Motorola walkie talkie comparison test

Motorola’s large selection of compact radios has led to the trend of being used in almost every sector of our lives – from security companies to touring, fishing, hunting, and just playing outdoors.It is very convenient to use the license-free not requiring special permission from Rossvyaznadzor compact radios in the PMR 446 MHz range for radio communication. To choose them correctly, having enough information to do so, it is appropriate to use the results of tests carried out in 2012 with several models of Motorola portable radios of the same class. So, why the actual choice fell on the walkie-talkies Motorola?

Let me begin with why I chose the Motorola trend. Soon, in 2028, this company, which originated from a small family firm the Galvin brothers will celebrate its century anniversary, and during all this time which is not unimportant has maintained a good reputation. The company’s engineers are constantly working on improving the quality of products and reducing the size of radios – while maintaining the quality and power, as you can see in the following comparative test.

By the way, the world’s first all transistor car transceiver, the world’s first rectangular kinescope – the brainchild of Motorola.

Motorola radios have attracted me and the combination of price and quality and pretty decent – for such a market segment – functionality service functions .

Motorola’s trend even today is focused on development and release of new models.

Begs the main question of the article – how to choose the most long-range, the smallest compact , the most functional walkie-talkies with a frequency of 433 MHz among a number of Motorola? To answer this question we first go through several models.

Assessment by function and price

Motorola T3-T8 walkie-talkies are the most popular, t.e simplest. On the other hand – all the radio sets considered below can be attributed to the economy class budget models.

The price range for the average citizen, not grabbing stars and bullion from the sky, is very attractive: walkie-talkies such as T4 can be purchased for 1300-1800 Dollars, T6 – from 1500 – a set, T3 if you find a second hand, because the model was discontinued a couple of years ago will cost a calculating user for very penny.

Features of Motorola TLKR T3

The T3 differs from its brethren in particular because of its original “scroll case” see the button on the back of the transmitter . Photo by. 1 by these “ears” it is convenient to hang the radio on the carabiner on the belt or backpack , which has already been repeatedly noted by tourists – as a convenient feature for carrying see: “The portable walkie-talkies” . comparison chart .

On the other hand the radio antenna itself is embedded into the “ear” inside the body. So in model T3 there is nothing that would catch though a small, but still protruding antenna pin as in models T4, T6, T8 .

This “antenna” solution doesn’t prevent model T3 from stable communication at frequency 446 MHz and 12,5 kHz step with maximal power for 3 km distance in open countryside, what I confirmed with real tests I did in Verkhovazhsky region of Vologda oblast in summer 2012.

Motorola TLKR-T3 can work up to 20 hours without battery change.

Today, a set of radios T3 used or stale in warehouses, if you’re lucky, you can buy for only 600-700 Dollars.

Photo 1. Exterior view of the original Motorola TLKR T3 case

Motorola TLKR-T4

Motorola TLKR-T4 differs from T3, by the way, already removed from production in 2010, by another ergonomic body photo 2 , the location of the buttons on the front panel and “increased” weight other parameters are comparable see photo 2 . comparison table . Its price from 1300 Dollars per set.

Photo 2. Exterior view of Motorola TLKR T4 walkie-talkies

Features of the Motorola TLKR T6

Photo 3. Exterior view of Motorola TLKR T6

In this radio you can choose from 5 types of call different tone-combinations of ringing sounds . Keypad lock mode so that the button is not accidentally pressed, and the user’s settings are not lost , channel scanning function, voice control transmission VOX function . Allows you to keep your hands free – there are in all three models under consideration.

In fact, the electronic base microprocessor is the same in all three models therefore, many characteristics as well as disadvantages are similar. Model T6 differs from its cousins mainly in more convenient universal organization of power and appearance.

As for the portable radios – analogues on the electrical characteristics of other manufacturers, for example, along with Motorola TLKR T4 comparable comparable radios such as Voxtel MR160, Jet mini, Midland G5, Motorola XTR446 and Motorola TLKR-T5 and similar. They are inferior in a number of service features with respect to even the tested Motorola TLKR T6, although superior to it have a lower price – about 2 times .

The Motorola TLKR T6 model was tested in summer 2012 in the mode of frequent radio 5-6 minutes – total time of radio messages per hour . We can conclude that the new and fully charged battery ensures quality use of the radio until a new recharge for 14 hours then the battery discharge indicator starts flashing, but the radio is still capable of working .

Operating frequency in all radios in the 446 range.00625-446.09375 MHz allocated to eight fixed channels as follows: 446.00625 MHz 1 , 446.01875 2 , 446.03125 3 , 446.04375 4 , 446.05625 5 , 446.06875 6 , 446.08125 7 , 446.09375 8 . Thus, the discreteness is 01250 MHz, or, to put it another way, the frequency step of the channel is 12.5 Hz.

You can use this information to listen to or organize radio communication on these frequencies, including other radios, for example, the Kenwood TH-F7 wideband station described in my other test.

In this case, in order to exchange messages on the air it is necessary to tune all the radios in the “network” to the same frequency frequency channel and make sure that they are all “programmed” to the same subcodes about them below .

The radio can be powered either from the built-in battery model IXNN4002B nickel-metal hydride Ni-Mh with the power capacity of 600 mA/h and a voltage of 4.8 V is located in each walkie-talkie set or from 4 AA batteries connected in series “little fingers” batteries – for this purpose in the body of the radio provides a battery compartment.

Batteries as well as batteries of AAA size should be inserted into the walkie talkies only when they are switched off to avoid damage to the device. A distinctive feature of Motorola TLKR T6 and T8 radios relatively similar models is also that T6 can be charged as a “glass” charger and separately – only battery installed in the “glass” with the help of specially provided by the manufacturer plastic inserts. Other models do not have such convenience.

Such features as detachable quick clip-holder, comfortable – for use, holding in your hand streamlined body appearance, multisegment display, backlight, convenient control buttons – in fact, the same as in earlier versions of walkie-talkies Motorola company, for example, models T3 and T4.

Battery charger model IXTH4016A for Motorola T6 walkie-talkies is equipped with special case with compartment for two walkie-talkies see photo 5 . photo. 4 and the IXPH4033A power adapter with an output electrical rating of 9 V and a maximum current of 300 mA/h.

Photo 4. Charging cup with two compartments – with Motorola TLKR T6 radios

With the attached charger completely discharged radio battery recovers its full capacity for 2-3 hours, which should be recognized as a fairly rapid charging solution with respect to walkie-talkies of a similar class. This is what happens in practice. Nevertheless, in the instruction manual, the time required to charge the battery – all other things being equal – is specified as 16 ! hours. Perhaps this absurdity is connected with the fact that the red LED indicator is lit in the charging cup as long as the walkie-talkies regardless of the battery level are in the charger.

In addition, on the side of each walkie-talkie from the kit there is a power connector for an external 9V source. Constant current type.

Compared to earlier models – Motorola TLKR T3 and Motorola TLKR T4 the tested Motorola TLKR T6 photo 3 and 4 has a clear advantage in terms of power supply. But there were some disadvantages.

The radio nanny is ill mannered

To work the “babysitting radio” mode should speak directly into the radio, holding the radio at a distance of 1 meter from your mouth, only then the mode is activated, if the room just talk loudly sound power 30-40 dB measured multifunction noise meter DVM-401 T8 does not react. The hardware sensitivity adjustment did not help in this case either. The same problem with its more recent counterpart, the Motorola TLKR T8 photo 5 .

Photo 5. View of Motorola TLKR T8

Who’s Next?

“Resource” range is indicated by the manufacturer in the passport data the 0.5 W power suggests that the maximum communication range in open terrain between two similar stations would be 5 km T3 , 6 km T4 , 8 km T6 and 10 km T8 .

Of course, in the city, in other rough terrain, as well as in buildings between the floors the communication range will be even less and barely in the last case reaches 500 m tested in August 2012 in the impressive Balkania-Nova shopping center, Kupchino area, St. Petersburg . However, the same discrepancy to the declared passport data expects at real testing on the ground of anyone who wants to test the range and quality of connection of twin-radios Motorola TLKR T3, T4, T6 and T8.

All models include a multifunction display with information on remaining battery power, channel number, subcode if enabled and other user-activated modes.

Subcode features

Subcode – this is a separate and very useful topic in portable radios in the PMR range frequency band 446 MHz , designed for tourism, nature travel, radio communication over short distances in the city between apartments of one or neighboring houses .

The subcode enables you to reduce interference and protect your radio communications from eavesdropping on other radios other people tuned to the same frequency as you. In these models you can set as many as 121 combinations of different subcodes 38 CTCSS and 83 DCS codes on eight possible channels. Let’s multiply these figures and get the value of 968 different combinations.

In all models considered it is possible to turn on a mode of scanning all channels 8 channels in all tested radios if one of the channels is some radio exchange your walkie-talkie automatically stops on it, indicates the suspension of general scanning with a beep and connects to the reception listening to the frequency .

Identified “disadvantages” are common for all

In all Motorola walkie-talkies from the range of T3, T4, T6, T8 overload protection in the “transmit” mode is provided. In reality, it works like this: after continuously transmitting for 60 seconds, it automatically stops working. The “transmit” mode icon flashes on the display and the loud warning beep sounds before turning off. When the radio operates normally in “transmit” mode without time overload , the mode icon on the display is not flashing. The described safety mode protects the transmitter output stage of the radio on a powerful high-frequency transistor – the most expensive radio element of the device from possible malfunction due to overheating overload .

Thus, one of the disadvantages of Motorola T3, T4, T6 and T8 radios may be called a one-time limit of 1 minute then, after an interruption for a few seconds, you can broadcast again . Therefore, to lecture on the air or recite a poem to another correspondent with such a device is undesirable, on the other hand the number of people – who often need it is very small.

Communication range in the box is specified for ideal conditions with direct visibility of the subscribers in sunny weather at 20 ° C no precipitation , the absence of interference, such as power lines, trees etc. , etc. . and is theoretical for the given wavelength 70 cm . Real communication range with the power of 0.5 W – 2-3 km in the forest, 3-4 km in the field, 5-6 km at sea, 300-500 m in the city, which, incidentally, is true for all radios PMR range.

Motorola TLKR T3, T4, T6, T8 comparison chart

Comparative characteristics	T3	T4	T6	T8
Low battery indication	available
LCD display with programmable backlight	there is
Button volume control	there is
Frequency range PMR446 446.00625 – 446.09375 MHz	yes
Max. working time in active radio mode***, hours	20	20	14	16
Maximum standby time receive , hour	More than 72 with good fresh batteries and other equal conditions
Number of batteries and type	3 AAA, total voltage 4,5 V	3 AAA*, total supply voltage of 4.5 V	4 AAA*, total voltage 6 V	Number of batteries 2 AAA
The type of possible battery in the battery compartment	Any, AAA size	Original size Ni-MH, from 600 mA/h, rated voltage 4.8 V	Original-sized Ni-MH, from 600 mA/h, 3.7 V nominal voltage
Power rating, W	0,5
Weight of one station, without batteries, g	73	56	100	170
Manufacturer’s stated/real range km **	5/2,3	6/3,5	8/3,9	10/3,9
Number of channels	8
Code combinations	968 channel-code combinations
Other outstanding features for comparison	Nicknamed “vanka-stand” due to the features of the hull almost difficult to disable by breaking the hull	See. Text	Time of “fast” charging from standard charger 2-3 hours.	There are optional. Optional LED flashlight. As in the T6 there is a built-in charger – a cup in which you can charge the battery separately or together with the radio
The disadvantages	See. Text	Poor speech intelligibility when the signal is weak. Noise reduction cuts off parts of words. Tongue key is too “tight” according to tactile sensations . When receiving difficulties with the volume control the keyboard inertly reacts when the buttons are pressed .

Notes:

AAA size * – as batteries can be used. They have a rated voltage of 1.2 so the equivalent will be slightly less than from batteries with a rated voltage of 1.5V – each .

** – author’s tests conducted in Verkhovazhsky area of the Vologda region in June-August 2012

*** – active radio mode in the above tests assumed the transmission operation of both radios of the set with a total time of 3 minutes per hour for one day.

All considered radios have scanning 2 modes – general and selected channels , “sleep” mode, the timer limits the duration of the transmission, the confirmation of key presses, turn off the sound indication of the transition from the “transmit receive” mode, 5 different ring signals. All radios considered small and contrasting, clear LCD display that shows numbers and channel occupancy, battery saving mode.

In fact, all the radios in the review work long enough on batteries – a few days, if the radio is not active. They are compact and easy to use, we often use the models TLKR T3-T8 when shopping, on the beach, during the holidays practically indispensable thing on trips to pick mushrooms. Any of the radios in the range reviewed are a great way to communicate at a distance.