2-way radio?

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 03/31/2015 at 16:17 • Filed to: None

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I'm tasked with purchasing some 2-way radios for our school PTA. We're going to use them for the upcoming spring festival. I've got a mid-range budget, but I have to buy 10 of them, so I have to keep it relatively cheap. I've had mixed experiences with these things in the past, and I have read lots of bad reviews. I'm not concerned about outdoors reception, because I think that will be okay with just about any set of radios, but we will also be using them inside the cinder block school building, and I'm concerned about reception. Does anybody have a recommendation based on real world experience?

ACESandEIGHTS > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:20

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I used the very very basic Motorola push-to-talk units (a little less advanced that what you have pictured) for years in very large ski resorts (Vail/Keystone/Breckenridge/Arapahoe Basin/etc.) and they had excellent coverage with very limited options (a dozen channels or whatever).

And they were cheap. Like $40 to the pair or whatever.

HammerheadFistpunch > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:22

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Stay away from Midland, I have had 4 radios and only 1 works now.

thebigbossyboss > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:27

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How did you get stuck with that job?

Long story short. One day me and my dad were skiing and we went down the wrong side of the mountain. ever since we used Motorola T6200 series talk abouts. Seem to last a fair while, but can need replacement batteries every two years. Keep in mind we ain't using them too regularly.

thebigbossyboss > ACESandEIGHTS 03/31/2015 at 16:32

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T6200?

ttyymmnn > thebigbossyboss 03/31/2015 at 16:34

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I'm on the festival committee, and PTA board member. I would strongly encourage all parents of school-aged kids to take part in PTA. At the very least, it keeps you in a network of concerned, active parents. It's a great way to keep track of what's going on at the school, and being an active volunteer, visible to the administration, pays dividends when you need to request a certain teacher for your child.

ttyymmnn > ACESandEIGHTS 03/31/2015 at 16:35

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I snagged some Cobras from Walmart, but the reviews have been disappointing at best.

desertdog5051 > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:36

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I have Motorola T6510. Have used them for 5-6 years. Good range and uses either their rechargeable battery or you can put AA's in them. I think they were about $55 when I bought them. Maybe a bit pricey if you are buying 10.

ttyymmnn > desertdog5051 03/31/2015 at 16:37

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Yours is the second plug for Motorola. I haven't opened the Cobras I bought. I may just take them right back tomorrow. If they come two at a time, $55 isn't too bad, and we're tax exempt, so that helps. Thanks.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:37

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Husband to an educator here, and can vouch that a good, involved group of parents and PTA can make all the difference in a school.

thebigbossyboss > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:39

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Oh I see. I wouldn't really know much about PTA to be honest. My parents were protestant and I went to a catholic school so I don't think we got a say ;)

What responsibilities does the PTA have at your school?

ACESandEIGHTS > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:41

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@thebigbossyboss, probably more like this MH230:

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MH230…

These are about $26 apiece. Not too shabby, gang, as my old band leader used to say.

E. Julius > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:47

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Just make sure you get something in a band that doesn't require an FCC license (FRS, MURS, CB). There are some surprisingly cheap and well reviewed radios out there that require FCC licensing to operate. I ran into some trouble with this when buying radios for a somewhat similar purpose last summer.

ttyymmnn > thebigbossyboss 03/31/2015 at 16:50

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Here is the official "vision" of our PTA:

The PTA exists to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

At Wells Branch Elementary, we pursue this vision by sponsoring activities that help enhance and expand our students' experience beyond the classroom. Our annual International Fair, Science Fair and Reflections Program help reinforce lessons taught in the classroom while our funding of Field Trips and Guest Speakers helps open-up the world beyond the WBE walls.

In the modern school funding era, there is very little money for extracurricular activities for the kids. Hell, the district doesn't even provide buses for field trips. So we pay for them. We also support the teachers with Teacher Appreciation Week. I'm the historian, which basically means that I get to take pictures at all the events. Win for me!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 16:54

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The only recommendation I have to brush up on your CB lingo so you get used to saying things like:

"Breaker 1! Breaker 1! This is craaaaazy Cooter comin' at ya. Uncle Jesse, you have your ears on? Over."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_C…

ttyymmnn > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 03/31/2015 at 16:56

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I learned everything I know about CB radios from CW McCall.

desertdog5051 > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 17:09

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Yes. That was for the pair with cases and charger for the batteries.

desertdog5051 > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 17:19

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I forgot to add that I loaned them to a friend who used them at their school, inside. He never said anything about reception being a problem.

ttyymmnn > desertdog5051 03/31/2015 at 17:26

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Good to know. Thanks!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 18:27

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Thanks for the post! I've been needing a new pair of these for a while, and especially now for an upcoming backroadtrip to NW Arkansas with a big group of friends from work.

Ended up getting these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00…

ttyymmnn > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/31/2015 at 19:50

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Those look good. Unfortunately, I've left it too late and need to buy locally. I'm going to try Best Buy or Fry's.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 21:48

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Good luck!

thebigbossyboss > ttyymmnn 03/31/2015 at 21:52

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Haha very good, very good.

thebigbossyboss > ACESandEIGHTS 04/01/2015 at 09:06

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That may actually be what we have used in the past. Good radio's they have last a long time with only moderate use, and the volume can go pretty loud so you can hear them if you're skiing and they are in your jacket pocket for instance unlike a cell phone.