Buy Two Way Radios

We compare the new Midland GXT2000 FRS/GMRS two way radio with the GXT1000. We also review the new Midland GXT2050VP4 two way radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:19

Topic Discussion 1:38
We perform a detailed comparison between the Midland GXT1000VP4 and the new GXT2000VP4 walkie talkies. We'll compare the power, features and range of these radios and tell you which model we think comes out on top. For a complete out-of-the-box experience, watch our new video Midland GXT2000VP4 two way radio unboxing and first look. For a complete review of the GXT2000, read our blog post Midland GXT2000VP4 Two Way Radio Review. For tips on using your two way radios, watch our new Radio 101 video series hosted by Anthony.

Commercial Break 29:56
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 30:54
Today we review the new Midland GXT2050VP4 Two-way Radio.

Questions and Answers 37:48
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 45:37
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!

© 2013 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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We're well known for our selection of walkie-talkies and two way radio accessories. But did you know that we carry apparel as well? More specifically, our Buy Two Way Radios T-shirt. It's not an item we've promoted much in the past, but our customers still manage to find it.

Lately, we've been thinking about re-designing our classic t-shirt to making it a lot more creative and personal. We came up with some new ideas for designs and snappy slogans so you can tell the world how you really feel about your radios.

Then, Danny had a really great idea. Let's make it really personal and give you the final say. Thus, the Two Way Radio T-Shirt Slogan Contest has now begun!

Since we are all about two way communications, we're going Two Way all the way. The contest is currently underway in our Two Way Radio Forum, complete with two prizes and two ways to win!

1. You can vote on one of the slogans we created. We came up with a list of ten snappy sayings for our new T-shirts. Simply vote on your favorite and you will be entered in a drawing to win a FREE T-shirt with a winning slogan printed on it. One vote is permitted per forum member.

2. You can create your own clever caption and post it in the forum. If we choose your saying for a T-Shirt, you win a pair of two way radios and a T-shirt with your winning slogan printed on it. There is no limit to the number of entries, so the more pithy phrases you post, the more chances you have to win.

The first way is quick. The second way is creative. You can also enter both ways. Either way, you can still win!

Note: The deadline for all votes and entries is Midnight Sunday, February 24, 2013. Winners will be announced in the Two Way Radio Forum, on our Facebook page in our blog and on Twitter.

There may be a situation in which you need to reset your Motorola CLS1110 or CLS1410 two way radio back to its original factory configuration. In this episode of Radio 101, Anthony from Buy Two Way Radios will show you how to do it in one simple step.

With the deadline for the FCC's 2013 narrowband compliance requirements having recently passed, it seems that we are getting more questions than ever about this subject! Kenwood Protalk radios seem to be of particular interest, so we thought it might be helpful to detail which models are compliant and how to bring your radios into compliance.

TK2300/TK3300 Series Radios
If you didn't require any special programming and you are using one of the frequencies "right out of the box" then this information applies to you. If your radio was programmed to special frequencies, then this will likely not apply.

Kenwood made a change to the default programming on the models in this series in the summer of 2012. All radios in this series purchased after August 1, 2012 are preset to 100% narrowband frequencies. If your radio was purchased prior to August 1, then you likely have some channels that are not in narrowband mode. For these models, refer to the list below for the channels that are narrowband compliant.

TK-2300 - Channels 5, 15, and 16 are the only channels on this model that are preset for narrowband. This means that if you have the four channel model (TK-2300V4P) then all channels are wideband.

TK-2302 - Channels 13, 15, and 16.

TK-3300 - Channels 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15 and 16 are narrowband by default.

TK-3302 - Channels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

Protalk TK-3230 XLS
Owners of the Kenwood ProTalk TK-3230 XLS have nothing to worry about, as this radio has been 100% narrowband by default for the entire existence of the product.

TK-2400/TK-3400 Series Radios
If you own one of the new Kenwood 400 series radios, you don't have to worry. These models are all preset to the same frequencies as the post August 1st "300 series" models above.

TK-2200/TK-3200 Series Radios
This is an older series that was replaced a couple of years ago with the TK-2300/TK-3300 series models above. For these models, refer to the list below for the channels that are preset to narrowband.

TK-2200 - N/A (no channels are narrowband)

TK-2202 - Channels 13, 15, and 16.

TK-3200 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (all channels are narrowband)

TK-3202 - Channels 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What To Do Now
All of this is great information but I know what you're thinking: What am I supposed to do now? The good news is that all of the models mentioned above fully support narrowband. The bad news is that it isn't a setting that Kenwood makes available through the radio itself. A radio dealer that has access to the programming software (like us!) has to change the setting.

The best option is to send us your radios and allow us to change the bandwidth setting for you. If you bought the radios from us then you're in luck! We offer free programming for the life of the radio, so this will only cost you the amount of the shipping. (We've heard that some dealers are charging $50 per radio for programming!) If you like this option, just contact us and we will tell you how to get your radios to us.

If you can't afford to be without your radios for a few days, another option is to just send us a single radio. All of the Kenwood models listed above support wireless cloning, so when you receive your narrowband compliant radio back from us you can simply wirelessly clone the settings to the rest of your fleet!

If you've purchased a ProTalk radio after August 1st but also have older radios, you can simply clone your newer ProTalk radio to the older ones. No need to mail anything in for programming! Just follow our wireless cloning instructions or you can follow this handy insert that Kenwood has started shipping with newer radios.

Yet another option is to just be sure that you only use a channel that is already narrowband compliant (listed above). This may seem like the easiest option, but there are a few drawbacks. First of all, your license may not include the frequency of the channel you are switching to. Before doing this you would certainly want to make sure that your license covers the new frequency, as switching from a wideband channel to an unlicensed one is just trading one potential problem for another. Also, leaving wideband channels on the radio would create the possibility that employees may start using these channels at some point in the future.

Changing Your License
Your frequency license also needs to be updated to add an "emissions designator" for 12.5 KHz narrowband. We can assist with this if you are not familiar with modifying your license through the FCC's ULS system. If you happen to be using the radios without a license, this would be a good opportunity to acquire a business radio license. A license is good for 10 years and provides you with exclusive use of your assigned frequencies.

The new FCC narrowbanding requirements are a complicated topic that can't possibly be covered in a single article. We are here to help! As usual, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

Are you guys tired of all the new product announcements we've had lately? If you said yes you should stop reading now, because in this post I'll be talking about some new Cobra walkie talkies that will be available soon!

Cobra has announced six brand new additions to their microTALK FRS/GMRS radio lineup for 2013: the CX112, CXT145, CX312, CXT345, CXT390 and CXT545. The CX112 and CXT145 models will be redesigns of the current "100 series" models, but the CX312, CXT345, CXT390, and CXT545 will be completely new.

Micro USB Support, Waterproof Radios, and Other New Features
The most interesting new item for me is that all of the new radios will support charging via a Micro-USB port. Motorola was first to offer walkie talkies with USB charging ports, but they use the older and slightly larger Mini-USB. I love seeing radios moving to industry standard charging solutions. Sure, we'll probably sell fewer overpriced replacement chargers, but I still believe that if our customers are happier we'll benefit in the long run.

Cobra CXT545
The CXT545 is a two watt radio that is packed with quite a few features that are new - at least to Cobra. This radio just looks like it was designed for the outdoors, and has features to match. It has a rugged look with rubberized grips and adds a NOAA weather alerts feature. You no longer have to be actively listening for weather info to be notified that severe weather is approaching. A handy LED flashlight is also a new addition.

The CXT-545 also meets JIS4 standards for water resistance. While not fully submersible, this means the radio should easily withstand rain. This level of weather resistance is equal to that offered by the Midland GXT1000, but is not as good as the Motorola MS350R or Uniden GMR5089.

The CXT545 has the best of both worlds when it comes to charging options. It includes NiMH batteries and supports plug-in charging through its Micro-USB port, but a drop-in cradle charger is also included. So whether you prefer drop-in or plug-in charging, the CXT545 has you covered. This model is expected to be available in April, 2013 and has an MSRP of $89.95.

Cobra CXT390, CXT345, and CX312
I'm combining all of the "300 series" models into one category because, well, they are all the same radio. Each of these models is a package containing the exact same radios - the only differences are with the charging options. The CX312 is a basic radio-only package - you have to use 4 "AAA" batteries or buy your rechargeable batteries separately. The CXT345 includes NiMH rechargeable batteries and a wall charger with plug-in Micro-USB ports for the radios. The CXT390 has all of that, plus a drop-in charger.

These are nice looking, mid range radios. They have one watt of power and all of the features that most people are going to be looking for in a set of radios, but not a lot of bells and whistles. One nice addition is that the proactive NOAA Weather Alert is included with this model, so these radios would be good to have around on an outdoor adventure.

Each of these models is expected to be available in March of 2013. The CX312, CXT345, and CXT390 will have MSRP's of $49.95, $69.95, and $74.95, respectively.

Cobra CXT145 and CX112
Last year, when Cobra announced the CXT135, they immediately had the lowest priced two way radio that included weather channels. They are continuing that trend this year as both the low priced CX112 and CXT145 will offer this feature. While these models are still considered entry level, the weather channels will definitely set these apart when comparing them with similar models from competing brands. With a half watt of output power, however, they are not the right choice when you need a long range radio.

Like the 300 series above, the CX112 and CXT145 are identical except for their charging options. The CX112 will not include rechargeable batteries or a charger and will have an MSRP of $39.95. The CXT145 will include NiMH rechargeable battery packs and a plug-in Micro-USB charger.

What's Being Discontinued
For years now, Cobra has led the way on lithium battery powered FRS/GMRS radios. If you're a big fan of their powerful and lightweight lithium models, don't worry - they're not going anywhere. The CXR925, CXR825, and CXR725 are going to remain a part of Cobra's lineup for 2013.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same thing for the non-lithium models. Radios like the CXT425, CXT235, and CXT135 will be phased out over time.

All of the products mentioned here are packages that include a pair of radios.

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.

A commonly asked question by new users of walkie-talkies is about programming consumer FRS/GMRS radios. Are GMRS radios user programmable? In this episode of Radio 101, Anthony from Buy Two Way Radios gives you a fast, matter-of-fact, no-nonsense answer.

We discuss new products just released this year from Kenwood. We also review the new Kenwood TK-3400 business two way radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:10

Topic Discussion 1:29
We look at the new Kenwood ProTalk 400 Series two way radios and the new Kenwood C-Ring Earpiece, and tell you what we think of these new products. For tips on using your two way radios, watch our new Radio 101 video series hosted by Anthony.

Commercial Break 11:44
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 12:42
Today we review the new Kenwood TK-3400-U4P and Kenwood TK-3400-U16P two way radios.

Questions and Answers 21:30
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 27:57
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!

© 2013 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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It's been a busy year so far for new product announcements. Jumping into the mix now is Kenwood, who has released six new walkie talkies to "freshen up" their ProTalk lineup!

Kenwood refers to these new models as the 400 series (because all of the models start with 2400 or 3400). Each new radio will replace an older 300 series model. Check out the following chart for a quick summary of what's new and what's going away.

As you can see, each new model matches up very well with the model that it's replacing. The number of channels, output power and frequency range are the primary ways to differentiate between Kenwood ProTalk models and, with the exception of the TK-3402 moving from 4 watts to 5, nothing is changing with these features in the new series. The default supported frequencies and channel assignments are the same as well, so a TK-2400 and TK-3400 will talk right out of the box to the TK-2300 and TK-3300, respectively. The same goes for the TK-2402 and TK-3402 talking with the TK-2302 and TK-3302. This is welcome news! When the "300 series" was released a few years ago, the 2 watt VHF models had different default frequencies than the previous series. I'm sure you can imagine the chaos that ensued.

So, what is changing? Honestly not much. I called this a "freshening up" of the product line and I think that is a good way to put it - the 300 series was released in 2009 so it was probably time for an update. However, there's a reason Kenwood is number two in 2 way radio sales (behind only Motorola) - their products work exceptionally well and there is little need for major changes. That said, let's take a closer look at what is different.

Audio Quality and Loudness
The biggest and most noticeable change with the new Kenwood 400 series two way radios is the 1000mW speaker. These models are clearly louder than their predecessors and because of that will be better and more comfortable to use in noisy environments. This is a clear improvement over the 500mW speaker from the 300 series and now ranks Kenwood among the loudest radios available. Of the radios that we carry, only the Motorola RDX series (with a 2000mW speaker) eclipses them.

Increased Output Power
As I mentioned above, the TK3402 has a full 5 watts of output power, compared to 4 watts with the TK3302. While Vertex Standard has a number of 5 watt UHF models and Icom has a few, 4 watts is still the norm. It's nice to see Kenwood make this improvement. Don't expect the extra watt to significantly improve range, but it can make a difference.

Changes to the Look and Feel
Kenwood has made changes to the design of the radio with the 400 series. The speaker area on the front blends better into the body of the radio - gone are the rounded contours that "lifted" the speaker openings. The microphone has moved from the middle of the radio, below the speaker, to the area above the speaker. While the dimensions are identical to the 300 series, the front of the radio slopes into the sides more gradually, giving it a slimmer feel.

The logos and markings have changed a little. The ProTalk sticker has moved from the middle of the radio to the bottom. Most significantly, the 400 series models are clearly marked on the right side with their exact model number - "TK-3400U16P" for example. Previously you had to remove the battery to find this information.

The accessory cover has also undergone a transformation. Previously, accessories like port covers or locking brackets had to be attached with a screw. Now they slide down and clip into place via a plastic clip. This sounds like a good idea as screws are easy to lose or misplace, but I found the clip-on cover to be difficult to remove. I had to actually wedge a screwdriver between the cover and the radio to pry it off. While that worked out just fine for me, I have to wonder how many people will break a clip or scratch their radio attempting the same trick.

The Push-To-Talk button and the two side buttons have changed slightly. The texture of the PTT is a little different and all three buttons are much easier to press. The force required to press the push to talk button is considerably less than before.

Compatibility with Previous Series
Perhaps the best news is that businesses that are already using 300 series two way radios can seamlessly move to the new 400 series. The channel frequency assignment is identical, so the radios will talk right out of the box. If you have changed your radio to frequencies other than the default, the same process will let you change the new radios.

Worried about your batteries or headsets? Don't be. There were no changes there, either. The new models use the same KNB-45L battery and KSC-35S charger as before. The earpiece/headset connector is also identical, so all audio accessories are 100% compatible.

Price
So what about the price? Is Kenwood using this refresh as an opportunity to raise prices? Nope. At least not for now. The prices for the new 400 series models are identical to their 300 series counterparts.

Bottom Line
So what does this all boil down to? Kenwood has released some new, ever slightly improved walkie talkies. If you've never used Kenwood radios before, you're going to love them! If you've been buying Kenwood radios, chances are you aren't going to be able to find your old model anymore the next time you need one. However, Kenwood did make it super easy to find your replacement radio and they maintained 100% compatibility, so you don't have to think twice about making the switch.

Kenwood ProTalk radios have a very nice and unique feature built right in - wireless cloning. This allows the settings of one radio to be wirelessly cloned to all other radios within range. In the event that a setting or feature mistakenly gets changed on one of your radios, this can be a quick and easy way to get your radio back to the setup you need to communicate effectively. Many other brands offer the ability to clone from radio to radio, but it usually requires a special cloning cable or a multi-charger. Kenwood makes this extremely simple - just follow the step-by-step instructions below for the radio that you have.

Cloning Kenwood ProTalk 200, 300, and 400 Series Radios
The following instructions apply to all ProTalk radios in what Kenwood calls the 200, 300 and 400 series, EXCEPT the TK-3230. This includes the following models: TK-2200, TK-2202, TK-2300, TK-2302, TK-2400, TK-2402, TK-3200, TK-3202, TK-3300, TK-3302, TK-3400, and TK-3402.

Step 1: You will first need to determine which of your radios is going to be your master unit. This will be the one radio to which all of your other radios will match up to. Your other radios will be known as your slave units. Once you have determined which radio is your master unit and which radios are your slave units, be sure to separate them to avoid confusion.

Step 2: On your master unit, be sure the radio is OFF. Hold down the PTT button AND the Side 2 Key (bottom side button) at the same time while turning the radio ON. Keep holding the 2 buttons simultaneously until the LED turns orange and you hear the radio announce "Clone". The radio is now in Clone Mode.

Step 3: On your slave units, be sure the radio is OFF. Hold down the PTT button AND the Side 2 Key (bottom side button) at the same time while turning the radio ON. Keep holding the 2 buttons simultaneously until the LED turns orange and you hear the radio announce "Clone". The slave radios are now in Clone Mode.

Step 4: Press the PTT button on the master unit to begin the cloning process. While cloning, the LED on the master unit will blink in red, while the LED on the slave unit(s) will turn green. When the cloning process completes, the master LED will once again turn orange and the LED will turn off completely on the slave units.

Step 5: The cloning is complete! Turn the master unit off and back on to resume normal usage.

Cloning Kenwood TK-3230 Radios
The Kenwood TK-3230 is a small, lightweight radio with a display. It supports wireless cloning, but works a little differently than the models above. To clone the TK3230, perform the following steps.

Step 1: All of the slave units will need to be put into the "cloning" mode. To do this, first make sure that the slave units are turned OFF. Take each slave unit and press the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button AND the Monitor (MON) button at the same time. While both buttons are being pressed, turn the radio ON. If done correctly, you will hear a short beep and your screen will show that you have entered clone mode. If you have more than one slave unit, repeat this process for each radio.

Step 2: Locate your master unit and repeat the process above to place this radio into the cloning mode.

Step 3: Once all radios are in cloning mode, press the Push-to-Talk (PTT) button on the master unit ONLY. At this point, the slave units should turn green and display the letters "PROG" for programming. The master unit will display the letters "CLON" for cloning. Once complete, the master unit will display "END" and all other slave units will return to their normal setting.

Step 4: The cloning is complete! Turn the master unit off and back on to resume normal usage.

If you notice any of the slave units with a blinking orange LED, this means that it was not done correctly and cloning was not complete, in which case you should start the process again. Once complete, be sure to check that each slave unit communicates with your master unit, and voila! You're back in business!