Anyone have this Radio?

[Zekk05]

he means, that when gauging whether a radio is good for you, keep those conditions in mind.

[CDN_Stalker]

FRS/GMRS are the typical small (and weak) radios yo ufind at Walmart, Radio Shack/The Source, Future Shop, etc. Can generally buy them in pairs. Work fine as a starter radio, but if you are gonna spend $40-50 on a set, that's half the cost of a radio like I posted, which is the best thing to start with. FRS are generally 1W, 14 channels, meaning not much range at all if in brush, FRS/GMRS typically are 2W and 22 channels, bit better but not perfect for airsoft, the 4-5W UHF radios are the best ones for the price (if you get one under $100, more expensive is better but largely similar performance............ you want to hear people and have them hear you, flat out only thing yo ucan expect from a good radio.)

Just have to program in the transmit/receive FRS/GMRS frequencies when you get it, isn't too bad a job to do once you get the hang of it, even if 22 channels. After that there will be extra channels you can program in custom channels if you want a secure channel for use with your team/guys you play with if they use one.

[Amos]

Originally Posted by MadMorbius

UHF doesn't mean HIGH END. If it's like anything else from IASUS, it's garbage.

I know UHF doesn't mean high end...

But I know from second hand experience with these things... My team mates use 'em and they really like them..

Purpose-built SABER or MBITR radios are high end. These are higher-end, but they have faults. The faults are a result of not being purpose-built for what we use them for.

Again however, I trust IASUS about as far as I can throw one of their headsets, which is exactly what I did with the last two I owned.

[Blackthorne]

Hi end radios are Milspec, waterproof, and cost 3500 a shot. IASUS is NOT high end.

Even Yeasu is pushing it, but I would take a $229 Yeasu over an IASUS anytime.

I know from first hand experience with other models and their headset line.

[monkeyboy]

That radio looks almost exactly like a linton 6288. the buttons are even in the same place. and a linton can be had for $80 or so. I used to run wiht one. it's ok, but I'm starting to get into amateur radio so the yaesu 6r is a better choice for me. There's nothing wrong with the linton, just a little basic for my tastes

[kmsakura]

are the 2000+ dollar radio's even available for civilian purchase? id expect them to be restricted because they pick up military frequencies. too bad nice things are so expensive.

[Blackthorne]

Originally Posted by kmsakura

are the 2000+ dollar radio's even available for civilian purchase? id expect them to be restricted because they pick up military frequencies. too bad nice things are so expensive.

Yes they are. And they are sold blank in most cases. You are expected to program them.

[kmsakura]

ah that makes sense. so if you don't have the software to pick up government frequencies a 3000 dollar radio wont help you? though i suppose its the ultimate realism for airsoft.

Originally Posted by kmsakura

are the 2000+ dollar radio's even available for civilian purchase? id expect them to be restricted because they pick up military frequencies. too bad nice things are so expensive.

They come with nothing on 'em - they're completely unprogrammed. Even then, if you happened to know the specific frequencies, you would need the encryption keys, the keyloader and the software required to add the keys as well as the MCU to validate the keys and authorize the connection.

[Jaaks]

Originally Posted by MadMorbius

UHF doesn't mean HIGH END. If it's like anything else from IASUS, it's garbage.

I'm assuming u've got experience with other IASUS products like their throat mic? What did it not work well for you? I was considering getting the NT3 for both AS play and for using while on a bike.

edit:
I've found some cheap Cobra radios, what do you guys think about these?
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...29&catid=10140
The thing is they say they have UHF for clear long distance reception. I mean I understand the desire to get really high quality gear but wouldn't this kind of radio suffice for basic needs? And another thing, there are a lot of radios nowadays that have maximum range as much as 45km, obviously they aren't going to get that much range while we're in the brush but even getting 10km is a pretty decent range for most fields right?

[gunscythe]

From what I can see that radio would be illegal to operate except for certain frequencies. It's an "open" radio that could very easily cause interference to commercial frequencies in Canada. (It's 400-470. Ham goes from 430-450MHz, the rest is commercial and FRS/GMRS.)

FRS are low range because the power in them is legally limited to half a watt. GMRS are similar in frequency, and limited to 5 watts. They are also very limited to frequencies.

This IASUS radio is an open radio that can be operated in commercial UHF channels, ham radio channels, FRS, GMRS. To be legal you'd have to use it as a GMRS radio only. (unless you had a ham license).

I can't really comment on quality because I've never used one of these.

For the really expensive Motorola XTS3000's we're paying $6000 each. That's totally useless for civilians...

[CDN_Stalker]

By legal he means in the 0.000001% chance you'd get caught using a 4-5W radio without a license. Best to stick with the FRS/GMRS channels, and maybe a channel or two close in same range for secure channels for team specific stuff.

[gunscythe]

I disagree, but don't want to get into an internet discussion on it.

For example, there are 980 listed users in Alberta alone in the frequency range 460-461 MHz. The database gives me errors when I try to search outside that because there are too many....

If you use frequencies outside of GMRS, you risk stepping on commercial users (oil companies, helicopter companies, etc) and are breaking Canadian Law and risk prosecution.

It Is Illegal To...

It is illegal to operate radios that have been modified to make them user programmable on commercial radio frequencies.
It is illegal to install, operate, or possess any radio apparatus except in accordance with a radio authorization.
It is illegal to use radio channels unless you have received authorization from Industry Canada.
It is illegal to use radio channels outside the area authorized on your license.

Licensed radio frequencies are protected by law from interference due other radio users.

[Nervikaire]

I own a Yaesu VX-177, and really, for the price, I am 100% satisfied. It can sustain REALLY hard use. For airsoft, I would never see use for spending a couple k's on a single radio set-up...