Important to note that when using communications you have a plan such as checking in at the top and/or bottom of the hour so you don't drain your battery. Your base station would stay on in case of emergencies but radios in the field should be turned off most of the time making that 10 hour battery like last a few days.
Solid review TUP, keep the excellent video's & reviews!. T480 sounds like a very good local use prep radio. I still have the same earlier Moto Radio you showed earlier along with my Baofeng radios. Setup my Baofeng radios with multiple NOAA, GMRS/FRS channels along with local repeaters and stations that I monitor. The Baofeng radios are kept with the bag and the Moto's are for local use and personally do like the older one's speakers too.
+Jason Terry You're very welcome, Jason. The distance testing was fun to film. In future 2-way radio videos I'm hoping to fine tune how that segment is recorded.
it's only two miles bone head red neck its rated at 1/2 a watt that's two becouse the F C C said so my base is a 45 watt radio I can talk to chicago you cant do that with your junk stock up on re charge batteries I have
I hope you make a review on the Talkabout T600 H2O how their range works just like what you did in this video. Anyway, that was a smart way to test the clarity of the signal in an area with a lot of interference. Thanks for the video.
I love the T480 I bought one before I even searched it on RU-vid. and I love it I use it when camping and hunting. we all stay in touch when in the woods. and when we are driveing up to the cabin we can keep in touch for pitstops so the rest of the convoy can be informed. why not use cell phones you may ask? because cells dont Alway get the greatest service or single. and txt don't always go threw. plus a walkie-talkie is quicker and cel phones are illegal to use while driveing. I think they are the better then alot of the older ones. also you failed to mention they can be used in a charging cradle . if you have an older model set they will set and charge just fine. that's why there are the two connector plates on the back.
+Phil Herb It wasn't too brave. The neighbors are used to me filming all sorts of crazy things after the years of doing RU-vid. Dressing up as Leatherface for the Truckers Friend video or the hazmat suit for the backpack throwdown water test was probably the oddest ones for the neighbors. :)
Great video!!! I'm a big fan of your channel, but just now getting caught up after a couple months away. I missed the blooper video this year. I did want to point out one problem with your range test. The radios were set to Channel 8 (one of the FRS-only channels). The radios will not transmit in Hi mode on the FRS-only channels. Even though you pushed the Hi PTT button, it was only transmitting on Lo. You will notice that you lost reception around the same distance for both modes. To test the Hi transmission distance you will need to switch to a GMRS-only or combo channel. A license is required for the GMRS channels, and I believe one is also technically required for a Hi transmission on the combo channels. If you are planning to do a comparison of different brands and models, my current set is the Cobra CXT595. They claim to be water-proof, but I haven't been brave enough to test them. You can buy a pair including charging cradle at Walmart for the same price as one of the model tested.
+Cj Newlight I am still working on my Bloopers video. It will be late, but hopefully people still enjoy watching it. Thanks for the tip on improving the range test. I'll look into doing that for future range test videos.
A little gripe about your test. You used channel 8, which is an frs channel. By default with their programming and fcc rules, it will only use low power on these channels, even if you press the high power button. To be fair, you should have been using like channel 19
Agree however technically he would need a license to do so. That’s my one issue with these radios is they do not let you know you need a license to use them except for in the fine print in the manual.
@@briansteffen3652 not anymore. Since these are under 2 watts and don't allow repeater access, these are now considered frs radios and license free on all channels. They've changed the rules a couple years ago
You mentioned it could receive emergency alerts...are you referring to the NWA SAME alerts? Right now I have one radio that will alert me using SAME codes...and another radio for picking up frequencies and talking. Will this radio do both??
Correction for you: I believe you stated that first 7 channels were NOAA and then the rest were FRS / GMRS. The weather channels are separate, there should be 11. Like with most Motorola radios channels 1-7 are GMRS / FRS combo channels (1.5 watts), 8-14 are FRS only (0.5 watts), and 15-22 are GMRS only (1.5 watts) requiring the purchase of a license.
We want to purchase a 4 Sets of Motorola Waki takies ( about 4 Km radius) for Power Grid India. Which one is best? Please specify your autorised dealer in India.
I am actually fed up with the low battery alert sound which the radio emits at continuous interval of time, even though I have inserted a fully charged battery. Is there any way or option by which I can turn off or disable the low battery alert sound?
Hello, I am gaining some interest in take apart radios, cheap, small, old, new, anything. Do you recommend any radios that are good for messing around with?
I want to know some details about your talkabout. 1) Will the supplied charger charge only the supplied motorola battery pack or it can also charge independent third party AA rechargeable batteries as well, when inserted in the radio? 2) Are the supplied chargers 2 pin or 3 pin? 3) Can you tell me the charger's input and output details, like volt, watt, etc.? I am from India (220-240V), and so will have to buy a step down voltage converter accordingly, if necessary? 4) Please tell me the minimum (which channel) and maximum wattage (which channel) used by the radio, so that I can determine whether I need a licence or not, here in India.
Alright I have no communication in my home other than cell phone. Single parent. Two teens. I'm starting from scratch and I'm not rich. What should I get for emergency?
tht radio has 1/2 watt transmitter I think you are more then two miles from camp to camp gmrs which is the other side is 5watts on the H T I have a 45 watt base unit my radios where made for off road and I kick ass with my 45 wtt base unit happy trailes and good luck when the shit hits the fan I am ready are you
I do not wish to get a HAM license (mostly because it would be hard to convince others in my group to get one also) but I want a way to be able to communicate with them. Am in a somewhat urban area (tallest building is maybe 15 stories) I need at least a 5 mile radius but 10 would be better if I could get it. Does anyone have any solution to my problem? Is there any radio with a 5 mile radius in city that doesn't require a HAM license?
Hi great vid, I would love for you to review the Motorola rmm2050 murs frequency walkie talkie. I just tested the range outdoors and was amazed with the range. Compared to my frs/gmrs radio there was no comparison. I think these radios would be awesome for preparedness. Thank you.
+TheUrbanPrepper oh cool! I forgot to say thank you for the detailed review. I don't really like the FM radio. You are right AM would be better. Louder db would be nice also.
+Scott Boss in the US you''ll need to take a test, but it''s not too hard. entry level is technician and is 35 multiple choice. the question and answer pool is public info. you could even get by on pure memorization if you don''t get the technical theory. you can check it out at this link: www.arrl.org/question-pools you should definitely consider it! good luck!
Ham license is incredibly easy to get. I studied an hour per day for a week and passed the test with only one question wrong. You can get 9 wrong and still pass. There are lots of study guides and practice tests online you can take to get ready, which is what I did. The test fee is $15 and entry-level radios are around $30.
+gcardinal Yeah, it was hard syncing the videos for that segment. I had one camera on the stationary radio recording for 20-30 minutes. I had the other camera with me while traveling out to the various distances. Sometimes there was too much background noise on one or both of the cameras (e.g., car driving by loudly, dog barking, etc.). Rather than get exact 1-to-1 video/audio, I settled to just make sure that I go the distance recorded correct. Nothing was fake. No CG either. :)
Everyone only talks about features....PEOPLE WANT TO SEE AN ACTUAL RANGE TEST including miles and distance. Outside at a large park and big city. As a customer myself it still makes me hesitant on outright buying one and if Motorola does it's own test?, unfortunately wont be believable unless a real RU-vidr does an unbiased test
Agreed. I checked FCC these are 0.45 watts on low. And 1.7 watts on high. But alot of reviewers on Amazon say the range sucks. Maybe it's a cheap antenna or something else at play .
Excellent video. TUP.. Very often people are too quick to go out and buy the "budget preppers" favourite Baofeng radio. They fail to realise there's actually very little benefit (and much more complexity) to a a Baofeng without the ham radio licence, compared to these radios. This Motorola talkabout is also family friendly. There's no complicated menus, no strange memories to program, you can't accidentally transmit on the wrong frequency, and like you said, anybody can pick it up and use it! Just like the Baofeng, this radio was designed for short range tactical communications! based on your test I would say it's pretty darn good at that! Awesome video :) thanks for sharing!
+SurvivalTech Nord Phew! Every time I do a COMMS related video I am always worried about if STN will like it. You make me nervous! :) I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I agree about this being a good family friendly radio. Kid Prepper learned how to use it very easily. He would have no idea how to use a Baofeng. We need to talk more regarding your Single Side Band method sometime soon for a future video. Let's set something up.
+TheUrbanPrepper No worries TUP, I'm keeping you guys honest! Seriously, don't be nervous, Im here to support your channel, and we are all about giving people the right tool for the task. Actually with the amount of help emails I get every week, you would think I have a lot more than 4k subs. A common theme to the help messages is the complexity of ham radios for untrained users. Videos like yours show people that it's better to be functional, than to be cool! Overly complex radios don't save lives. So I say again my friend, "great video" :)
I like the USB charging, would like to see a higher IPX rating but like the other features especially the alternate battery options. Does it have a vibration feature? Always thought that would be a nice feature on these especially if for security purposes stealth. Great review and great thorough test, easy to forget how much work goes into a detailed review like this.
6dB decrease is actually alot. dB are on a logarithmic scale not a linear scale. 10dB decrease is about 1/2 the perceived volume. 10db increase is doubling the perceived output. So 10 to 20 is double. 20 to 30 is also double so is 90 to 100.
the micro USB might be a pro, cuz I guess you have a powerbank instead wondering where could be the next store station to have a little charging time lol
having a backup radio communications is a must have item. to many people rely on there smart/cell phones, if the cell tower fails to work then what. it had in the last,and probably again. thanks for the video and review. thanks
Good review but yiu forgit the most important part If there is a blackout. Then you Cant chargE the walkie talkie So these ALSO. CAN JUST TAKE 3 AAA batteries instead of the battery pack
Range is totally by line of sight. In the UK a guy used a 1/2 watt frs radio to communicate with a friend 27 kilometers away. They were both on top of high ridges, with nothing in the way. In real life, UHF radios in urban or rural settings go between 1/2 mile and 2 miles, regardless of power.
I have a couple older t4800 from motorola and they do ok and run on 3 AAA... get about a mile. BUT... I also have midland GXTnnn series... i get closer to 3-4 miles with these. they run on 4 AA or the rechargable packs that come with them. I'm also a ham, but the whole family doesn't have a license so I use these other tools to fill some gaps. You should check out the midlands, you get quite a package for similar financial investment... 2 radios, desk charger (pair at a time charging), ear-bud/mic combo, and the rechargable battery packs. and NO, i don't work for midland. Thanks for all of your videos. I enjoy them often.
Wow I’d expect more than 1 mile. That’s a deal breaker. I was looking for one to take camping and to take with me if I go out on the mountain bike trails by myself in case I have problems.
My Go-To Comm is the cellphone clamshell Mil. Spec. Kyocera Duramax cellphone that meets or exceeds Military Standard 810G and is IP67 Certified. The phone has a micro USB port for charging and eight (8) hours of talk time for the chatty types. For back-up power is the Flip 20 Recharger by Goal Zero that has a micro USB cable. For the back-up Comm is the La Crosse 810-805 Weather Radio T83738 that has AM/FM/WB, back-up power, ear bud port (to extend battery life), LED light and is powered by three "AA" batteries. Thank you for a great review of a great radio (are they in other colors like sexy black ?) ! tjl
I have a set of nice Cobra walkie-talkies and NOAA/NWS comes in puty clear on them,don't know the model number for them but they are for Cobra's Talk About series,nice set included 2 walkie-talkies a desktop style charger and a head set for each one
The motorola t480 is a very good walkie talkie cuz I use it for hiking boating & i use it for everything else & i love the weather radio in it & the FM radio too
Most of the time the antennas are permanently fixed to prevent boosting the power and range of the radios so that they don’t violate FCC rules regarding range and power, or frequency.
+The Urban Camper Some GMRS frequencies can use repeaters, but those specific frequencies are separate from those that this radio is capable of transmitting on. Also, this radio has no duplex feature, so even if it did have the appropriate frequencies for repeater use, you would be forced to use a simplex repeater, which is not very ideal. I suppose in an emergency situation, you could set up a simplex repeater on one of the frequencies that the radio uses, but for general use, it wouldn't be legal.
No point to test, these things are worthless in the city and their range is basically limited to line of sight, elevation is the most important factor in range, the higher up you are the better your range you have as long as the receiving unit is above physical obstructions, even in the wilderness it is the most important factor! Some units like the Bauf-whatever have a range of over 70 kilometres, but in a forest the range is 300 yards!
