My whole crew loves our BCA links. No more wondering if everyone is ok or if they need help.
Who makes the best two ways?
- Thread starter cadams
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Baofeng now makes 8 watt versions of the UV-5r - new model numbers followed by "Tri-Power" basically the same radio otherwise. These can be programmed to work with BCA Link, Garmin Rino (the radio functions, not the GPS) and pretty much any other radio out there.
http://www.americanpreppersnetworkradionet.com/2014/08/baofeng-adds-8-watt-handheld-radio-to.html
http://www.americanpreppersnetworkradionet.com/2014/08/baofeng-adds-8-watt-handheld-radio-to.html
Doesn't anyone else find the Rino screen to small for practical use? I used one last season and went back to a Montana and a BCA Link. Better GPS, better radio.
I use the rino 610 and 650. Had used the less expensive 120's, which really serve a a decent 2 way. The 610 and 650 are nice, I don't find issue with the screen size. My gripe is the battery (lithium) on the 650. In 2 years I've bought 2 batteries. They have to be maintained when not in use. Or they lose too much charge to be charged back up.
nregistered said:
I'm using the bff8hp with a baofeng speaker mic and the 3600 mah battery. have the same setup for my wife. everyone else in the group uses the bf888 with a speaker mic. all really good and inexpensive radios. I can setup a six pack of the bf888's for the cost of one link and have better range to boot. for GPS I use my s3 running Backcountry navigator.
have a look at beartooth radio they are saying mid 2015 release. use your smart phone as a rino like device. they refuse to give an idea of cost.
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everybody wants to know how far FRS gmrs radios will talk. here is a link with some explanation and estimates of distance one should be able to get with a 5 WATT radio. the bca link is 1\2 watt and has a fixed non removable antenna.... no way to improve it.
http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_HowFar2.php
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http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_HowFar2.php
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J
I am using the Bca this year while I save for the rhino 650,I really like that I can control the bca from the mic.
bigbone said:
yes and no....sort of maybe. there are 5 watt radios that can be programmed with FRS gmrs freq. there is also a Bluetooth device that plugs in place of a speaker mic. can be done with the baofeng uv5r type radio. last time I looked the Bluetooth thing was $85. I'd guess that it uses vox and I don't think that will work well on a noisy operation like sled'n.
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Another thumbs up for the BCA Link radios. Our group bought three of them before last trip. Can hear the speaker while riding, clear. Nice not having to pull out of pockets to use, etc
The only issue we had was with the batteries. One of the days 2 of us didn't recharge batteries (meter said they were fine) and at the end of that day, the two of us couldn't transmit. We could hear, but not transmit. It was a cold "zero deg" day. Could TX when radios warmed up. Solution - just make sure you plug in at the end of each day. Also would help to keep near body to keep warm. We had them in our packs.
The only issue we had was with the batteries. One of the days 2 of us didn't recharge batteries (meter said they were fine) and at the end of that day, the two of us couldn't transmit. We could hear, but not transmit. It was a cold "zero deg" day. Could TX when radios warmed up. Solution - just make sure you plug in at the end of each day. Also would help to keep near body to keep warm. We had them in our packs.
I seen them bluetooth gismos but just wanted to go from a helmet communicator to a radio and skip all the extra wires. My end result would be a hands free 5 watt helmet communicator with no wires to my helmet.
R
Not the battery. They were Froze up, especially if there was some pow that day. I know of at least 10 peeps with these radios and we've all seen the same fully charged or 2-3 days in. We took one apart and found it was full of water.
Two ways are great but a 3 way with 2 chicks is much better
I fully understand your idea. have tried to find a solution too. in the end I'm putting the radio in my pack and a speaker mic on the shoulder strap. I take the extra step of placing the radio so that the antenna is poking out through the zipper. it works fairly well on the mountain. I don't need to talk while moving and the mic PTT is glove friendly. set the volume to 80% zip it in and ride. if someone needs help, I can usually hear the call, if I don't understand what was said, stop and ask for a repeat. heck of a lot better than having a radio in your pocket!bigbone said:
a riding buddy that has my setup, was with a different group. 10 sleds. 1 fellow got separated. found his way to the wrong parking lot. meanwhile the other 9 spent 2 hrs searching...... the lost guy neglected to bring a radio....
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question for the bca link users.
does it have a time out timer? that shuts off the transmitter after a set time? a buried guy with the PTT button pressed by the snow could possibly be a horrible thing. might completely screw the beacon receiver. something to think about. if it is an option, I highly recommend turning on the tot.
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does it have a time out timer? that shuts off the transmitter after a set time? a buried guy with the PTT button pressed by the snow could possibly be a horrible thing. might completely screw the beacon receiver. something to think about. if it is an option, I highly recommend turning on the tot.
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