Walkie Talkie options

[fiza]

We have a couple of Motorola XTNis which were purchased many years ago. Work well enough. Now SLT want more than 2 so have asked me to look if I can get a couple more. The XTNis are no longer available so my question, not knowing much about walkie talkies is ; The XTNis work on PMR446 frequencies. If I buy a couple of units of a newer model of Motorola that also work on PMR 446 will they be compatible? Will the current users be able to communicate with those using the newer units?

[gomalley]

Hi @fiza, any manufacturers radio that is PMR446 will work with any other.

 

Alternatively you might want to look at a Business Radio Licence which allows you to transmit at higher power (on compatible devices) if like us your site stretches the range of PMR446 low power so we had dead spots in the corners if you were on opposite sides of the site, we have all Site staff, IT Support staff and staff on duty at break/lunch using them now, with different channels programmed to avoid too much traffic.

[fiza]

Hi @fiza, any manufacturers radio that is PMR446 will work with any other.

 

Alternatively you might want to look at a Business Radio Licence which allows you to transmit at higher power (on compatible devices) if like us your site stretches the range of PMR446 low power so we had dead spots in the corners if you were on opposite sides of the site, we have all Site staff, IT Support staff and staff on duty at break/lunch using them now, with different channels programmed to avoid too much traffic.

Our site isn't that big. Any recommendations on good robust devices?

[gomalley]

The Motorola XTNi are nice radios - very well built (or XTNiD if you want a display) - at the other end of the scale I bought and re-programmed (most sold on eBay are actually not programmed with frequencies that are legal in the UK!) some Baofeng BF888s at £10 each (plus £15 for a programming cable) and when someone breaks/looses one I don't loose any sleep (and we do have 24 of them so a large sum to buy all Pro radios to do the job) - just looked back and ours are 28 months old and I have had 2 failures.

 

The only thing I didn't pick up on earlier is with the XTNi you have without a display you need to know what CTCSS/DCSS codes have been programmed on the channels, if you buy new ones with a screen then you can scroll through till you find it (although it might take a while) unless you know the supplier they were purchased from and they can give you the programming list they set it to.

 

Alternatively talk to your local Raynet team and they can probably help you work it out if you ask nicely!

 

Hope that helps.

[AlexB]

Following on from @gomalley, you might want to look at a Simple UK Light business radio licence at £75 for 5 years (https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/business-radio/guidance-for-licensees/business-radio-faqs). Allows a broader range and higher powered kit. We recently replaced our analogue 5W radios (PMRs are 1/2W) with TYT's MD-380 for digital encryption on the same channel we were using. They were about £65 each, gives a lot more flexibility and prevents other listening in.

[fiza]

Thanks for the link so can anyone tell me what it means by 'self-coordinate with other licensees'?

 

must self-coordinate with other Simple Site Light licensees. The licence fee is £75 for five years.[/Quote]

Edited March 17, 2018 by fiza

[AlexB]

Thanks for the link so can anyone tell me what it means by 'self-coordinate with other licensees'?

 

It basically means don't transmit on a channel someone else is using, but you have to sort it out between yourselves. (others in range of you)

Edited March 19, 2018 by AlexB

[rad]

I think we bought ours from https://www.brentwoodradios.co.uk/

 

We have banks of Motorola for SLT, pastoral and other members of staff.

Works well across our site and even further if needed.

[john]

I used this company in the past - https://www.twoway-radio.co.uk/business-radio/licenced they were super helpful, got some Vitai units from them that were great.