By the way, we've been using these radios for over a year - non have failed.
I'm not sure what kind of abuse radios get at other institutions, but our
little Motorola's are used daily by museum staff, volunteers, and visiting
"walkers" who enjoy our trails. 

I did look at the more expensive "commercial" grade walkie talkies. They
were much heavier and bulkier - and part of my problem was getting our folks
to actually care them. (So smaller was better.) The difference in price was
great enough that we could replace them 3 times for the price of the
commercial grade radios. 

Becky Fitzgerald

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Rebecca Fitzgerald
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 4:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Walkie Talkies

I was faced with "older" volunteers leading school tours over 43 acres and 2
miles of trails. Cell reception is spotty at best, and our "older"
volunteers don't routinely carry cell phones. I found small Motorola
Talkabouts (T6510XLR) at Costco for less than $60/pair. (I bought several
pair.) They can all be tuned to the same channel. The stated range is 10
miles, but we've never tested the range. I can tell you that we use them in
heavy forest/wetlands at about 3 miles and they work great. The only
downside at all is that one of my favorite volunteers has difficulty hearing
the call tone with his hearing aids. The good news is that usually one of
the school kids will alert him that his radio is "beeping." These small
radios fit in a jacket/jeans pocket, but also come with belt clips.
Recharging stations also come with the radios.

We're located in a small Chesapeake Bay town, and since we've been using the
radios some of our regular "walkers" stop in and pick up one to carry as a
safety measure. 

Good luck!

Becky Fitzgerald

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Cait Dallas
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 3:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Walkie Talkies

We're looking to replace the large/heavy walkie talkies that we use for
emergency communications on our estate tours.  The "ideal" walkie for us
would be relatively small, lightweight, able to stand up to wet weather,
withstand dropping, able to cover a 3 mile range, and of course be very easy
to use. The walkies (20 of them) also need to have the ability to all talk
together on the same channel. Do any of you have recommendations regarding
models to consider, or to avoid?

- Cait Dallas

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If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).