Team Radio config. A question for all the Radio experts

[Jbone 11 11]

Had a team meeting yesterday about getting a list of gear ordered and naturally the topic of radios came up. I had put forth that the team get puxing 777 or 888 handsets. However, money's tight and today while browsing the LeBaron catalog (as one does....) I came across the radio section and had a bit of an idea.
Would it make sense to have one member, such as the one with the most cash, to purchase the best radio they could, the idea being having basic personal comms between team members with one guy having the good radio with maybe a kick-ass antenna to communicate with other unit/elements further afield. Kind of like a regular military unit with a sig op or radioman.

I've used the Midland radios before, they're ok and the price is right (two for $50-60 instead one for $70-80+) and I think that a higher end radio such as the Puxing or Wouxun will be able to communicate with regular GMRS radios. Thoughts?

J

[Drake]

The PX-777/888 is programmable, and usually people set them to use FRS/GMRS channels (both for legal purposes and to have standard channels for everyone).

Having one radioman works depending on the type of game you play: in a milsim environment where you're working as a squad (or part of ~) all the time, its fine; in a FFA skirmish-ish kind of game, it may not work so well because of the lack of radio discipline (everyone talking to everyone, no CoC). So you should identify what kind of games you intend on taking part in.

Otherwise, with a radioman, a cheap FRS radio for close-range in-squad comms is ok. But keep in mind that unlike military setups your FRS radios will be sharing the same, limited FRS/GMRS frequencies as everyone else. In practical terms this means you'll probably be picking up other peoples' comms but you wont' be able to reply, and/or you'll be transmitting garbled noise to people.

Ultimately you can operate without a radio for the squad (use visual signals while stealthy, yell your lungs out under contact).


edit: and honestly, given the price difference of an FRS and Chinese UHF, I'd just save the money until you can afford the Puxing.

[Harvath]

Check at Airsoft depot, I believe they have both models of Puxing 777 and 888 for a good price.

[Jbone 11 11]

Originally Posted by Drake

TBut keep in mind that unlike military setups your FRS radios will be sharing the same, limited FRS/GMRS frequencies as everyone else. In practical terms this means you'll probably be picking up other peoples' comms but you wont' be able to reply, and/or you'll be transmitting garbled noise to people.

Good point. I was kind of thinking that might be an issue. To be honest, Im more accustomed to the yelling of commands and don't have a lot of experience with radios. But I think you're right about saving and buying the better gear.
In the mean time having one radio per pair might be the best interim solution, that way the team can still operate somewhat tactically over distance.

[T-Hell]

Don't cheap out on Comms... FRS is a bad way to go all around... no joy there..

Pux is a good radio... you can also consider the FDC 460a Single band radio 400 - 480 programmable with computer. software is free. need a cable uses standard Motorola 2 pin connectors so if you have Moto compat headsets you are good.

[Jbone 11 11]

I've got the choices narrowed to either the Pux 888 or the Wouxun equiv. and have been thinking about getting a better/long range antenna to help if Im in the hills.

Anyone have any tips/suggestions on selecting the right one?

[NANA]

5 pack of puxing 888 on ebay works out to 75 each. If your doing a team buy this is the way to go. My team has done this twice so far and are setting up a third. Free shipping and good prices on a nice radio. Cant beat that.



Edit: he does three packs that work out to $79ish each for smaller teams.

[m102404]

When it comes down to it....they're basically the same. Most of the guys around here have the Puxing 888. It's nice to be able to turn to someone and say, "how do you do this/that again?"

If you're really tight, it's nice to have a strong radio to stay in comms with command/game control. Squad level stuff can be done with whatever. Individuals and the rest of the squad simply need to listen to what's going on.

The Puxing 888 has an extended battery...definitely worth getting. It'll last the better part of a 24-30hr event....maybe not the whole thing if you're running command and are on the horn alot.

The extended antennas work.

The ability to switch between High/Low power is key. Too high and you'll bleed over other channels.

The dual channel is really handy if you're running command for a side. You can stay on game control and hear/speak with your side. IMO...it's a PITA to remember what channel you're broadcasting on and I find I'm always digging the radio out to check. Now I usually just use two radios.

Don't leave the battery in any of them when you're packing it away...it'll drain the battery and it'll be dead when you next pull it out. Not a huge deal if you go through charging your batts each time so they're topped up. PITA if you're counting on using it though...

Big benefit of having all the same radios between a group is being able to swap batteries, mics/etc...