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March 15, 2000
Small
pockets?
Carry this Radio Shack® FRS radio.
Since Techno-Geek Man invented
the first electronic device, the trend has been toward minimizing the
physical size of electronics while packing as many features as
possible into the tiny cases. It's the six-million-dollar-man
mentality of 'better, stronger, faster', etc..
When an FRS radio gets a
little smaller, it's not that big a deal is it? Well, what if it got
REALLY small. Hey Vern: I mean really, really, really small. Like,
let's say, small enough to fit into that useless tiny pocket inside
the bigger pocket of your Levis? Or, small enough to hang on your key
chain?
It's here! Radio Shack has
begun to sell their newest FRS radio, the model 21-1825. This radio is
small! The dimensions INCLUDING antenna are 3 1/3 x 2 x 13/16 inches.
That's smaller than some pagers I've carried. Small size also means a
low weight of a little over 2 and a half ounces.
Does small mean less features?
On the contrary, how about MORE features like all 14 FRS channels, all
the normal quiet (PL) tones, call button, scanning, auto power off,
keypad lockout, and get this: the battery pack arrangement is designed
to have Ni-Cd or Mi-Mh batteries charge while IN the radio! You do not
need to remove rechargeable batteries from the radio, you plug the
charger (not included) into a jack on the side of the case. Very nice.
Channel selection is
accomplished by pressing an 'up' or 'down' button on the front panel
below the LCD display. Quiet tones are selected the same way. Scanning
is initiated by pressing and holding down one of the channel 'up' or
'down' buttons for 2 seconds. The 21-1825 scans a little slow compared
to a scanner receiver, but about average for an FRS radio.
One thing I really like on
radios designed to be used by the family is a rotary volume knob on
the top of the radio. The 21-1825 has exactly the kind of volume
control I appreciate, and this also turns the radio on and off.
Somebody must have read my mind. For the more enthusiastic radio
users, you can also add an external speaker/mic and the 21-1825 comes
with an imitation vinyl protective case. Not just some cheapie,
embarrassing case, this one has the clear plastic widow for the
buttons and display so you can operate while the radio is clothed, and
a very well done (and very strong) belt clip attached to the back of
the case.
Performance was better than I
expected with a fairly sensitive receiver, especially surprising
considering the smaller than normal antenna. The selectivity is a
little worse than the top of the line Kenwood or Icom FRS radios, but
much better than the cheapies. Audio quality and loudness are very
good, and you do not need to shout into the microphone to be heard.
Small kids can be heard regardless of how shy they are. Also, the
kid's won't be able to damage this radio easily.
Particularly funny was Tina's
lukewarm first impression of this radio. Then, after a few outings
where the FRS radios came with us, I strategically made sure Tina
ended up with the 21-1825 and used it. Not only did Tina grow to like
it, she even grabbed it once by herself. Remember that Tina compares
every radio to her 'trusty sidekick' Kenwood Freetalk (to Tina, it is
the industry standard to live up to I guess), her only dislike was the
21-1825's squarish case shape. Nothing to do with operation or
durability, just looks. I suppose Radio Shack® can live with that.
Maybe that's why they included the imitation vinyl case? It does
improve the looks somewhat I suppose...
The 21-1825 uses 3 'AAA'
alkaline or rechargeable batteries and goes through the alkalines in
about 20 hours. The battery saver circuit turns the radio off if you
don't press any buttons in 2 hours. Pressing the well placed push to
talk button wakes it up again. Dead batteries cause the radio to beep
at you in protest.
The one thing that Tina found
irresistible is the transmit/receive indicator. On the LCD display,
there is a little radio tower with radio waves going 'to' it when a
signal breaks the squelch. When you transmit, the little tower pops up
and radio waves jump off of it in an animated fashion. Kind of funny
actually! We both found something we liked about it. Tina likes the
little cartoon tower, I liked the size, durability, ease of operation,
and performance.
Keeping the Radio Shack®
21-1825 on your key chain does not sound very distinguished, but I
admit to having one dangling from my truck's ignition switch. I intend
to keep it there too. Talk about a conversation piece....
Owning a new Radio Shack®
21-1825 is highly suggested for the FRS user who likes to have a radio
wherever you are. Not only can it spiff up any key chain, but seeing
your better half wearing one as a necklace pendant instantly adds
irresistible geek appeal that goes way off the scale. It's sure to be
all the rage any day now.
Disclaimer
Radio Shack
did not furnish this radio to GMRS Web for review. We thought it was
such an interesting product we wanted to review it for our readers.
Click
here to see where this Radio Shack® FRS radio stacks up against
the others in the GMRS WEB FRS Radio Comparison Chart
Warning
It is illegal to use your
FRS radio in other countries. You could be fined and/or arrested if
caught using your radio anyplace other than the United States. (More
accurately anywhere where the FCC has jurisdiction over radio
regulatory matters. ) It is also illegal to use these devices on
aircraft! Before using any radio transmitting device on board a ship
you must have the permission of the Captain. When in doubt research
the rules before you leave! |
