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July 05, 2007
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What features should I look for in a two-way radio set?
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T9500XLR Talkabout Radios (courtesy, Motorola)
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I’m considering buying two-way radios for group bicycling outings. What features should I
look for?
— James
Atlanta, Georgia
Do you have a question of your own?
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 You probably want something such as Motorola’s T9500XLR Talkabout radios ($80/pair;
motorola.com). These use both the common, short-range FRS (Family Radio Service)
frequencies, plus the longer-range GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies. The
former have a max range of two miles (practical range is much shorter), the latter a max
of 25 miles (ditto). Note that you MUST have a GMRS license from the FCC to use those
frequencies. The cost is $80 for a five-year license.
The radios are small enough to fit easily into the pocket of a bike jersey or a Camelback
hydration pack. Motorola makes a headset with a swivel boom ($15), but I doubt it would
fit under a helmet—or over a helmet, for that matter. You’re probably better off with
a speaker/microphone ($40) that clips to a lapel or jersey. It needs to be activated with
a button, but that’s easily done even when riding. Voice-activated wouldn’t work because
the sounds of the trip, and even maybe your breathing, would be apt to set it off.
My real answer, though, is to not bother. In hilly terrain the radios will be virtually
useless because they’re line-of-sight devices and have a hard time bouncing signals around
corners or over hills. Besides, you don’t really want to have long conversations; you just
want to track people down who are out of sight, correct? In that case, you’re probably
better off using wireless phones. Here in Port Townsend, where I live, that’s what we do.
If we’re at our meeting point and trying to track down Clark or Dave or Jason, out come
the wireless phones. Wireless phones work in far more areas, have better range, and you
probably already have them. Plus, in the event of an emergency, you can simply dial 911.
You’ve seen our picks for 2007 Gear of
the Year, and now the entire Outside Summer
Buyer’s Guide is online. Check out this year’s more than 400 must-have gear
items.
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