Motorola Two Way Radios Models T6320 and Talkabout Distance DPS.

I requested these two radios from Motorola under their loan agreement for writers and event sponsors. I wanted to test them in the field at the Second Annual Big Hog Outing (BHO#2) held at the Reed Ranch in Texas and at our Second Annual Single Shot Rifle Shoot. Normally the loan is only for a period of 10 days but since these two events were scheduled for March and April of 2001 I needed them longer. Motorola graciously worked with me on this getting them to me on March 16 and allowing me to keep them unti April 30. For that special consideration I'd like to thank Motorola. Now the Distance DPS was no stranger to me as I have one of them of my own and have used it some in the woods of Alabama for communication with my fellow hunters in my party in the past. Results have been mixed due to the many steep hills in the area where we hunted. The T6320 was new to me but found much favor with me due to the variety of features it has and the clarity and range it has. Of the T6320 Motorola has this to say: Serious communication for the serious outdoor enthusiast. *Digital compass *Altimeter *Barometer *8 weather channels *Eavesdrop reducer *QuieT6000™ technology Highlighted Features *Up to 2 Miles Range *14 FRS channels *38 Codes *Keypad Lock - with LockPlus *10 selectable call tones *Channel Scan - with programmable scan list *Hands-free use - with selectable sensitivity *Rechargable ready with CommPort™ compatibility *Auto Power Off *Eavesdrop Reducer - with three scramble settings. *VibraCall® alert - to discreetly notify you of incoming calls. *Talk Confirmation Tone option ("over" or "roger") *Clock with Alarm and Stopwatch *Weather - with 8 channels & alert *Digital Compass *Weather resistant *Scramble Option with 3 settings *Altimeter *Barometer *QuieT6000™ Talk Group Filter *Thermometer *Indicators/ Alert Features *Signal Strength Indicator I say if you can live within the lesser power range of this little radio it is one big package of features in a small package and if they would make it in the same power range as my Distance DPS then I'd consider no other. I really liked the Time, Temperature, Weather, Altimeter and Barometer features of it not to mention the Digital Compass if you happen to have left yours at home or lost it. During testing on the Reed Ranch we were able to easily talk between this radio and the Test Distance DPS for about two miles even with the hill between the camp and the hunting location. That's pretty darn good performance in my opinion and as I write this you can order it online from the Motorola website for $129.99. TALKABOUT® DISTANCE DPS This one is really the top of the Motorola line up of FRS two way radios. Of it Motorola says: Everybody can stay in touch, even when they're up to 5 miles apart instantly, with the push of a button. The Distance DPS uses a rechargeable NiCd battery that is included with the radio or 6 AA alkaline batteries. A GMRS license, issued by the FCC, is required for use of this radio. No monthly fees or service contracts required. Quick User Guide *11.7 ounces *9.75"H x 2.5"W x 1.25"D (6.25" without antenna) *Up to 5 miles range *Approximately 2 watts of power *Dual Power Source - uses NiCd rechargeable battery or *6 AA alkaline batteries (alkaline batteries sold separately) Highlighted Features *Operates on 7 FRS and 3 GMRS UHF Frequencies *38 Interference Eliminator Codes *Channel Scan Voice-assisted Programming *12.5/25.0 KHz Bandwidth Selectable *VOX Hands-Free (with optional accessory) Talk Time Features *Up to 8 hours with NiCd battery (when used for 5% transmit, 5% receive, and 90% standby) *Up to 25 hours with AA alkaline batteries (when used for 5% transmit, 5% receive, and 90% standby) Now this latter one, the Distance DPS really got a work out on both trips. On the way to the shoot in MS we had one in one vehicle and the other in the second vehicle and we talked between vehicles with no problems. These two radios allowed us to stay in constant touch as we rode down the highway and needed to relate information between vehicles. Once at the shoot I used one of the Distance DPS and the T6320 to communicate distances to the target setters as they went down range to set targets at 25, 50, 100, 250 and 400 yards as determined by the Bushnell YP-1000 range finder also under test at the shoot. In Texas on the Reed Range I was able to talk to camp from way back down in the bottoms about 4.5 or more miles away. Jim, the ranch owner said these were the only radios ever used on his ranch that allowed communication at that distance. They are now seriously considering buying enough of the Distance DPS radios to allow communications between camp and the hunters on stand so someone doesn't have to drive way down into the bottoms to talk with the hunters at set intervals. I like them both. I think if Motorola can and would combine the power of the Distance DPS with the compact size and features of the T6320 they'd have a radio I couldn't live without. Both get the Graybeard Seal of Approval for sure. Visit Motorola on the internet by clicking their name to find out more about the radios in this review. Or visit the Motorola Home Page here. Motorola Cunsumer Products Division 1125 Satellite Road, Suite 101 Suwanee, GA. 30024-2880 Motorola is too big and has too many phones for me to provide you a single phone number for contact. Check the website for the phone number of the part of the Corporation you might wish to speak.