[TowerTalk] Re: Recommended FRS radios for tower work

[Jim Lux]

The older (2000 time frame) Radio Shack FRS radios (with the dip switch 
internally to set the channel) have a fairly standard dual jack for a 
headset. I can't recall off hand whether it matches Yaesu or Kenwood 
pinout. Radio Shack sells(sold?) a compatible VOX headset which I've used. 
(I've also used the same headset for other vox things).

Casually browsing through the RS web site.. it kind of looks like everyone 
puts the VOX function in the radio these days, and uses a straight PTT or 
"always on" kind of microphone.. Example would be the 21-1904 Sports 
GMRS/FRS radio.. ($60 each)
or, the 21-1910 two pack of Moto T5720 radios for $80...

By the way, as a practical matter, you might want to use VHF business band 
radios rather than FRS, if you're anywhere near a big city... In Los 
Angeles, for instance, you'd be hard pressed to find a FRS channel that 
isn't totally full with all manner of oddball traffic ranging from 
kids/parents at Disneyland to what sounds like contraband pickups/deliveries.

Unfortunately, since all it takes is pressing the keys to get to the UHF 
GMRS frequencies, they're pretty cluttered too...

Many cities have someone who will rent you standard Motorola Radius radios, 
all licensed, etc. for a reasonable sum (few bucks a day per radio).





At 12:41 PM 10/6/2003 -0400, Vernon Erle Ikeda wrote:
>      While doing research on FRS radios a while back, there
>are units available with vox but only the mid/higher
>end models have things like an accessory microphone jack.
>I know the Motorola one that I've borrowed from a friend
>didn't have either a jack or vox but the reading material
>that came with the radio appears to indicate that a vox
>headset is available.
>
>   Vernon
>
>On Mon, 6 Oct 2003, Mike Gilmer - N2MG wrote:
>
> > Anyone using VOX headsets while on the tower?  I found
> > fumbling for the radio in the tool bucket (or on the
> > belt) a bit annoying and useless when the aerial tower
> > worker needs both hands for an operation.
> >
> > Mike N2MG
> >
>
>--
>
>
>     Vernon Erle Ikeda - vern at haya.qc.ca
>     Montreal, Quebec - Arrondissement de Pierrefonds-Senneville
>
>   This message was mailed using Pine 4.56
>
>
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