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Midland announced exciting changes earlier this month to its line of FRS/GMRS two way radios for 2012. These changes both packaging upgrades across its entire product line and technical improvements for specific models, most notably the GXT2000 and GXT2050.

According to Midland, the new GXT2000 series will sport a larger LCD display that is easier to read. This radios will also include a fast charging, higher capacity lithium polymer battery for longer periods of operation. The GXT2000 is designed primarily for outdoor enthusiasts who need longer battery life and the ability to recharge their radios quickly.

Other features offered in the GXT1000 and GXT2000 series for 2012 include JIS4 waterproofing, backlit displays, an SOS Siren Alert, and weather alerts. All Midland two way radios include a 3 year warranty, reinforcing Midland’s commitment to stand behind the quality of their products.

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Still using your two way radios on wideband? If so, you need to prepare your migration to narrowband as soon as possible, before the end of this year.

The FCC issued a public notice January 5 to remind everyone that the deadline to transition to narrowband is January 1, 2013. This includes private business class land mobile radios and licensees in the 150-174 MHz VHF and 421-512 MHz UHF bands. After January 1, all business radios that operate within these bands must do so using narrowband technology at 12.5 KHz or narrower.

According to the FCC, all VHF/UHF industrial, business and Public Safety Radio Pool licensees must operate on 12.5 kHz (11.25 kHz occupied bandwidth) or narrower channels and all two way radio manufacturers must cease the manufacture and import of radios that include a 25 kHz mode. This applies to all radios purchased after December 31, 2012.

As long as you are licensed for narrowband and your radios support narrowbanding (most radios sold within the last decade do) they should be in compliance. All you may need to do is simply re-program your radios for narrowband if you are still using wideband frequencies. However, if you are licensed for wideband only you will need to update your license for narrowband. In addition, if you are still using older radios that operate in wideband mode only, you will need to upgrade them to support narrowband as well – and you will need to do this by December 31, 2012.

Although a bill has been introduced to delay the transition, our sources have told us that the chances of it actually passing are very low. As such, waiting until the eleventh hour for a possible extension of the deadline may be a risky proposition.

For more information, read the FCC Public Notice DA 12-12 or visit the FCC for full details.

If you need to upgrade your licenses and/or business two way radios, we can help. Give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 today. Don’t wait until the last minute to become narrowband compliant. The time to prepare is now.

Buy Two Way Radios – The Blog

Different opinions over small portables are largely subjective as the recent comparisons between the Grundig G4000 and Degen 1103 show. New portables have come out in the last two years featuring DSP, which has improved FM reception. However, I still…
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This tutorial shows you how to utilize the Emergency and Lone Worker Alert features found on Vertex Standard VX-450 Series two way radios available from www.buytwowayradios.com.



Buy Two Way Radios – The Blog

I heard about this new religion yesterday while listening to NPR. I don’t plan on creating a Church of Radio.
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We talk about using two way radios while skiing. We also review the Cobra MicroTALK CXR825 two way radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:19

Topic Discussion 1:35
In this episode We’ll discuss the advantages of taking radios with you on ski trips, things to consider when using them on the slopes and offer some recommendations as to which radios are best to take along. Radios discussed include the Midland GXT1000VP4, Cobra microTALK CXR925, Motorola TALKABOUT Two Way Radios and the Midland SZ1B Sub Zero Black Ear Warmer Stereo Headset. For more information about using two way radios on ski trips, read Taking a Ski Trip? Take a Radio and Two Way Radios For Skiing.

Commercial Break 18:46
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 19:44
Today we review the Cobra microTALK CXR825 Two Way Radio.

Questions and Answers 25:52
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. The Two Way Radio Show is now on Stitcher! Listen to us on your iPhone, Android Phone, BlackBerry and WebOS phones. Find it in your app store or at stitcher.com.

FCC Narrowbanding Announcement 30:54
For more information read FCC DA 12-12.

Wrap up and Close 32:34
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show@buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2012 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

Buy Two Way Radios – The Blog

Cobra announced two new additions to its current line of two-way radios during the 2012 International Consumer Electronics show, which was held January 10-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Both models are modestly priced, yet include two specific features previously found only on higher-end models: advanced NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and All Hazards Alert. NWR allows access to the national network of NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards radio stations. These stations broadcast around-the-clock information on weather conditions from the National Weather Service, as well as official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other alerts.

These two new models, due out in March of this year, are the CXT135 and the CXT235.

CXT135 – This new Cobra GMRS two way radio includes advanced NOAA Weather Radio capabilities and Cobra touts it as “the most economical weather radio on the market today”. It has an advertised range of up to 16 miles, Call Alert, a Power Saver feature to extend battery life, and rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. For all its powerful features, the new CXT135 also quite affordable, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of only .95.

CXT235 – This powerful new member of the Cobra GMRS family has all the aforementioned features of the Cobra CXT135 with greater range of up to 20 miles, according to Cobra. Along with the NOAA All Hazards Alerts, this radio emits a loud audible alert if there is a weather related or other emergency. Should NOAA send a tone alert with the warning, the alert will trigger an automatic alarm on the CXT235, which will activate even if the audio is turned off. This feature can be very important if such a warning is issued overnight while you are asleep. The suggested retail price of the CXT235 is .95.

Cobra added the CXT 135 and CXT 235 to their existing product line, which includes the CXT425, CXR725, CXR825 and CXR925. According to Cobra, the CXT135 and CXT235 will replace the CXT125 and CXT225, respectively.

Buy Two Way Radios – The Blog

This tutorial explains how to use the Channel Announce feature incorporated into Vertex Standard VX-450 Series two way radios.

Buy Two Way Radios – The Blog

What is this, old stock? I thought the GE SR III was long gone, that is to say discontinued. And if that’s not confusing enough, Amazon is selling the once thought defunct RCA SR III for and free shipping….
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My Sangean PR-D5 has a wide band for AM and no way to switch to narrow band. Its ferrite is 8 inches, about 1.5 inches bigger than my CCRadio-SW’s, but my SW gets me better AM sound, partly because of…
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