Two-Way Radios Keep Family Members In Touch

When summer rolls around, our thoughts turn to lazy days at the beach or pool, stomach-churning rides on amusement park roller coasters, and weekend camping trips to a state park. However, kids must have a way to keep in touch with their parents or chaperones when on these outings.

Cell phones, as convenient as they are, aren’t necessarily the answer. For one thing, their network may not extend to the places you or your kids like to go. You may also not want to pay monthly fees for cell phone service for your kids or even grant them the privilege of having a phone. Under these circumstances, a better option might be two-way radios.

These radios offer kids and adults the security of instant communication and ease of use.

A number of manufacturers make two-way radios, including Cobra, Insignia, Midland, and Motorola. the Midland LXT420VP3 and the Motorola Talkabout T5500R to give you an idea of how two-way radios work. Two radios are included in each set.

Both sets work on two types of wireless channels: FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service).

Anyone can communicate on FRS channels free, but talking on GMRS channels requires an FCC license. The Midland radio set is rugged and water resistant. The radios can communicate up to 16 miles apart (depending on the terrain). With the included belt clips and voice activation feature, you can use the radios hands-free. In addition, you can get updates from a channel that dispenses weather information 24/7, and a backlight lets you see the display easily at night.

The Hi/Lo power switch lets you determine the amount of power used for transmission, and the auto battery save feature gets as much life out of the batteries as possible. Two rechargeable batteries and an AC adapter are included.

Other features enhance the use of these Midland radios indoors, such as at a mall or exhibition hall, and in crowded areas. Put the radio in silent mode, and all tones such as the different call tones you can program to identify incoming calls from members of your party are turned off. The radios operate on 22 channels and with 121 privacy codes, which calculates to 2,662 channel options. With so many possibilities, you can find a channel and code combination that should minimize the amount of outside chatter. And if you want to use a microphone or headphone the radio provides jacks for both.

The Motorola Talkabout has many similar features as the Midland set, except the communication range is considerably less, about eight miles.

The combined 22 FRS and GMRS channels, with 38 privacy codes, gives you more than 830 options for keeping interference at a minimum. In addition, the Quiet Talk feature prevents non-Motorola two-way radios from being heard on the channel you choose.

The Talkabout is voice-activated, so you can use it hands-free. Like the Midland set, these Motorola radios have a keypad lock, so you won’t unintentionally change your settings.

A rechargeable battery pack powers the Talkabout, as does the AC adapter. When the battery power drops below a certain level, the radio will emit an audible warning to alert you of this fact.

Kids love the freedom their parents give them to have fun out of mom and dad’s sight. No matter where you and your family go this summer, from the boardwalk to the baseball stadium, everyone can keep in touch and keep safe with the help of a two-way radio set.

Link:
Motorola T5500R GMRS / FRS Rechargeable 8-Mile Two-Way Radio (2 Pack, Blue)

Midland LXT420 22 Channel GMRS Value Pack with NOAA All-Hazard Weather Alert