Looking for AAA Batt 2-way radio that doesn't suck

[AKFTW]

I am looking for a new radio set, for some simple FRS radios that have acceptable performance and reliability, and run on AAAs. Motorolas preferred, since I have a headset with a Motorola jack and i'd like to use that sometimes. I don't want to bother with any FCC crap right now so not looking for GMRS, a tiny HAM radio or whatever- this is for squad-based short range comms in the woods. I'd also like to find one with features such as a "silent mode" or something where it doesn't give a super loud BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP every time you push a button or receive some static (or worse, TALK to you, like one UHF radio I used, lol). Maybe what I'm looking for is some sort of hunting radio? I can budge on the Motorola thing but it HAS to use AAAs- all of my electronic field gear uses them and I'm not about to start carrying 2 types of batts. Thanks!

ETA: I'd also be interested to learn more about VHF and UHF- can they talk to FRS radios easily, can they work on AAAs, do you need an FCC license, etc. I am not about to buy VHF or UHF radios for everybody in my squad (people end up losing shit, I have lost 3 radios already)- but I can afford the blister pack walmart radios for them. I'd be willing to spend a little more for myself, as long as I can still talk to them.

[AKFTW]

I found this: can somebody with radio knowledge tell me about it?
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-Compact-Waterproof-Handheld-Channels/dp/B00126K8BM

Seems to have some attractive features and isn't too spendy- do I need a license for this and can I talk to my team on FRS channels?

[ProstheticWeasel]

Thats a marine radio. So no frs or gmrs. Its also pretty dubious using on the land when you are not talking to a boat or at least a bridge. And there would be no advantage to using a marine radio for what you are doing.

You will need to find something that explicitly says frs or gmrs if that is what you want. I have seen 4 packs of them on amazon and other places for cheap. sams or costco are also good places to get them if you have that available.

Finding one that doesn't "suck" is a matter of preference and your needs. Most of the ones I have seen had rechargeable batteries. The range of small handhelds is not good if you have anything between you.

If you don't want to get a license then frs/gmrs or cb are going to be your choices.

[Lex1785]

http://www.itstactical.com/digicom/comm ... unication/

Look into MUR Radios.

[AKFTW]

http://www.itstactical.com/digicom/comms/the-best-kept-secret-in-radio-communication/

Look into MUR Radios.

Yeah, I saw those. Can they communicate with FRS? If not, I'd prefer to go with something like the eXRS radios if I have to convert the whole squad over, as those are more secure potentially, and the units are more affordable for outfitting everyone.

The TSX-300 radios look pretty good- they can use AAs, which are not AAA, but it's better than requiring recharging in the field. They can use my existing Motorola headset, and are potentially more secure than FRS/GMRS, and even VHF/UHF. Certainly no one I know owns one of these radios so we will be totally secure at the field, and perhaps I can get them in time for the MOUT operation this May.

[TacAir]

http://www.itstactical.com/digicom/comms/the-best-kept-secret-in-radio-communication/

Look into MUR Radios.

Yeah, I saw those. Can they communicate with FRS? If not, I'd prefer to go with something like the eXRS radios if I have to convert the whole squad over, as those are more secure potentially, and the units are more affordable for outfitting everyone.

The TSX-300 radios look pretty good- they can use AAs, which are not AAA, but it's better than requiring recharging in the field. They can use my existing Motorola headset, and are potentially more secure than FRS/GMRS, and even VHF/UHF. Certainly no one I know owns one of these radios so we will be totally secure at the field, and perhaps I can get them in time for the MOUT operation this May.

Just a note
I had a set of the Trisquare eXRS 900 Mhz radios. They. Sucked. Rocks. Cheap even by Chinese standards. One stopped operating in less than 10 minutes of operations.
Got my money back.

I have a set of Motorola T6500 FRS radios that were a gift - they survived a 13 month tour in the sandbox and still work good today. Good being defined as 'FRS 500 milliwatts power out, with a crap antenna. But they run off of AA.

[ProstheticWeasel]

FRS requires a fixed antenna I believe where murs and gmrs does not. So if it could communicate with them then you would not be able to change the antenna. May not be a big deal for you but antennas make or break the radio.

The tsx-300 looked to be pretty big. Maybe its just the picture.

I can't think of a radio I have seen that used AAA batteries. Most have their own rechargeable packs or an option for AA.

I had a couple of those blister pack frs radios and they ended up being pretty fragile. One quit working pretty quick but it was a marine environment so who knows whether that really reflects on them or not.

[AKFTW]

I know the TSX has had some good reviews, probably poor QC though- If I got some I'd make sure to get them at a place with a good return policy. Some people have had some good success, so I'm not afraid of returning a lemon if I get one. If I am going for FRS I want to stick with AAA, but for the advantages that the eXRS potentially brings, I'd be willing to stock radio-specific batts.

ETA: from what I have gathered, the eXRS radios are kinda like 1st gen NVGs- an older version of a military technology that is now inexpensive enough to be "consumer grade", and they are very good if no one you're up against has anything better. I.E. eXRS and 1st Gen NVGs beat FRS and flashlights any day, but are not nearly as good as AN/PRC-148s and PVS-14. I can't afford those though, and it seems the older tech would be fine for my usage.

[kmcdon3960]

I've got a set of motorola ms350R radios that I like a lot.

They're frs/gmrs, but you don't have to get a license to use the frs channels.
If you do have a license, they're repeater capable.
They are waterproof, and they will float (using the rechargeable batteries.)

If the rechargeable batteries die, you can put AA's in them. They have silent/vibrate mode.
They've even got a flashlight built into the bottom which you can still use if the radio is powered off.

[nacho]

It seems to me that all the cheaper FRS radios can work off Alkaline cells, but the ruggedised, water proof ones just use rechargeable cells. Why not just get a bunch of $15 Motorola Talkabouts?

[AKFTW]

It seems to me that all the cheaper FRS radios can work off Alkaline cells, but the ruggedised, water proof ones just use rechargeable cells. Why not just get a bunch of $15 Motorola Talkabouts?

That's what I have right now (motorolas and cobras), but I'm looking for something a little higher quality, since frankly, from my experience the cheap ass tiny motorolas are shit. And I can't use my headset with the Cobras (which we've ended up losing half of anyway). Basically my idea is we get better radios like the TSX (provided they work), and everyone pays for their own, so they are more careful with it. We get more secure comms, no BEEP BEEP whenever you hit a key, and I get to use my headset.

[williaty]

The problem is that, basically, only people who want cheapassed radios want FRS radios. If people want better quality, they want something other than a FRS radio. So no good radios get made because there's nearly no market for them.

[AKFTW]

Scored myself a used Motorola T7200 on ebay for $31!