21 hours a day
 Feb 11th, 2006 (Feb 12th, 2006)
Advantages:
Communicate, for free, in any condition
Disadvantages:
Instruction's bill not very user friendly
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Look & Feel
Reception quality
Battery standby time
Range of coverage
Value for money
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  ik2xnw-
About me:
~••~ hollyzoom@valdelsa.net ~••~ If you're feeling good, don't worry. You'll get over it. (Boling's...
Member since:07.02.2006
Reviews:4
Members who trust:4
Review rated by 24 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
This review received a counterstatement by a party concerned
Read Comment
PMR in an acronym that means Personal Mobile Radio. Along with the CB 27Mhz band, nowadays there are also other bands, for instance on 433 and 43 Mhz, exploited for private and service communications..
The 43 Mhz band is exclusively used for professional matters as hunt, fishing, traffic care, security, ect. and needs a special licence. The maximum output power for these kind of devices could not exceed 4Watts. The 433 Mhz band is used for private and free communcations. This band is called LPD band (Low Power Devices), has got 60 channels, it is not required a licence and the output power MUST not exceed 10mW (1 mW = 1/1000 of Watt). With this kind of radios, communications are granted in the round of approximately 500m without obstacles or less..
The PMR band radios work on 446 Mhz, devices having 8 channels and the maximum admitted power of 500 mW (halh of Watt) ERP (Effective Radiated Power). The action circle (the shoot..) is about 5 Km, in free space, and there is the possibility of coding the channel you are using in order to be not forced to hear other conversations on the same channel, except devices whose apply your criteria. Use of PMR devices is free for everybody use, by agreement with europeans's governs and CEPT policy (European Conference of Posts and Telecommunications,) and is subdued to local laws.
Coding is made with CTCSS standard (Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System) with whitch you code on transmission your carrier and, upon receiving, decode the signal.
In this manner, channels rais to the number of 312 (38 codes x 8 channels + 8 channels not coded). There are many PMR in the market and, being an hamateur and being used with these kind of matter, my choice fall to the Oregon Scientific Atlanta PMR TP-329, its specifications (skills) going over the avarage standards.
It is stupendous, having a trip with friends with several cars and getting in touch each other with these fabulous devices. Even along the ski run, or inside supermarkets, for a walk on the mountain, every time you could surely find the usefulness of these radios..
Personally, me and my wife, often use them when we go at the shopping mall to get in touch each other: she fills the shopping chart while I search specific produces that interest me.. lol..
The quality of the loudspeacker is wonderful. With a dimension and look of a bar soap, this little and cute station could find place in any pocket.
Batteries, 3 x AAA and 700mAh each, rechargeable and supplied, last 21 hours. Inside their lodging exist a switch with witch you can choose between normal batteries or rechargeable ones, in order to prevent demages or explosions while recharging. All functions are possible with 5 buttons:
- PTT (Push to Talk): by keeping it pressed, you transmit;
- PWR: Power on/off;
- Up and Down: volume control and, in order with the displayed function by the "Menu" button, the menu's related choices;
- Menu.
Packaging includes battery charge-base for both stations (they are sold two by two), 6 AAA type rechargeable batteries, 2 handsfree sets and, obviously, two radio stations. Instructions are not at first very easy to understand by a no initiated customer.. Me too, I found them a little difficult to follow. With a little practice, you will have no problem in order to have your devices fully functionally.
Functions include:
- Scanning between channels;
- Scanning between CTCSS codes: if you know there is some station on the channel, you can find its code and than being able to talk with it;
- Vox function, usefull with the handsfree set;
- Last used channel memory;
- Screen back light;
- Call in channel: an audible multi-frequency tone transmitted to all;
- 21 hours autonomy;
- End of tranmission tone. Stations were handled by men and childs, in any conditions.. They look as new (the stations...) and I've never had problems..
Deemed all aspects, I feel I can to suggest the product. I'm using these stations, with satisfaction, since 12 months. Luca
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04.08.2007 09:38
Great review. Lots of good info here. Stay cool. Suggs
07.08.2006 12:43
im just a bit worried that a bloke called these things... 'cute!!!' lol. great review! x
12.02.2006 18:01
Great review, and you're right, these would be fabulously handy on a ski slope! x