What 2 way radio system do you use?

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bfloydnewparis

New DJ
Apr 18, 2008
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Ohio
www.newparisdj.com
Over the weekend we did a large event out in the country. With this event I had one of my part time DJs with me so I was able to be out in the crowd to observe our system in operation. While out and about in the audience I thought hey it would be great to have two way communications with the control center to call lights, effects, sound changes and so on.

Do any of you use two way radio systems and if you do, what do you use?

Bill
 
Some time ago I purchased a Radio Shack GMRS (2 watt??). They don't age well, in other words, the performance dropped noticeably as they aged so I don't think I'd recommend RS. When the radios were new, my friend and I could keep in touch, all over large ski resorts like Sugar Bowl, Squaw or Alpine Meadows. If we got separated without the radios, the next time we'd meet up was lunch or in time to leave. That gives you an idea of the area they'll cover provided we weren't on opposite sides of the mountain.

As drzinc suggests, less power (any decent radio) will work for any line of sight outside job. Inside the bowels of a building is another story. That will be more of a YMMV (Your Milage May Vary) proposition. If you want to have this as a permanent part of your kit try to stick to one of the better known brands (Motorola, Cobra etc.)

I was not favorably impressed with the FRS band. Too many people bought them for their kids. The GMRS were intended for business use and required a license to legally operate them.

Does anyone know if that is still the case?
 
I have a Motorola set and it works rather well in any venue or outside event I have used them. I originally didnt have the headsets but added them my second outing as they can be annoying to your surroundings.
 
Off topic but I'd like to comment if I may.

The Motorola-style 2-way radios are being used by everyone and his brother. As Balanced Line mentioned, they're kiddie toys these days, like walkie talkies were when we were pups.

Shirl and I use our cell phones to keep in communication when there's a distance between ol' Wolfster at the rack stack in the venue and a ceremony out by the lake. It's happened.

I can see but I can't hear what's going on. It's a blessing to have cell phone contact so's I can cue the music at the proper time. Sure beats using hand signals. :)
 
Thanks for the input so far! Jon I think you are 100% right in regards to headphones! My hearing is about shoot as it is and I doubt that I would hear any communication from the control board without the headphones!

Bill
 
Got a couple of tinker-toy Motorolas somewhere around the house, but haven't used them in quite some time.

I kept turning mine off and Coreen would have to come get me, so she just gave up...:dontknow:

Cell phone in the pocket set on stun-vibrate....:sqerr: is the way we roll now!:sqwink:
 
We use the Motorola GMRS walkies when the Middle School Musical gets closer to showtime. (Not ours, but the schools) - It's been a real task to get replacement batteries for them (which is impossible to do locally) - Internet is the ONLY way we could get our hands on a dozen fresh rechargeable batteries.

At least RS carries the PTT/VOX earphone/microphones. But when they break, you're looking at a $20/piece purchase. Then there's teaching those people to TAKE THE MICROPHONE OUT OF THEIR MOUTH & TALK SLOWLY so you can understand them!!!
:sqlaugh::sqlaugh::sqlaugh:
 
mine are mostly used for fashion shows and car shows but on occasion at weddings as I do multi language events where I need a interpretor who might not be in my area as they are part of the wedding party. Mine are one of the better models of the motorolla models but could be categorized as toys. These work better than most I have used in the past however and get the job done.
 
esoteric you got to realize the league in which you work versus what our typical use for such a component is. Sure Clearcom is superior but not used enough to afford the hefty price tag.
 
I have a pair of Motorola FRS handhelds which work fine if they are both on and both on the same channel and no kids are playing on that channel. Had a pair of Cobra FRS handhelds but within a year both bit the dust.

I rely almost completely on cell phones now. Have had no issues with lack of signal towers wherever I have played so far.
 
Just an aside - this doesn't happen often but on occasion it can. On installation jobs where the crew was spread far and wide, Nextel (now owned by Sprint) was invaluable. The service included a walkie talkie function, where it just beeped a little like Captain Kirk's communicator. The communication was simplex (you talk, then I talk) Generally, it required hitting a cell tower to function. I say generally because they realized sometimes hitting a tower could be a problem. A feature sold after I purchased my Nextel was a communication mode where two handsets both having the feature could communicate without hitting a tower. This is most obviously a benefit in the hinter land. However, it can also be valuable in town when you're deep inside a building. On one occasion the unit in the basement couldn't hit the tower. The GMRS UHF radios worked well enough to get the job done.

There is no certainty with RF (Radio Frequency) when placing any kind of transceiver in an unusual location. It can only be said, most of the time they work well.

I have to concur with Fred's impressions. One of the most obnoxious things anyone ever did with a radio was put their damn brats (not pups, ya hear me Fred) on VOX. The kids had helmets and headsets (skiing). The kid was twenty feet away from the jackass parents but no one could use the frequency any where on the mountain 'cause everytime the kid squealed or even breathed, the mic keyed. What a F'n genius.
 
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