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GMRS WEB
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June 24, 2001
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GMRS WEB Reviews
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"Without question, there has been a demand in the FRS market for a radio like this, and Radio Shack is in touch with this need. The Radio Shack mobile FRS radio is a remarkable, versatile, hot performing radio and worth every penny."
A lot has been written about FRS radios and the poor range you can get when operating an FRS hand-held radio from inside an automobile. Until now, there was no good way to get FRS radios to work really well while the operator used the radio in the car. The reason is rooted in the Federal Communications Commission Rules and Regulations. The FCC requires that FRS radio antennas non-removable. This means the antenna is attached right to the radio itself with no lengthy connecting cable. Leave it to Radio Shack to figure out how to work within that pesky rule and deliver the new Radio Shack FRS mobile radio!
The radio antenna needs to be located outside the car for best FRS range. Since the FRS antenna must legally be attached to the radio, the Radio Shack 21-1850 is built in such a way that the radio electronics are concealed completely inside of a larger than normal magnetic mount with the attached antenna whip sticking out of the top of it. The controls are all contained within a speaker/microphone that looks a lot like some of the better quality speaker/mics you would find in a ham radio store. There is a 10 foot cable connecting the antenna base to a cigarette lighter plug, which provides the power to the RS mobile, then a coiled microphone style cord from the power plug to the speaker/mic. There is no provision to run the RS mobile FRS radio off of batteries like other HT style units you're used to, so this radio really is designed for mobile use. Of course, if your required distance from operating position to antenna were close enough, you could use the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio as a base station as well.
When I first received the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio and hooked it up, I immediately noticed that the receiver was MUCH more sensitive than my other FRS radio inside the truck. The audio from the RS mobile is loud, but a little tinny likely due to the small sized speaker. The RS mobile has all 14 FRS channels and the usual 38 quiet codes (PL tones). The controls are simple and straightforward, the most likeable feature being a rotary volume knob. I like rotary volume knobs over ‘UP’ and ‘DOWN’ buttons for changing audio levels and people seem to have an easier time adjusting to using a radio with this feature. Channel and quiet code changes are made with ‘UP’ DOWN’ buttons located on the front of the speaker/mic right underneath the generously sized LCD display. To the right of the “UP’/’DOWN’ buttons are the buttons to select quiet codes and above that, the ‘CALL’ button. On the left side of the speaker/mic is the monitor button to bypass the quiet call and open the receiver, and a soft, easy to use push to talk button. On the other side of the speaker/mic just below the volume/ON-OFF rotary control are jack for an external speaker/mic (???) Not really sure why… I suppose for a hands free option?
TEST DRIVE: I drove around for a while using the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio in scan mode to listen to the traffic around town. When I got to where Tina was and she jumped in the truck, she was automatically drawn to the new FRS radio with all the wires attached. After a short explanation, Tina was using the RS mobile with no difficulty. Tina’s first impression was that the Radio Shack mobile was ‘beefy’. Having become used to FRS radios that are wimpy, the RS mobile was a stand out. The antenna mount/radio and the speaker/mic are very strong and are made of a generous thickness of a very good grade of plastic. The antenna base is watertight, but the speaker/mic is not. Radio Shack says it is moisture resistant, and I would agree, but it certainly is not water ‘proof’. The only weak point I perceive is the interconnection wires themselves. I wouldn't want to slam the antenna connecting cable in the door too many times.
In general use, the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio is very easy to control by ‘feel’ while driving and with the backlit display, it's easy to change channels on the fly. Of course, the rotary volume control makes the usual volume changes effortless and easy without looking. The Radio Shack mobile FRS radio lived in my truck for several days being subjected to high heat inside the closed up cab of my truck, and very cold extremes (driving to the snow) without damage or fogging. The magnet was strong enough to hold up to highway speeds, even into a head wind, without slipping or flying off.
Finally, after all the field use, I got the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio on the bench for some technical testing. This is what I was waiting for. I knew the receiver was more sensitive than most, and I was correct. The selectivity is a little below average, but that can be expected from a receiver that’s substantially more sensitive. The Radio Shack mobile FRS radio transmitter puts out a steady 460 milliwatts on 12 volts and power supply voltage variations down to almost 7 volts make no difference (obviously this radio has a voltage regulator in it). I can attribute most of the perceived sensitivity improvement to the full length ¼ wave antenna element attached to the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio, but a small amount is thanks to an above average receiver design.
Radio Shack does suggest the 21-1850 mobile FRS radio can be used for marine on-board use as well. However, most recreational boats are made of non-metallic materials anyway, and the mobile FRS radio will not likely give a large improvement over a hand held FRS radio. On my boat, with the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio antenna stuck to the hardtop, it did outperform the Kenwood slightly. This was likely since having the Radio Shack mobile FRS radio antenna on the hardtop got the radio up over the levees around us. The extra cables hanging around the helm was annoying though.
Without question, there has been a demand in the FRS market for a radio like this, and Radio Shack is in touch with this need. The Radio Shack mobile FRS radio is a remarkable, versatile, hot performing radio and worth every penny.
Disclaimer
Radio Shack did not furnish this radio to GMRS Web for review. We thought it was such an interesting product GMRS Web purchased it from the Radio Shack store in Pleasant Hill, CA.
It is illegal to use your FRS radio in other countries, except Canada. You could be fined and/or arrested if caught using your radio in any other country. 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!
And NOW FRS is
legal in Canada!
| Last updated June 25, 2001 GMRS Web Magazine / gmrs@gmrsweb.com |
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