Motorola Talkabout T5512 8-channel PMR

Motorola T5512

Overview
The Motorola T5512/22 is a short-range two-way radio, which operates on the PMR446 frequency giving 'up to 3km'. These radios can be used across Europe and are an ideal way to keep in contact with friends, family and colleagues for a range of activities. These radios are at home with Sports Centers, Skiing Holidays, Building Sites, Family Holidays and more.

The 5512 are available singularly or as a double pack in blue. For approx. £10 more however the 5522 comes with NiCd batteries and charging pods – well worth the extra and comes in black. I have the latter but all the features are identical except for the colour.

A set of T5522's including charging pods and batteries can be had for around £80, this compared with a cost of £60 for the BT Freeways (with charger and ptt headset) and around £60 for a single T6222 with no accessories.

Features
This radio has the standard 8 PMR446 channels and 18 CTCSS Codes per channel giving 304 possible combinations. The codes allow the user to filter out unwanted traffic on the channel although they are NOT separate channels so its important to check the channel is free – the red light will flash constant if in use or intermittently if free.

Channel scan can be used to monitor for traffic on all channels if the code is set to ‘0’ or traffic using the same code if code is set to ‘1-38’. If scanning all channels the user can reply as the radio will stop on the channel and detect the code automatically – this is a feature I believe unique to Motorola.

The only thing this radio lacks compared to the more expensive T6222 is the Vibrate motor, as well as being a larger physical size and having different button layout and volume control.

Ease of Use
This radio goes back a bit for Motorola; who have previously gone with a centre PTT button; with its side PTT button and conventional manual volume knob, which may please traditional radio users. The controls are simple to understand – just push the side button in to talk and turn the knob on the top to power on and adjust the volume.

The screen is clearly laid out with a battery indicator similar to that found on mobile phones and a display showing the channel number and CTCSS Code. The menu makes it easy to go through and change the settings with the ability to change the call tone (or switch it off), Vox Handsfree operation and obviously channel selection. To ensure there is no accidental changing of channel holding down then menu button locks it so that only the PTT, Volume control and call button are in operation.

Once the radio has been set-up it’s extremely easy to use even for those not used to two-way radio. It is however a good idea to educate users in etiquette such as identifying themselves and who they are talking to, how far away to speak into the radio and the fact that channels are shared.

Quality and Feel
The controls are well laid out and the radio is easy to grip even when wearing gloves. The design is robust and it would easily cope with being dropped onto a concrete surface from shoulder height. The Ariel is strong though not as flexible as other models. Motorola don’t actually make this radio themselves (its made by Maxon) but it certainly has the quality of a Motorola radio.

The quality and range achieved is very good, with the same stated range and power as other radios and I would say matches the T6222 in being one of the better radios for this. It would be misleading for me to give figures as they would only be a guess and the range varies greatly with atmospheric conditions, obstacles etc - I can pick up the sports center around 1.5miles away almost line of sight however.

Some people say that Motorola radios sound bad when listened to on other brands however I haven’t found this to be a problem as long as the person is speaking into the radio properly.

Battery Life
This radio is capable of using a NiCd battery pack, which comes with the T5522 models and can has a recharge circuit for these batteries. It can also take 3 AA cells, either NiMh which are charged outside the radio or standard alkaline cells.

Using NiCd battery packs the battery life isn’t great, around 6-10 hours for my use, perahaps up to 15 depending on the amount of use. I do find if I’m using them all day for a stage production they do go flat quite quickly and I’m not that confident they will survive use in the evening as well. The annoying thing is the beep every ten mins and after transmission reminding you the battery is dead. Motorola have obviously been stingy here to keep costs down using NiCd but for less heavy use it should last a day with ease.

NiMh batteries (depending on their rating) usually last a lot longer than the battery packs and I can usually get two days out of them without too much trouble. These are the same batteries as I use in my T6222’s and I certainly prefer them to the NiCd packs. These batteries do have to be charged externally unfortunately, and in 6’s as most chargers won’t accept 3 batteries.

Alkaline batteries last longer still than NiMh, about 3-5 days for moderate use while skiing isn’t a problem. I don’t really use these batteries very often and for all but occasional or emergency use would recommend using rechargeable if you can – it’s much cheaper.

Accessories
The radio comes with a Belt Clip, which is quick release and allows the radio to spin freely. I like the design and it means you can leave the clip on your trousers and take the radio off. The clips are fairly robust although I have broken a few, easily replaced though unlike other brands.

Headsets with a PTT button are also available but at a price – expect to pay around £20 for one, which is a bit steep. They are however good quality and the PTT feature is much better than ‘VOX Operation’ offered by other manufacturers – I have never found a situation where VOX is reliable. The radio, which is better in terms of price for headsets, is the BT Freeway FM – it comes with them and is cheaper too.
Waterproof Cases are available from aquapac – this makes the radio’s good for sailing etc and they are very usable through the waterproof case, although more attention to volume, voice clarity etc is needed. The cheapest source for these cases is 7dayshop.com – make sure you order the ‘RH’ Ariel one.

Summary
This radio isn’t the best available but is an affordable package from an experienced radio manufacturer (even if its outsourced). It’s a good mid range radio with the privacy of CTCSS codes and a good choice for leisure use.

I would recommend it to people although the batteries are a disappointment and the cost of accessories is quite high so I would also encourage people to consider something like the significantly cheaper BT Freeway FM, which I have found to be basically as good and better value.