HAM vs FRS radios at Defcon

[Neural]

I was just wondering what kind of radio equipment people plan on bringing to the convention. Originally you saw most people with ham radios and now it seems that FRS radios are more prevalent.

Anyway I was just looking for comments from those who bring radio equipment to which I should bring. I really don't want to bring both, but I do like staying informed by monitoring so which do you think would be better to bring?

[GackMan]

Re: HAM vs FRS radios at Defcon

Originally posted by Neural
I do like staying informed by monitoring so which do you think would be better to bring?

Bearcat Scanner?

[russ]

Radios

I just bring an FTR-50.

[telco88]

forgive my ignorance

Hey;

I'm not radio-savvy so for the sake of this radio n00b and for the sake of many others with perhaps the same question (s), may I sacrifice myself to the trolls for this set of questions:

1. What is a FTR-50, what does one cost, where is the best place to buy one for less $

2. These FRS radios (like the motorola talkabouts) are they pretty reliable? My buddy has one and we both believe in being well equipped (esp. for our first CON) so I'm gonna get one. Do I need to get the same kind as his to insure compatibility or ?

Thanks!


Rob:)

[skroo]

Re: forgive my ignorance

1. What is a FTR-50, what does one cost, where is the best place to buy one for less $

I think you're referring to the Yaesu FT-50R. Imformation can be found on it at http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/ft50r.html - bit it's essentially a hand-held amateur radio covering the 2m and 70cm bands. Locally, they're running around the $220-250 mark. If you want one cheap, check your local classifieds or eBay. Also try HRO at http://www.hamradio.com/ .

2. These FRS radios (like the motorola talkabouts) are they pretty reliable? My buddy has one and we both believe in being well equipped (esp. for our first CON) so I'm gonna get one. Do I need to get the same kind as his to insure compatibility or ?

Hit up http://www.deathrace2k.org/index.php?p=comms.dr2k for answers to your FRS questions.

[russ]

yeah

Skroo's right... the Yaesu radios tend to be more expensive, but they're also built for the amateur radio "enthusiast". I look at some of the newer/smaller Yaesu handhelds longingly sometimes, but then I consider the fact that my radio is modded.... plus I really cant bring myself to plop down that much dough for a newer model yet.

[telco88]

appreciate the good info!

Thanks fellas!

[skroo]

Re: yeah

Originally posted by russ
Skroo's right... the Yaesu radios tend to be more expensive, but they're also built for the amateur radio "enthusiast".

They're also fucking tough. My FT-50 once managed to get itself submerged while running on DC power. Got it home, opened it up, blew it out with a SCUBA tank, and it's still going. The only real damage was blowing the fuse in the adapter it was plugged into and shorting the batter yout, losing some of its capacity.

I look at some of the newer/smaller Yaesu handhelds longingly sometimes, but then I consider the fact that my radio is modded.... plus I really cant bring myself to plop down that much dough for a newer model yet.

Agreed... An personally, about the only one I'd really want is the VX-5, mainly for the better display. 6m on them sucks unless you're using a real antenna; the rubber duck and 6m extender that screws onto it that come with the radio just don't cut it.

[Neural]

Re: Re: yeah

Originally posted by skroo

Agreed... An personally, about the only one I'd really want is the VX-5, mainly for the better display. 6m on them sucks unless you're using a real antenna; the rubber duck and 6m extender that screws onto it that come with the radio just don't cut it.

Yeah. I looked at the VX-5 and it looks pretty sweet. Thanks for the tip on 6m on them. Something I'll have to take into consideration if I decide to get it.

Know of any other places other than like hamradio.com or hamcity.com that has decent prices. I think hamcity.com said they'll match any other places price so i'm trying to find the lowest price on a new Vx-5.