SoftSpot is right.
Most of us on the lake (Newfound) use Motorola's with some using Unidens or Midlands. I find that they are harder to hear when you are talking through them to a Motorola. Quite honestly though, I think the newer Motorola's aren't that good either. They are hard to hear for me. I have an older model the T7200 and it works awesome. Very loud and clear. Transmits good too. Maybe cause my model is bigger than the newer ones, might have something to do with it? I don't know. Same amount of power as the smaller newer ones. CH has the T9580 which are a newer model and I cant hear through them very well. Not as good as the T7200 in my opinion. Keep in mind the range too. They say they are for 48 miles etc....but really they are not unless you switch them to GMRS from FRS. It's basically line of sight, you get reception.
If you don't have the "security channel or code" the smaller number, you can hear us but not talk to us on 5.5.
It helps if you do a couple of things when using them: (Motorola edict)
Speak up when talking. Some people mumble. Hard to understand especially if there is a longer distance between you and others.
Don't put your radio onto Vox. We don't really need to hear your conversation all day. If your on Vox, the rest of us cant talk and we get to listen to you all day. Not much fun unless your a porn star and don't mind us listening in.
Don't like the language, entertainment, conversations or what have you, change the channel. There's plenty.
Don't really need to put the radio to the FM radio so we can listen to your music. We all have our own tunes thanks. Kills batteries.
Don't keep pushing (repeatably) your animal calls all throughout the day. Kills batteries.
If there is an emergency, let who ever is running the rescue or help or what have you take over the channel. Just announce what's going on so we know. If you take over the channel tell whomever to go to another channel if possible. The rest of us will follow I'm sure but it will keep 5.5 free. I like to use 69 as the emergency or private channel. It's the only other real number I seem to be able to remember. Most of the times you cant change channels due to needing to react and get information quickly. That's ok too.
Cant think of any others right off but I think you get the idea. It's about entertainment. Something to do while we are fishing. Alot of stupidness (if that's a word) but that's what it's about. It's a Circus!
Feel free to add to the above.
JIGGIN.
