2 way radio suggestions

Im interested to know what guys are using and recommend as good quality 2 way radios for hunting ?
Have had a set of Cobra 4100s for a number of years and reception was reasonable ... but they had a useless on / off / volume button that always turned itself on while in day pack etc ( even with PVC tape over it ) and batteries went flat quickly !!! Also kept turning volume up or down when in use.
Now one of my set has been wet and doesn't work any more.

So looking for advice from users of 2 or 3 watt ( balance between power and battery use ) sets that are reasonably waterproof ... or at least shower and perspiration proof.
Re-chargable but also able to use standard batteries.
Moderate size and easy to see controls etc.
2 handset wanted but would like to be able to add another one or two that are compatible.

Thoughts and field experience with various locally available models appreciated.

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

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Originally Posted by JRW87

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

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Radio frequencies are regulated in New Zealand
You should be able to find all your answers here though. HomePage | Radio Spectrum Management
I'm not 100% sure, but because this set looks programable by the end user then a licence may well be required.

I use uniden 5 watt radios on the farm they are used in the worst conditions by staff and they can handle the jandal. Waterproof, good battery life - around 7 days through calving and easy to use

Unless you are a licensed ham with a call sign, the traders in nz can't legally sell you a programmable vhf. That is my understanding, having tried a couple of times. Nothing to stop you buying one direct from alibaba or dealextreme though

Please disregard this post.

A lot of the 4x4 guys are running those.
A mixture of baofeng puxing and woxuns. Our club likes the baofeng type but are running a model up from that one. Good radios.


Sent from the swamp

Yeah I am literally going to go have a pint in a gay bar wearing paint on jeans before I join a radio club.

I think the rules are a crock of sh**, as anyone can buy a marine band VHF, despite the fact that legally, you are supposed to have sat the ticket before you can use one (unless it is an emergency).

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Originally Posted by Pengy

I think the rules are a crock of sh**, as anyone can buy a marine band VHF, despite the fact that legally, you are supposed to have sat the ticket before you can use one (unless it is an emergency).

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My old man is head of physical security for a govt dept and had a guy from Vodafone and another guy from MPI turn up because a headset was a XXXXa model as oppossed to a XXXXb model the rest were, factory mix up and they said they were giving them a warning and it will be find if they broadcast on that frequency again blah blah. My old man told him to F off I think.

Midland from the states work well for me

I'm looking for GME TX670s. Rechargeable or swap them out for AA's.
my unidens have crapped out for the second time, spoke to them and there is a design fault with the 2W versions. Won't be going uniden again. GME probably.

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Midland from the states work well for me

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Only work between themselves though, so can't use them to talk to nz bought ones ?

My radio is a tx670. Good radio. I find the tone of the speaker a little annoying.


Sent from the swamp

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Originally Posted by Pengy

Only work between themselves though, so can't use them to talk to nz bought ones ?

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Doesnt matter as have 4 and hand them out to who needs them

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Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Midland from the states work well for me

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I have the same. Good range and run on both AA and rechargeable batt they come with.


Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Resurrecting this old thread… what are the current recommendations for 2 way radios? Looking for something light we can use to keep in touch up in the tops. Have some old cobras but batteries are buggered and no joy in finding replacements

I have unidens, had them for 4 or 5 years now and they are still going strong

Got gme tx6150 5watt. Very good and rechargeable battery lasts well.

I second the TX6150, good units that have worked well for me.

These have been superseded by the TX6160

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Originally Posted by JRW87

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

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check ali express. highly likely he is drop shipping and ordering the radio off ali express but clipping the ticket.

Definitely recommend AliExpress- ridiculously cheaper than anything we could find in NZ for 5W
Rechargeable and simple to use - turns on slowly and no loud annoying squelch. Lightweight and compact. I was sceptical but after 5 trips I had to admit to my mate they were a good buy

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Originally Posted by Russian 22.

check ali express. highly likely he is drop shipping and ordering the radio off ali express but clipping the ticket.

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Baofeng UV5R is dual band. I suspect you may have issues importing if you are NOT a licensed amateur as it looks as if these are user programmable

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VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx)

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136-174 is land mobile and marine VHF and the upper frequency band for PRS UHF in NZ is very narrow.

If they do get thru customers then you may be fined if you get caught using them on incorrect frequencies.

Can get a set of 5w uniden rechargeables for reasonably priced. The earphone and Mic's you get in the package set actually work really well, keep your hands free and even talk quietly into them.

Have a look at the Icom 41 pro. They Get good wraps over here. GME also well regarded.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Staffnurse41

Definitely recommend AliExpress- ridiculously cheaper than anything we could find in NZ for 5W
Rechargeable and simple to use - turns on slowly and no loud annoying squelch. Lightweight and compact. I was sceptical but after 5 trips I had to admit to my mate they were a good buy

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Got a link?

The Baofeng option will get ya in the shit if you ever get pinged.

If you're at all inclined, think about getting your ham ticket and then you can have (almost) any radio you want and the available capabilities far outstrip peasant band PRS.

Sent from my SM-G996B using Tapatalk

Yeah, I update the Mrs when hunting in the Kaimanawas. 80 odd km via the repeater above Turangi. 5 watts. Then change channel and talk to my hunting mate on his prs uhf on the next ridge.

Px 777 from Ali express about $90 each they all get through. Can be a bitch to program, but bulletproof, and range better than any of my mates ones.....