Do you go hiking frequently or visit parts of the countryside where the mobile signals are horrible? Are you searching for an affordable and better communication device than your mobile phone? Are you tired of having to struggle with finding signals to communicate with your team, family, or friends during trips or vacations to the open countryside? Do you need a cheaper alternative to the mobile phone? Here is a quick solution, the Motorola Talkabout FR60.
The FR60 is one of Motorola’s latest radio products, a company famous for manufacturing high-quality walkie-talkie products. FR60 is another stellar product from Motorola, designed to match your communication needs. Unlike some devices in its category, it has a small build and parks a lot of capacity. It can cover up to 2 miles of distance in an open field environment. 2 miles is a pretty good distance coverage for the small palm-sized walkie-talkie. With this device, you can communicate with friends and family
+while you go hiking or camping in the countryside, where it is a low or no mobile signal. You will not have to worry too much about people wandering far off and losing communication with them. The device solves this problem and offers you many more benefits.
The 2-way radio communication device got better with this device. You can use it to keep within reach of family members while going out for a shopping spree at a mall, amusement park, and other exciting locations. It is relevant in a variety of settings as long as there is a need for communication.
The small build of this device makes it portable and easy to carry around all day long. The weight is minimal, and you will, for the most part, not feel any weight pressure from the FR60 radio. It has an audio transceiver, receiver, and transmitter built into the device to make communication better and more effective. It easily fits into the pocket, bags, and purses without taking space or adding any significant weight. In most cases, it is light as a new smartphone.
With this device, you do not have to worry about losing track of loved ones while on a slope, shopping in the mall, hiking, or camping. At the touch of a button, you get instant access to them as long as they have the other part of the two pair FR60 device in hand. Also, it can connect with another walkie-talkie device that is not an FR60. The process is technical, but it is easy to do. You will find tips on how to do this in the FAQ section of this article.
The Motorola FR60 Radio is suitable for different people, including law enforcement agencies, office workers, hospitality staff, factory workers, school workers, and you. It is an effective and high-performance communication device.
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Considerations for choosing the Motorola FR60 Radio
Before buying a two-way radio device, there are several points to take into considerations. These points will help you buy the right tool that suits your needs. Buying a radio without having all the necessary information about it is a recipe for disaster. You will, 90 percent of the time, purchase a device that is either below your needs or way complex. Playing the guessing game does not work because different walkie-talkies have different capabilities. Buying solely on aesthetics may give you a beautiful device, but that pick may end up unsuitable for your communication needs.
Before heading to an electronic accessory shop or ordering online for the FR60 device by Motorola, here are some vital points to consider about the Motorola FR60 walkie-talkie.
Size
The FR60 communication device weighs 6.6 ounces for a single piece and 11.2 ounces for two radios. Each has a dimension of 2.2 inches in width, 1.3 inches in depth, and 4.3 inches in height. It is lightweight and portable; you can carry it around conveniently. The device is easy to grip and hold for the palm. You can easily pocket it and feel no discomfort or added weight.
Do not mistake the lightness and small size of the product to equal a lack of features. Today’s innovative technology allows Motorola to design smaller radios like the FR60 and still retain all the vital components and more of the bigger sizes. Size is essential because getting a big device while going on tiring trips like hiking and camping can be discomforting. Smaller walkie-talkies are a better bet, especially when it involves moving the machine around with you.
Range
The range of the FR60 is not the best reach, but it is useful for small and medium purpose communications. The device covers a range of 2 miles. It is suitable for office, school, and factory communications. You can refer to the FR60 manual for more detailed information about the device’s range. Ensure you confirm your reach need before making a purchase.
The FR60 features 14 FRS channels. It has 38 sub codes per channel with up to 532 frequency combinations for better privacy for users. Motorola Talkabout FR60 range of 2 miles makes it easy to contact people far away from your location. It is a more affordable option for communicating in the office. Instead of incurring phone charges for office calls, you can use this device to speak at a low cost.
Note that the range reach can reduce in strength due to the conditions and obstructions you are communicating. Landscapes and walls also weaken the space. With a range of 2 miles, the FR60 is comfortable to solve your communication needs. It is suitable for offices, malls, and schools. You can also use it as an in-house communication tool.
Battery Power
How long does the battery power last on a full charge? You may not need to worry about this if you are using it for office, home, school, and other indoor purposes to have constant access to a quick power supply.
Even if you are outdoors with zero access to a quick power supply, the FR60 makes an attractive communication option. It has a battery power of 0.5 watts that can run up to 24 hours without weakening. It supports AA alkaline type of batteries and requires three pieces of it to function. AA batteries are strong and durable, and last for a long time.
The FR60 radios are suitable for both outdoor and indoor communication needs. You can take it with you to the countryside for hiking and not have to worry about the battery running down. On full battery charge, it can last up to 24 hours.
Performance
Every Motorola Talkabout FR60 review points out its high and consistent performance level. It offers uniform and clear transmission when you communicate with the device—the device functions with minimal noise. FR 60 is small-sized, but that does not reduce its performance. The powerhouse wireless device has 14 FRS channels and up to 38 subcodes.
It can run for as long as 24 hours non-stop, gifting you the opportunity to communicate all day with people around its range. It has a headset jack, which you can use to connect your phone to it. For a small device, its performance levels are high and comparable to bigger radios.
Safety
Safety is another essential consideration to consider before buying the device. Whether you are using it privately or for a public reason, the safety of the device for users should be of paramount importance in your final purchasing decision.
The radio is safe for all users. It meets up the necessary health standards. Children can use this device without any potential risk to their health. However, children below the ages of 2 should be supervised and not left alone when using the device to avoid them stuffing it in their mouths. Its AA alkaline battery should be properly disposed of when no longer in use.
The Motorola Talkabout FR 60 Range of 2 miles is useful for emergency purposes. Its design helps it to keep out dust and protect it from accidental liquid discharge destroying it.
Reliability
True to the written words in the Motorola Talkabout FR60 manual, the device is reliable and durable. It can last for an extended period without dropping in quality. When deciding which radio to buy, consider the reliability and lifespan of the device. You do not want a device whose lifespan is under a year old. The FR60 is built to survive for the long haul. As proof of this commitment to longevity, you get a year-long warranty when you purchase the device.
This unique longevity value and its portability and high performance are why so many people buy this device. The build of the radio is designed to make it last longer. It takes a severe fall to break the radio. Many users say the device lasts for as long as five years.
Regardless of Motorola’s factors to make the radio durable and last long, you must handle it well to last long. Mishandling the device will reduce the lifespan. Use it right, and you will have a radio communication device that lasts for up to five years.
Cost
The cost of the radio is another essential factor to consider before purchasing it. Does the retail price match your budget? It is the right question to ask and not if the device is expensive or affordable, relative terms depending on your budget. With this in mind, the radio is one of the cheapest tools in its category. On Amazon, the device retails for $59.95.
Features
Enhanced Backlit Display
The enhanced LCD backlit display makes it easy for users to view the screen in the dark at night. The backlit ensures you can easily use the device at any time, enabling you to view the settings and display better.
Analog Display
The radio uses an analog display. It has that vintage feel of an old Motorola mobile phone from the early 2000s. The display shows numbers, which helps work out the settings and its features. The device has five buttons, which make it easier to operate the display. There is the ‘Call’ button, the ‘Menu’ button, the ‘Mon’ button, and two ‘volume’ buttons.
Lightweight Size
The FR60 is lightweight and portable. The two-way radio weighs 6.6 ounces, which is the equivalent of many new smartphones today. The design is sleek and done in a way that it is a better fit for the hands. You can carry it in your pockets and bags and feel no added weight. It is suitable for all-day carriage.
The FR60 has a portable yet strong build. The materials used to make the exterior are tough plastic and do not easily break on impact with the ground. It has an antenna that services multiple roles as the transmitter and receiver. The body shape resembles a smartphone, with minimal curves.
Its portability makes it an ideal companion for hikers, campers, and others who love to move frequently into areas where the mobile signal is low. You can carry along with your hiking and camping gear because it’s lightweight and not impacting the overall travel load. The walkie-talkie design makes it safe and secure for use for outdoor activities that can damage it.
Audio Quality
The FR60 walkie talkie has clear sound output. Its sound quality is similar to other two-way radios in its category. The speaker is audible and transmits clear sounds without interruptions or disturbing sounds. It has 38 interference eliminator codes, ensuring you get the best quality audio output despite any noise disruptions in the background. The FR60 does not support Bluetooth. However, it has a jack to connect to headphones and a microphone to improve sound quality.
Warranty
All Motorola products come with different warranty offers for their various devices. The FR60 radio comes with a year warranty on purchase. The warranty is a testament to the durability of the machine. The device can last for over five years, according to users. Suppose the product is faulty or develops a fault during the year-long warranty. In that case, you can return it for fixing or a replacement.
Accessories
Motorola devices always come with suitable accessories to make the machine easy for users. The radio has a stubby antenna for communication purposes and a belt clip to hold the device on your trousers or jeans. The FR60 walkie talkie uses three AA batteries, and it can last for 20 hours when fully charged.
Frequency Band
The frequency range for the FR60 radio is between 462.5625 MHz to 467.7125 MHz. You can use the communication device for personal communications up to 2 miles with this range. The two-way radio makes use of the UHF frequency for communication. There are two types of frequency bands, the VHF and UHF. The UHF is the superior quality of both thanks to its higher frequency and penetrating power. FR60 device from Motorola uses the UHF frequency.
Battery
The battery is an essential part of two-way radio. Without this component, the device can not get the needed power to function correctly. The two-way radio uses a low power of 0.5 watts. The tool needs 3 AA alkaline batteries to work. At full capacity, the battery can run for up to 24 hours.
Call Tones
The device has five different call tones that ring out when someone is trying to call you with the device. You can select your choice out of the five by using the ‘Menu’ button. When the battery runs low, there is an audible low battery alert tone to indicate it.
Multiple channels and subcodes
The FR60 walkie-talkie has 14 Family Radio Service (FRS) channels. Each channel has up to 38 subcodes, bringing the total possible frequency combination to 532! The multiple channels give you different options for communication. The subcodes help to remove background distracting noises so you can communicate even amid a crowd.
FAQs
How to Pair Walkie Talkies
Pairing walkie talkies are essential; it is the whole essence of purchasing the gadget in the first place, to communicate with another. If you are buying two-way walkie talkies, the devices get automatically paired with each other. However, you may have a different model of the walkie-talkie, and your friend you want to communicate with may have another. Many people assume that two walkie-talkies brand can not work together for communication purposes; this is untrue. You do not have to buy the same model to pair.
There are simple ways to pair two different walkie-talkies gadgets together. Hee is how to accomplish it.
- Place the two walkie talkies on the same channel frequency. Alone, this step should be enough to get the devices to start working. However, if this step fails to work, there are still other steps you can try.
- The next step is more technical but not impossible to achieve. The walkie-talkies from two brands will not communicate with each other even on the same channel frequency because of the CTCSS (Continous Tone Coded Squelch System) blocking. Brand manufacturers put the CTCSS to prevent interference from other devices while communicating. It is there to ensure that communication runs smoothly between similar devices.
Here is how the CTCSS works. When you communicate, the CTCSS sends a tone that is not audible to you or the person you send the message to but to the walkie-talkie. If the walkie-talkie does not get that tone, it will not accept the message. You can fix this problem by simply turning off the CTCSS blocking.
- Another reason why it may not pair is the presence of the DCS (Digital Coded Squelch). It works just like the CTCSS, but instead of sending a tone, it sends a code. Suppose the DCS codes are not compatible after deactivating the CTCSS blocking and the walkie talkies do not communicate. Turn off this feature to pair.
- Another point to note is the difference between FRS and GMRS frequencies. If both walkie talkies you want to pair belong to different frequencies, the channel numbers will not correlate. You may set both walkie talkies to channel 1. Still, they will not communicate because the other radio’s frequency channel 1 is another number entirely. You can solve this by checking online for the channels on FRS and their corresponding GNRS frequencies.
Where to Buy the Motorola FR60 Two way Radio
The FR60 two-way radio is readily available in different online stores and local gadgets stores. You can purchase the device on certified stores like Amazon, eBay, Motorola, and your local gadget stores. The cost varies from different platforms. You may have to pay the cost of shipping and delivery, depending on your location.
Conclusion
This Motorola Talkabout FR60 review provides you a comprehensive analysis of the features and benefits of the FR60 radio. It helps you connect with your team at work and friends and families during hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The gadget is cost-effective; the only high cost you will incur is the initial cost of purchase.
It uses multiple channels and subcodes to cater to your diverse communication needs. Even in a crowded environment, it has anti-noise interference features that enable smooth communication in all conditions, thus increasing efficiency and productivity.
The powerfully designed walkie talkie is portable and convenient to carry around. It is not one of those big walkie talkies that cannot fit into the pocket. It can easily slot into pockets, purses, and bags. The gadget is lightweight at 6.6 ounces and hardly noticeable when carrying. Its light feature makes it possible for us to take the device around throughout the whole day conveniently.
This radio uses very minimal battery power. On a full charge, the device can last for up to 24 hours. It is reliable and durable and can last up to five years. It is made of strong plastic that protects the device from accidental falls and water damage, and harsh weather. Also, the device comes with a year-long warranty.
The audio quality of the walkie talkie is clear and one of the best in the market. You can increase the volume easily with the volume controls located close to the screen. It has up to five call tones available. The radio covers a broad frequency band, and the receivers’ outputs are crystal clear on both ends.
Suppose you are looking for an affordable, portable, and high performing powerhouse walkie talkie to address your communication needs. In that case, the Motorola FR60 is the best pick for you.
