Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Recommendations for 2 way radios

This is topic Recommendations for 2 way radios in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-13-2003, 12:36 PM:

It has been narrowed down to the Motorola SP50 radios, but this is offered in 4 different models.

The bottom of this page shows the 4 models.

For a cinema environment where most radios are plagued with static and interference, which radio will do the best job at blocking out unwanted transmissions? VHF? UHF?

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 03-13-2003, 12:43 PM:

Brad,
From using various wireless mics and intercoms in live theatre, UHF is the way to go. Greater usable range and less interference. Hope this helps.
Chris

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-13-2003, 12:48 PM:

UHF with 25kHz spacing would probably be your best bet.

I believe Motorola also has a cell-phone like radio that works with their 2-way radios. It's handy for the projection booth... we've got one in Waterloo but I can't remember much about it, other than it works great.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 03-13-2003, 01:04 PM:

UHF is the way to go.

Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 03-13-2003, 03:50 PM:

UHF for sure. Some of the Regal Cinemas in western Washington use either 469.5500, 469.5000, or 464.5500 for theater communications. All are common itinerant frequencies easily listened to with common police scanner radios.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 03-13-2003, 04:25 PM:

UHF.
We started with Motorola's "Spirit" SV11 radios (VHF), which worked pretty well... until everyone else on the block started using them. We also had trouble with greatly reduced range when we put them on our belts & used earpiece/mics with them. Putting the antenna that close to your body really kills the signal. Also, our boxoffice people had a lot of trouble with interference caused by our registers.

We're now using the UHF SP50 with encoded squelch. Range doesn't seem to be affected by wearing them. They're also unaffected by our electronics. Battery life is good, and can be further enhanced if necessary through the use of an "idle" mode, which is activated when the unit is programmed.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-13-2003, 05:24 PM:

Jack, do you have a Motorola part number for those radios?

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 03-13-2003, 05:33 PM:

Jack:
Have you noticed any interference to the theater's automation and/or audio system with those radios?

With VHF radios and in some poorly designed/built theatres or ones with inferior equipment, I could dim the lights or hear the radio conversation in the theatre's audio system just by keying the transmitter.

>>> Phil

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 03-13-2003, 08:35 PM:

Brad: I'll get you that number when I get home tonight. It is the model in your picture.

Phil: We've had no trouble with the UHF radios... The V's did goof up some audio equipment if you were close enough.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 03-13-2003, 08:57 PM:

Brad,

If you're looking at the Motorola lineup, I HIGHLY recommend a unit from ICOM, model #IC-F21/S. It's a much beefier model that holds up to abuse much moreso than do the Moto's. I don't have the SP50's, I have SP10's as well as 1 of the ICOM's. The ICOM was designed to military spec's and built tough as a tank, or so I have seen. It is a tad bigger than the SP-10s I have, but it also has two dealer (and user) programmable buttons (one above and one below) the PTT button. Also quite nifty is the two cahnnel feature on the ICOM. The price is within a few bucks of teh SP's, so price alone shouldn't be an issue.

http://www.icomamerica.com

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 03-13-2003, 09:16 PM:

ICOM makes AWESOME handheld aircraft radios. They usually transmit 10x the distance and clarity than ANY panel mount radio.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-13-2003, 09:30 PM:

Jason, do you have any vendor recommendations?

Has anyone else used the radios Jason speaks of?

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 03-13-2003, 09:34 PM:

ICOM

Dallas ICOM dealer: Bearcom

(doing my impression of John Pytlak) (sorry John) (that's 3 times I've said "sorry" today)

Posted by Sam Hunter (Member # 1119) on 03-13-2003, 10:56 PM:

When I worked for Motorola I was never a fan of Icom but they made some killer marine handhelds.
UHF is the way to go as far as interference goes.
Whatever you buy Brad, make sure it can be serviced locally and also make sure the service center is reputable.
The biggest problems wwith the Motorolas are the top sections are succeptable to damage which usually breaks the antenna contacts and thus kills your range.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 03-14-2003, 01:10 AM:

Brad,

I got mine locally from Myrtle Beach Communications. They are also a Motorola authorized service center, which makes replacing any PL boards or minor servicing a snap.

Myrtle Beach Comunications Inc.
1330 Enterprise Ave,
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
Phone: (843) 448-7734
Fax: (843) 448-2005
Division: Land Mobile

If you contact them, by chance, ask for Gus or Dawy (pronounced Duhh Y).

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 03-17-2003, 11:19 AM:

Our radios are:

Part # P94YQSOOG2-A
Motorola SP50+ Portable Radio,UHF,10 Channel with Battery,antenna and Wall Charger.

They also have desk chargers for this radio.

There are LOTS of options, most of them programmed at the dealer, so be sure to get a list of the goodies you can use (or not!)

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 03-17-2003, 04:35 PM:

ICOM makes great Amateur Radio rigs, too!

de KJ5KX

Posted by Paul Konen (Member # 41) on 03-18-2003, 09:28 AM:

Brad, we started using UHF radios at Legacy. I believe they are manufactured by Uniden. Good range as we can actually talk all the way across the theatre and farther without breakup.

Paul