have just launched a new site, dedicated to the discussion of two way radios, two way radio accessories, and related products. This new site will be formatted as a message board, or forum, and is called TwoWayRadioForum.com.

If you have any questions at all regarding radios or accessories, we encourage you to post them to this site. We will make every attempt to answer your questions quickly. At the same time, this will hopefully result in a database of common questions and answers that will help future visitors to our site.

Please visit our new forum, and thanks for shopping with us!

We are excited to be participating in a new promotion that is being offered by Motorola on certain Motorola business two way radios! For every 5 XTN or CLS series radios that you buy, you qualify for your choice of either a) one free radio or b) one 6 unit charger. This promotion is valid on every 5 radios purchased, up to a maximum of 40 radios. That means you can qualify for up to 8 free radios or multi-chargers!

If you choose the free radio, the radio radio model that you will receive for free will match the model of radios that you purchased. This is a value of up to $205 when you purchased the Motorola XU2600 radio! If you choose the free charger, you will receive the model 53879 charger ($175 value) if you purchased XTN series radios and the 56531 charger ($139 value) if you purchased CLS series radios. You can view these chargers on our XTN series accessories and CLS series accessories pages.

This is a mail-in promotion being fulfilled by Motorola, not Buy Two Way Radios. After you receive your radios, you will need to claim your free radio/charger by visiting www.MyRadioReward.com and filling out their online form. They will require that you mail them the UPC/serial number sticker from the radio boxes along with a copy of your receipt (which will be included in your package). Your free radio/charger is typically delivered within 4 to 6 weeks.

This offer expires June 30, 2007. Click here for full details.